The Garage

January 29, 2011

When Space is at a Premium and Moving is not an option, where do we go... the garage of course.

Research published by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has found that two million households have either negative equity or too little equity to finance a house move. With moving home becoming less of an option, more and more of us are thinking of creative ways to increase our living space within our existing homes.

With a little imagination and creative thinking, your home may in fact offer more potential for expansion than we actually realise. You simply need to be pointed in the right direction to spot those hidden opportunities to either add more space or improve the existing layout. For many of us with attached garages, they provide potential to convert into habitable accommodation - be it for use as an office, playroom for example.

Key points to consider:-

  • How do I know if my garage is suitable for conversion? Providing it is structurally sound, in principle, there is no reason why it can't be converted. However, for the purposes of Building Regulations, you must check that there is at least 2m of headroom, after allowing for insulation of the walls, floor and areas of roof. In the case of modern houses for example, garages are often used as sales offices meaning that in some cases, the garage is capable of conversion with no major work required.
  • Will I get planning permission? In most cases, this constitutes permitted development, so planning permission is not necessary. However, if you live in a listed building or where permitted development rights have been removed or restricted, this does not apply to you. In these cases, you will have to apply for planning permission. Also, a garage conversion may be prevented by a restrictive covenant on the property so you will need to check your deeds.
  • What Purpose could I use the converted garage for? In principle you can use it for any purpose you have in mind. In some cases, it can be used to create a kitchen extension or cloakroom. Here, you will need to establish where drain runs and how you can connect pipe work -which can lead to extra cost.
  • What will job involve and what will it cost? Ventilation, natural daylight and insulation are key to the success of the project. The first task will be to replace the garage door with an external wall. Normally, this provides the opportunity to install a window for natural daylight and ventilation purposes. In order to create the necessary minimum 2m floor to ceiling height, the floor may have to be lowered or ceilings raised. Before plastering can start, you need to think about heating and lighting the space. Whilst planning permission may not necessarily be required, all of the above work must comply with Building Regulations.
  • How much will the project cost me? The likely cost for conversion work of this nature will on average be about £900-£1,200 per square metre. A typical garage is 6m long and 3m wide meaning that the conversion would cost in the region of £18,000.
  • Will the project add value to my house? Yes the conversion of a garage may do but this all depends upon personal circumstance. By definition, you will be denying your home a space to park your car and this may influence value. This is less of an issue if you have off-street parking in the form of a driveway for example. However, please bear in mind that even if your conversion adds less to the value of the home than what it costs, providing it gives you the space you need when moving is not a real option.

Above all, please remember that we have been through property slumps before and any kind of improvement work you carry out will offer you the potential edge when you do finally come to sell and in the meantime, provides improved accommodation levels.

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January 29, 2011 | Permalink | Comment

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