Garage Conversion

The housing market has been in a continual state of change over the past few years. Prices have gone up, quite dramatically in some areas, then they have gone down. On top of all that price instability, mortgage interest rates have risen regularly and substantially over the past eighteen months. This has increased the monthly mortgage repayments by hundreds of pounds in many cases at a time when many households are encountering rising prices in almost everything they buy.

All of the above have got families in need of more space turning away from the age old “let’s buy a bigger house” and looking more at adding usable space to their present home. The cost of moving house alone is becoming expensive, with estate agents fees, solicitors and conveyancing costs, surveys and removals all requiring payment of a substantial total amount.

This is leading more homebuyers to look at ways of maximising the available space in their existing property at a reasonable cost. An attic conversion is a possibility, provided the property offers the roof height to accommodate the required ceiling height. An attic conversion adds a good deal of space, but also requires some of the existing space to site a stairway for access.

Another relatively low cost option is to convert a garage into living space. Many of us tend to use our garage as an oversized garden shed, storing tools, gardening equipment and other items which would come under the heading of “might come in handy some time”. All of this leaves little or no room for the family car. If you use your garage as a dumping ground, it would make sense to add value to your property by converting the space into extra living space or an additional ensuite bedroom for instance.

Garage conversion
Garage conversion

Adding an additional room to your home by converting your garage normally has a relatively low cost as the structure itself already exists. There should be no need to dig out extra foundations, the walls already exist as does the roof. All of this helps to keep the cost of the conversion down but if your garage is not in good condition, it may be worth considering the option to demolish it and start again, although this would add substantially to the cost.

The fact that the basic structure is already in existence and is only being modified and improved does not mean that the conversion will be simple. The structure is being added to the living accommodation of the property and as such would then be subject to the current building regulations and energy efficiency directives. There will need to be a damp proof course, the floor will need to be raised to the height of the existing property’s floors taking care to leave the minimum headroom required in the finished room. The walls and roof will require to be insulated and in all probability new windows will need to be fitted, to ensure that your additional accommodation meets energy efficiency targets.

It is always wise to check the deeds of the property to ensure that there are no restrictions as to the use of the garage. There can be conditions in the deeds restricting the use of the garage space for parking a car if there is limited parking available nearby. In London for instance, residential developments with one or two bedrooms would require 1 parking space per residential unit, three-bed properties require 1.5 spaces per property with the minimum requirement for four-bed homes being 2 spaces per house, all include visitors parking areas. Providing there are no restrictions, most garage conversions can be undertaken under Permitted Development, which means you only need to inform your local authority of your plans, rather than apply to them for planning permission. Full guidance on Permitted Development can be had by looking on www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance  .

Building projects are heavily regulated, so it is always best to get professional advice before you start a garage conversion. Homeowners are legally responsible for ensuring that any structural or alteration work carried out on their property complies with building standards current at the time the work is started. This responsibility can be delegated to your builder or contractor in advance of them starting work, but the ultimate responsible for ensuring your home complies with relevant building standards remains with you.

Talking with a local builder or an architect would be a good idea before you start the project, these experienced professionals can bring new, innovative ideas to your project. You may only ever undertake one garage conversion, they will have worked on and completed numerous and would be able to bring that experience to your project, both from a technical and an aesthetic point of view. 

If you decide to use a main contractor or builder to undertake the whole project, they will organise all the trades you will need for the build and bring them on to site as and when required. You may also decide to manage the project yourself, deciding when to engage with local trades. Before you have the outer walls complete and finished you should run any trunking for electrical wiring for lights, sockets and any other electrical equipment you plan to install.

Look at any plumbing installations you may be considering for an ensuite toilet or shower room and give consideration to what form of heating you may want to use. If you are adding extra radiators to an existing central heating system, you may need to look at how the added capacity would affect your existing boiler. Another alternative would be to look at installing a separate under floor heating system in the conversion as you would be required to resurface and re-screed the floor anyway.

Following a logical plan from concept to completion is always a good idea as is getting advice from professionals. Get plans drawn up in advance, find out if you can build under permitted development or apply for planning permission if need be so that all your paperwork is complete before you start work. Always bear in mind, if you do not satisfy your local council’s requirements, they have the authority to make life very difficult and expensive for those who do not comply.

If you are thinking of improving your home, you may find some of these services useful: