Advice on changing part of garage to a utility room

missimaxo

I wondered whether anyone can advise how difficult this would be and whether I could DIY it. At the back of my garage I already have my washer/ dryer/ fridge freezer but they look a mess all the time. I'd like to convert to a proper utility room and do the work myself. I'm thinking a stud wall with new doorway into the garage, which I could insulate in some way (foam blocks or rock wool?). Raise the floor on joists and insulate between. I think I'd have to add a damp course to this section.  The outer wall is single brick so again battern, insulate and plasterboard. Then once I've got the basic structure add cupboards and tiles etc. No window but i don't believe a utility requires this. The electric and plumbing are there just need neatening up. Am I being too ambitious thinking I can DIY this? Am I forgetting anything?  Thanks

Ebe_Scrooge

It's perfectly DIY-able if you've got the necessary skills.  You will need to check that it complies with any required building regs though.  You'll need to check the specifics, but off the top of my head I do know that a door to an integrated garage (I don't know if yours is integrated or detached from the house) needs to be appropriately fire-rated.

missimaxo

Ooh I'll look into that. The current door definitely isn't fireproof so my plans would make it safer. I actually want to fit an external door with a proper lock as it is integrated and in my opinion the weakest entry point

Browntoa

If parking is an issue in your area and part of the planning requirements for the property was XXX parking spaces then building control may not allow it.

Then again they are unlikely to find out , possibly an issue if you sell down the line if it's not got proper sign off for the fire door etc.
It will need fire rated plasterboard for the wall as well

lesalanos

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6177735/converting-part-of-garage-into-a-storage-room#latest

Similar discussion 

womble12345

I had this done by a builder, cost about £7000 but that included fitting of kitchen units, and plumbing.
It could be DIY if you know what to do, ours started by first building stud wall, the buildings inspector said that the bottom of the wall had to be brick to avoid any motorbike fuel leaking into house so we have 2 rows of bricks and then an insulated stud wall on top. Then they knocked a door through from the hallway and installed a suitable lintel. Then they got some foam sheets of insulation and put them on the floor and then screeded on top to the level of the rest of the house. Then they plastered the walls and we were done. Then they fitted sink, washing machine, tumble drier and some kitchen units. They also fitted electrics and spot lights in the ceiling. I dont have a window in the utility room but had an extractor fan added as I think regs said i needed air flow.

DevilDamo

Browntoa said:

If parking is an issue in your area and part of the planning requirements for the property was XXX parking spaces then building control may not allow it.

Building Control have nothing to do with enforcing or controlling the parking standards set by LPA’s.