Garage conversion and price impact

davilown

thanks sunshinetours, you've reiterated our feelings towards the conversion. The house is literally a square with the linked garage as a rectangle at the side so noise won't really be a problem.

I'll take on board hat you say about the bay, it would put the front of the house further forward so may need PP. I have emailed my local Planning dept and asked for their advice on whether we need PP - BRs are definite due to the door, and maybe the front wall (only about 2' high!). We've had various quotes for the doorway, ranging from 180 - 500. All bar one wanted to use a disc cutter inside and garage side (what a mess that will be), the other wants to drill it out - he's someone, although not listed with check a trade etc, has a very very good reputation and I'm inclined to use him.

The rest of the work will be done by myself over the next few months. Elecs are already in place and just need sockets/lights changing. roof (flat) was reproofed 4 years ago and was insulated and plastered at the same time so mainly just labour intensive rather than specialist jobs need doing.

Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Cambridge32

Personally a garage was high on my list of "must haves" when looking for a house (following 2 failed attempts to steal my car). I did not make any offers on properties without a garage. Garage conversions are, however, popular, so the net effect on the value of your house will probably be zero.

BeauBelle

When we purchased our house, a garage was high on our list of priorities as DH had a sporty car. When we moved in we realised that we couldn't actually fit the car in the garage and get out of it!

The house was built in the late 50's so cars were much smaller then! Converting it has made it usable living space rather than a dumping ground for all our toot!

BB

auroan

Is link-detached the new "mrs bucket" way of saying semi-detached ?

:think:

:shhh: :doh: :rotfl:

sunshinetours

Err no, not new at all. Normally the garages are just joined. It not a detached house and its not a semi detached where all one side of house walls are joining. Glad it amused you anyway.....

cottonhead

We are hoping to move to a house that has a garage joined on so we can convert it to a study. Most garages where we live are actually too small to fit a car in and are there for show and to store garden equiptment. I have noticed though that many houses on the market dont advertise the fact that the garage has been converted.... its only when you go round that you find out. Im guessing most people dont get permission but if you are not changing the size of the garage , just the use of it and your wrking from home will not impact the neighbours I dont think you need to anyway. Check the local planning requirements though - some areas forbid small things like changing the use of a garage or putting on a solar panel etc ! We are not allowed a front hedge or a TV dish for example!
If you are planning to saty in the house then why not put a window on the end that faces into the garden? That way it will let natural light in but not change the frontal apperance.

auroan

sunshinetours wrote: »

Err no, not new at all. Normally the garages are just joined. It not a detached house and its not a semi detached where all one side of house walls are joining. Glad it amused you anyway.....

Well if you convert the garage and next doors is converted.... then you'll be turning your "link" detached into a semi.

sunshinetours

auroan wrote: »

Well if you convert the garage and next doors is converted.... then you'll be turning your "link" detached into a semi.

That wasn't what you posted though was it?

The link part refers generally to garages, so main living rooms/bedrooms etc are generally not connected to another house

davilown

cottonhead wrote: »

If you are planning to saty in the house then why not put a window on the end that faces into the garden? That way it will let natural light in but not change the frontal apperance.

If we could we would, but the at the back is a utility room/WC which was in the original build. its a 60s house and though the house have much bigger and brighter rooms that some more modern equivalents, the garage is just too small for any car really.

davilown

Well, the doorway goes in next week, in time for xmas time off to start the flooring and batons for plaster boards. £200 for the builder to make the doorway and lintels. Have checked his work, he only works via word of month and i know the people who have used him in the past and they rate his workmanship.

Next will be the garage door coming off and a flat window rather than double glazed - A bay would mean having to apply for PP as it would protrude from the front of the house line.