Garage Conversions

Expert Service

GARAGE CONVERSIONS

Garage conversions are perfect solution for creating more living space, as well as increasing the price of your property. we are highly skilled at being able to create that extra space needed, whilst complimenting your existing property. A loft conversion will give you that extra living area bedroom or study without the stress of having to move house.

We will work with you every step of the way, our experienced team of craftsmen have transformed numerous garages, into magnificent new living areas, adding extra space and value to already existing properties.

It is important to ensure that any new windows, doors or brickwork match the existing property to ensure the project seamlessly blends in to the existing property.

How much do garage conversions cost?

A basic conversion will cost around £850-£1,150* per square metre – if the walls and floor are stable, there is a watertight roof, and the ceiling height is sufficient to leave around 2.2-2.4 metres of headroom after building up the floor by 15cm above external ground level. If the structure is attached to the house, rather than integral, and needs structural repairs, it may be more cost-effective to demolish and replace it.

Design fees range from £1,200-£2,500, plus £300-£400 for a structural engineer. A typical single garage conversion (18 square metres) would cost around £17,100-£23,900, and a double (36 square metres) £31,300-£43,300, plus VAT, depending on personal specifications.

Planning permission for garage conversions

In the majority of cases, the work involved in converting a garage will be classed as permitted development. However, if you live in a Conservation Area, a location where development can be restricted to protect the appearance of the surroundings, or on a new estate with strict guidelines, it’s worth checking what’s allowed.

When you will need planning permission

If you live in a listed building
If the conversion increases your home beyond your permitted development rights
You are converting the space for business
Your council has restrictions on reducing parking

Even if these restrictions apply, you should be able to convert the garage interior as long as the exterior is untouched.

Don’t forget building regulations approval

As a ‘change of use’, a conversion is subject to building regulations approval, so your local authority will need to be notified. You can use the council’s building control service or an approved independent inspector, costing around £300. To comply, the garage has to be structurally sound and have a damp-proof course; the walls, floor and roof will need to be upgraded for energy efficiency, and all new and existing electricals will need to be tested to ensure safety, including in the house.

Garage conversion build schedule

Check structure is suitable for conversion
Produce design drawings
Confirm whether planning permission is required
Apply if consent is required
Produce detailed design and building regulations drawings
Notify local authority Building Control of commencement
Strip garage back to retained structure
Structural alterations, including knocking through to house
Damp-proof new floor, if necessary
Insulate walls and new floor, plus the roof if single storey
Pour new floor, if required
Install new window and doors
First fix joinery, wiring and plumbing
Plaster and dry-line
Fit new doors, skirting, architrave, fixed floor finishes and light fittings
Decorate

What can you use a garage conversions for?

When converting a garage, how you use the new room will depend not only on your needs but also on how the space relates to the rest of the house. So, if your garage is joined to your living room, a home office or playroom is sensible, and a utility less so. Here’s how you could use the room, with a few pros and cons.

1. Kitchen-diner extension

If your garage adjoins your kitchen, knocking through into the space to create a bigger, brighter kitchen-diner will give the best results in terms of usefulness and financial investment. If you do this, be prepared to plan very carefully to get the design details right. It’s vital that the new room doesn’t have the feel of a boxy converted garage. Read more about a garage converted into a kitchen diner.

2. Extra living room

If your family is growing (or growing up), you’ll begin to need extra living space to cater to everyone’s tastes and needs. A converted garage that your kids can use – whether for gaming, relaxing or entertaining their friends – will be invaluable. Kit it out with plenty of slouchy seating (sofa beds will be particularly useful) and a flatscreen TV to create a versatile space that they’ll gravitate towards. The downside? The older children become, the noisier they get, so ensure that the sound-proofing is up to the job. Read more about a garage converted into a recreational family room.

3. Utility room

When a garage adjoins a kitchen or hallway, it will be very useful as a utility room. Use it for everything from laundry to extra storage and, if possible, squeeze in a downstairs cloakroom, too. Depending on your needs, you might even be able to devote half of a large garage to utility and leave the other half for a car. Or, you could split the room to create half utility, half playroom, for example. For a utility, underfloor heating will be useful for keeping the room warm and dry, while good ventilation is also a must.

4. Extra bedroom

With a small garage off a living space or hallway, converting it into an extra bedroom for guests will be a good idea, but the room will be much more practical if you swap a conventional bed for a wall bed or sofa bed and fit in a desk or exercise space to double the functionality. The downside to a downstairs guest bedroom might be lack of access to a toilet or shower room. So, if there is enough room, squeeze in a space-saving wet room. Read more about a garage converted into a spare room.

5. Home office

A home office is best sited away from the main living space if you have a family who will want the TV on while you try to work. If, however, it doubles up as a homework space, having it near to where you’ll be most of the time can be very useful. It will need plenty of natural daylight to make it welcoming during the day, but invest in good blinds if it is south-facing, and ensure the heating is sufficient. Read more about a garage converted into a home office

6. Playroom

For a garage off a kitchen-diner or living space, this is the perfect use for families with young children. Include a TV, too, to help keep your living room much more of an adult space. Good daylight, ventilation and lots of practical storage will all be must-haves. Bear in mind that children grow up very quickly, so when you’re converting for this purpose, think five or 10 years ahead to how you might use the room, then, too. For example, a teenage den will keep your living room just for you.

7. Home cinema

Perfect for partially converted garages, these rooms can be converted without the need for windows, although sound-proofing will need to be good. Future-proof the room by installing a window anyway and fitting good blackout blinds.

8. Home gym

Ideal for a room that leads off a hallway or kitchen, a home gym will need to be fitted with air conditioning or a window that can be opened to keep it fresh. Add a flatscreen TV and mirrors to make it feel like a real gym, and devote the back of the room to a shower space.

9. Granny annexe

This type of conversion is best suited to an unattached, probably double, garage because it will give both you and the occupant – whether an ageing relative or regular guests – privacy and space. Depending on your arrangements, you will have to fit in a shower, possibly a laundry room and kitchen, plus a generous bedroom/living space. The room will need lots of natural light, and you should consider how it will be joined, if at all, to the rest of the house. At the very least, you might want a covered walkway between the two buildings.