Creating extra space and income from your underused garage

A garage conversion is one of the most popular types of home extension, according to Thames Design & Build founder, Rob Allison, who has two decades of experience in the construction industry.

A report by bank Santander, says that 650,000 of the UK’s 9.3 million private garages have already been turned into bedrooms (the most popular choice, at 29%), as well as home offices, kitchen extensions, utility rooms or sitting rooms.

Rob Allison says giving an underused garage a makeover can unlock precious space in your property and increase its value.

He says that while garages are often converted into a home office, gym or a playroom; turning a garage into an additional bedroom can be the best option in terms of adding value to your home. Converting a double garage is going to add more value than a single garage but a garage conversion will increase the value of a standard three-bed semi-detached house by at least 10%. The cost of a single garage conversion ranges from £20,000 to £40,000, depending on the specification.

And while a garage can be turned into an annex to house an elderly relative, homeowners looking for extra income could consider a garage conversion to use as an Airbnb rental.

Rob adds that a number of clients convert only part of the garage, creating the new conversion from two-thirds of the space, but leaving the rest as a storage area for bikes, a utility room or an extra toilet.

Planning permission isn’t usually required for a garage conversion, provided the work is internal and doesn’t involve enlarging the building, as this falls within permitted development.

However, you might need permission if you want to make your garage into a separate home, or you live in a listed building, conservation area, new housing development, flat or maisonette. While some councils will also require planning permission if you’re substantially changing the outside of your house.

And, of course, garage conversions will need building regulations approval. The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) advises that a Full Plans application will give more security about what work needs to be done. The LABC also recommends speaking to an architect or building contractor before beginning the work and warns that you will need to consider the rules around party walls.

There are a number of areas in the building regulations your conversion will need to comply with including regulations on foundations, structural strength, windows and ventilation and weather proofing and insulation.

Rob says that if the garage has only a single skin of brickwork on the external wall, then you need to consider penetrating damp. This can be managed by tanking the brickwork internally before installing the timber frame wall.

He adds that it’s good news if you already have a step down from the inside of your house to the garage slab floor as this will provide enough space to install a damp proof membrane, insulation & screed over the existing garage floor. If this space doesn’t exist, you may have to remove the garage slab which will add to the costs.

Finally, you can expect that a building control surveyor will inspect the work as it progresses and once it’s finished, they will check windows, fireproofing measures and doors before giving you a certificate of completion.

And then your converted garage is ready to provide more space and amenities for your family – or to help you earn some extra cash.

Thames Design & Build are exhibiting at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Sandown Park, 27-28 June. For free show tickets: https://www.homebuildingshow.co.uk/