Converting the garage seems to be all the rage these days while adding a bit of value to your home at the same time. So let’s take a look at why the garage conversion is gaining popularity and examine some of the costs involved.
Garage Conversion Planning Permit: Will I Need It? For a direct conversion to a habitable room, it is unlikely that you will need a garage conversion planning permit. Planning laws changed on garages a few years ago, but it’s still recommended to check with your local planner just in case. In the event that you have a listed building, it will most likely require planning.
What is the most popular garage conversion? I’d love to answer that, but no one seems to have kept a record of any kind. While I can tell you what’s popular, I can’t tell you what’s the most popular. For example, a conversion to:
- spare bedroom;
- Study;
- Game room;
- Television room;
- Dining room;
- Computer room;
- Guest Room With W/c;
- Bathroom/toilet/utility room.
Let’s face it, you are only limited by your imagination so you can turn your garage into whatever you want. I made one a few years ago and turned it into a formal dining room. Around the same time, a friend of mine who sold records on eBay turned his garage into a home office.
What are the costs involved in a conversion? The cost may vary based on the condition of your existing garage and of course your choice of use for your conversion. If you have a well insulated modern garage with a decent roof you can probably do it all for £7/10,000. While I am routinely told that the current average cost is between £10,000 and £15,000, however, it can be much less.
Bottom Line If you’re considering a conversion, getting costs is the easiest thing in the world. Knowing how much things cost is a great help in the decision-making process. One thing to keep in mind is that whatever you spend on a garage conversion is money well spent as you are much more likely to recoup the costs with a nice increase in your property value.