Should I convert the garage to living space

[NewDiy]

Really would appreciate advice from those that knows...

I am thinking of changing the attached double garage to living space. I would extend the back and produce another living room, bathroom and study. This would be accessed from the hall and could also be closed off to form a seperate annex.

The house is a typical 70's style with the flat roof garage attached to the side and there is room to park about four cars in the drive. I haven't looked in to the cost of this yet but am wondering whether the loss of garage is a problem, whether an annex adds much value, etc.

Any views really would be appreciated.

[Phil L]

We converted one last year, almost identical to this. Firstly, the flat roof will have to go, it needs to be pitched, secondly, all windows wil need to be fire escapes, because you are effectively removing a way of escape (the large door, and possibly a smaller one?)...as long as you have factored these into your costings, you should be fine...the floor was lower than the house floor, but only by 150mm, meaning that we couldn't get any insulation under it, but it was allowed anway - you can only do what is do-able and most BCO's are understanding of this.

You need to get plans drawn up before anyone wil price it, but I'd guess that you won't see much change out of 12K just for the conversion, the extension you speak of can be priced yourself @ £1000 per m2 of floor area...this is a ballpark figure.

[Adrian Simpson]

In article , NewDiy writes

Sooner or later you will want to sell the place. It might be an idea to talk to some local estate agents who (hopefully) should be able to give you an idea as to which is the greater asset, the garage or the extra space.

Adrian

[J]

"NewDiy" wrote

Only my opinion, but my GF and I were house shopping for the last six months of last year, trying to find our dream home.

Speaking to Estate Agents, they said garage conversions were like conservatories, didn't add any value to a house and were personal taste. Indeed, from our constant looking at the properties for sale at the time, it seemed people found it difficult to shift a house with garage conversions.

If you "need" the extra space and it's all you can afford/cheaper than moving, do it. But it may be better to build an extention or move into a bigger place.

I could think of nothing worse than having a house that won't sell, or buying a house without a garage.

[gort]

Well if your garage is anything like ours you would have to build a big shed to hold all the junk/useful items that are stored in it. Car stays out side all weathers, no room in garage!.

Dave

[Tom]

As its a double garage, could you not convert half and keep half as a garage? That's what we did and it gives you the best of both worlds!

Tom

[Dave Fawthrop]

|> "NewDiy" wrote |>

|>> Really would appreciate advice from those that knows... |>>

|>> I am thinking of changing the attached double garage to living space. I |>> would extend the back and produce another living room, bathroom and |>> study. This would be accessed from the hall and could also be closed off |>> to form a seperate annex. |>

|> Only my opinion, but my GF and I were house shopping for the last six |> months of last year, trying to find our dream home. |>

|> Speaking to Estate Agents, they said garage conversions were like |> conservatories, didn't add any value to a house and were personal taste. |> Indeed, from our constant looking at the properties for sale at the time, |> it seemed people found it difficult to shift a house with garage |> conversions. |>

|> If you "need" the extra space and it's all you can afford/cheaper than |> moving, do it. But it may be better to build an extention or move into a |> bigger place. |>

|> I could think of nothing worse than having a house that won't sell, or |> buying a house without a garage. |As its a double garage, could you not convert half and keep half as a |garage? That's what we did and it gives you the best of both worlds!

Could you hide a caravan round the back where non of the neighbours can see it. One caravan used as an extra bedroom you can get away with, one used as Residential accommodation and you will have the planning people on your back.

[Cuprager]

I agree, I am looking to move at the moment and houses that have had their garage converted into a room are a non starter as I want a garage! It does seem that these converted houses are less desirable than the houses of the same design that have retained their garages, going by time on the market, selling price etc. One of the issues is that houses with an integral garage typically don't have the room on the plot for an external garage and buyers that want a house with a garage may buy one without if there is the potential to build one their selves.