Garage Conversion

Garage Remodeling and Conversion Services

Garage Conversion Services: When you're looking at techniques to expand the quantity of living area you have available in your property, there are normally 2 routes at your disposal. You can either increase the floor area by building an extension or you could transform the use of a bit of existing space that's perhaps not currently being used to its fullest. The initial route has various downsides including the expense (it will be pretty pricey), the property footprint (it widens your property's footprint and will reduce external space) and the mess (it often involves lots of disruption and mess). Your second alternative that could take various forms is the recommended one where possible.

The two chief ways by which to accomplish this are to transform your garage or convert your loft space. The most cost effective and most straightforward of these is to carry out a garage conversion. Of course, this is only possible if you aren't actually using the garage for the purpose it was intended i.e. parking your car. If it is basically standing there acting as a dumping ground, then you may raise the value of you property by as much as 10% by just forking out a bit of cash on a garage conversion.

You can start by calling in a local garage conversion contractor and getting their advice about the possible uses of the extra living space that is gained in this manner. Maybe you want to create a new family bathroom, gain an extra bedroom for the children, or just extend your home's livable space. Whatever your requirements, a garage conversion company in the UK should be able to offer practical and sound advice to make your dreams come true.

If you are likely to sell on your house later then a garage conversion can increase the selling potential and price of your property. Although in streets where off-road-parking is at a premium, keeping the garage as it is could be advantageous. The advice and guidance of a dependable garage conversion specialist in the UK will be key in this instance and they may highlight that doing a conversion will not actually increase the value of your home.

It's important to make certain that the construction of your garage meets the requirements for this transformation, so your garage conversion company in the UK will employ an architect to check this and to draw up the required drawings and plans. Some garages in the UK need to be changed because they aren't constructed in the same manner as residential houses. Foundations might need to be upgraded or the roof framework could need some strengthening in order for the building standards to be complied with.

You needn't fret about any of this though, as any decent UK garage conversion firm will be fully aware of all the applicable regulations.

A conversion could be implemented on practically any type of garage, though with a single garage there will be restrictions in regards to what use you can put it to. A single will only have in the region of 18 m3 of floor space and is typically marginally wide enough to get your car in, whilst a double garage has almost double the floor space at about 30 square metres. That is why a lot of householders in the UK don't even bother to use single garages for putting their cars in. The result of this is that these single garages normally end up as dumping grounds for a whole range of household junk, including things like tools, lawn mowers, bicycles and toys. With a double garage you are going to have far more choices and possible uses, and you will have significantly more space with which to work.

Loads of garages in the UK are currently being used as workshops, either so as to carry out a hobby (for instance model making), or as part of running a small business (i.e. auto repairs). You might prefer not to do a conversion on your garage, if that is what you are doing at present. There are several solutions to this challenge however, and one could be to forget the garage and convert your loft instead. The other might be to convert your garage after shifting your workshop into a suitable garden shed. If you don't already have a shed, and there is plenty of room in your yard, there are some prime quality sheds available that you'd easily be able to turn into a useful workshop, your garage can then be made into an additional room for your property.

Click to Find UK Garage Conversion Specialists

Garage Conversion Ideas UK

When planning a garage conversion in the UK the majority of people perform a search on the internet for "garage conversion ideas". The aim of this is of course to get inspiration and imaginative ideas that might be appropriate for their own garage conversion project. The best way to employ that new space is a detail which needs to be thought about carefully, as the primary purpose of the conversion is to create extra liveable space which will become part of the overall building. Viewing other householder's real life conversion projects is one practical way that you might be able to get your creative juices flowing.

Making your converted garage appear to be it is as one with your property should be your principal goal, to the stage where people visiting would not even realise that it was created out of a garage. So the entire thing flows smoothly from house to conversion it could be appropriate to make certain changes to the main layout of the house. You can help in making the conversion become as one with the whole property by exchanging garage doors for features which coordinate with those of the principal structure. In these high-tech times, social media has become one of the main sources for pictures and ideas for all kinds of things, and you will definitely be able to find stimulus for your own garage conversion by checking out Instagram and Pinterest.

What Does it Cost?

Among the biggest benefits of remodeling a garage to achieve added living space in your home is that it is far and away the cheapest option. On average a garage conversion will cost you approximately £1,250 per m2, meaning that you should be able to do the entire project for less than £8,000 to £10,000 (depending on the area of the garage). This is in comparison to in the region of £40,000 for a loft conversion or brick extension. Needless to say the space that's gained is somewhat limited however it is in no way inconsequential. it could be readily used for a children's play room, a spare lounge, a kitchen or an extra bedroom. Exactly how much a garage conversion comes to will depend on not simply the area of the garage but the amount of work that needs to be carried out to get it done. This includes things such as whether the ceiling needs to be raised, the cost of planning and design fees, whether or not the foundations need reinforcing, whether a structural engineer is required and whether or not the walls, roof and floor are sound.

The Building Regulations for Garage Conversions in the UK

Building Regulations Garage Conversion UK

Transforming your garage into a liveable space is an excellent way to increase the value of your home in the UK while at the same time adding another room. In many instances, planning permission isn't needed for this sort of project, nevertheless it will still have to conform to building regulations - even when planning permission is not required.

Considerations such as electrical wiring, insulation, drainage, fire safety and ventilation, will all be affected by building regulations. Your local building control office will be able to offer guidance and advice on garage conversion procedures for UK and provide a comprehensive checklist of regulations that need to be implemented.

If you are using a specialist builder for your garage conversion in the UK they'll help you with the building regulations process, including the submission of a Building Notice or Full Plan Submission to the relevant control department. A Building Notice does not have a requirement for plans to be submitted with it, and permits work to be started reasonably quickly, whereas a Full Plan Submission may take a few weeks for the plans to be approved by the control office before work can commence.

Conversion Floors

The garage flooring is certainly one of the main considerations when you're doing a conversion on your garage. Nearly all garages have got concrete flooring and the probabilities are you will not wish to have this as your finished floor surface in a new living space. Also garage floors typically have a gentle downward incline toward the doorway, and consequently will have to be levelled. Floors are typically 4 inches lower than those of the house when the garage is integrated with the main structure. This means that there is ample room to install a floating floor, which could feature a timber floor surface, cables, underfloor heating and insulation. You will then have a choice of floor finishes, for instance carpet, tiles, vinyl flooring, solid wood or laminate.

Garage Conversion for Granny Annexe UK

If you've an elderly family member or maybe even a young adult who requires their own space, converting your garage into a granny annexe could be the ideal, cost effective solution for your situation.

If your garage is large enough and doesn't need extending outwards or upwards, then planning permission is not normally needed for an internal conversion. Creating an extra living area with a garage conversion comes under the Permitted Development scheme, and is fine so long as it observes the relevant Building Regulations. Nevertheless, if you are going to turn your garage into a completely separate living space independent of the main dwelling, you might need planning permission, no matter who is going to live in it. As is the situation with any building projects and conversions, get in touch with the local control office for UK, to determine the specific regulations that are required for your location and property.

The government, in 2020, reduced three taxes on home improvements based around extended families; a real financial inducement to do a conversion on your garage in UK. The main aspect of this announcement was the abolition of the council tax policy of double taxation on extra living spaces.

Planning Permission for Garage Conversions

Providing that the building work is carried out internally and the building isn't enlarged at all, a garage conversion will not normally require planning permission. There could be occasions when you might have to get permission, such as when you are converting your garage into an independent living area like an appartment for letting out or a granny annexe. Even if a member of your family is going to be using it, planning permission will still be needed. Your local authority planning section will very quickly tell you what you need to do if you happen to be uncertain about whether or not you need planning permission.

Half-Garage Conversions UK

Although garage conversions in the UK are most often viewed as PD (Permitted Development), there may be specific scenarios where a "change of use" application is turned down by the local authority. This is more liable to transpire if you live on a new housing development, in an area of special interest, in a listed building or in a conservation area, although it's somewhat unusual for this form of undertaking.

The one you're more likely to run across is if your home is on a newer housing estate. Local councils sometimes prefer to retain all the garage spaces, or wish to maintain the uniform look of these developments, and this is the most common basis for refusal.

Provided that you keep your garage doorway the same, this should not be too much of an issue, as it's more the outside appearance of the garage which is important. You can still create some practical extra living area, without altering the external appearance of your property, by going with a half or partial garage conversion, whereby you leave the doorway and a part of the garage as it is, and convert half of it into a utility room, home office or kids playroom.

If you're on a tight budget, this alternative also has the advantage that it is much cheaper than a complete garage conversion, which could make it even more attractive.

What Garage Conversion Companies in the UK Can Do For You

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