Knocking down semidetached garage

Eviesmummy

My garage needs a new roof and a good amount of brick the work at the back also needs repairing. I've had a quote of £2500 which I can't really afford, but at the same time I'm concerned about the stability of the back wall, if something isn't done soon it could potentially be pretty dangerous.

The garage is connected to my neighbours garage by a party wall one side and to the outside of my house wall the other.

I'm considering taking my side of garage down and putting gates up. What considerations do I need to make to the party wall act? What could my neighbour object to? Is this going to work out more expensive than getting it fixed?
If I did decide to get it repaired instead would the party wall act still apply?

The neighbours are still a bit sore about planning permission that was eventually granted in my parents favour (they owned the house until last Aug), long story short the architect was determined to get his plans through, even though circumstances changed and they knew the build wasn't going to go ahead, and this soured relations somewhat. So I don't want things to get ugly (or expensive) if I can help it!

tonyh66

It probably will get ugly if you have rubbed the neighbours up the wrong way already.
What's wrong with the bricks on the back wall? demolishing the garage will also cost money.

Dan-Dan

It will cost you quite a bit north of £2500 to knock down and dispose a garage , plus cost of any potential making good , then add the cost of your gates and the posts they will need to go on etc etc

I`d find the £2500 if i were you, if not just to keep the value of your property , garages are generally quite sought after

beaker141

Party Wall Act - This site is excellent with lots of advice :-
http://www.partywalladvice.com/2010/04/17/does-the-party-wall-act-cover-demolition/


Knocking down the garage - I'm right in the middle of knocking mine down now and it will cost a fraction of the £2.5k, so far a mad mate has taken the bricks and roof tiles as he wants to build one using the materials for his brother in law - I offered to give them £100 so we both benefit from the deal, I save on skips, he saves on materials, and they hired a van for £80 to move it.


If I used skips instead, I reckon 2 8Yd skips would be ample, costing £400.


I'm left with a concrete base of which I need to get rid of half of, a 4 Yd skip for £150 and the Hilti TE3000 breaker from HSS for £80 for the weekend.


A trip to the tip with some timbers and jobs done. Garage gone for £330, maximum £650 if adding on the 2 skips instead of mates removal.


Obviously no labour cost though if needed.

Dan-Dan

Your having a laugh , your situation would seem to be vastly different to the OP`s , plus , the OP specifially mentions gates , they dont come for free

PLUS the chance are this would be notifiable meaning x amount of potential costs for the OP should the neighbours know their rights

I see it being 2.5k all up , with ease , depending on OP`s personal situation , dont forget loss of value with the house now being garage `less`