Garage conversion concrete or wooden floor?

katies_mum

I am currently getting quotes to have our integral garage converted into another downstairs room and was wondering if anyone can give me a little advice on which type of floor would be best as some builders say concrete and others say wooden. The floor has to be raised to bring it to the same height as the rest of the downstairs.

Next door have had a wooden floor and its a bit rubbishy as when you walk on it, it creaks etc and sounds hollow (if that makes sense) could just be that the builders did a rubbish job. Also have been told that concrete is lots more £££ than wood.

I am also receiving conflicting advice about Building Regs some say it need it others say not! we would be swapping garage door for small wall and large window.

Any help / advice would be brilliant. Many thanks

RX-78

I'm looking to do the same Katies Mum. I'm no expert but from what I can find;

You'll need building reg and wihtout this, you would not get the required certificate. You probably dont need planning permission - most garage conversion now no longer needs PP but there are exceptions (extending the garage size, living in conservation area or existing building restriction).

Have a look at the government site, planningportal

katies_mum

Thanks RX-78 I`ll take a look.

Are you getting lots of different info and prices off builders? scary really wish it was something simple and I`d have a go myself! lol

princess_loki

one of my mates runs a garage conversion company - if you want to pm me then i can send you their web address - however, i know nothing about building work myself!!!

katies_mum

PM on its way, thanks.

wallbash

In some ways you are lucky . you have to raise the floor height .
Therefore you can install the mandatory insulation.

The only thing stopping me converting a garage to a room , I would have to dig up the concrete floor to install insulation.


And yes to Building Regs

RX-78

katies_mum wrote: »

Thanks RX-78 I`ll take a look.

Are you getting lots of different info and prices off builders? scary really wish it was something simple and I`d have a go myself! lol

Oops, sorry not got to the point of geting quotes yet - still in process of purchase, hopefully exchanging soon. I know its a little premature to start planning for conversion but I couldn't help myself:o

I am thinking of getting a few quotes but from the reviews;

Garage Conversion Company seems to get ok reviews and project manage but a little more expensive.
Local builders may be cheaper but not all will project manage
DIY by cobbling together different tradesman/materials may give the cheapest but most hussle.

I've been looking at few builders and thinking of going with someone registered with Federation of Master Builders or TrustMark - you can search for your local builders through their website. I would rather pay a little more and know I'm not hiring a cowboy. It might also be a good idea to research to protect yourself

katies_mum

Its hard to know which route to go down for the best. Money is not unlimited but as you say `dont want hasstle` and want best job for the money spent.
I have to combine getting boiler moved and also tripp box for electrics at the same time as both are in garage. Boiler is to be moved to upstairs airing cupboard and I have just missed out on the £400 scrappage as its nearly an antique, and want the electric box moving to an adjacant wall. Decisons, decisions.
Its also the floor! what is best! so hard to know which is the best option to go with, my neighbours does put me off a bit but that could just be really rubbish builders.
Would really like to move but this is not an option.

Wookey

Personally i would look to raise the floor level using insulation and cement screed, for heating consider if you can get underfloor heating installed, a wooden laminate or solid floor can be installed afterwards if it is that type of finish you want in the room.

katies_mum

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if cement is lots more £ than wood because this is what the last builder I had out said, or could it be he doesn`t want to do cement! as its a harder job. Unfortunately I don`t know which option is the bigger job, but I`ve been thinking all along cement.

27col

When I converted my double garage into a flat for my son some years ago.I did the floor as follows:
First the floor area was coated with Synthaprufe.
Then I laid 50mm thick Jablite slab(insulating material)
Then covered the whole floor with a plastic sheet material
Then laid 8'x2' sheets of tongued and grooved chipboard floor panels. These were glued together as they were laid and in a short while the whole floor was so heavy that it did not need any further fixings. ( This method was explained to me by the Building inspector, who was extremely helpful). This method of construction has now been in use for nearly 20 years and I have had no problems. The only thing that I would do differently if I was doing it again would be to use water resistant boards as there is a shower in the conversion and we have to be very careful about possible water leaks damaging the floor.