Space & value

by Rebecca Foster

IMAGE: BLISS INTERIORS, PHOTOGRAPHER SOPHIE MARTIN

PART 9: Garage conversions

● Planning and regs 

● Design inspiration 

● Costs l Foundations 

● Insulation and ventilation

Many garages end up becoming little more than zones where clutter and dust accumulate. If that sounds familiar, then it could be that your own garage is a prime space for conversion. As well as adding square footage to your home, a garage conversion has the potential to add value too — as much as 15%, according to Portico*. Typically, a conversion can be completed in a shorter time frame than building an extension. Plus, the construction work involved doesn’t tend to be as intrusive on the rest of your living space. From design considerations to all the regs, we lay out what you need to know.

WHY CONVERT YOUR GARAGE?

Whether your home’s garage is integral or detached, converting it into habitable accommodation is one of the speediest routes to boosting living space. You’re gaining living space from the existing footprint of the garage without having to build a new structure from scratch, as you would for an extension. Plus, a garage conversion won’t gobble up precious garden space. This type of project is often received more favourably by the planners, too, as they usually involve fewer alterations to the exterior of the house.

As you’re working with the existing structure you won’t necessarily need to dig out new footings. It is always worth getting the existing footings checked out though, especially if you want to build a second storey on top of the garage at a later date — brush up on the Building Regs and read the advice on foundations from Andy Stevens on page 103.

“If you’re working with an attached garage, removing the dividing walls can add a significant amount of space to the most lived-in areas of your home,” says Sabatino Torchitti, head of quality in Building Regulations at architectural practice Resi. Carrying out a garage conversion makes good sense if you’re undertaking a larger house remodel at the same time. That way, you can rejig the floorplan to establish a layout that flows from one zone to the next. Be aware though, that tapping a wall and hearing a hollow sound isn’t necessarily proof that it’s not loadbearing. If you’re unsure, it’s worth bringing in a structural engineer to check.

Before charging ahead, there’s still numerous considerations to factor in, especially if the scheme is to deliver the results you want. “You’ll need to consider how the garage is constructed and what you want to use it for,” says Jude Tugman, managing director at Architect Your Home. “These criteria will impact on the cost of the conversion. Increasing your home’s usable floor area will always boost its cash value, but you should think about how the extra space will improve your lifestyle too. Do you want more light, a quiet study, a utility area or an extra bedroom?” Additionally, if you’re doing away with your main storage space for bikes and tools, you’ll need to work out where these items can be moved to.