The Weekend Reno – Space Creator Checklist

In the UK, property value is often tied directly to the number of functional rooms. Converting a “dead” corner into a dedicated workspace or dividing an oversized room can instantly jump your home into a higher price bracket.

On your Priority Matrix, this project sits in the “Strategic Investment” quadrant. While it requires a bit more “DIY grit” than painting a door, the return on investment (ROI) is one of the highest possible without an extension.

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The Weekend Reno – Space Creator Checklist

The “Space Creator” Stud-Wall & Zone Checklist

Phase 1: The Shopping List

This project focuses on building a non-load-bearing timber stud wall to create a home office, nursery, or walk-in wardrobe.

The Skeleton & Skin:

CLS Timber (38mm x 63mm): The standard “stud” wood for UK internal walls.
Plasterboard Sheets: 12.5mm thickness is standard. (Pro tip: Use ‘Acoustic’ blue board if creating an office).
Drywall Screws: 38mm length to fix the board to the timber.
Wood Screws: 80mm–100mm for framing the “skeleton.”

The Finishing Touches:

Joint Filler & Scrim Tape: To create seamless joins between boards without needing a full plaster skim.
Skirting Board: To match your existing room profile.
Internal Door & Frame: (Optional) If you are fully enclosing the new room.
Acoustic Insulation: Mineral wool batts to go inside the wall (essential for quiet home offices!)

Phase 2: The “Room Split” Weekend Plan

Saturday: The Skeleton

09:00 – The Layout: Mark your floor, ceiling, and walls. Vital: Use a stud finder to ensure you aren’t drilling into pipes or wires!
10:00 – The Sole & Head Plates: Fix your timber to the floor and ceiling. If you have a concrete floor, you’ll need a masonry drill and plugs.
13:00 – The Vertical Studs: Cut and fix your vertical timbers every 400mm or 600mm (depending on your plasterboard width).
16:00 – Insulation & Wires: If you’re adding plug sockets (call a Sparky for the final connection!), run the cables now and tuck your acoustic insulation between the studs.

Sunday: Closing it In

10:00 – Boarding Up: Screw your plasterboard to the timber frame. Keep a 5mm gap at the floor to prevent moisture wicking.
13:00 – Taping & Filling: Apply scrim tape to the joins and cover with joint filler. Once dry, sand it smooth. (This “taping and joining” method is a great DIY alternative to professional plastering).
15:00 – Skirting & Architrave: Measure, mitre, and fix your skirting boards to blend the new wall into the old room.
17:00 – Mist Coat: Apply a watered-down coat of white emulsion to the new boards to prep them for your final paint colour.

Pro Tip for UK Reno’s:

Permitted Development: Most internal, non-load-bearing walls don’t require Planning Permission. However, if you are creating a new bedroom, UK Building Regs require a “means of escape” (a window of a certain size). Always check that your new “room” has adequate ventilation and light to be legally classed as a habitable space!

Space Creator Cost Estimator (2026 DIY Estimates)

Item	Estimated Cost (Low)	Estimated Cost (High)	Why the difference?
Timber (CLS)	£60	£120	Depends on wall length (assumes 3m wall).
Plasterboard	£50	£100	Standard grey board vs. Sound/Fire-rated boards.
Insulation Batts	£30	£60	Basic glass wool vs. Rockwool Sound insulation.
Joint Filler & Tape	£20	£40	Small tub vs. trade-sized bags.
Internal Door & Kit	£80	£250	Basic hollow-core door vs. solid oak veneer
Fixings & Screws	£15	£30	Buying in bulk from trade counters is cheaper.
TOTAL	£255	£600

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