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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this layout for a garage conversion could be OK

51 replies

Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 07:54

We are about to convert out garage to make more space in our 3 bed. We have two small children so would like a downstairs loo. Does this layout seem OK or is it a bit wierd. The cupboard is under the stairs space.

To think this layout for a garage conversion could be OK
OP posts:
Hingeandbracket · 14/03/2020 10:28

YABVU All garage conversions should be illegal. HTH.

Disfordarkchocolate · 14/03/2020 10:32

I don't think you have to have two door between a toilet and food anymore.

I'd probably use the whole wall and and have toilet and storage. And soundproof the wall.

tinybluerose · 14/03/2020 10:35

These can often devalue your home- are you ok with that?

Original poster
Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 10:37

@tinybluerose

What can devalue it? The saniflo?

OP posts:
8by8 · 14/03/2020 10:44

You can’t have a toilet opening directly into your dining room.

Think of the smells.

I don’t think builders can legally do that anymore.

You need the toilet to open into a small corridor/vestibule so that there are two doors between the toilet and the dining room,

Also it looks really weird as it is, because you have this odd walled off corner of the room.

helpmum2003 · 14/03/2020 10:56

What about this?

To think this layout for a garage conversion could be OK
Hingeandbracket · 14/03/2020 11:02

BTW aside from the fact I am always put off any house with a garage conversion, YABVU to post something in AIBU that isn't panicking about fucking coronavirus.

SudokuQueen · 14/03/2020 11:11

You can’t have a toilet opening directly into your dining room.

Think of the smells.

I don’t think builders can legally do that anymore.

The builders up here have toilets opening up into kitchens or dining rooms up here. Envy (not envy).

But they are a big building company that is deep in the pockets of the council here who let them do whatever they want. The more expensive houses aren't designed like that of course, only the cheaper ones (which aren't cheap either).

Original poster
Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 11:45

Legally they can. That rule no longer exists. Like i say it will likely be a play room. The function of the room doesn't really matter beyond what it's needed for when or if we sell

OP posts:
Original poster
Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 11:46

Thanks for everyone's comments and suggestions its useful

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 14/03/2020 12:26

We have a lol off our kitchen. Not used for anything that smells. No illegal either.

Disfordarkchocolate · 14/03/2020 12:27

Loo. My phone thinks that's funny.

Doubletrouble99 · 14/03/2020 13:32

Best thing to do would be get someone in for advice. One other thing is where are the current foul water drains situated. As in the best idea when putting another loo in is to put it at least on the same side of the house as the existing bathroom in order to connect up with the drains.

Mrspoopoohead · 14/03/2020 14:05

We had something similar done except where your cupboard is it’s split in half with the first bit a cupboard and the other half a shower room with saniflo toilet. We’re using the extra space more as a play room for kids and an extra bedroom if needed.

Original poster
Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 14:22

@Mrspoopoohead that's interesting. Has it ever bothered you having the toilet in another room? Have you had any issues with your saniflo?

OP posts:
Lactarius · 14/03/2020 15:55

If you're going to have a Saniflo unit in a house with kids in it then I hope you're going to buy a decent set of rubber gauntlets for all the time you'll end up unblocking it.

tinybluerose · 14/03/2020 16:03

What can devalue it? The saniflo?

Converting the garage into a room. My DD is currently house hunting and on 1 estate the only house in her budget is the one with the converted garage- it isn't selling even at 20k less than the rest. 4 have sold in the last few months and that one remains there. The agent is clear that it is because they have converted the garage. People wasn't garages- they dont want small dark inside rooms.

Saniflos are a no no to most people buying a house- noise, smell and they break. The sound when they poo grind is awful.

tinybluerose · 14/03/2020 16:04

The function of the room doesn't really matter beyond what it's needed for when or if we sell

That would be a garage then?

Tfoot75 · 14/03/2020 16:13

We have a toilet in our garage conversion (previously had double garage). The rest of the room is our playroom. The toilet is at the back of the room, and next to it filling the rest of the space is a large cupboard for storing all the toys in. Is that an option just to make the room square? Our playroom is fairly small but will eventually be a second TV room. The downstairs toilet is fairly spacious.

Far better being in the playroom out of the way than right next to the front door like it used to be!!

Chloemol · 14/03/2020 16:31

Sorry no way would I be having a toilet in a dining room or play room. I would rather do without

MumW · 14/03/2020 16:54

Where is your kitchen?
Would you have to carry food from through the living room?
Our dining room is across the hall from our kitchen and that feels inconvient enough.

Mrspoopoohead · 14/03/2020 17:18

It doesn’t bother us at all, it does not smell and it hasn’t got blocked we’ve had it for 2 years and isn’t that noisy either. I’ve got 3 DC 8 and under we use it all the time including visitors.

As for devaluing your house we had our house valued after the conversion and there was no suggestion it would be detrimental to the value of the house.

GrolliffetheDragon · 14/03/2020 18:52

Saniflos are a no no to most people buying a house- noise, smell and they break. The sound when they poo grind is awful.

They're ok. Though I'd say they're far too noisy to have basically in a room being used as a dining room. And too easy to jam to have in a playroom.

Original poster
Allworkedup · 14/03/2020 18:57

Well, I take on board your comments re property prices for a garage but we have two off road parking spaces and an ample garden for storage. We already have a large shed, and plenty of space if someone wanted to build something more significant. So I doubt it would be especially detrimental to the property value. That said, we don't use our garage now ourselves so we would be keeping it as a garage to the benefit of the people that may live here in the future. What we do need now is additional space so it seems worth the 10k investment if we can get it right.

I appreciate all your comments, it helps to hear opinions

OP posts:
Dontsweatthelittlestuff · 14/03/2020 19:15

I have lived in my house over 10 years and never once put my car in the garage. My garage is an internal garage and last year I converted into a pretty much self contained unit. It has its own front door and porch area for out door cats and shoes. A door to the bed sitting room and then the other side of the room an archway to a small corridor to a shower room and proper loo joined to the main household sewage system and the shower is off of the main water system and not just a power shower. Off that corridor is also the door to the main house.
Cost just shy of £20k to do but probably added double that to the house value but I still have off road parking for serval cars and an area I could if so inclined build a free standing garage. All work was done under building regulations but if I want to build another garage I will need planning permission so unless they relax this rule I won’t bother.

I wouldn’t bother with a loo if you can only put in a saniflo. Is there anywhere in the main house you could add an addition loo? Under the stairs even as you can gets loos to fit the smallest of spaces but to do a decent job of it you need to fit it to the mains sewage. Not hard to do as long as you can gain access.