How much do people value a garage?

WestonDave

Slightly hypothetical question this as we don't intend to move so will do what suits us, however...

We've got a 3 (double) bed detached house with an adjoining garage. The garage is pretty small as its 1950's built, so in reality putting a car in it is impractical unless you've got something tiny like a Corsa which is unlikely as the main car in a good sized family house. It needs a new roof as the old asbestos one is leaking. We are considering changing the roof to "lean" against the house, which would enable us to have a door directly from the house into it, and then on out into the garden. (This in turn will enable us to have a better kitchen layout without the outside door there). The interior of the garage will be split into two - the front will retain the up and over door, but we will build a wall 1/3 of the way in - this area to be used for bikes, lawnmowers etc, with the back section being the route to the garden and a utility space !!! workshop etc. By the time we do this we will have off road parking for up to 3 cars without using the garage. Most people on our street don't us their garages for putting the car in (as they are too small!) and its a low crime area so little reason to do it for security.

Obviously opinions will differ, but do people these days see garages more as storage space rather than actual car parking spaces? Would what we are about to do put you off buying or be more attractive?

Strapped

I see a garage as essential, but as storage space, not for putting a car in. That's because I run a business from home. But I'd imagine that there will be some buyers you would alienate, who have a small expensive pride-and-joy sports car for example.

richardw

If you can't get an Astra/Focus/Golf in it when it is empty of other stuff, then it really isn't a garage.

Some people are just car proud and like to put their car in a garage.

If you are thinking of the door from the house into the garage don't forget to check the difference in floor levels requirements that may be in Building Regulations.

SailorSam

My garage is 20'x25' when we built it we had the room and decided it wasn't going to cost double the amount to make one double the size and i thought that maybe having a decent workshop i could use it to do some sort of work from home.
My previous house had a garage attached to the side of the house and useless as regards to getting the car into, it was nothing more than a big shed.

WestonDave

Thanks - the floor level won't be an issue as the garage floor is around 700mm below the house floor level (sloping plot so it was just built lower - hence needing the sloping roof on it to be able to have headroom to come out of the house and step down) - if anything we may bring the garage floor level up. I guess it won't be irreversible if someone really wanted to put their MGB in it or something.

Itismehonest

I think it very much depends on the property, the area & also on a potential buyers view of their car.
For instance, garaged cars can mean slightly lower premiums. Some people just won't park their cars outside for any number of reasons (security, to lower wear & tear with things like rust & damp issues etc.)
Like most home improvements what suit one person won't suit another.
It's like the bath or shower question. It's always better to have both if possible but if you're going to be in the place long term then go with what you want to live with.

Lunar_Eclipse

Strapped wrote: »

I see a garage as essential, but as storage space, not for putting a car in. /QUOTE]

I agree with this, although it also depends on the price of the house.

If I was in the market for a house at the higher end of the price spectrum, say £750k (outside London/major cities), I would expect a usable garage.

rocks+mountains

I think a lot of garages these days are used only for storage, I cannot remember the last time a car actually went in our garage (mainly because it is full of junk). I don't think it would be the end of the world to do so. If there is ample parking anyway it should not be too much of an issue and only those few people who have a special sports car would be bothered by it.

Helen1971

I agree that most garages are used for storing junk rather than cars. Nevertheless, not having one definitely makes a house more difficult to sell, even if it's sacrificed for an extra room.

mcduff16

Out of 2 identical houses, I`d favour the house with a garage

ukmike

For instance, garaged cars can mean slightly lower premiums.

Strangely enough,that's not true any more,if you do a comparison quote between leaving a car in the driveway & putting it in a garage,it will be cheaper leaving it in the driveway.