The Repair Man
John Coupe in his workshop. Image by: David Hodgkinson
If anyone is a true ‘shed guru’ then it’s John Coupe. Are you looking for someone to repair your existing garden building, shed or workshop? Maybe you’re after some in-depth advice on how to tackle the problem yourself - or maybe you’re considering building a traditional shed from scratch? If so, then John Coupe could be just who you are looking for if you live in the South East of the UK.
Master craftsman John Coupe offers a shed repair service in Kent and East Sussex – generally working within a 20-mile radius of Tunbridge Wells although he will travel further for the right project. John will even undertake to install a bespoke shed or prefabricated (modular) building for you. On top of which he has found time to co-write and co-produce ’The Haynes Shed Manual’ with Alex Johnson (published by Haynes) in 2019. It’s an uber-practical, step-by-step guide to designing, building and fitting-out a garden shed in the true sense of the word. So, you know you will be in the hands of an expert.
This expertise is clearly demonstrated throughout John’s blog-website 'Secrets of Shed Building’, which is an informative and very detailed read. (John also just happens to be an experienced civil engineer.) It’s worth scrolling past the few ads that pop-up on his website to get to the information that is well-articulated and carefully catalogued.
Garden sheds were the forerunners of the fully-insulated garden rooms, studios and summerhouses we so love today. However sheds and workshops, be they ever-so humble, are at the heart of every English garden. [Did you know, there is even a ‘UK Men’s Sheds Association’ which offers sheds as community work spaces around the country where chaps of a certain age can meet to share skills and enjoy practical hobbies. I wonder if there’s a lady’s equivalent?]
If your garden room, studio or summerhouse has been standing for a couple of years it might have “settled” and it can sometimes be a challenge to encourage the manufacturer to return to fix any niggling problems that might not be covered by the warranty or guarantee. So fabulous to know there is a man-who-can.
People like John Coupe are gold-dust, treat them well…
LINKS & INFORMATION
• READ MORE about John Coupe not only on his blog but in an interview by Mary Harris for Kent Live News >
• BUY THE BOOK The Shed Manual is available via Waterstones & Amazon for around £24.99
• FIND JOHN via: www.secrets-of-shed-building.com/shed-foundation or email him: john@secrets-of-shed-building.com
📷 Images of John Coupe by: Lewis Durham and David Hodgkinson
John Coupe and the ‘Shed Manual’ published by Hayes. Image by: Lewis Durham
