Garage Conversion

[RedTen]

Hey guys,

I've been quoted £12,700+VAT to convert my garage into two rooms, a gym toward the front with a new insulated roller door and a lounge/cozy at the rear. That includes putting in an opening from my existing lounge, adding a new roller door, changing the rear door to a full glass panel, raising the floor, insulating skimming and making good. It's approx 3.5m wide and 7.5m long.

Do you think that seems expensive? I was perhaps naively expecting it to be half that!

If that is the going rate then I'd like just to insulate and board the walls and ceiling myself then add the internal door at a later date when cash allows. Can any builders or trades people advise on the latest spec/regulation requirements?

My thinking is to batten, insulate (not sure what to use though?) then fire board. I'd hoped to leave the concrete floor as it is then create a raised floor should I want to finish the job with an internal door at a later date.

Any thoughts/advise appreciated!

Pic for context:

 

[tom_nieto]

A new insulated roller door might be more expensive than bricking it up... could be £2000 just for that. If you said £10,000 I wouldn't be at all surprised, but it depends a lot on who you've found. Get some more quotes!

 

[pigeonguyuk]

price seems where it needs to be. A few sites to look at for costs

http://www.jsbuilders.co.uk/much-garage-conversion-cost/
https://www.realhomes.com/advice/garage-conversions-understanding-the-basics

Check with a few local estate agents. Adding an additional 2 rooms to the property could increase value. If that potential value add is same or more than the cost of the conversion then its definitely worth considering

 

[Duke]

People converting their garages gives me a sad panda face.

Make sure you get a fireproof rated door to the house. I think it has to have a self closer on it as well.

 

[Derek W]

Make sure you get a fireproof rated door to the house. I think it has to have a self closer on it as well.

It should be that before the garage conversion anyway. It's in the regulations Providing its attached anyway.

 

[the_r_sole]

The price of insulation will scare you (well, at least the amount to meet the regs!)
But if you're not doing the floor is there any real point in doing the rest to habitable standard? you won't get it signed off by building control anyway so it'll always be a garage when you're going to sell - imo either do it properly and get it signed off and increase the property value, or put the absolute minimum into it to make it function as you want

 

[Duke]

It should be that before the garage conversion anyway. It's in the regulations Providing its attached anyway.

Ah true. A friend of mine half converted his new build garage which is attached but thinking about it now there was no door before for some reason so just knocked through and put in one to meet regs.

 

[ci_newman]

The price you've been given is definitely in the right ball-park for the size of the conversion that you've listed (approx. 26m2).

Get it done properly and have proper usable space, otherwise you'll always regret it.

 

[crinkleshoes]

You know... you could just stick a car in there... maybe a motorbike or two...

That £15k would buy something fun too

 

[ash_91]

Yep that’s about right, I’m just finishing one now that was about 11k including vat