garage conversion

libbyc3

Hi
if anybody has some advice I'd be grateful.
we have a double garage - freestanding, brick built, electric supply to it. I want to chop it in half, retain one half as garage and convert the other half into a self contained living space and have water supply to it (possibly a loo).
it is about 30 feet from our house and there is a mains drain manhole about 25 foot away (if that makes any difference to anything!)
is this possible? do I need planning? would i need an architect or can a builder do plans? where on earth would i start?!
OH convinced it can't be done / too complicated

27col

I have converted a double integral garage into a self contained flat. It required BUilding Regs approval, but I do not think that I had to get Planning Approval, but I could be wrong about that. However, the main point that I would make is that, even using the whole of the garage the resulting accommodation was somewhat "bijou" once it had a toilet and shower room and a kitchen area incorporated. It was quite habitable and we rented it out for some years to satisfied tenants as a one bedroomed flat. In fact there was a time when two people lived in it. Although, what they did with their belongings I can't imagine.
I write this to tell you that what you are proposing will be a very small room, especially if you want a toilet and sink as well. It might be all right for the occasional visitor, but not for much else. Another thing to remember, is that, to make the space habitable you will have to double skin the outer walls, which reduce the available space considerably. In my opinion, it is perfectly doable as a double garage conversion, but speaking from personal experience I would probably not bother if I could only do half of the building.

iamcornholio

If it is self contained then you may need planning permission too. Also if a newer property, there may be a planning condition preventing conversion of the garage.

Its not complicated to do.

Anyone competent can draw your plans for the planning permission stage

If the builder knows about the relevant regulations then you could use the building notice route (no plans) for the building regulation. Else again, you need someone conversant with building regulations to draw up more detailed plans than the planning ones.

You don't need an Architect (too expensive), but just a technician, surveyor etc