Are you looking for a way to add more living space to your home without spending a fortune? A garage conversion may be the perfect solution!
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to plan a garage conversion so you can make the most of your new space. Keep reading to learn more!
Are We Required To Get A Building Permit For Converting Our Garage?
In most circumstances, the work needed to convert a garage will be considered an approved development. If you are using these privileges, having a certificate of legitimate development is a smart idea to show your buyer when you come to sell.
Some new developments have severe limitations (some homes are built with a stipulation that the garage remains as parking, so you’d need to apply to change its use), so it’s important to find out what’s permitted if you live in a conservation area or a new estate.
Detached garages are significantly more likely to need planning approval for a change of use. Therefore you may have to get planning permission:
- A garage conversion may not be allowed if you live in a historic district or if it would increase the size of your property above the limits set by permissible development rights.
- You are adapting the space for business;
- City ordinances constrain your ability to lessen parking requirements.
Even if these limits apply, you should be able to modify the garage inside as long as the exterior remains intact.
Find A Reliable Builder And Designer
Let’s start by interviewing architects and design-to-build professionals to learn about their backgrounds and see examples of their previous work. Find a professional adept at communicating with clients and has honest pricing policies. To ensure they have experience with garage conversions and that their work meets your standards, you should ask for examples of their previous work.
Your chosen architect and builder should enquire about your ultimate objectives, financial constraints, design preferences, and anticipated completion date. In addition, they need to ask about your expectations and voice any concerns regarding the project.
If the specialists you’re thinking of hiring act like they don’t care about your needs or aren’t invested in your project, you should go elsewhere.
What To Think About When Converting A Garage
Moving your household or business operations into your garage requires careful planning. The following are some factors to think about.
HVAC
The building crew will have to connect to your existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to make your new garage living space habitable all year round. To do this, you should upgrade your current HVAC system or install a mini-split heat pump that can cool and heat the additional room independently.
Plumbing
Do you plan to build a garage, kitchen or bathroom? If that’s the case, your building crew will need to instal pipes. This can affect the time required to convert your garage into usable space.
Insulation
Your builder will also need to finish the walls to make the room more liveable. Finally, insulation must be installed to maintain the space’s energy efficiency.
Access
Depending on your plans for the room, you may choose to instal a new entry rather than keep the door leading into your home. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is ideal for hosting large groups of people who wish to maintain their personal space.
Detached Garage Door Replacement
Since garage doors are typically less energy efficient than regular walls, their removal is a crucial step in the insulation process for your new space. First, you should consult a designer to discuss how to make your home’s new wall blend in with the rest of the landscape and be less like a garage. Alternatively, you might work the doors into the overall layout. Numerous options exist.
Permitting
You will likely need a permit to convert your garage, and any contractor you choose to help you will inform you of the expenses and requirements associated with obtaining one. The investment value of your home might be safeguarded by obtaining a permit. On the other hand, your home’s resale value may decrease if you perform a conversion without the proper permits.
Converting A Garage: Structural Considerations
A few structural issues must be addressed early in the planning stages of a garage conversion.
Repairing The Garage Door
The old garage door opener must be sealed off by building walls and installing windows. Timber frames and masonry need to be structurally strong, joined to the existing walls, insulated, and watertight.
A masonry wall’s weight necessitates a new foundation dug to the same depth as the surrounding walls. In addition, putting in new bricks or blocks requires toothing properly and bonding them to the existing ones.
Your city council may insist that you keep your historic door if you live in a designated historic or conservation district. For example, a phoney interior wall with glazed panels can be constructed behind the doors. To put it another way, this is a good spot for a kitchen sink.
Improving The Garage’s Roof
You’ll have to upgrade the roof if you want a dry garage. Match the main roof’s tiles and materials while replacing them. Making the roof pitch higher will hide the conversion from the street and provide an opportunity to instal skylights. If you plan on doing more than simple roof repairs, you’ll need permission from the local building control office.
Walls, Both Inside And Out
Most garages’ exterior walls are made of single-course brickwork, which does not adhere to current insulation and moisture standards. However, an insulated stud wall built inward off a damp-proof course on a couple of layers of bricks will do the trick. Because it is positioned 75 mm from the existing wall, this stud wall has plenty of room for wiring, insulation, and drywall.
GarageSmart® products are designed to make your garage more functional and stylish. We have everything from garage shelving to flooring to GarageSmart® SmartWalls that can completely transform your space.
Garage Heating, Cooling, And Ventilation
Ventilation: Extractor fans are a need in bathrooms and kitchens according to building codes, and you may want to instal one in your home gym as well. Otherwise, you’ll need air bricks or trickling vents for background ventilation and an opening window.
Insulation: To meet the code, your home’s exterior walls, windows, ceiling, and floor must all be insulated. It’s crucial to perform this properly, as a poorly executed job may leave the room cold and damp.
How To Wire And Plumb A Garage
If you intend on putting in a toilet or shower, it could save you money on the overall cost of the garage conversion if you locate the fixtures close to the existing water and soil lines.
To avoid overloading your mains (fused at 100 amps), you should check with an electrician or builder before rewiring your garage to add lights and electric radiators. They may recommend costly additions like a second mains supply and a new consumer unit.
The garage could also be wired into the main electrical panel, possibly with its separate circuit breaker. In addition, you should think about installing at least one new 20-amp circuit.
Wiring for a detached garage conversion can use an existing underground conduit, but a new connection may be required if the garage is to be used as a secondary house (an annexe, for example). In every situation, a qualified electrician should be able to offer assistance.
Keeping Your Converted Garage Safe From Fires
If your new room is indeed an interior room without the need for a door leading to the outside or if it does not open onto a corridor that gives direct, protected access to an exterior door, then you must take fire safety into account and provide a fire exit window and direct smoke detection.
Why are you converting only a portion of the garage? To turn part of your garage into a liveable space, you’ll need to build a fireproof wall that stands 30 minutes tall. Construction can be accomplished with either blockwork or wood stud work, with fire line plasterboard installed on the garage side.
What Kind Of Insurance Coverage Is Necessary For A Garage Conversion?
The builder’s insurance should cover the construction project if you’re going to hire one. Before hiring them, verify that they have professional indemnity insurance.
Notifying your homeowner’s insurance company of your planned garage conversion is also a good idea. It is important to verify whether or not any planned renovations may void your homeowner’s insurance. If your homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover the repairs, you may need temporary coverage from a specialist.
Contact your home insurance provider once the conversion is complete. Depending on how much the renovations raised the value of your property, you may see an increase in your premiums.
The Downsides Of Converting A Garage
The benefits of transforming your garage are evident. You can increase the home’s worth, get more space to live in, and even extend your time there. You get all of this for a fraction of the price of an addition.
However, there are a few drawbacks to converting a garage:
- Although a garage conversion is less disruptive than a loft conversion, the construction process will still cause noise, mess, and discomfort.
- You may only be granted permission to convert your garage if doing so is legally required.
- The homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the garage satisfies all applicable building codes. It could be costly to fix work that doesn’t meet standards.
- This, like any construction endeavour, requires an investment of time, effort, and resources.
Ready to Renovate Your Garage?
We know that a well-functioning garage is crucial to a happy home. That’s why we’ve dedicated ourselves to creating the best possible garage renovation experience for our customers. We want you to be thrilled with your new garage space, from design consultation to installation.
Imagine turning that cluttered, dark space into a bright, elegant area of your home. With GarageSmart®, it’s easier than you think. Our team will help you create the perfect garage renovation for your needs and budget. You won’t regret choosing us as your partner in this project!
Request a quotation on our website today!
In conclusion, converting a garage into additional living space is a cost-effective solution, but requires careful planning. Before starting, submit plans for approval and ensure your garage is connected to your home’s HVAC system. Structural considerations include enclosing the garage door opener, adding insulation, and building strong timber frames. For wet areas, install extractor fans, and consider plumbing if adding a bathroom near existing lines. A fire barrier is necessary for safety, and homeowners must ensure compliance with local codes throughout the conversion process.
