Introduction: Build Your Own Outhouse.

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About: I am not a tradesman of any description merely a handy sort of fella, I enjoy building items and structures around my property that are both nice to look at and functional, to be enjoyed by my family and frien…

Our old farmhouse has one upstairs bathroom, as we often entertain outdoors I wanted an outdoor restroom for our guests convenience. Total cost £600 (roof tiles where expensive)

My inspiration was the outhouse featured in the movie Chitty Chatty bang bang in which the grandfather keeps disappearing into.

I would like to apologise for the lack of step by step photos, I genuinely and meticulously photographed all stages on my phone unfortunately the images have disappeared. So I can not claim this to be a step by step build, more an example of how you can build an outside loo quite easily with relatively cheap materials. I was left with a few images to hopefully provide inspiration.

This project was completed over two weekends.

Supplies

Concrete, sand, pipework, lavatory system and lots of timber.

Step 1:

The first stage was to decide on location, this was easily decided as I was bounded by the location of my underground waste pipe. So that's where it went.

I also took a feed and laid a 15mm pipe to the location for cold water from an outside tap on the main house.

  1. The pipework was dug in to the location from the services (waste outlet and water supply)
  2. I decided on the size I required for movement within the rest room by placing a toilet on the floor and doing simulated tests!
  3. I then placed batons mixed cement and poured it into the batons with the pipe protruding.
  4. Using 2x4 I made the simple framework and cut in the timber roof as shown on the photo.


Step 2:

  1. I cladded the entire building in feather edge boards
  2. I had an old shed type door which I had already used as a template for the opening, fitted it.
  3. I had an old window which I also used as a template for the window opening, fitted that in a frame.

Step 3:

For the roof I had some old ridge tiles I wanted to incorporate, so I opted for traditional slate tiles and a roof. Without these this would have been a relatively cheap build. They doubled the cost of the whole project.

You may just want a Felt roof which would be a good deal cheaper and easier.

  1. Having laid the timber batons I cut and laid the tiles
  2. I fitted the quirky ridge tiles


Step 4:

To save money I scrounged begged and borrowed wooden pallets for the interior walls. Once cut and separated into planks I fixed them internally to the frame and they give a nice rustic finish to the interior.

Step 5:

I really wanted an old school high level cistern type toilet (the ones where you pull a chain).

I managed to find an inexpensive second hand one from Facebook marketplace. £50 (a very clean second hand one)

  1. I plumbed in the cistern cold water feed and mounted the cistern.
  2. Fitted the toilet over the waste outlet and connected the flush pipe to the cistern.
  3. I fitted a very small corner hand basin, also connected to the water feed.
  4. And finally fitted and decorated the interior with lots of pictures and nik naks we have accumulated over the years, along with the obligatory cigar box.

Shut the door listen to the birds and relax!