Garage conversion - good idea or potential loss of money if come to sell

Tucker

Personally, I can't stand converted garages and think they always look like obvious garage conversions, no matter if they are proffesionally done.

I'd never do it myself. One, because I really like a garage for all those bits and bobs and to keep my sporting gear in there. But two, because I have never seen one that blends in well and looks like it was part of the original build.

I can live with a new addition at the rear, but at the front when it's normally the first thing that hits your eye line... not for me and I'd never buy a house with one done (unless I could convert it back!!).

Al1x

Can you build on top of the garage? that way you keep the garage and get the extra space.

slummymummyof3

If you were to build on top you would need to check the foundations were adequate and this may also bring in the Party Wall etc Act

andrew-b

It's detached house so no party walls involved. You could bring the front of the garage out, build behind it and build above it (exactly what my parents did to eek out another couple of bedrooms and a utility room). If you extend upwards in timber frame construction it's a bit lighter so the the depth of foundations may not be such an issue (also goes up pretty quick!)

Going right back to the very first sentence... I'm not quite sure what stamp duty has got to do with anything here..1% on the cost of the house is peanuts in the scheme of things (even 3% on £250k+ house isn't much!) ...your garage conversion will cost you much more than the stamp duty to buy another similarly priced house and the conversion won't necessarily add the same value to the house. You'd probably get more for your money to move to a bigger house with garage and pay stamp duty for it without the upheaval of building works!

Having bought a house without a garage i'd say it's a must have (but not for the car)..or at least a big workshop sized weathertight shed in the back garden (i don't have that either!).

marvic31

We converted our garage several years ago and it was one of the best things we have done to the house.

Yes we have lost the storage space but we now use the loft more and have a larger shed out the back and a few storage containers at the side of the house, mostly for paint and non expensive garden stuff.

Its mostly used as the kids playroom and we have a cupboard that stores an extra fridge and a dryer. It also stores the electricity box.

Luckily the whole bottom floor is all one level so no internal stairs or changes in height between rooms.

The only way you could tell its a conversion is the mortar colour is slightly darker between the bricks underneath the window.

We used the conservatory company who built our conservatory to convert our garage.

Jue_xx

marvic31 wrote: »

Yes we have lost the storage space but we now use the loft more and have a larger shed out the back and a few storage containers at the side of the house, mostly for paint and non expensive garden stuff.
QUOTE]

We would really struggle to get the motorbike, windsurfing gear, camping gear, bikes and lawn mower up the loft ladder, so although we don't keep the car in our garage, we still do need a garage I'm afraid!!:D

27col

I must take issue with you Tucker about garage conversions always looking like an obvious garage conversion. Pictured below is my converted double garage, changed into a separate flat or granny annex. It blends in pretty well with the rest of the house I think.


I built another double garage in different part of the front garden.

Tucker

27col wrote: »

I must take issue with you Tucker about garage conversions always looking like an obvious garage conversion. Pictured below is my converted double garage, changed into a separate flat or granny annex. It blends in pretty well with the rest of the house I think.


I built another double garage in different part of the front garden.

That depends what the rest looks like and if the rest is tiled to the ground below every other window. I reckon it would be obvious from standing in front of most as they are clearly at the end of the driveway. It's clearly tiled and glazed where the garage doors used to be, which is the big giveaway.

It's not for me, but each to their own and like I say it would instantly put me off buying one with a garage conversion tasteful or not.

27col

I wouldn't sell to you anyway. So yah sucks boo!!

bargainbarmy

Sorry but I think your garage conversion is hideous. It so obviously looks like it was a garage and those tiles...yuk!!!

27col wrote: »

I must take issue with you Tucker about garage conversions always looking like an obvious garage conversion. Pictured below is my converted double garage, changed into a separate flat or granny annex. It blends in pretty well with the rest of the house I think.


I built another double garage in different part of the front garden.