Things to Consider When Converting Your Garage

Converting your garage is a great way to add both space and value to your property. You may find that you’re not using your garage to its full potential - for example, you may not have a vehicle that you keep in the garage and therefore you have lots of empty space. Alternatively, perhaps you store old furniture in your garage but you’re not making good use of the space. 

Many homeowners do not use their garage often - and therefore, they’re simply wasting valuable space. Converting your garage is an affordable way to increase your living space and add value to your property.

If you’ve found yourself wondering about the benefits of converting your garage, we’ve put together a list of reasons to convert your garage, along with a few top tips. 

Extra living space

One of the most appealing reasons to convert your garage is to create extra living space. Whether your family is growing or you could simply do with some extra space, converting your garage is a good way to expand your space without having to move to a bigger property. Often, garages end up full of forgotten fitness equipment, old garden furniture and childhood toys. 

Converting a garage is one of the most cost-effective ways to add space to your home. Some of the most popular uses for an old garage include an extra living room, an extra bedroom, a children’s play room, a home office or gym. 

Having the extra space can be extremely useful. Perhaps you work at home and need somewhere quiet and out of the way to work or you’d like to create a games room for your teenagers to give you some peace and quiet in the evenings. Whatever the reason for requiring extra space, converting your garage is an affordable option. 

Cost-effective

Sometimes, people have to move house simply because they don’t have the space they need anymore. Whether you’ve had children and you’re struggling for room or you’d simply like a property with some extra space, moving to a bigger property can be expensive. From the cost of actually moving into a new property to moving your children to a new school and saying goodbye to the area you know and love, moving house is both expensive and stressful 

When compared to the cost of moving house, converting your garage can save you a whole lot of money. Converting your garage only costs a fraction of the price of moving house and gives you the extra living space you require. 

Increase the value of your property

If you’re thinking of selling up in the future and you want to get as much money as possible for your property, converting your garage is a great way to add value to your home. When viewing properties and searching for the right home, homebuyers look for houses that are spacious. Converting your garage into an extra room can make your property more attractive to buyers and increase the asking price. 

Additionally, an extra room will help your property to sell quicker. The more rooms and living space your property offers, the more appealing it will be to potential buyers. A garage conversion can increase your property’s value by up to 10 percent, making it a fantastic investment. 

Can I convert my garage?

If you’ve decided you want to convert your garage, there are a few things that you’ll need to consider before you get stuck in. Firstly, you should check whether there are any restrictive clauses in your lease. Some developers put a restriction on any building work that will affect the external appearance of the house. However, this clause can often be circumvented for a fee. 

Additionally, it’s important to check whether or not you need planning permission from your local authority. While you usually only need planning permission to convert a garage when you’re altering the actual size of it, you should always double check this. You may require planning permission if you live in a listed building or if the conversion will cause parking restrictions. 

Finally, you’ll need to comply with building regulations. A building control officer will likely need to check your conversion during construction. Other things to consider include: 

Temperature 

You’ll likely want to add insulation to the ceiling, walls and floor to ensure that the room stays warm and free from damp or mould. If your garage is attached to your home, you may be able to extend your existing heating system into the extra space. If not, an independent system, such as a HVAC system, may be best.

Plumbing

Depending on what you want to convert your garage into, if the room requires plumbing, this should be carefully considered. Supplying water to your garage is usually the easy part, but it’s the drainage that can cause issues. You should talk to a plumber to work out the best option for you. If you’re converting your garage into a room that doesn’t require plumbing, you may find the conversion much easier. 

Wiring 

You may wish to increase the electrical usage in your converted space. While most garages do have single lighting circuits, rooms require more electrical service and it will likely take a few extra circuits if you want to use appliances in your converted garage. 

You should contact a professional electrician to do this for you. Never attempt to carry out electrical work by yourself as this can be very dangerous. 

 Windows and doors 

Installing windows in your new room can make it feel less like a garage conversion and more like a room. Windows will help to draw natural light in and make your garage feel less like a box. When converting your garage, you should carefully decide where you want to install windows. Natural light can make all the difference to a room, but it’s important they work with the design and layout of the space. When organising a floor plan, consider your room’s measurements to decide where to place your furniture and other items. 

It’s possible your garage door may need a replacement, which means you’ll require new foundations. There are plenty of different options to choose from. For example, you can have lintels set below the ground level that’ll bear on the existing foundations. 

Thoroughbred Industrial Doors Ltd.: secure electric garage doors in Mildenhall and Royston 

If you’re looking to replace an old garage door with a new one in Royston or Mildenhall, you needn’t look further than the team at Thoroughbred Industrial Doors. We can provide you with all the services and products you need, from electric to roller garage doors. 

With over five decades of experience, our team of professionals are on hand to carry out high-quality installations that will last you for years to come. Our team can visit your property to discuss your needs, provide you with a quote and then build a bespoke door that meets your requirements and matches the aesthetics of your property. 

When you buy ready made garage doors, you may experience installation issues. Adding extra brickwork or cutting away sections to make the door fit can be stressful and time consuming at the best of times. At Thoroughbred Industrial Doors Ltd., all of our doors are custom made to the exact specifications of your space, measured by our professionals. 

For more information about our services, visit our website today.