Build a room above converted garage

[bilbi]

Hello,

We are planning to buy our first house, but the one we are interested in has an integral garage that has already been converted into a bedroom. We would like to build another room on top of it (it has a flat roof) - similar properties on the same street have been extended that way, but have kept the garage in its original form. I just wonder how much more complicated such a project would be if at all possible. Does anyone have any experience?

Thank you in advance!

All depends on the foundations of the original garage. You would need to check if it was built with the idea that, in the future, you could build on top. If not, you will need to knock garage down and build a new, double storey extension.

We are leaning to but a house which has a single garage. We are hoping to do a double storey side extension. Is it possible to squeeze in a double bedroom above the garage?

Sorry lots of typos

The garage itself is single, but it would be possible to put a double bedroom above as the garage has a flat roof all the way.

Thanks bilbi

Single storey garages are not usually built with the thought of one day having an extra storey put on, the foundations will often not take the weight. Having the right foundations for an extra storey increases the cost of building a garage initially, and it's an expense that many people won't go to.
We had a very well build and sturdy looking garage at the side of our house (brick with tiled roof and concrete floor). It had to be demolished for our side extension.

I think the previous owners have planning permission granted for double storey extension.

Rimpa, they might have permission, but it still doesn't mean that it will be structurally feasible to build on top of the existing garage

True. Thank you Lucisky!

If we have to demolish the garage and build two storey extension how much is it going to cost approximately?

Depending on which part of the country you are in, as South east tends to be more expensive, but you can roughly estimate by working it out at 2k to 2.5 k a square metre for the finished job, times 2 for 2 storeys obviously. Demolition costs aren't too bad, 2 strong men got rid of our old garage in a week, including jack hammering up the concrete floor, and it was all loaded up on to a grab lorry and taken away.

PS, you can get the foundations of your garage checked to see if they are sufficiently load bearing, which of course they may be.

Thank you Lucisky. The proposed property is in Woodford green. I spoke to a builder who quoted me a lot more. I don’t think it makes the project financially viable.