Don't Convert Your Garage Without Knowing These 5 Things

Press profile homify Press profile homify
Garage loft, Studio OxL Studio OxL
Loading admin actions …

A house with a garage is a great find, but if you start to think that your car storage space could be put to better use as an extra interior room, you need to weigh up all the potential pitfalls! Naturally, you'll need to employ the services of an architect in order to get the perfect design and professional finish that you want and your design team will ask you a lot of pertinent questions, to ascertain what you actually want from the project. With that in mind, we're going to give you a heads up as to what you need to be sure about. Say goodbye to your lacklustre garage and hello to a brand new useful space, as we just know you're going to see the value in a conversion project!

1. Assess the build quality of your existing garage.

ทันสมัย โดย IS AND REN STUDIOS LTD , โมเดิร์น

It's worth knowing that not every garage can actually be converted, as the construction method has a definite role to play! Old garages could be shoddy or even worse, built with asbestos, but if yours was constructed within the last 25 years, you should be in a good position to forge ahead! Start with a professional appraisal and go from there.

2. Think about the ins and outs.

Converting a garage might not just be a case of removing some walls, as integrated ones are often on slightly different levels to the main house, to allow for easy vehicle access. With this in mind, floor or ceiling levels might need adjusting, in addition to new windows and doors absolutely having to be fitted. Plus, you'll have to add plumbing, heating, insulation and any other amenities!

Other things to consider are how you'll connect the house and the new room, if boilers or meters will need to be moved and then there's the issue of external aesthetics! You'll need to try and disguise the new addition, to maintain a cohesive facade, so brick matching or render will have to be considered!

3. Are you complying with building regulations?

Garage loft, Studio OxL Studio OxL

Before you even start thinking about a garage conversion, you'll have to formally apply for Building Regulations approval, from your council. This shouldn't be a big problem, though it will incur a cost and you live in a conservation area or own a listed building, any work of this nature will always need planning permission, according to law. It simply isn't worth trying to get away without this and the penalties are severe if you go against legislation. 

4. How will you use the space?

Garage loft, Studio OxL Studio OxL

If you are set on the idea of a garage conversion and it looks as though it's legal, possible and feasible, your next big decision will be based around what you actually want to do with the space. This will have a dramatic impact on the number of trades you need to employ and what your budget should, realistically, be.

4. Time to get the work done.

The good news is that an integrated garage could be simply converted, potentially buy a competent DIY enthusiast, which would result in some serious cost savings. A self-build conversion should come in at somewhere around £6,000, including finishing, but more complex projects could reach double this figure! Structural issues, design fees and complex installations can fast become quite pricey and drag on, why is why simple can often be better, but the choice is up to you!

For more conversion ideas, take a look at this Ideabook: Clapham basement conversion.

ต้องการความช่วยเหลือสำหรับโปรเจคของคุณ?
ติดต่อเราได้เลย

ไฮไลท์จากนิตยสารของเรา