Having a garage converted into extra living space can make a big difference to your home life. Whether it’s for extra space for kids, a gym area or something else, a garage conversion is worth considering for your home.
In this guide, we cover the basics of having a garage conversion.
What are garage conversions?
A garage conversion is the process of converting an unused garage into a usable space. You might already be using the garage to store bits and pieces that can easily be stored elsewhere such as in the loft or in an external storage space (such as a shed).
With a garage conversion, the garage is re-designed to fit in seamlessly with the rest of the house.
A garage conversion can be used to convert a garage into any sort of room and examples include using it as a home office, a gym, playroom, craft room or even an art studio. We have also seen customers convert their garage into a dance studio or party room.
With the rise in remote working, a popular choice recently has been to convert a garage to a home office as this provides a separate space that you can go to for managing your work life.
What do I need to consider when converting a garage?
Here's what you need to know before converting your garage. There are various things to consider when it comes to garage conversions and our professional builders in Wiltshire can share their expert knowledge with you so you get the best tips for a change of use for your garage. On a practical front, it’s important to consider if you will have enough space for what you want to use the garage for, and what the layout will be (will there be extra windows or doors, for example).
Below are some other factors to consider:
Electrical power
How much power will you require and will you have enough for your newly converted space? If you are building a home office then more electricity might be needed for heating, lighting, the internet and so on. Depending on the age of your property and how the electrical circuitry is set up, you might need extra work done.
At Avanti, we can carry out an inspection by our certified electricians to ensure you have the right amount of power for your converted garage.
Insulating a converted garage
Depending on what you plan to convert your garage into, might impact how well it’s insulated. If you decide to convert your garage to a home office or lounge area then you might want it warmer than say, a dance studio. Having said that, it’s best to future-proof your conversion with the best insulation possible.
If you would like to understand more about how best to insulate garage conversions, get in touch.
Is planning permission needed to convert a garage?
Currently, you don’t need planning permission for a garage conversion if you are only having internal changes made. If external changes are being made that increase the size of the property or that change the appearance, then planning permission is required.
At Avanti SW, our professional builders can provide Velux windows for various property renovations, and this might require planning permission if it changes the outside appearance of the property.
It should always be checked to understand if you need planning permission to avoid any issues later on.
Do I need to keep the garage doors in a garage conversion or can they removed?
Should you keep the garage doors or replace them with windows and doors? There’s no right or wrong answer here as it depends on your property and what you want to achieve, but you certainly don’t have to keep the garage door in place if you don’t want it.
Avanti can replace your garage door with a window to allow in more light or with a door for easy access to your new space. Planning permission probably won’t be required, and we can discuss the details and options with you during the planning stage.
Ready for a garage conversion?
Whether you are looking at building a home office, dance studio, play area or something else, Avanti has the experience and expertise in building refurbishments to help with remodelling your garage. Get in touch for an initial discussion. We would be happy to share our thoughts with you and provide you with some valuable insights and tips for the perfect garage conversion.
