Lots of people like the idea of converting their garage into a functional space and potentially adding some value to their homes. However, it’s vital that you research the process and understand all the ins and outs before pushing ahead. Garage conversions don’t always produce the desired results, and that’s because some home-owners take the hit and hope approach. That’s never sensible, and the information on this page should help to set the record straight. You’ll find a list of the pros and cons below, and they should ensure you leave no stone unturned and always make the right decisions. With that in mind, let’s get started!
The pros of converting your garage
There’s no getting away from the fact that converting your garage should mean you have more usable floor space in your home. You could use the extra room as a home office, games area, or guest space. There are no limits to what you can achieve. Converting a structure that is already standing sturdy is much easier and cheaper than building an extension. So, if you have to choose between those two options; it always makes sense to work towards a conversion instead.
Converting your garage will also add value to the property and encourage potential buyers in the future to make better offers. People are always going to pay more for a house with five bedrooms than they are for a home with only four. You get the idea, right? Working towards a garage conversion might require a lot of hard work, but the price of materials is minimal, and you can reduce the costs dramatically if you take the DIY approach according to https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/garage.htm and other sites. Of course, you’ll need to check how that affects your home insurance before pushing ahead.
The cons of converting your garage
Just as there are many positive outcomes when you choose to convert your garage; there might be a few adverse ones too. For instance, there are situations in which you might have to apply for permission from your local authority. That is especially the case if you will change the exterior of the structure in any way. Your neighbours might have to give their permission for the work too. However, with a decent lawyer or architect in your corner; it is possible to overcome all those hurdles.
Contrary to popular belief; you don’t have to convert the entire garage. You could build a false wall and leave around six feet for storage. That would mean you can still keep your garage door or buy a new one from sites like https://www.vps247.co.uk/garage-doors. When you decide to sell your home; having clean and fresh doors always helps to add some curb appeal. However, there’s a problem. If you convert the entire garage and turn it into a spare bedroom or office; you’ll lose all of that storage space. Unless you have a massive shed in your garden, that could become an issue. You’ll also have to install some windows.
The procedure you need to follow
If you decide that converting your garage is the best option on the table; you need to follow the process outlined below to ensure you work within the law and avoid getting into trouble further down the line.
- Work out what you want to do with the garage and how you want to use it.
- Get in touch with your local authority to find out if you need to apply for permission or not.
- Contact local tradespeople and ask them to come and give you a quote for the work.
- Search online to see if it is possible for you to reduce the cost of materials.
- Call real estate agents and ask them to come and value your property.
- Instruct the tradespeople to start work.
- Ask a safety expert to come and assess the structure.
- Call the real estate agents and ask for a new valuation that includes your conversion.
People who follow that procedure will stand the best chance of making sure their garage conversion works in their favour.
Now you’ve come to the end of this post; you should have all the information you require to make an informed decision about whether or not to push ahead with your garage conversion. You are the only person who can make that decision, and you should never rush into anything. Take the time to talk about the idea with your family, discuss the pros and cons together, and then attempt to reach an agreement. In most instances, it’s possible to convert a garage into a functional living space in less than a week.
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