Garage conversion

MX5huggy

From the HSE

Asbestos can be found in any building built before the year 2000 (houses, factories, offices, schools, hospitals etc) and causes around 5000 deaths every year.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/

Would I buy a house with an AIB garage ceiling, probably. Would I buy that house without confirming what that ceiling was made of if I wanted to convert that garage to a room, no. Getting a sample tested is about £10.

Ant555

jamie_128 wrote: »

Well it would be like a little play room, small sofa, a tv fixed to the wall, and kids toys. Ideally with a cupboard built into one end to improve downstairs storage.

Its the cheaper option that knocking the conserv down and rebuilding an extension, or even just a lightweight roof on the conservatory would be nearly as costly as a garage conversion.

Our garage conversion is still known as the 'play room' today even though the kids are at University.

I cant really comment on the cost as ours was 20 years ago however its been fantastic as a 'play room'.
It is narrow but it has evolved as the family has grown up from a place to hide all the toys to a bit of a den for the xbox, a study space at one end for GCSE and then A levels using a basic Ikea table and desk lamp, to a place where we can store all the Uni stuff over the summer.
We put a really wide single radiator in there and during the winter it doubles up as a drying room for washing

One of the best decisions we made was to buy a sofa/bed instead of a normal sofa for in there - we couldnt have anything too big as the room is narrow and although we have to spin the sofa round 90 degrees (so the head end is where the garage door would be) when someone wants to stay, it works.

Hope this helps.

jamie_128

Im confused by the asbestos thing, if it was completely banned in 1980 how is it in propertys that were built in say 1999?

After having a bit of a think we could really do with a utility room for the washing machine and to hang our coats up aswell as we are limited for downstairs storage, then have the other half of the garage as storage. Is this likely to be a bigger expense due to plumbing etc?

Aylesbury_Duck

jamie_128 wrote: »

Im confused by the asbestos thing, if it was completely banned in 1980 how is it in propertys that were built in say 1999?

After having a bit of a think we could really do with a utility room for the washing machine and to hang our coats up aswell as we are limited for downstairs storage, then have the other half of the garage as storage. Is this likely to be a bigger expense due to plumbing etc?

It wasn't completely banned in 1980, it was in 1999. Your choice whether to spend a small sum to get it tested. I'd rather do so than rely on what sounds like incorrect information you got online.

Yes, adding cold water and drainage will add cost but if that's all you are going to use the garage for, why bother with converting it?

jamie_128

Ahh bloody hell, ill probably get a test done, cant really knock value off the house though can i? Garage conversion is just a preference.

I dont know when the house was built, my guess is around early 1990s, is it likely a mainstream builder would actually be using the material still then knowing its harmfull? I get little business or tradesmen maybe but a housing estate builder?

Aylesbury_Duck

jamie_128 wrote: »

Ahh bloody hell, ill probably get a test done, cant really knock value off the house though can i? Garage conversion is just a preference.

I dont know when the house was built, my guess is around early 1990s, is it likely a mainstream builder would actually be using the material still then knowing its harmfull? I get little business or tradesmen maybe but a housing estate builder?

What, £10? You can try

I strongly suspect there will be no asbestos in it, but no one here can answer your question for sure. You either take the risk or you don't.

jamie_128

Haha thanks mate for your help.

One last question, is the garage wall likely to already be a cavity wall and hence save some money in that respect? Its an integral garage and there is a door from the hallway into it, also im sure the bricks were breezeblock and grey where as the outside of the house is obviously normal bricks.

Mrsher

I have an external garage in my back garden, I bought a used 3 panel sliding door off eBay, then got a builder to fit them, plasterboard all inside, and lay vinyl floor. Was a man cave, now a playroom. Bit cold in winter but great extra space in summer. I paid about 170 for the doors, hired a van to pick them up, then 1900 to fit and the other work.

troffasky

jamie_128 wrote: »

One last question, is the garage wall likely to already be a cavity wall ... im sure the bricks were breezeblock and grey where as the outside of the house is obviously normal bricks.

It's inconceivable that it would be a solid wall made of two leaves, on house that recent. You would have to be really unlucky [ie the builder would have to have been doing something obviously weird] for it not to be a cavity wall.