Blank Canvas.......

[hail-hail]

Hello, first a quick intro as I am brand new to the Forum.
My name is Alan and I am a gadget freak

Moved into my house a couple of years ago and struck a deal with the wife that the double garage was mine to do with as I pleased :D.

So in went a pool table, fridge freezer, dart board and sky. Stuck a frame round the entire garage, fired up some insulation and plaster board and let my dad go mad practicing his plastering. Painted the whole place green and stuck up as much Celtic nonsense as I could.

Pros: great for a party after the pub.
Cons: cold, noisey to get in and out as still had the double garage door as the only access. Had to go back into the house evertime I needed a pee etc.......only really used it after the pub when blitzed. Doesn't go well with no toilet access :D:D:D

Anyway our second child is on the way and the wifey has taken back the double garage Argued the toss for a bit but I never really use the place as is and so didn't really have a leg to stand on.

It will now become a 'Family Room'. Brick up the garage door and put in wondows, access via our utility room, French Patio doors to teh back garden. But my plans do not stop there. I would like to use this opportunity to install a proper Home cinema / media room.

I have seem some great ideas by having a quick look through this forum, but would like some more suggestions. So far I am planning:

Big LCD / Plasma telly, 50" possibly.
Sky HD
Surround Sound Stereo
XBOX 360 and Wii
Some type of Media PC, maybe with a switch between the PC monitor and the telly.
Phone line for the Lazy Boy

I have thought about the following:
Network cabling from my office to the Family room. Avoiding wireless communication.
Hidden wiring for surround sound speakers.
TV mounted on a false wall to allow access to connect more toys. I do like the false Chimney ideas, looks great on a few other threads I have seen.
Hidden DVD / CD storage.

Will build up a quick google sketch when the architechs drawings come in.
He is drwing up the basic structural work at the moment.

Until then please feel free to hit me with your best ideas and links to your own builds. I don't have a budget but can see 20-30k being a realistic ceiling on what I want to spend. this will include new front windows, rear French patio doors, plumbing in central heating and electrics etc.....

cheers in advance for the help.

[Anderzz]

Id say if you are sensible and plan it meticulously, you should be able to lower that cost somewhat.

Once people lose direction the costs mount.

Make sure you plan the project from the start. book all your tradesmen so they can all work in conjunction with eachother.

Source materials yourself where possible as there is a chance people will charge additional costs if you get them to provide it.

Other than that, with a budget that high you will be sorted! :D