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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Would converting part of our garage affect the value (positively or negatively)?

24 replies

closephine85 · 21/04/2017 05:49

We are currently thinking of knocking through from our lounge into approx 2/3s of our garage. So we would retain the front area where the garage door is, as storage, then turn the back part into a dining area attached to our lounge.

It is a 4 bed house, has parking on the drive for 2 cars (with potential for future buyers to turn this into 3 by paving the front garden) and there is room for a shed in the back garden.

Inside the house, there is currently no separate dining area outside of the kitchen which I feel is it's only fault and is affecting how long we would live in this house for. I couldn't host a large family gathering like Christmas lunch for example.

Basically I'm wondering how this conversion might affect the value when we come to sell. Do people value a dining space over more storage/the ability to park a car in a garage? As it is, I feel like we would outgrow the house in 5 years. If we did the conversion I could imagine us staying here for more like 10...

I think the cost of the conversion would be around £10,000.

Any thoughts or advice appreciated!

OP posts:

OhTheRoses · 21/04/2017 05:56

I'd do it. Cheaper than moving. What do local agents say?

ScarlettInSpace · 21/04/2017 05:58

We are looking at the moment for a similar sized house to yours, and won't be considering any property without a garage.

However, I don't know if that's the norm! We are one of those weird families that actually keep a car in our garage

ScarlettInSpace · 21/04/2017 06:01

I guess it comes down to if you want to stay or sell really - if you want to stay then do what you want to make it the best home for you.

But if you are planning to sell anyway then why spend ten grand on a conversion that might put someone else off?

G1ggleloop · 21/04/2017 06:02

I'd do it. Where we live the houses which have garages were all built in the 30s and so you can't fit a car in there anyway. Seeing as you have plenty of off street parking I would rather extra living space than a garage

Original poster

closephine85 · 21/04/2017 06:06

Scarlett - it would probably make the difference between staying or selling (which we can't do for at least 5 years due to fixed mortgage).

Giggle - thanks, you can fit a car in ours, but out of the 30 houses on our Clos, I know of only 1 neighbour who actually uses it to park a car in!

OP posts:

Original poster

closephine85 · 21/04/2017 06:07

Roses - I've not got that far! Would an agent be able to tell you that without charging for advice?

OP posts:

tralaaa · 21/04/2017 06:07

We have converted our garage. I don't think that you lose money but I don't think you gain either. Still keeping the Front as storage is a very good idea. Is the budget for everything including decorating if so good value - we made ours into a bedroom

FrancisCrawford · 21/04/2017 06:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MovingtoParadise · 21/04/2017 06:10

Every one did it in our last street. It cost me £9,600 to do it.

picklemepopcorn · 21/04/2017 06:11

An experienced agent will value your house and give an opinion on how the value would change if you altered it.

PossumInAPearTree · 21/04/2017 06:12

Do it, for me it would be a selling point when looking at houses. Like you say most people don't actually use their garages anyway apart from for storage.

yomellamoHelly · 21/04/2017 06:15

We converted ours. Was a no-brainer in terms of the space it's given us. Makes the downstairs seem much larger.

Original poster

closephine85 · 21/04/2017 06:16

Ooh looks like the general consensus so far is do it I am really keen so this is good! Might do as tralaa says and get a valuation to get a better idea.

OP posts:

ChunkyHare · 21/04/2017 07:19

We converted a double garage into a playroom/storage area for the children. We also kept a 6ft deep storage area across the back of both garages to be able to store tools.

Planning consider the parking issue but as you have a drive for 2 cars with a potential for 3 then planning should be granted.

The building regs chap who came to see mine said lots of people convert the entire garage and forget about where they will now store their lawn mower/cans of paint etc.

We also have a shed and this was taken into consideration when planning was granted.

Very few people use a garage to store a car.

yikesanotherbooboo · 21/04/2017 09:58

My parents did this ... whole garage now dining room with window to front... house much improved inside and out... they have 3 sheds now though! New houses in their road ( v quiet naice area ) are being built without garages but large enough drives to park at least 2 cars and no one parks in the road

DancingLedge · 21/04/2017 11:03

You could ask a local EA what they think you would be doing to the future value and resaleability of your house. The good thing about that is their ability to see it from the viewpoint of the buyers in your area and price range.

For me, it sounds like a no-brainer. I've never kept a car in a garage, and attached garages always seem like so much wasted house.

witwootoodleoo · 21/04/2017 11:06

We converted 2/3rds of a garage in a previous house to a big spacious utility room and it was a big selling point according to the agent. We sold within a week above asking.

SuperBeagle · 21/04/2017 11:06

I wouldn't buy a place without a double garage, so for me it'd be the dealbreaker.

I disagree with the "very few people use a garage to store a car" thing, but maybe being from Australia we do things differently here.

PickAChew · 21/04/2017 11:07

The only house I've seen where it has put me off has a really short drive and the new room isn't in the right place to be used as a dining room. It's telling that that house has been on the market with one agent or another for a couple of years.

exLtEveDallas · 21/04/2017 11:07

The previous owners of our house did this, and it worked really well. They also put in a downstairs shower room and loo and a utility room. It will become our bedroom when we are too old and cronky to climb the stairs! We've got parking for 3 cars and again I don't think I know anyone on our street who actually uses their garage for a car!

DropZoneOne · 21/04/2017 11:12

Neighbours did exactly this. Didn't increase value but didn't detract either - house went for similar to the non converted sold within months. That could be though because it was a poorly done conversion and needed remedial work!

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 21/04/2017 11:17

Do it. I can't think of a single person who actually uses the garage for a car. Considering how small some new builds are these days I'm surprised they waste so much space putting in a garage.

irregularegular · 21/04/2017 11:43

I'd do it, definitely. If the extra downstairs space would be worth a lot to you and make the house usable long term then it would probably be worth a lot to other people too. From what you say I would certainly value the extra space over the garage, provided there is still a decent amount of storage for bikes, lawnmower etc and there is parking. Almost nobody puts the car in the garage these days and I know many people who have converted garages into living space.

plasticcheese · 21/04/2017 12:03

I would do it. A 4 bed house needs a dining room imo.

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