Anyone done a garage conversion?

[rainsbow]

So we've had an offer accepted on a lovely detached house. It's got a quadruple drive way so the garage seems like a total waste of space. The current owners put a stud wall over the internal access so we'd have to reconfigure inside but it would be lovely to have an extra reception room. It's already got electricity in there. Is it a big a job as a loft conversion? Time and cost wise?

[BuzzKillington]

No - it's nowhere near as big a job as a loft conversion which requires major structural alterations.

Garage conversion are simple!

Foundation (or suitable alternative) for the front wall if you're changing door to a window. Upgrade of floor for damp and insulation, ditto walls and roof. Sometimes relocation of meters etc and that's pretty much it.

[rainsbow]

Oh encouraging thanks! Yes we'd change the door to a window (or maybe two sash windows). The loft on our current house was 55k ish including all fixtures and fittings. Any idea on costs of the garage?

[PurpleBirch]

Ours was around £10k. Easily the best value alteration to our house.

[rainsbow]

£10k? I'm in London so I'm sure it'll be much heftier than that

[WannaBe]

Ours was around £8k but that was sixteen years ago. It only took about two weeks though and added a whole new room to the house. Totally worth it IMO although you'd have to get pricing now as is bound to be more A, in London, and B, several years on. Although someone I know paid £45k for a loft conversion in London recently so I'd imagine it won't be that steep....

[BuzzKillington]

£10k is a pretty good estimate.

[rainsbow]

Did it add value to your house?

[Lucisky]

Have you got a shed? Just asking because you will need somewhere for all your garage type stuff. Some friends converted their garage to a reception room, but belatedly thought about storage, so had to buy a massive shed for bikes, mowers etc, which took up a lot of space in the garden.

[gentleshouting]

Is it single or double brick?

[notangelinajolie]

My mums cost 11k last year. Converted to a downstairs bedroom for her with en suite shower and loo. Not a huge garage.

[Macarena1990]

We had ours done 4 years ago and use it as an extra reception room, although in time it may become another bedroom.

It cost just over £10k, we are in London too.

[QueenofBlah]

Can I just ask a question please as this is something we are considering too. Where do you start? Is it necessary to get plans drawn and then do you have to go down the same route as when doing an extension- planning, building regs, structural engineer etc? Or is it a matter of just speaking to a builder? Thanks

[Knittedfrog]

I've done it and knocked it through to the kitchen. No planning permission needed and your builder can deal with the building regs.

[BuzzKillington]

QueenofBlah - pp is not normally required unless it's in an area with no peritted development rights. Check with your local authority first as the door to window can sometimes need pp.

You need building regs - but only a building notice. Don't bother getting plans, just find a builder from recommendations.

[rainsbow]

You only need pp if the garage is detached from your house.

Thanks all. We don't need a 5th bedroom but a proper kids playroom will be fab. So I can shut the door on the lounge and conservatory and claim it for myself.

I'll start ringing around for a few quotes.

[Sunnyshores]

We're in SE have been quoted £15k with sliding doors at the back, window at front and a shower/loo (water already in there as was a workshop not garage, but same size).

[badgercat]

I was thinking of pricing this up - bit shocked at how high the quotes are ! Ours is integral with power and cavity wall insulation on all walls. Was hoping a bit of flooring and plaster on the walls would come in around 2k 😀

[rainsbow]

My shopping list is:
To uncover the pre existing internal access
Change door to window
Flooring
Heating

It's already got electricity.