Planning permission is not generally required for log cabins as they are classes as “Portable Buildings”, however, the interpretations of planning requirements varies with different local authorities.
Ultimately your local planning authority (local planning authority usually means your District or Borough Council) decides whether or not planning permission is required. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not planning permission should be obtained you should contact your local planning authority. Examples of cases where planning permission may need to be obtained are as follows:
- The log cabin is to be erected in the grounds of a listed building, a conservation area or green belt land.
- The log cabin exceeds 30 square metres floor area.
- The log cabin stands taller than 4 metres.
- The log cabin will cover 50% or more of the grounds in which it is to be erected.
This information is a guide and not a definitive list of all situations where planning permission may need to be obtained. If you have access to the Internet then you may find the website www.planningportal.gov.uk useful.
Building regulations also vary from area to area. Although most log cabins comply with the rules in most areas, you may need to check the requirements of your local planning authority.
World of Spas cannot accept liability in any cases where a log cabin has been erected without the necessary planning permission or where the necessary building regulation rules have not been followed.
It is important that you ensure you have sufficient access for the delivery of your log cabin. There is a possibility that your log cabin will be delivered on an HGV. If we are erecting the log cabin, then it is essential that there is clear access from the unloading point to the desired point of erection.
If the building is to be delivered only, then it is important that an area is prepared for the log cabin to be stacked neatly. The log cabins are taken off log by log. Our drivers do not carry any materials with which to cover the log cabins once they have been delivered. Please ensure that you have covering available if you are not going to start installing your log cabin straight away. Please note that our drivers will carry the building a maximum of 12 metres (40’) from the vehicle. If you think that your desired delivery point is further than this from the vehicle, you should contact us immediately.
It is essential that your log cabin is erected onto an adequate base. It must be square, level and firm. If the base is not suitable and you have opted for our erection service, we regret that we would be unable to do so until a suitable base is laid. In this instance a re-visit charge would be made to return to the property and erect the log cabin.
By preparing an adequate base, you will eliminate the risk of problems with doors and windows sticking due to poor foundation. The following information is to aid you in constructing a suitable base. Always leave an area of approximately 24-30cms around your base area to allow for the roof overhang.
METHOD 1 – Paving Slab Base
You should remove any vegetation from the area. Lay the slabs on to sand or ballast to create an area the same size as your log cabin. Use a spirit level to ensure that the slabs are completely level. This method is only recommended if you have one of the 28mm log cabins, and is not at all suitable if your log cabin is sited on a sloped area.
METHOD 2 – Concrete Base 1
You should remove any vegetation from the area. Lay approximately 5cm of hardcore on to which you should then lay approximately 5cm of concrete to create an area the same size as your log cabin. Ensure using a spirit level that the base is completely level. A good way to ensure that the base is square is to measure across both diagonals (corner to corner). The measurements will be the same if your base is square.
METHOD 3 – Concrete Base 2
We strongly recommend this method for other larger log cabins and it is essential for Garages. Remove any vegetation from the area. Lay approximately 12cm of firmly compacted hardcore on to which you should then lay approximately 12cm of concrete to create an area the same size as your log cabin. Ensure using a spirit level that the base is completely level. Check that the base is square by measuring across both diagonals (corner to corner). The measurements will be the same if your base is square. You need to allow at least five days for the concrete to harden before your log cabin can be erected onto it.
We notify of delivery dates via the telephone, approximately 7-10 days prior to delivery taking place (wherever possible). We make every attempt to reach you on the day stated; however, this is not always possible. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to deliver your building on the day stated (e.g. Poor weather conditions) we will contact you at the first opportunity. We cannot give an accurate time for delivery. However, if you contact our Head Office the day prior to delivery we will be able to tell you whether you can expect a morning or afternoon delivery.
Delays can occur due to poor weather or traffic conditions. If the delay is significant our drivers are equipped with mobile phones and will contact you to inform you of the situation.
We realise that customers are not always able to be present when we deliver their log cabins. If you are unable to be present then it is important that any special instructions are given to our Head Office prior to delivery.
Once your log cabin has been erected it is important to maintain it correctly. Please note the following points:
- When deciding on a product for treating you log cabin, you must ensure that it is suitable for planed timber. Any products that are only suitable for rough sawn timber should not be used on your log cabin. You should aim to treat your log cabin within 14 days of erection and repeat the process annually.
- Timber is a natural product and as such is liable to move. Gaps may begin to appear between the logs of your log cabin. If this happens it may be possible that the storm batons have been fitted too tightly. In this instance, the first thing you should do is loosen off the bolts of the storm batons and allow the building time to settle back into position.
- If problems persist with gaps appearing between the logs and loosening the storm batons does not resolve the problem, then you should try and knock the logs back into the correct position. Take a block of wood and place it onto the ends of the logs and, using a mallet, hit them back into place gently.
- Roofing felt is liable to some movement with changes of temperature which can sometimes result in a rippling effect. This is perfectly normal and will not reduce the quality of the roofing felt in any way.
- Doors and windows will expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature. To minimise the risk of any problems occurring, ensure that all of the windows and doors are treated using an appropriate product. You should make sure that the end grain of each unit is completely covered in treatment. It may be necessary to adjust the screws holding the units in place from time to time.
- We strongly advise against installing any fixtures that will restrict the movement of the building. Our partition walls are specially designed to allow the log cabin to move naturally. If a unit is fitted to the walls without taking care to allow the log cabin to move, then it will cause large gaps to form between the logs. The only way to rectify this problem if it does occur is to remove any fixings from the walls and allow the log cabin time to settle back into position.
If you would like any further advice on any other matter that is not covered here, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0845 130 8448. If maintained correctly, your log cabin will give you many years of satisfactory use!
