Converting garage into a room

emerald21

Ozzuk wrote: »

I was thinking of doing this, but informally. ie...knocking a door through from house (which I'd need BR for) and then just cladding the room in plasterboard and insulation. I'd leave the garage door in place but build a false wall in front of it, so when I sell the house it could easily be put back.

I don't see how I'd need BR or any kind of planning for that level of work though as essentially its still a garage, albeit a tidy one. I'd prob use it as a snug or cinema room and wouldn't install a window. It wouldn't become an official room.

Any issues with this approach?

Yes that's it , a similar idea but for a bedroom

Davesnave

emerald21 wrote: »

What do you mean pig in a poke job

What I said.

Without having investigated the floor slab, and then decided exactly how to avoid the ingress of damp and satisfy the building inspector with insulation values, your son's idea was probably too vague for him to estimate sensibly.

An experienced builder would probably have given more guidance at that stage, if interested in the job. But builders aren't always keen to take on certain jobs. In the case of my garage, two builders simply didn't want to know!

Here's a good document detailing most of the options:

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/cy/relateddocuments/publications/buildingcontrol/guidancenotesforgarageconversions.pdf

Davesnave

emerald21 wrote: »

Yes that's it , a similar idea but for a bedroom

It isn't similar, if your son is involving the council's building inspector, as your post suggests.

cyclonebri1

Ozzuk wrote: »

I was thinking of doing this, but informally. ie...knocking a door through from house (which I'd need BR for) and then just cladding the room in plasterboard and insulation. I'd leave the garage door in place but build a false wall in front of it, so when I sell the house it could easily be put back.

I don't see how I'd need BR or any kind of planning for that level of work though as essentially its still a garage, albeit a tidy one. I'd prob use it as a snug or cinema room and wouldn't install a window. It wouldn't become an official room.

Any issues with this approach?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:You obviously haven't been involved with any building works recently, apart from sweeping the floor you need BR approval for just about anything.

Whether you do it with approval or not is your issue. If I was into the property longterm, given the intrusion I'd feel then I'd probably not bother.
But if there is any builder involvement then it would be foolish to go ahead without;);)

kaya

Destroying a garage, that'll knock a few bob off of your house value

Davesnave

kaya wrote: »

Destroying a garage, that'll knock a few bob off of your house value

Destroying it would indeed be unwise, but demolition's not what we're discussing.

cyclonebri1

It's not destroying, but it is about what is left, be it higher or less in value;);)

emerald21

Davesnave wrote: »

It isn't similar, if your son is involving the council's building inspector, as your post suggests.

He thinks he has to.

Davesnave

emerald21 wrote: »

He thinks he has to.

I think in the long term he'll be glad he did. Some council officers can be very up themselves, but most I've come across have been helpful. It is luck of the draw.

When your son comes to sell, a properly signed-off conversion will be an asset, not a headache.