Hi,

does anyone know where I can purchase those huge granite blocks?

I want to to level off my gardent (house is higher at the moment). Are there any legal considerations too?

Thanks in advance

Matt

Talk to your local Gartenbau (garden construction firm) - these usually work with a quarry to source granite. Some quarries sell direct to the public, many only to garden or building firms.

(A bit out of your way, but Küster in Freienbach/ Bäch SZ has a nice selection of stone.)

As for the legal stuff... get thee to the Bauamt! (Office of building permits, red tape, obfuscation and petty bureaucracy, designed to prevent you from ever changing or improving your property... )

Don't get me started on my tale of Baubewilligung (building permission) woe.... One day I may get my Wintergarten (glass addition thingy) - two years on, I'd be happy with just a garden shed...

Some communities have very restrictive regulations regarding any change to your property, some are very easy going. Talk to the powers that be before you start.

For instance, we had an area that sloped down to an existing boulder wall, and wanted to add extra stone to the wall to level off the slope. We had to track down the original architect from 25 years ago to find the design specs to prove the extra weight could be supported....

Even if you don't need a permit (we didn't for that project, just an engineering study) you might need the agreement of your immediate neighbors. Usual objections would be if your wall would block anyone's view, change water flow, etc. So invite the neighbors round for a very nice apero, and have a chat.

Good luck with your project...

Hi Matt, A friend of mine once put a very small structure in his garden to house chickens, it was was 60cm high. He had the Baupolitzei (building police) around a few days later. I think anything over 50cm needs permission. So Melloncollie is right - get friendly with your neighbours!!

Hi Guys
I have a big problem. My garden shed nearly blew away last week.
Now I am stuck with it, and don't know what to do.....
1) I need to get rid of the old garden shed - dismantle & be removed?
2) and then I need somebody to build the new garden shed in the old garden sheds place?
What a big hassle if you don't know how things work.

Does anyone know of a person/company in the Liestal region who does these kind of jobs..

Thanks

Noobee,

Even though you had an existing structure (which I'm assuming is listed as a Nebenbau on the Katasterplan?), you should first check with your Gemeinde Bauamt to see if you need any kind of permission to rebuild. The question is, are you repairing an existing structure, or building something new? Generally, assuming you build exactly the same thing, on the same spot, covering exactly the same footprint and dimensions, you shouldn't need another permit - but do check first!

You still might need to chat with your neighbors; if only to appologize in advance for any disruption caused by construction.

Anyone you hire to should be able to organize dismantling and disposal of the damaged shed. But, you might find it far cheaper to do so yourself.

And - check with your insurer - you might be covered for the loss or some of the rebuilding costs.

Afraid I can't help with a builder, but search for hings like 'Gartenhaus' or 'Gerätehaus'. Or even 'Blockhaus'. Both Coop Bau and Hobby and Era carry a line of garden sheds to build yourself (or they can help you find a builder) - you might check their catalog.


(Just noticed I replied to the original question 2 years ago... I long ago gave up on my dream of a Wintergarten - and I still don't have a permit to build a simple garden shed! )