The current financial climate is proving to be very problematic for many families. You may want to move into a new home to gain the extra space that you need, but a stagnant property market can make this an impossible scenario …
Why not, like many people, choose to make home improvements instead? A garage conversion could be the ideal solution for you!
Before
After
The Garage – An un-used space
Often, when people are undertaking extensions to their properties, garages are not taken into consideration – but like with any other space, garages can be renovated to provide an additional living area. If you need a home office / study, have a growing family, or you simply need extra room, a garage conversion can be very economical and practical – providing you with a tailored solution to meet your exact needs and requirements.
Garages tend to turn into unused spaces or they get filled up with junk or un-used gardening equipment. The majority of households will have fitness equipment, toys or memorabilia stored in their garages – quite often, it will take some effort to dispose of these items, so they tend to sit in garages for years or even decades. In the meantime, we are struggling to find the space that we need in our homes.
You may already have an exact purpose in mind for your garage conversion, however, here are a few additional suggestions:
- Bedroom (with or without en-suite)
- Bathroom
- Living room / lounge
- Dining area
- Children’s playroom
- Utility room
- Home office
- Home gym
- Small home cinema / games room
- Family room
If you garage is adjoining another room you could knock through and convert the garage as part of an extension of the room.
The options really are endless – a converted garage can be used for just about any purpose, as long as the required work is completed. For example, if you are planning to convert your garage into a spare bedroom, the room will need to have good insulation, access to electricity and ideally it will need to be sound-proofed. Generally speaking, at least one window will also be required.
In particular, the creation of an additional lounge is a very popular choice for a converted garage. This may seem like a strange concept – after all, why would anyone need a second lounge? However, if you have older children, you will fully understand how practical this option could be! By having two lounges, you can relax after work and let the kids ‘take over’ the second lounge – no more annoying x-box bleeps or loud music disturbing your peace! Parents with younger children could use the space as a play room until their children get older.
Home working is also becoming more common-place in recent times. Given the option, the majority of people would prefer to work from a home office in a bid to save on commuting times and costs. A converted garage can easily be turned into an office – with the insulation and electrics required to power PC’s, fax machines and other office equipment.
Partial or full garage conversion?
A question that arises time and time again with garage conversions is ‘should I convert the whole of my garage, or just part of it?’ The answer will largely depend on your individual preferences and requirements, and the type of garage you have. Many people will choose a ‘part’ or ‘partial’ conversion, typically this involves the front part of the garage being converted while keeping an area at the back for general storage i.e. lawnmowers and bicycles.
Partial garage conversions can be a practical solution for those who need extra space, but also want to retain part of the ‘old’ garage. Of course, this option is only really available if you have a standard-sized garage or larger. If you primarily need additional living room i.e. a playroom or a spare bedroom, a full conversion may be the best option.
Generally speaking, a partial conversion will cost slightly less – but don’t expect the costs to be reduced significantly.
Certainly, less materials may be required for a partial conversion i.e. insulation and flooring, however, if you require a power source, the electrical points will need installing, whatever the size of your garage. To avoid additional costs further down the line, always ensure that you think carefully about your requirements.
So, the options for a garage conversion are plentiful. However, even if you have an exact reason in mind for converting the space i.e. to create a home office, always take the time to plan your project carefully before you commence with any building work.
You may find that an area can be used for a number of purposes, with a few small additions i.e. extra power points.
Garage conversions don’t have to be stressful – contact French and Thorley ltd to arrange a free no obligation, in depth garage conversion survey and consultation with a qualified, experienced surveyor.