Planning to build a garage extension but want to save some money?
Building a new extension is a huge project that costs tens of thousands of pounds and takes weeks to complete.
How about converting your existing garage into a room instead?
It’s much cheaper than building an extension… plus you get to reuse a space that’s probably just being wasted right now.
…but there’s a few things you need to know first.
Before you start tearing down walls and decorating your new room… there are some critical building requirements that need to be fulfilled.
Like ensuring your new room is fully insulated and waterproof. Also making sure all the wall and roof structure complies with building regulations and fire safety requirements.
Here’s everything you need to know about converting your garage into living space.
What you’re going to learn:
- Why Boundary Walls Matter in a Garage Conversion
- Building Regulations Explained
- Essential Structural Work
- How Much Value Does a Garage Conversion Add?
- Insulation, Ventilation and Fire Safety
Why Boundary Walls Matter in a Garage Conversion
Here’s the part most people try to skip…
Boundary walls are super important for any garage conversion project.
If your garage shares a boundary wall with a neighbour, or is even partially attached to an adjacent property. There are special fire safety regulations you need to meet before conversion.
Garages attached to another building, or within 1 metre of a boundary need walls that are made from non-combustible material. They also need to be fire resistant for at least 30 minutes. Basically ruling out most timber structures.
Why does this matter to you?
Most existing garage boundary walls aren’t suitable for conversion. They’re single-skin brick walls around 100mm thick. Too thin to provide decent weatherproofing, insulation or fire resistance.
Boundary walls usually need to be upgraded with another skin of masonry. This creates a proper cavity wall that matches the house. Or you can build a timber stud wall against the existing brickwork.
Either way, this is the kind of job you should hire a professional bricklayer to do. Since they’ll need to know about garage conversions to ensure it meets building regulations standards.
Bad work on your boundary walls leads to leaks, failed building inspections and costly repairs down the road.
Building Regulations Explained
Grab a sit down, this is important stuff.
If you’re converting your garage into living space then chances are you need to apply for building regulations approval.
Wait, what? I don’t need planning permission…
Yeah, well building regulations aren’t the same thing.
Planning permission grants you allow to build something new on your land. Building regulations ensure the structure is safe, well-insulated and built to an acceptable standard.
According to the Planning Portal, converting a garage into a room used as living accommodation will normally require approval under building regulations.
Specifically they want to see:
- Wall and roof structures are safe and sound
- Thermal U-values meet minimum energy efficiency standards
- Damp proofing is installed correctly and linked up
- Fire doors, alarms and reinforced doorsheets are installed
- Adequate ventilation to prevent condensation
Building regulations apply whether you need planning permission or not.
Essential Structural Work
Hold onto your hard hat…
Your garage isn’t built to the same standards as the rest of your house.
The walls are thinner. The floors are just concrete. And let’s not even mention the uninsulated garage roof.
In order to convert your garage into living space… you need to seriously upgrade the entire structure.
Replacing the garage door is step one.
That gaping hole in your house needs filling with insulation, a wall and window. And that means new foundations, a lintel to support the structure, and tying it all into your existing property.
You also need to match the external standards of your house for aesthetic purposes. Meaning your brand-new wall needs to look like it belongs there.
The floor also needs some work.
Unless you’re happy finishing your room with concrete, you’ll need to insulate and level the floor of your garage. Plus add a damp proof membrane before your new flooring can go down.
Garage floors normally have a slope to drain water. But that makes them useless as habitable rooms.
And what about the walls?
Well… if they’re only 100mm thick you need to do something about that. Either add cavity wall insulation… or attach some kind of drylining to the inside.
How Much Value Does a Garage Conversion Add?
One of the first questions people ask about garage conversions…
Will it actually add value to the house?
Great news… it does!
Nationwide Building Society research found that converting a garage increased property values by up to 20%.
That’s well worth the average garage conversion cost of £10,000 to £20,000. As long as the job is done professionally anyway.
Extra rooms are high on the list of what buyers want. Whether it becomes an office, bedroom or living room… having that extra space makes your property more appealing to buyers.
But will mum and dad blower still see it as an extension of the garage…
Yes. If it’s built properly.
Garage conversions that don’t meet building regulations actually lose you value on your property. Since most buyers and lenders want to see certified completion paperwork.
Insulation, Ventilation and Fire Safety
Something else people often ask…
Can you skip the insulation and just save some money?
Nope.
If the conversion isn’t well insulated…. It’s going to be cold in the winter. Plus energy bills will skyrocket.
Garage conversions need insulation in the walls, floor and roof to pass building regulations.
Ditto for ventilation.
Insulating your garage and making it completely waterproof means moisture has nowhere to escape. Unless ventilation is provided, the room will soon suffer from condensation and damp problems.
There’s also fire safety to consider…
If the garage is connected to the house… fire proofing between the two rooms is essential. Otherwise fire can spread easily and nobody wants that.
Soundproofing is another consideration if the garage shares a wall with a neighbour.
The Planning Portal states that if the garage is attached to another house with shared party walls, sound insulation may also be required.
So there you have it.
Wrapping Things Up
Garage conversions are a simple way to add valuable living space to your property.
But they’re not as simple as throwing down a carpet and calling it an office.
Make sure to:
- Check the boundary walls can meet ‘habitable building’ standards
- Apply for building regulations approval
- Have all the required structural, fire and waterproofing work completed
If the garage conversion doesn’t tick all of those boxes.. there are going to be some nasty problems down the line.
The conversion needs to be built well. Just like any other room in the house.
