A contemporary Garage Conversion with a modern white interior

Garage Conversions

Garage conversions are a great way to make efficient use of the space you have. An existing garage can be transformed to create a beautiful large living space or even a bathroom or kitchen to suit your family’s needs.

Garage conversion for customer

Garage Conversions:

In your noble quest to increase the amount of living space in your home, you might be considering an attic conversion or a conservatory. But in our experience, the best type of conversion is actually a garage conversion.

Here’s why: garages are already built. The structure is already there to transform. The bricks, the mortar, and the foundations exist. It’s a blank canvas that only needs someone who knows what they are doing to transform it!

Garages are under-utilised and under-appreciated. Converting yours will add significant usable square footage to your home – and most estate agents agree it could add 10% to the value of your house too. If that sounds like something you’d be up for, this helpful guide to garage conversions will explain everything you need to know.

How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost?

Garage conversions cost £400 to £650 per m2. A garage conversion with a contractor specialising in this type of work will start from £8,000. This is for a basic conversion which would involve the following work:

Raising the floor level to that of the house
Insulating the walls and roof
Plastering the walls and roof
The installation of electrics and outlets
The integration of central heating and appliances
Reconfiguring the external wall. This will replace the garage door with a solid wall and window matching the exterior of the house.

More specific garage conversions, such as converting a garage into a bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom with an en-suite, can cost up to £30,000.

Find out more by reading our guide to garage conversion costs.

How Long Does a Garage Conversion Take?

Garage conversions typically take two to three weeks to complete. The length of time depends on the size of the garage and the work involved. A standard conversion for an 18 feet wide by 20 feet deep garage will take around three weeks. Some conversions can take up to a month if special work is involved.

The biggest factor that can affect project duration is a contractor underestimating the time for completion. This often arises because of problems that were missed during the first survey. However, this issue can be eliminated by choosing a contractor who knows what they are doing. Ideally, you want to use a specialist and not a general builder or building firm.

What Types of Garage Can Be Converted?

Any type of garage can be converted.

Triple garages, double garages, single garages, outdoor garages, in-built garages. New build, old build. So long as the structure is sound, a reputable contractor will take on the work following a successful survey.

A survey will consider a garage’s:

Foundations
Wall thickness
Weather resistance
Insulation
Ventilation
Fire risk

Find out more by reading our guide to converting a garage into a room.

Is Planning Permission Required for a Garage Conversion?

In 99% of cases, the answer is no. Planning permission is not required for garage conversions, because the building work is classed as permitted development under planning rules. This is the case because we are not building a new structure.

If you plan on extending (enlarging) your garage (in the case of it being external) or extending your home from your garage (in the case of it being built-in) you will need planning permission for the extra structure, because you are building in addition to the existing structure. This work is classed as external, not internal, so planning permission is needed.

Find out more by reading our guide to planning permission and garage conversions.

Does a Garage Conversion Require Building Regulations Approval?

Yes – but your builder will take care of this for you.

Building Regulations are rules that must be followed for some types of building work. They exist to ensure building work is safe and fit for use. With a garage conversion, the following aspects of the build will fall into building regs:

Damp proofing
Ventilation
Insulation
Fireproofing
Structural soundness

As part of the garage conversion process, your contractor will apply to the local council for you with a building notice application. Work can commence once this has been submitted to the council. After the garage conversion is complete, a building inspector will inspect the work. The homeowner (you) will then receive a certificate stating the conversion as sound.

Does a Garage Conversion Add Value?

Estate agencies we talk to tell us they typically add 5 to 10% to the value of a property if a garage conversion has been carried out. Some garage conversions add up to 15% to the value of a house if they are done particularly well.

This means a £200,000 house could legitimately become a £230,000 house following a garage conversion that cost just £8,000. A £500,000 house could become a £550,000 house. That’s a big jump in asking price!

Garage transformed into a bathroom

Higher returns are attained with conversions that extend the rooms in a home (for example, those that enlarge a kitchen area or create a kitchen-diner) and conversions that create separate living space to the main living room.

Prospective buyers (and especially families) like to have space they can grow into and these types of conversion really appeal to them. Professionals and business owners will also pay a healthy premium for integrated office space.

Find out more by reading our guide to how a garage conversion can increase the value of your home.

Where Can I Get More Advice About a Garage Conversion?

Speak with a local contractor who specialises in garage conversions.

You are also welcome to email us any questions to info@ravenimprovements.com. You can also call us on 0800 009 6065 / 07984 293894 for a friendly chat. Advice is free.

Further informational sources can be found below:

*Planning Permission [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/25/garage_conversion]

*Building Regulations [https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/25/garage_conversion/2]

Regards,

The Team,

Raven Improvements Ltd.

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Martina Cunningham

10:53 19 Jun 20

David replaced several large misted units for us. He was helpful, professional... and excellent value. Will use him in future and readily recommend him.read more

Ana Reed

20:27 15 Jun 20

Great customer service, very helpful advice and lots of support - thank you... very much!read more

Pamela Swann

12:59 08 Jan 20

David has just completed a project for us and was superb. Would highly... recommend, everything was easy, from initial contact to completion and a fantastic finished result. Absolute pleasure to deal with. Thank youread more

james craig

10:59 20 Dec 19

David fitted new windows and French doors for us. He is without doubt the best... tradesman we’ve ever used and we would highly recommend him to anyone. Punctual, professional, efficient and takes pride in his work. We were happy to leave David and his excellent team working in our house when we were out. Everything was left spotlessly clean and the work was done to a very highly standard very quickly. David fixed a broken gutter for no extra charge and readjusted a door, neither of which was part of the agreed job. Thanks a lot David for a flawless five-star service just before Christmas!read more

Mark Hammond-Edis

20:55 19 Dec 19

David and his team helped us take a window out to fit a large sofa in our front... room. He was very responsive, polite and punctual. The job they did was difficult and they did it to a high standard making sure everything was perfect before they left.read more

Edward Hordley

21:30 11 Dec 19

Hired David and his team on a repair and finishing job after having been let... down by another contractor. His approach was superb, professional, polite and very responsive. His price is higher than some, but he is well worth the extra investment. The value for money you get from him and his experience is exceptional and I have no regrets about using him or the work provided. This was not a straight forward job but David made it feel that way. Highly recommended.read more

Paula Charman

15:27 02 Oct 19

Thank you for a great job on our windows and doors. David was very professional... and very clean while working. I would highly recommend his services to other people. Thanks David Paula and Richardread more

Raj Thakker

16:03 24 Sep 19

One word: Superb. Thank you David for a brilliant job on replacing my... conservatory roof. No task was too big or small. David even took it upon himself to fix a broken gutter at no extra charge. The whole job was done at a very good price. Very clear communication, tidy and very professional at all time. I already have recommended him to my brother-in law and will continue to do so to others. Thank you David!read more

15:37 20 Sep 19

David provided an excellent service recently on a job. The quality of his work... is outstanding and I would fully recommend him. I have asked David to come back to quote on another job. He has just done that for me and I look forward to the works being carried out as I know the result of his work will be more than satisfactory.read more

Anneke Meiring

08:15 20 Jul 19

David is the best and most reliable contractor I have ever met. He converted... our courtyard into a conservatory. This was done at a very high standard. It looks amazing and is completely waterproof. He came across a lot of unforeseen problems in the process, e.g. had to clear a drain, move an extractor fan, level the ground area etc- which he attended to effortlessly as part of the job.He also assisted us with many ancillary and unrelated matters, e.g. putting my clock up against the wall, remove old window frames, liaising with another contractor on damp issues elsewhere in the house- all without charging extra as other contractors would do.He is super professional in the execution of his work and regularly updated us as to where we are in the process. He also has wonderful bedside manners, a superb sense of humour, and a humane touch. We always felt that we are in such good and honest hands. I would highly recommend him- we will never be using anybody else at our home again.Well done David and thank you so much for your help.read more

IKONIX_ MAZZI

08:09 19 Jul 19

Very pleased with the work David did. Would recommend and would definitely use... again.read more

Tahsima Habib

14:02 18 Jul 19

David did a wonderful job on the conservatory and fencing at a property I... manage, I can only recommend him and the company.read more

James Martin

09:10 18 May 19

Great job installing the doors and windows. Had to be flexible, but didn’t... complain as our doors had not arrived on time. Thanks for the helpread more

N Sha

21:12 11 May 19

David texted me the morning after I had advertised the work. He turned up the... same day. As I was describing the work that needs doing: he kept saying, Yes, I can fix that ( French sliding door), Yes, I can fix that too ( conservatory door), yes I can replace that as well ( conservatory roof). He came back to me with the quote within 1 hour. Reasonable cost. And, yes he did all the work with professionalism. I must admit I had few other window-doors and conservatory specialists...All I can say is that they should go to David for some training. David is miles ahead of anyone I had around, in every aspect. I strongly recommend David - do not waste time with anyone else if Dave is available...and boy, he is not only smart and experienced but hard working and kind,too. Well done Dave, God Bless and keep up the good work!read more

Nadeem & Syma Haque

00:44 31 Mar 19

David provided me with a great all round experience for this job. His... communication and knowledge of the trade was brilliant. He provided me with a very competitive quote in quick time and was able to complete the job pronto. His take pride in his work which means his finishing is to a high standard. A very respectful and honest guy who provided is a great customer service. Overall a high quality piece of work and I would definitely recommend using David again in the future. Thanks!read more

Alan Martin

20:21 28 Feb 19

Did a superb job fitting a cat flap in a glass panel, at a very reasonable... price. Punctual, polite and friendly, I would absolutely book again in a heartbeat!read more

jwalant patel

19:35 06 Feb 19

Excellent and quick service. I posted a job on Rated people, and he provided a... quick response regarding my broken conservatory door. He offered a competitive quote and completed the work on time. I will definitely use his service in future and highly recommend others as well.read more

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