Garage conversions – Ditch the car and add a bedroom!

Very much in the same way as loft conversions, a garage conversion is a much cheaper alternative to a traditional-style extension for anyone looking to add an extra room to their property.

There was a time when having a garage attached to your property would be a considerable selling point. To some extent that remains true today, however with new cars getting bigger and more and more families driving SUVs and 4WDs, people are not utilising garages for their original purpose – often because their vehicle are too big to fit in the space safely.

Yes, with cars getting bigger garages seem to be getting smaller, so instead many homeowners will use their garage for storage; a place to dispose of all that unused and unwanted clutter.

With garages becoming less and less of a space to house a car, if you’re looking for an affordable way to add living space to your home, a garage conversion could be the perfect solution. And like loft conversions and cellar conversions, converting what has essentially become wasted space can add value to your home – as long as it’s done right.

How much space will a garage conversion add

When compared to a loft conversion or the more traditional type of home extension, converting your garage will add the most extra floor space for the least extra expense. Taking into account average garage sizes, a single garage conversion should add around 150 square feet of floor space. Converting a double garage will add an extra 300 square feet.

Planning permission & building regulations

When converting an area of your home into a room for habitable purposes, in most instances you will need to seek approval to do so from your local authority. Rules and regulations can differ between councils, so it’s always best to check beforehand. Councils can refuse to give your permission to convert your garage under certain criteria; for example if it’s a listed building or if you live in an area where parking is a problem and spaces are scarce, like London.

If you want to convert a standalone garage you’re more than likely to need to apply for permission to change its use. However, regardless of the type of garage you’ll certainly need to comply with building regulations, because garage doors requiring infilling, and the structural requirements of an infill means you’ll need building regulation approval to go ahead with the conversion.

Popular garage conversions

Gaining a second reception room tends to be a popular reason for converting garage space. Other favourite uses include:

• Guest bedroom – with or without an en suite
• Home gym
• Play room
• Home office
• Family room
• Larger kitchen/utility room
• Granny annex

 Garage conversion packages

Some garage conversion companies will offer a complete service, which encompasses everything from the start of the project including contacting the local authority, right through to decorating the end product. Given that the size of the project is dictated by the existing structure already in place, the design phase is usually very straightforward.

Builder Guide has a range of builders specialising in garage conversions who will be able to assist you with your garage conversion. 

More....http://www.builderguide.co.uk/builders/garage-conversion