Demolishing single detached garage to build garage and room behind at side of house

Advice_welcome

Looking for advice on costs, whether planning permission required and value added to home.

We have a detached single garage with a flat roof at end of our drive. I want to demolish the garage and build a 3x5 m single garage at side of our house with a 3x5 m utility room at back of garage.

My dear hubbie, doesn't think the costs bring any added value to our home because he thinks (a) we need planning permission and (b) we are not adding any extra to space because our detached single garage area is 3x8m long (just 2m less than the length of my proposed new build area).

I would really appreciate any advice on whether it's worth doing this project! Thanks

cattie

If this is going to make the house work better for you, then it seems pointless in trying to work out whether it will add value as far as selling when the time comes. Only spend the money if it is what you want.

With the 5yr stagnant housing market we suffered until recently, many people found that in spite of spending anywhere from £20k-£50k on refurbishing or improving/extending their houses, the value of the house stayed exactly the same as before they had the work carried out, or in some cases, less.

You can't 2nd guess what the housing market is going to do at any given time, so it's very risky spending money you can't really afford, solely in the hope that you can make a killing when you come to sell the property.

G_M

If your reason for doing this is financial investment, forget it.

If your reason is to have a better garage, + utility room, and a nicer home to live in, go ahead.

lessonlearned

Be careful - do get the old garage checked for asbestos before attempting to remove it. A lot of those old detached garages do contain asbestos.

You will need to factor in the cost of demolition and removal of said asbestos and this will add significantly to your costs.

I agree if your motivation for this is purely financial then don't bother because you won't be adding any real value - if you are doing it for your own comfort and convenience then fire ahead.

the_matrix

I would leave it well alone. It will NEVER pay for itself.

Instead I would:

1. Build conservatory
2. Convert loft

Much cheaper and adds value.