Integrated garage conversion - problem?

[GallusAlice79]

We have a new build with an integrated garage, which I'd like to convert. The problem is that our garage door height is about 3 rows of bricks below our door and window height. I have seen other people convert theirs regardless, using the garage door height, and I personally don't like it.

Does anyone know how big a job it is to have the widow at the same height...so removing 3 rows of bricks above the space?

I've looked on line and can't find anything specific for it...

What I mean is, can we have the new window at the same height as our front door and current window! Realised my post probably wasn't very clear.

It will need to comply with building regs and have some sort of lintel but anything is possible, it will just cost a bit more. I haven't done it but I have widened a front door. Builder cut through the bricks either side then put new door surround in.

Do you think hundreds more (than using gap already there) or thousands?

Interesting about your front door as I do prefer the wider doors!

Double check your covenants, although you might want to convert the garage, on new build sites, particularly the national developers, you may need permission for this work.

People have done it...I just don't want to use the original garage door height. The builder also said it's allowed because we can fit 2 cars on our driveway.

Your builder can put a new lintel in at the height you want, but it will cost more. I had my garage converted and a French doors put in where there had been a small window, and another window made wider, and it was fine.

Do you know roughly how much more? Like hundreds or thousands? Thanks

Sorry, I've no idea, mine was all just done as part of the job. I'd have thought higher hundreds rather than thousands though.

I would have thought hundreds rather than thousands. We converted a double garage and did not use the original door hole. Instead we matched the new windows in with existing ones in the front, same style and size. The only thing that gives it away is we have "soldier" bricks, ie they stand upright on top of the normal horizontal bricks.

They had to fill in some of the gap from the old garage doors by knocking out the half bricks to allow them to insert new full bricks. That was a bit more labour intensive than you are proposing. It didn't really add to the cost.

Permitted development rights may have been removed as you are on a new build estate. We had this, it just means you have to apply for planning which is probably a change of use anyway but it didn't cost us anything.

They will just remove the rows of bricks, put in a lintel and then the window. Ask your builder to quote you for the whole job.