If you have a growing family and are outgrowing your home, a garage conversion could be the answer. As it is already part of the house and unless you are going to increase the square footage, planning permission is not usually a requirement, but it is worth checking with your local council.
If you plan to use a building contractor they will normally take care of this, however if you plan to do it yourself then there are specialist planning services who can send you plans and drawings; just check online with your local service provider.
So now to the good stuff!
Since it is usually a large area, there are several different types of rooms that it can be converted to. One of the most common uses for a garage conversion is a games room, but since it is not financially viable to move house these days, converting the garage into a bedroom or living room is much more practical for a family in the current weather.
Since it is already complete with walls and roof, converting a garage is a relatively simple procedure. The first task is to make sure the roof is in good shape. It may need to be reinforced. It will be necessary to rewire and insulate.
Replacing your garage door with a new window is easy, and it’s a good idea to double-glaze the window. The floor will have to be raised to the level of the house. Many people undertake a garage conversion themselves, but some like to hire a builder and, like most reputable builders, have done this type of work before. If you are thinking of using the space as a bedroom, you can think about installing a bathroom, and in that case, you will need to think about plumbing.
Since the plumbing is already in the house, it will just be a matter of connecting the new plumbing to the existing plumbing. Depending on what you are going to use the room for, you have to think about where you are going to place the radiators. It may be worth installing underfloor heating before laying the new floor. This will free up wall space for shelves or cabinets.
You may also need an access door to the house if there isn’t one already. In general, a conversation in the garage is very profitable and involves very little interruption for the family. One thing to keep in mind is where you are going to store all the content. This is usually resolved by purchasing a garden shed and you can sit back and enjoy your newly converted garage.