GARAGE CONVERSIONS
As an Architectural Technician for
many years and surveyed 100’s of garages all over Scotland…. we have found a common theme
regarding garages and that is……NO ONE KEEPS A CAR IN A GARAGE.
Why convert your garage?
A garage conversion is one of the most
cost-effective home improvements you can do to your home. A garage conversion
can not only provide you with additional living space but also add considerable
value to your home which reduces the disruption to the homeowners.
A garage conversion does not
typically require planning permission, however, will require a building warrant
at a minimum. Popular uses for a garage conversion at present are for home offices,
however, can be utilised for extra bedroom, home gym/cinema or just some extra
space for relaxing.
The great thing about a garage
conversion is that the works are not weather dependent as most conversions are
a matter of laying some insulation on the existing garage floor and insulation
to walls (I’m sure a builder won’t say it’s that easy, but what do I know……I can’t
even put a shelf up).
How much does it cost to convert
your garage?
A typical garage conversion is £7000-9000;
however, this can vary for a few reasons such as; location, size of garage, the
type of finish (redwood or oak), storage required and also the type of insulation
required such as rigid insulation (Kingspan etc) or wool insulation can be used
(Knauf).
The architect will specify the type
and thickness of insulation required to meet the U Value requirements. As a
client, make sure that the Architects/Architectural technicians have considered
the cheapest options to achieve the same outcome as this can save you £100’s
just on insulation costs.
Normally the new window will be the
same width as the previous garage door, with the lintel remaining in place,
which means there is no structural alterations. Also, if there is not an
existing door between the house/garage then one would normally be required. The
architect can specify the lintels required for this if in a load-bearing wall,
however this is typically limited to a maximum opening of 1800mm wide.
How long does it take to convert
your garage?
We have worked with numerous
contractors all over Scotland which typically convert a garage from start to
finish within 7-10 days.
The longest part of a garage
conversion is the permissions as these can take 4-8 weeks before any works can
start.
What happens if you have already
converted your garage without permission?
If you have already converted your
garage without permissions, then this is illegal, and you won’t be able to sell
your home, or your home insurance may be invalid.
To rectify this, your architect can
obtain an ‘completion certificate where no warrant obtained’. Due to the Local
Authority wanting people to obtain permissions first and do things legally,
they charge a 300% fee for this, which can be a considerable amount (see table
below), eg £7000 project would cost £226 x 3 = £678 (to be paid to council
before you even pay an architect).
