Another building regs enquiry

jolester

Fortunately this time this question isn't for me but hoping someone can help my mate

If a garage has been altered so that the utility room and part of the garage is now one room would building regs be required/any form of council sign off required?

The external garage door is still where it was, no windows have been put in, and there is a "space" between the "extended" utility and the garage doors as a new frame was erected and another internal door put in. There was insulation put between the original garage bricks and the new plasterboard finished walls.

The builder that undertook the work said nothing was required but now reading various things on this site I'm not so sure.

I'm not sure if there is anything I have typed which is irrelevant or any further information that is required for someone to be able to answer.

Thanks

Davesnave

It's permitted development but still ought to have building regs.

There are various ways of insulating the walls, but the floor slab would have needed insulating to meet regs. Likewise, the roof might need considerable work, or very little, depending upon what type it is. Obviously, pitched roofs within the footprint of the building are easiest to upgrade and flat ones outside, the hardest.

Doozergirl

As well as what Davesnave mentions, you need a step down from the 'house' to the garage in case of fuel spills.

You also need a fire door with intumescent strips between house and garage.

It very much needs building regs - it's a potentially dangerous area.

pmlindyloo

jolester wrote: »

Fortunately this time this question isn't for me but hoping someone can help my mate

If a garage has been altered so that the utility room and part of the garage is now one room would building regs be required/any form of council sign off required?

The external garage door is still where it was, no windows have been put in, and there is a "space" between the "extended" utility and the garage doors as a new frame was erected and another internal door put in. There was insulation put between the original garage bricks and the new plasterboard finished walls.

The builder that undertook the work said nothing was required but now reading various things on this site I'm not so sure.

I'm not sure if there is anything I have typed which is irrelevant or any further information that is required for someone to be able to answer.

Thanks

Almost certainly building regulations would be required.

See here:

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/garageconversion/

We have had this done in our house and the garage door was retained.

If a new room is being created then building regs would be needed.

Our building work was inspected regularly and involved a great deal of insulating.

We received a completion certificate after the final inspection and certificates for the electrical work (issued by the electrician)

Builders often say that building regs are not needed because they sometimes feel that what the building inspector 'demands' is far above what is required but as the owner you know that no short cuts have been taken and everything is done properly.

jolester

Thanks all for your response. And as I have had people talking about indemnity insurance would this cover this type of thing?

Though as he isn't planning on putting his house on the market for at least 6 months he would be looking to get everything inspected and signed off officially

pinkteapot

Doozergirl wrote: »

As well as what Davesnave mentions, you need a step down from the 'house' to the garage in case of fuel spills.

Thank you!! I've always been irked by the step going from our utility room to garage (through a fire door). At least now I know why it's there.

Davesnave

jolester wrote: »

Thanks all for your response. And as I have had people talking about indemnity insurance would this cover this type of thing?

Though as he isn't planning on putting his house on the market for at least 6 months he would be looking to get everything inspected and signed off officially

If indemnity insurance could protect one from dodgy builders who tell porkies, there'd be no problem.

However, I suspect there are many like me, who'd look askance at the lack of official paperwork and either walk away or ask for a reduction to cover remediation.