Set up a phone box in your garden: Foundation & Approval

You have fulfilled the dream of owning an original K6 telephone box and are planning to place it as a highlight in your garden? Congratulations! To ensure that this icon stands safely and permanently in its place, there are a few important practical points to consider. Here are the key tips regarding the foundation, permission, and installation.

The Foundation: The Basis for Secure Positioning

An original K6 telephone box weighs around 750 kg. A simple lawn or a paved terrace is not sufficient as a base. A solid foundation is essential to prevent sinking or tipping.

Recommendation for the Foundation:

Type: A poured concrete slab.

Dimensions: At least 100 cm x 100 cm. A size of 110 x 110 cm gives you a little more flexibility

Depth: At least 20 cm; in soft ground or in regions at risk of frost, 30 cm is better.

Reinforcement: A simple steel mesh reinforcement in the concrete provides additional stability.

Allow the foundation to cure completely for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the weather, before the telephone box is placed on it. When creating the foundation, also plan the supply line for an electrical cable if you would like to use interior lighting.

Is Planning Permission Required?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked. In most cases, the answer is: no. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, telephone boxes are generally regarded as minor structures or projects that do not require a formal permit, as long as they do not exceed a certain size. With its footprint of under 1 m² and a height of approximately 2.5 m, the K6 normally falls into this category.

However, there are exceptions:

Listed building protection: If your house is a listed building, you must discuss any structural change on the property with the relevant authority.

Local building regulations: Every municipality may have its own stricter rules. A short informal call to the local building authority provides final certainty and helps avoid problems.

In more than 15 years of experience, however, we have not had a single case in which permission was required for a single telephone box in a private garden.

Delivery and Positioning

Delivery is made by freight company in a robust wooden crate. Transport from the lorry to the final location is the most critical step. Due to the high weight, manual transport is not possible. You will need:

A small crane, forklift, or powered pallet truck.

Make sure that the route to the foundation is wide enough and accessible for the lifting equipment. We advise you in detail in advance on the logistical requirements and help with the planning so that everything runs smoothly on the day of delivery.

With the right preparation, the installation of your telephone box becomes a straightforward process and the crowning conclusion of your project. Do you have any further questions about logistics or planning? Contact us at any time!