My Coach House to Garage Conversion
Discussion
Thought I would put this up to show you what I'm upto and as a bit of a build diary.
Due to a broken o'ring somewhere within my RS6's gearbox and the ludicrous quotes to fix. I thought the money better spent on converting the unused coach house and adding a 2 post lift. Idea is to have it properly kitted out with a mezzanine deck to the side of the 2 post, with workshop facilities underneath. I'll then fix the gearbox myself.
So I'm starting with this rather lovely little building that is in the courtyard. So far I have used it to store a car in there and all sorts of random gear. Building consists of the room that(at one time)housed the coach and next door there is a stable block for the 2 horses that pulled it. The wall between the 2 is a simple partition, with very rotten beams and flooring above.
So with permissions in place it was time to get started. First there was the top floor to clear as it was getting removed as it was so rotten and I wanted to open it up to give height for the 2 post lift. Also I chipped out the cement pointing on the outside which was doing more harm than good.
Also remove this partition wall which is not structural.
So with this removed the builders then moved in and a day later the coach house was looking much more open than before. I also didn't realise quite how much space there was. With a bit of shuffling I managed to get the Yaris, Abarth and RS6 in there!
They don't make buildings like they used to
There was a bit of woodworm in evidence so the place was sprayed. The floor inside was dug up to make way for a floor rated for a 2 post lift. It was dug deeper in the area where the lift is to be bolted as a bit of overkill, I don't fancy 2+ tonne of RS6 falling on me.
Day of cementing and this truck blocked the main street for pretty much 10 minutes whilst trying to get into the courtyard. Was a bit of a squeeze!
Concrete in
And all done
After it was done a week later they came and dressed the surface. I might go for tiles for the ease of leaks/spills and cleaning up. This is as far as I have gone so far, but needless to say there is a lot of work still to do including:
Plaster boarding and sorting out the ceiling
Electrics and lighting
Mezzanine deck and staircase
New windows and single door
Roller shutter main door
Water supply
Heritage velux windows
2 post lift install
Wood burner in the corner
Aim is to be done for winter so I am good to get the gearbox sorted on the RS6. So shall try to keep it updated as I go. I have got a week driving around the Pyrenees and Le Mans booked for next year so I have a deadline to hit!!
Due to a broken o'ring somewhere within my RS6's gearbox and the ludicrous quotes to fix. I thought the money better spent on converting the unused coach house and adding a 2 post lift. Idea is to have it properly kitted out with a mezzanine deck to the side of the 2 post, with workshop facilities underneath. I'll then fix the gearbox myself.
So I'm starting with this rather lovely little building that is in the courtyard. So far I have used it to store a car in there and all sorts of random gear. Building consists of the room that(at one time)housed the coach and next door there is a stable block for the 2 horses that pulled it. The wall between the 2 is a simple partition, with very rotten beams and flooring above.
So with permissions in place it was time to get started. First there was the top floor to clear as it was getting removed as it was so rotten and I wanted to open it up to give height for the 2 post lift. Also I chipped out the cement pointing on the outside which was doing more harm than good.
Also remove this partition wall which is not structural.
So with this removed the builders then moved in and a day later the coach house was looking much more open than before. I also didn't realise quite how much space there was. With a bit of shuffling I managed to get the Yaris, Abarth and RS6 in there!
They don't make buildings like they used to
There was a bit of woodworm in evidence so the place was sprayed. The floor inside was dug up to make way for a floor rated for a 2 post lift. It was dug deeper in the area where the lift is to be bolted as a bit of overkill, I don't fancy 2+ tonne of RS6 falling on me.
Day of cementing and this truck blocked the main street for pretty much 10 minutes whilst trying to get into the courtyard. Was a bit of a squeeze!
Concrete in
And all done
After it was done a week later they came and dressed the surface. I might go for tiles for the ease of leaks/spills and cleaning up. This is as far as I have gone so far, but needless to say there is a lot of work still to do including:
Plaster boarding and sorting out the ceiling
Electrics and lighting
Mezzanine deck and staircase
New windows and single door
Roller shutter main door
Water supply
Heritage velux windows
2 post lift install
Wood burner in the corner
Aim is to be done for winter so I am good to get the gearbox sorted on the RS6. So shall try to keep it updated as I go. I have got a week driving around the Pyrenees and Le Mans booked for next year so I have a deadline to hit!!
Ug_lee said:
Due to a broken o'ring somewhere within my RS6's gearbox and the ludicrous quotes to fix. I thought the money better spent on converting the unused coach house and adding a 2 post lift. Idea is to have it properly kitted out with a mezzanine deck to the side of the 2 post, with workshop facilities underneath. I'll then fix the gearbox myself.
Epic man maths. Well done 
S10GTA said:
Ug_lee said:
Due to a broken o'ring somewhere within my RS6's gearbox and the ludicrous quotes to fix. I thought the money better spent on converting the unused coach house and adding a 2 post lift. Idea is to have it properly kitted out with a mezzanine deck to the side of the 2 post, with workshop facilities underneath. I'll then fix the gearbox myself.
Epic man maths. Well done 
This thread is full of win.
That building looks lovely. What a great place.
If it was mine I'd be inclined to have new wooden double doors. I think they'd suit the character of the building far better than a roller shutter door.
Looking forward to see how this turns out. My house was built in the 70's and has about as much character as a potato, so I'mmassively ever so slightly envious of your coach house
If it was mine I'd be inclined to have new wooden double doors. I think they'd suit the character of the building far better than a roller shutter door.
Looking forward to see how this turns out. My house was built in the 70's and has about as much character as a potato, so I'm
Cheers everyone, you are probably right, my man maths is rather optimistic! But hope to do as good a job as possible with the finances I have.
The door at the top for the old hayloft will have a new sash style window and I'll be able to see out when on the mezzanine floor.
It has a nice character and intend to keep it that way externally at least. Inside I'm not sure to go more traditional or go modern.
Vroom101 said:
That building looks lovely. What a great place.
If it was mine I'd be inclined to have new wooden double doors. I think they'd suit the character of the building far better than a roller shutter door.
Looking forward to see how this turns out. My house was built in the 70's and has about as much character as a potato, so I'mmassively ever so slightly envious of your coach house
You are thinking along my lines regarding the building. I'm hoping to fit a black roller shutter door behind similar style doors you see now. Will be using the original hinges and the single door will be traditional style too.If it was mine I'd be inclined to have new wooden double doors. I think they'd suit the character of the building far better than a roller shutter door.
Looking forward to see how this turns out. My house was built in the 70's and has about as much character as a potato, so I'm
The door at the top for the old hayloft will have a new sash style window and I'll be able to see out when on the mezzanine floor.
It has a nice character and intend to keep it that way externally at least. Inside I'm not sure to go more traditional or go modern.
BigTom85 said:
S10GTA said:
Ug_lee said:
Due to a broken o'ring somewhere within my RS6's gearbox and the ludicrous quotes to fix. I thought the money better spent on converting the unused coach house and adding a 2 post lift. Idea is to have it properly kitted out with a mezzanine deck to the side of the 2 post, with workshop facilities underneath. I'll then fix the gearbox myself.
Epic man maths. Well done This thread is full of win.
Man Maths win!
Ug_lee said:
Cheers everyone, you are probably right, my man maths is rather optimistic!
Optimistic!?! I'd say!You spent eight-and-a-bit grand on an RS6, and now face a hefty bill for an O-ring (well, I'm guessing the O-ring is pennies, but fitting it is where you'll lose an arm and a leg). So you decide the sensible thing is to do the work yourself, but there's the small matter of converting your coach house, buying and installing a car lift, buying the right tools for the job, not to mention the time it will all take. How much is all that going to cost?! You could probably buy another RS6 for the same money!
That man-maths isn't optimistic, its miraculous!
Top work! Carry on!
jason61c said:
Lovely building too. Such a shame about the cement pointing, however it's looking awesome already.
Cheers! Most of the cement pointing is out now, and hope to get it repointed soon. Unfortunately most of the house was the same, it took a long time to chip it all out.Vroom101 said:
Optimistic!?! I'd say!
You spent eight-and-a-bit grand on an RS6, and now face a hefty bill for an O-ring (well, I'm guessing the O-ring is pennies, but fitting it is where you'll lose an arm and a leg). So you decide the sensible thing is to do the work yourself, but there's the small matter of converting your coach house, buying and installing a car lift, buying the right tools for the job, not to mention the time it will all take. How much is all that going to cost?! You could probably buy another RS6 for the same money!
That man-maths isn't optimistic, its miraculous!
Top work! Carry on!
I still pinch myself that I managed to get this past the Mrs, the much needed new kitchen has been delayed. She might be a keeper You spent eight-and-a-bit grand on an RS6, and now face a hefty bill for an O-ring (well, I'm guessing the O-ring is pennies, but fitting it is where you'll lose an arm and a leg). So you decide the sensible thing is to do the work yourself, but there's the small matter of converting your coach house, buying and installing a car lift, buying the right tools for the job, not to mention the time it will all take. How much is all that going to cost?! You could probably buy another RS6 for the same money!
That man-maths isn't optimistic, its miraculous!
Top work! Carry on!
I should just sell the RS6 for parts and I'd probably be able to get a nicer one. However apart from the gearbox I know this one is mechanically spot on. Cosmetically not the best, but then it means I don't get too precious over it.
I always try to use certain situations to my advantage. I needed a spacious practical family car, so I needed an RS6. RS6 has a duff gearbox, I need a proper garage to sort it out
MrBig said:
What a fantastic building. Once the lift is in will you still be able to get another car in the other side under the mezzanine? Might be a useful feature if it's feasible?
It's possible if I used a single post lift that was bolted down on the left as you drove in. However the design of single post lifts means it does not lend itself too well to removing gearboxes as there is a big beam that runs across the centre of the car. The RS6 is also a heavy car and most single posts are around 2 Ton lift which is borderline. With that weight over me I'd rather over spec, but with the 2 post I'll still get 2 cars in so still pretty good!
king cool!Ug_lee said:
I still pinch myself that I managed to get this past the Mrs, the much needed new kitchen has been delayed. She might be a keeper
I should just sell the RS6 for parts and I'd probably be able to get a nicer one. However apart from the gearbox I know this one is mechanically spot on. Cosmetically not the best, but then it means I don't get too precious over it.
I always try to use certain situations to my advantage. I needed a spacious practical family car, so I needed an RS6. RS6 has a duff gearbox, I need a proper garage to sort it out
I should just sell the RS6 for parts and I'd probably be able to get a nicer one. However apart from the gearbox I know this one is mechanically spot on. Cosmetically not the best, but then it means I don't get too precious over it.
I always try to use certain situations to my advantage. I needed a spacious practical family car, so I needed an RS6. RS6 has a duff gearbox, I need a proper garage to sort it out
I do have a quick (slightly off topic) question. I didn't think the C5 RS6 was type approved for a towbar. How did you manage to get that past the insurance company? I only ask because I tow our camping crap in a trailer, and being able to consider an RS6 as an option opens up a whole new world of fun when I eventually come to change my car
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