Converting my garage. Any advice?

Magic_x_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 21:45

Hi I am thinking of converting my garage into a room.

I shall quickly describe my home. New build in 2000, attached single garage. Window and door at the back to outside as well as a internal door into the house/kitchen.

I am thinking of converting the back half (ish) into a room.
Now I have just had gas central heating put in the house and the plumbers fed me some pipes into the garage for if and when I do do the conversion.

one of the side walls and back wall is single skin and the floor is conrete. The walls I can see a DPC (damn proof course) but the floor is concrete and I dont know if that has a DPC in it.

My idea is to fix a stud wall around the garage and plasterboard. Adding a door from the new garage room into the remaining garage.
Then getting a plasterer in to do his magic.

I have looked around and seen plasterboard and the metal strips you put on corners etc, joining tape and the likes.

Just wondered if anyone had any pointers. My brother in law is a ex builder who now lives down south but is coming up to give me some pointers in a month or so, just wondered if anyone has done it before.

I am also having new UPVC windows and doors in the house in the next 2-3 months and the present window and door in the garage is opaque but I am having clear glass put in for those.

The only thing that I cannot get my head around is the floor at the moment. Ideally I would when all done want it carpeted in there. Just unsure what I would need to do if there is no DPC under the concrete.

The room will have my guitars and piano in it. No neighbours close enough to cause a problem either.

Jingo... · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:00

Just a few pointers to consider:

- Planning Permission: It sounds like you're not intending on increasing the volume of the space and so PP is not usually required. Nonetheless, be conscious that any alterations to the appearance of your house or neighbourhood (e.g. views from the road etc) could cause issue with planners; notably if your proposal is likely to affect parking arrangements or acces to the road/dwelling.

Best to check with your local authority as various areas can differ substantially depending upon local plans and sometimes Permitted Development Rights have been removed from properties with regard to garage conversions.

- Building Regulations: - If you plan to convert any part of your house into a room to be used as habitable space, you will need to comply with government building regulations.

A building control officer will probably need to check your conversion a number of times during construction. Issues to consider might include thermal insulation requirements, rapid & background ventiliation requirements, condensation, weather resistance (inc. ground moisture/ your slab DPC

), drainage, parking reduction/restrictions et al.

edit: Your Building friend/relative should be aware of all the above anyway, but it's nice to have a bit of background yourself

Magic_x_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:06

Thank you Jingo.

But I need to add, You would see no difference whatsoever looking at my property. You cannot see the back of my property from the road etc.

The front would not change ONLY the inside of the garage. Even the exsisting doors and windows are staying in exactly the same place. Just being replaced (the entire house) with new UPVC doors and windows. Just the ones presently at the back of the garage have frosted glass whereas the new ones will be normal see through glass.

But yes I will call the local council and ask for there advice. But I wont be doing any major building work. Just stud walling the back half of the garage and getting a plasterer to plaster the new room.

Mr-White · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:15

I'll point borich_planner in the direction of this thread

MW

Magic_x_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:17

Who is that Mr White ?

Jingo... · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:19

Just be aware of all of the possibilities and their additionals i.e.- you will require a BR as a minimum. This will require an extra £135-165 app.fee + your drawings etc...

Getting things done correctly and officially with the right people now, can save an awful lot of hassle later on

Edit: Borich is a Planning Officer

[TW]Fox · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:21

Isnt it better to put the car in it?

Magic_x_uk · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:26

[TW]Fox;15805835 said:
Isnt it better to put the car in it?

Can't My motorbike, radio control planes and helis are in the rest of the garage. Car can stay outside. It is happy there. It has told me

graemer · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:39

I know your current garage / house new build but I had a nightmare when I converted my garage into a room. Turns out when the garage was built it did not have permission. I now have to apply for retrospective permission.

The advice I was given from my council was to just tell them what I was planning with a brief skectch. I think thats all you will need to do in your case.

Oh and Jingo... you are so right the main reason I am in my difficult situation is I wanted it built and completed there and then.

Morba · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:42

[TW]Fox;15805835 said:
Isnt it better to put the car in it?

i think most people with single garages built in last 15 years don't put cars in them. I wouldn't be able to get out of my car in my garage! Most of the houses in my road don't have used garages for parking

Mr-White · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:49

Magic_x_uk said:
Who is that Mr White ?

He's a mate and a town planner (if his username wasn't a big enough clue

), so should be able to give you some advice.

MW

Raumarik · 23 Jan 2010 at 22:50

So many garages made since the early 80s simply aren't wide enough for most cars. My parents house (made in the last 70s) couldn't take any car unless it was my Mini or my dads runabout Fiat 126!

Even now most of the ones I see simply aren't wide enough to let you drive in, park and open the door without risking it banging the wall.

mattheman · 24 Jan 2010 at 01:00

Kami said:
So many garages made since the early 80s simply aren't wide enough for most cars. My parents house (made in the last 70s) couldn't take any car unless it was my Mini or my dads runabout Fiat 126!

Even now most of the ones I see simply aren't wide enough to let you drive in, park and open the door without risking it banging the wall.

funny that.

Magic_x_uk · 2 May 2010 at 18:16

Going to do this myself now. As had a couple of garage conversion people around and given me quotes around the £3k mark. Which is just for converting 10ftx10ft of the garage (half the garage)

I have spoken to council and have a contact there. Who I will be speaking more in depth with.
I think I can do most of it myself, even the electrics although I wont as not allowed these days, Also get a plasterer in when all
plasterboarded out to finish that off.

shifty_uk · 2 May 2010 at 19:18

Morba said:
i think most people with single garages built in last 15 years don't put cars in them. I wouldn't be able to get out of my car in my garage! Most of the houses in my road don't have used garages for parking

I found this amusing... I asked my GF why her parents or anyone around her entire scheme don't stick the cars in their garages....Her reply: They don't fit?

Plenty of room on the drives right enough but a lot have double garages with no hope of sticking the cars in :confused: