Garage Conversions Horsham
Horsham West Sussex
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A garage conversion can be the good way to gain more space in your home without necessarily increasing the overall footprint of your property. At present we are seeing a large numbe rof people wanting to convert their garage for either more living space or to setup a home office so they can work from home without impacting the normal living areas within the house. In order to make the most use of this extra space we would be happy to discuss your requirements and give advice on what can be achieved. We are happy to give a no obligation free quote.
A garage conversion should be high on your to-do list if you: a. need extra space in your home; and b. have a garage that is doing nothing but gathering clutter.
Not only does a garage conversion allow you to make much better use of existing square footage without the need to extend, but it is also a project that creates minimum disruption to your living conditions whilst work is underway.
It is a good idea to carry out a garage conversion in tandem with a remodel of your existing ground floor. This will allow you to rethink your whole floorplan, ensuring you really maximise both space as well as the way natural light will flow throughout the new space.
Another benefit of a garage conversion is that, in the majority of cases, you can convert your garage using permitted development rights. However, it is important that you check with your local authority before starting work as these may have been removed or restricted.
This beginner’s guide to garage conversions explains everything you need to know about converting your garage into a usable space, from costs and Building Regulations through to the best heating and plumbing choices for the new space.
If you are looking for some garage conversion inspiration for what you will do with the new space once it is complete, check out these great garage conversion ideas.
Does a Garage Conversion Require Planning Permission?
The short answer is: probably not.
Most integral garage conversions do typically fall under Permitted Development, meaning planning permission is not required. However, it is still best to check with your local authority,
If you live in a conservation area or in a listed building, you will almost certainly need planning permission. It is also worth checking for any planning conditions attached to the house or garage when constructed (i.e, the garage has to remain as parking) before beginning works as an application will need to be submitted to remove the conditions.
If the conversion falls under Permitted Development, applying for a Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a good idea, particularly if you aim to remortgage or sell the house in the future.
If you are converting a separate, stand-alone garage as opposed to an integral one, then you may have to apply for a change of use.
How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost?
A basic integrated garage conversion will cost from around £8,000 (or £400-640/m²). This is less than the value you could add to your home by converting the garage, so this is one project that really does make great financial sense.
Before you begin work, be sure to familiarise yourself with the factors that are likely to affect the cost of your garage conversion, including:
- the foundations need reinforcing
- the walls, floors or roof are in dubious condition
- the ceiling height needing to be raised (you need around 2.2-2.4m of headroom once the floor has been raised to 15cm above the external ground level)
- design fees
- planning applications
- the services of a structural engineer.
Do I Need an Architect for a Garage Conversion?
Whether you decide to use an architect, another house design professional or come up with designs yourself is a personal decision that should be based on the scale and complexity of the project.
Using an architect, an architectural technician or another type of design professional will mean expert design input and ideas that you might not have thought of. A design professional will also have useful trade contacts and will have experience in dealing with Building Control.
Do Garage Conversions Need Building Regulations Approval?
Yes, a garage conversion will need Building Regs approval.
You or your builder will need to adhere to the Building Regulations when converting an attached garage. The Regulations will apply to different aspects of the construction, including:
- acoustics
- fire safety
- thermal performance
- ventilation.
A good source of information regarding the Regulations surrounding garage conversions in the LABC website.
A building notice or full plans application will need to be submitted to building control as part of this process. Your local building control department will then register the conversion and carry out inspections throughout the project, then issue the final certificate on completion.
Will Foundations Need Reinforcing for a Garage Conversion?
One of the key elements of converting a garage is blocking up the existing garage door opening to add a window or door instead.
You will need to find out whether the garage foundations were continued beneath this opening and is adequate to support the new wall to block up the opening. This may involve a pilot hole in order to check, however it is always best to speak with a structural engineer to ascertain the suitability of the foundations.
For more information on a Garage conversion call us or use our contact form.