Garage Conversions
Converting your garage can add significant value to your home and transform the way you use your home.
More and more families are converting their garage into a useful space. As cars get larger very few people now store their car in their garage, opting instead to fill the garage with junk and clutter. If you’re running out of space and don’t want to move, why not convert your garage and transform your home?
Admiral Loans has just released a new report that reveals that converting a garage can add an average of £45,000 to the value of your home. They calculated from the Zoopla data that a square foot of living space in the UK is worth an average of £350 and the typical single garage is 128 square feet - The staggering property values in Chelmsford can only increase those returns.
Converting a garage into a habitable living space can be a simple, inexpensive job. Before you start, consider the following factors.
Garage Conversion Cost?
Santander bank reports that of the 9.3m garages in the UK, 650k have already been converted into bedrooms (29% of the total figure), as well as home offices, kitchen extensions, utility rooms or sitting room with a further 470k to be converted into extra living accommodation.
Considering the average single garage conversion costs between £7,000 and £20,000 (depending on the size and scope of the works). Converting the garage is considerably more affordable than moving home, once you've allowed for the legal & mortgage fees, costs and stamp duty. Or the £40,000 - £60,000 it costs to convert the average loft.
Do I need planning consent to convert my garage?
Planning permission is unlikely to be required for a garage conversion, if the work is internal and doesn’t enlarge the building. However, newer estates and conservation areas my have more stringent rules, best to check with the local planning authority in the first instance or if you plan to change the look of your property - if many of your neighbours have already converted their garages you're normally in the clear.
Do I convert the whole garage?
The average single garage 128 square feet which is too small to fit a sitting room, but it can be converted very comfortably into an open-plan part of your house or adding a dedicated office, games room, bedroom or utility room - working out much cheaper than adding an extension.
For a double garage or larger single, the best solution may be a part conversion. Typically, a front or rear portion of the garage will be kept for storage, and the rest of the garage will be converted into a functional room.
18 Years of Garage Conversion Building
Mark has been building garage conversions for home owners in and around Chelmsford for 18 years, starting out with a small family building company, Mark went out on his own 5 years ago to specialise in his preferred projects - to discuss your project and get a free quote please get in touch today.
Garage Conversion Costs?
If you're thinking of converting your garage, you're going to be asking how much will it cost? The first thing to think about is the size of your garage conversion.
A single garage conversion can cost between £7,000 & £20,000, the average cost being around £13,500.
A double garage conversion is going to cost you between £15,000 & £55,000, generally depending on whether it is an integral, attached or detached garage.
The reason the average garage conversion cost can vary so wildly comes down to the numerous factors that can affect the price.
What makes the price of a garage conversion vary so much?
Building a new kitchen or bathroom into the converted garage is considerably more expensive than building a simple living room or bedroom. Then factor in the different materials and finishes which are often driven by the appearance of the original property.
Garage Conversion Ideas
To get started on your garage conversion, here are 11 exciting ways to repurpose your garage. Whether you want to add space or value to your home, these ideas will help you get started.
This article will help you figure out what you want from your garage conversion and provide inspiration as to the many ways your garage can be used. But first, consider these practical factors.
First is the fact that garages are often awkward, narrow spaces. They aren’t necessarily the best living spaces.
In order to make your garage into a comfortable home space, you might find that knocking down some internal walls or repositioning them is the best way to go. This often maximises the extra square footage you will be gaining.
A brilliant idea is to combine a garage remodel with a complete ground floor remodel. This allows homeowners to rethink their current layout and integrate the garage fully into their plan.
People convert their garages for a variety of reasons. They might want to make their kitchen bigger, or remodel it into a boot room. They might want to create a playroom, or turn it into an office. Many people choose to use their garages as ground floor bedrooms. They may also want to include a bathroom in their garage conversion.
If you need to convert your garage, then take a look at some of the ideas below.
Garage Conversion to Home Office - a hugely popular option currently.
A new home office is an excellent idea for those of us who work at home. This kind of garage conversion can help us get organized, be more productive, and ultimately, produce better results.
Home offices are a great idea for kids to do homework in or for another member of the family to get work done. Garage conversions are an excellent way to create a home office.
Garages are usually off the main living areas and provide an opportunity for a self-contained entrance for work-related visitors.
When designing a new office, be sure to incorporate plenty of storage space, outlets, light, and a sink. If you think you will have visitors, even consider a toilet.
Garage Conversion to Hobby Room - Make a space for you.
Having a hobby room in your home is a great way to keep your home tidy and organised. It is the perfect place for your new hobby. A hobby room will keep you from cluttering other spaces and allow you to have a creative space with inspiration all around you.
Garage Conversion room options:
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Home Cinema
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Gaming Room
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Home Gym
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Games Room
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Snug or Den
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Library/Reading Room
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Craft/Hobby Workshop
Instead of having to rearrange your home to accommodate your hobby, having a dedicated space is a wonderful new trend. This means you can kit out the room as required without impacting on your existing layout or affecting other family members.
You may also discover that the garage's current shape is suitable for the hobby you want to pursue. Removing the need to remove any walls.
Depending on the use case, installing a separate door to allow visitor access could be an option — working best for teenage games rooms/hang-out spaces specifically.
Garage Conversion to Kitchen Extension - removing internal walls.
If your garage is located next to the kitchen, knocking out the wall between the two in order to create one large area for cooking, gathering, and entertaining is a great idea.
You can make the new space look bigger by adding a roof lantern or a row of skylights. These will flood the room with bright, pure light and make it feel more spacious.
A great way to make a big open space feel more like multiple rooms is to divide it into zones. Try using different types of flooring and paint, as well as different types of lighting in each area.
Garage Conversion to Utility Room - the practical option.
Another way to put garages that sit adjacent to kitchens to good use is to repurpose them as a utility room or boot room. These spaces are indispensable for those who have pets and enjoy the outdoors, but they can also be used as a place to keep laundry out of the way.
It's a great opportunity to add a back door, and you could even add a downstairs toilet if you don't already have one.
Garage Conversion to Utility Room - the practical option.
Another way to put garages that sit adjacent to kitchens to good use is to repurpose them as a utility room or boot room. These spaces are indispensable for those who have pets and enjoy the outdoors, but they can also be used as a place to keep laundry out of the way.
It's a great opportunity to add a back door, and you could even add a downstairs toilet if you don't already have one.
Extend Over The Garage for Extra Space in Your Conversion
In case you want to add more space to your home, one way to do it is by extending over your garage when you convert it. If you choose this option, you can use the extension to create balance between the floor spaces of the first and ground floors.
If you have a spare bedroom, it can be a self-contained guest room. But if you have an extra bedroom and want to build it on the top floor, you must consider the layout of the top floor and how the new bedroom will be accessed from the upper level so that it feels connected to the rest of the house.
Garage Conversion to Second Family Room
Homeowners are turning their garages into two living spaces. One is for family and large gatherings, the other is a more intimate space. A garage conversion is a great way to make room for this second living area.
Another popular idea is to locate the living room in the garage (or create a kitchen/dining/living room). One advantage is that there will be more space for entertaining.
Transform your home by removing internal walls. You will not only improve the flow of your home, but also make a small, dark house feel a lot more open and spacious and completely change the way your family uses the space.
Garage Conversion to Home Gym
If you're having problems getting to the gym and want to keep fit during the colder months, consider building a home gym in a garage conversion. While it is possible to store equipment in other parts of your house a great idea is building a home gym in a garage conversion because it requires less space and makes it easier to get exercise during the winter.
A dedicated home gym space will need kitting out with a hard wearing and slip-resistant flooring option. You could also add an air conditioning unit and soundproofing.
Garage Conversion to Playroom
Garage conversions make brilliant playrooms. Keeping the newly refurbished space partially open to an adjacent kitchen makes it possible to supervise younger children while carrying out day-to-day jobs. Remember to incorporate loads of built-in storage options for toys.
Garage Conversion to New Bedroom
Depending on your current layout, you may consider converting your garage into an extra bedroom. You can break the long and narrow room up with a wall and include a en-suite.
Garage Conversion to Home Cinema
Turning your garage into a cinema room is a great way to relax. Try a dark colour scheme to really bring the cinema experience home. A home cinema garage conversion gives you the opportunity to sufficiently soundproof the space, which means that the whole house won't hear your movie.
Detached Garage Conversion to separate annexe or 'granny flat'
If you have a detached garage, you could convert it into additional living space. This is something you want to check with the local planning department for approval.
Free Quote For Your Garage Conversion Project
To discuss your House Extension, Garage Conversion, Summer House or General Building project please get in touch.
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Chelmsford and surrounding areas in Essex.
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