Does converting a garage add value to your home?

the_flying_pig

Quite a controversial topic/question.

I personally hate single storey garage conversions. They look, to me, frankly like something built for an invalid to die in. Avoid at all costs. I have seen at first hand examples of them appearing to subtract value, certainly making it harder to sell a house.

But by "integrated" I assume you mean it's a mews-type house with a room above the garage. This type of conversion can often work well.

A useful rule of thum might be that conversion would tend to be good in cases where the alternative parking options were relatively good [e.g. it was easy to park on a driveway or a very quiet street].

All in all I doubt it'd add [or detract] squillions of pounds worth of value since you wouldn't actually be adding anything, more changing really. I'd probably do the conversion if doing so would enhance your own living experience, otherwise not.

HappyMJ

Around my way they don't add value as such as you have just lost value by losing a garage but then you have added that value back on again as a living space. Whatever you spend you will not recover. I would rather have a garage and a living space built onto the rear of the property instead.

sonastin

My partner has just built a double garage to store all his tools. He calls it his workshop. I call it his playroom!

Depends entirely on the lifestyle you lead and the uses you have for the space.

cottonhead

I wouldnt bother as its nice for the buyer to have the option of a garage or converting it. Some people like lots of space to store stuff or might have a hobby where they are always in the garage where as others ( like me ) would probably convert it into an office but woulndt do it all up 100% as I would if I were extenting it to be part of the actual living accomodation. If the garage is integrel then the buyers have the option of doing whatever they please. Changing its use could actually put people off if they see a different use for it and based on the prices of homes where I live the ones with converted garages dont seem to be sold for a higer price unless its a 2 storey extension.

hazyjo

It's another personal taste question. I wouldn't consider buying a 4 bed house without a garage. A 2 bed, maybe, but not a larger home. We have 2 garages - one's still full of 'stuff' from our move, the other's got my (temporarily dead) car in it. We wrote off everything without a garage.

Horses for courses...

Jx

geoffky

my garage/workshop/retreat/playhouse is priceless and the thought of giving my wife the extra space to clean would finish us off.

pinkshoes

It depends what YOU as a family would want!

We're currently looking for a 4 bed detached home, and have had to rule out SO many that have converted the garage. We'd rather have the garage !

If it doesn't have a garage, then at the very least I'd expect a large garden with room for a HUGE shed/workshop with decent access down the side of the house, along with off-road parking for 2 if not 3 cars!