Tag: garage conversion

Basement, garage or loft conversion – which is best?

Basement, garage or loft conversion - which is best?credit

Are you ready to make a change to your living situation? It might be that spending the past year going in and out of lock-down has left you feeling tired of staring at the same four walls. In which case, perhaps now is the perfect time to do something about it.

However, with the UK’s average house price increasing by 8.6% over the year to February 2021, you may decide this isn’t the most opportune moment to be scouring the market. As an alternative, can you convert a space within your existing property?

It’s undoubtedly a major decision that will require careful consideration and financial planning but once it’s done you might just find that you’ve rediscovered your love for your humble abode. So, which room is best for conversion? Your basement? The garage? The loft? Here are the pros and cons of each conversion option.

Basement iconcredit

Basements

You can find many ideas for a London basement extension online. If done right, converting your basement has the potential to add significant value to your property.

If done right, converting your basement has the potential to add significant value to your property. They can be large areas with high ceilings, which offers a much wider range of possibilities, while there’s also the chance to create a separate access and make it a standalone space. This could be perfect if you have visions of turning it into a self-contained flat that could be rented out. On the negative side, it can be difficult to secure planning permission for basement conversions and if there is lots of work to do in terms of damp proofing and insulating, then the costs can soon mount up.

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Garages

Is your garage little more than a glorified storage cupboard? If so, why not add some value to your home by converting it into an office, a gym or even a games room? Garages can make for an easier renovation while they also offer separate access to the house as well as a natural link to the garden. Like basements, however, it can sometimes prove tricky to get the permission you need from the authorities, and it could make life more difficult if you’re forced to park your car on the street as a result. It’s also important to think about the practicalities of the space, and whether you are opting for a brick built garage that’s attached to the house or separate, you may find it easier to think about how it should work with your home. A small footnote when it comes to the planning and prep, but an essential one nonetheless.

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Lofts

If you don’t have the room to build outwards, why not convert upwards? Loft conversions are a popular option and it’s easy to see why – it’s typically easier to secure planning permission and the end result can create a beautiful space filled with plenty of natural light. The flip side, however, is that you may be forced to deal with smaller dimensions and low ceilings, while the only access is via the rest of the house, which may not be desirable.

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5 points to consider when converting your garage

5 points to consider when converting your garage | H is for Home

If you’re beginning to outgrow your current home, upping sticks and moving to a larger house isn’t your only option. Instead of relocating, perhaps you should consider converting your garage into something more useful than a haphazard storage area. It’s an often underused space that could be transformed successfully into a spare bedroom, gym, home office, art, creative studio or laundry room.

Carpeted floor with knitted footstool

Flooring

The original floor of your garage is most likely going to be a basic poured concrete which is cold, hard and not necessarily the most attractive. The decision you make about new flooring will largely depend on your budget and whether you plan on laying it yourself or getting professionals in to do the job. If you’re confident with your DIY skills, engineered wood flooring or carpet with underlay are warm and good-looking options.

Underfloor heating

Heating

Typically, heating wouldn’t have been a consideration when a garage was constructed; the space may not have been included when your home’s central heating was installed. If you’re planning a major refit when converting your garage, installing underfloor heating would be a sensible option. If that seems like too disruptive a task, modern electric radiators that simply plug into a wall socket can be an economical alternative, costing mere pennies per hour to run.

Home gym equipment

Storage

No matter what you plan to use your garage conversion for, you’ll probably need some quantity of shelving and cupboard space. If you’re creating a laundry room, you’ll want somewhere to store and conceal your iron, ironing board, cleaning products and freshly laundered items. Every home office will need strong and practical shelves for keeping books, files and paperwork in order. A home gym comes with lots of equipment that needs a place to live; skipping ropes, weights, exercise mats and the like. To avoid them becoming tripping hazards, storing them in cupboards or lockers will keep them, and you, safe. If you’ll be storing precious or high-value items, ensure that any garage door repair work has been carried out beforehand.

Warm pendant lighting

Lighting

Lighting is the aspect that will ultimately set the mood and atmosphere of your new space; you don’t want to get it wrong. The usual lighting you find in a garage is those harsh fluorescent tube lights. In your new scheme, will you need bright, directional task lighting for craft working? Maybe you want warm up-lighting for a relaxed and chilled vibe. Lighting can be introduced into the room by using ceiling pendant lights, floor standing standard lamps or desk/table lamps with adjustable shades.

Working from home

Furniture

This will be where you add the finishing touches to your new garage conversion. The primary use of the space will determine the items that will be needed the most. If the plan is for it to be a workspace, you will need a desk or worktop space, filing cabinet and comfortable seating. If it’s going to be a chill out room, a comfy sofa and slouchy bean bags will be top of your shopping list.

And finally, don’t forget those last little decorative details such as wall art, soft furnishings such as curtains & cushions, pottery & glassware and a selection of house plants.

Your old garage, which used to be nothing more than a dumping ground, can be transformed into a beautiful and beneficial space.

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Smart ways to improve and organise your garage

Smart ways to improve and organise your garage | H is for Home

Garages are often messy, neglected spaces and they’re usually one of the last things on our lists of areas we want to improve. However, with a few handy projects and a little bit of organisation, we might be able to get a lot more use out of them and at the same time make them more modern. Below are some of our top upgrade ideas that will help improve and organise your garage space.

Install a ceiling storage system

If space is an issue in your property, then this can be a brilliant way for you to store the items that you don’t need to hand on a day-to-day basis. It’s also relatively cheap and easy to complete independently. Ceiling storage systems are a great place to store those Christmas decorations that you’ll only get out once a year or tools that you only use when something in the house breaks. These storage solutions can enable you to become more organised.

Two-bay traditional oak-framed garage

Store tools away

Storing your garden or woodworking tools on your garage wall will not only save you some space, but it will also allow you to know where each of your tools is when you need access to it. You’ll no longer need to look through old boxes or behind cabinets to see if you can find the garden spade or saw. If you have other types of tools, then you could consider purchasing a hinged pegboard system or a rolling pegboard caddy to keep these items tidy too.

Build a collapsible workbench

Workbenches can take up a lot of space, which isn’t great if your garage is small. Maybe you like using your garage as a place where you can work, but it’s too small or maybe you want the room to be multi-purpose? If so, why not consider installing a collapsible workbench that you can unfold when you want to work, and put away again when you’re not using it? If you’re really good at DIY, you could even build a workbench that you could store your tools inside.

Red Porsche parked in a timbered garage

Upgrade your garage space

It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to make improvements in your garage. Drawer organisers, a sheet metal workbench cover and customised storage pieces can go a huge way towards achieving this. You could also consider installing storage shelves or have a go at converting an old cabinet into a storage unit. If your garage contains a lot of bulky items that you don’t need every day but don’t want to part with, consider transferring them elsewhere such as a unit from Gap Containers.

Create a storage wall system

If you’re worried that you have too many tools or items that need to be stored in a compact room, then perhaps you should consider turning an entire wall space into a storage area? The best thing about installing one of these is that you can customise it to fit your needs and the area available. You could have space for your tools to be hung, a place for your bikes to be suspended and even a place for your garden hose to be stored. Think about what you need to store and then design something to suit your requirements.

Check out this selection guide from the unclutterer to find the right garden hose that will become an indispensable assistant in your garden.

Classic timber-framed garage

Build a garage that fits your needs

Lots of people dream of a property where they’re not struggling for storage options, they look for ideas of how to gain extra space in their property. One way of doing this is by getting some help from professionals who’ll be able to advise on how they can alter your garage or build you a garage that fits your specifications. You could hire a professional to fit storage options for you or you could even have another room added above your garage that will give you the extra space you need.

Having extra rooms added above your garage will not only give you the added space you require but will also add value to your property. You might dream of a games room, a snug, a spare guest bedroom or even an office away from the house where you can concentrate on your work. Whatever you dream of, it can be achieved with a little bit of help.

Why not take a look at this range of oak garages with room above accommodation. The garages from the Classic Barn Company are built with longevity in mind and offer superior quality, ventilation and insulation. It doesn’t matter what type of property you own, or what type of storage you’re after, they provide a design that suits your needs. You could even choose to store your classic car range in one of their garages.

Of course, before undertaking any major changes to your property, you first need to check to see if you need building regulations approval. Once you’ve found this out, then your project can begin. Adding an extra room is the best way to get the extra space you need whilst also adding value to your home.

Oak-framed garage

Make parking in the garage easier

It’s a good idea to install motion sensor lights near your garage door. This will help you see better when you’re parking your car at night. You should also consider the type of garage door you want to fit. You could invest in some electric doors with garage door opener to make your life easier.

Introduce new technology

Lots of people use their garage as a storage space for valuable items, so it’s important to remember to keep it secure. Place cameras at the entrances so that if anyone tries to access your garage you’ll have recorded their image. These cameras will also help to deter potential thieves.

Technology is continually evolving, so keeping up to date can be difficult. Nowadays, technology is so advanced that we can open and close our garage doors at the touch of a button using our mobile phones. you can also get remotes for your garage doors from places like National Garage Remotes & Openers if you do not want to use your phone in case it has died, for example. This technology will stop you from having to get out of your car to manually open the garage door when you get home late at night. Your phone will also be able to tell you if your garage door is open or closed. You may think that technology can only look good if installed in modern buildings, but this isn’t always the case. Technology can be installed in character properties when done in a sympathetic manner. The Classic Barn Company knows how to do this in the right way.

There are numerous ways you can improve and organise your garage space. Whether you build a new garage completely or simply install some nifty storage solutions is up to you. It’s a good idea to do some research before you get started.

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What key factors should you take into consideration when renovating your home?

What key factors should you take into consideration when renovating your home? | H is for Home

British people love DIY and home renovations. Whether it’s painting and decorating or adding whole new sections to our living spaces, we enjoy making our homes as comfortable and as eye-catching as possible. We’re also big fans of DIY shows such as ‘Amazing Spaces’ and ‘Homes Under the Hammer’.

TV doesn’t always paint an accurate picture of home renovations, however. Whilst giving your home a new lick of paint is fairly straightforward, other tasks like adding an extension are a bit more complex. Outside factors can slow you down considerably if you don’t plan ahead. So, what key factors do you need to take into consideration when renovating your home?

Builder up a ladder in a dusty room

1. Make your neighbours aware of the work

The Part Wall Act of 1996 stipulates that you have to notify your neighbours of any renovation projects.  This occurs if you share a wall with another house and your work may undermine the structural integrity of the wall. Tasks such as fitting shelves and re-plastering aren’t included in this Act; however, if you were looking to undergo more extensive work it’s something to which you must adhere.

This approach may seem unnecessary in some cases, but it’s always polite to notify your neighbours of what work will be taking place. Present this to them alongside a copy of the Act two months before you intend to carry out the work. They will then have 14 days to raise any concerns they may have and provide written approval or rejection. Doing this will cover you if anything turns sour with said neighbour. If they do reject your proposal and it’s impossible to come to some form of agreement, you’ll be required to assign a surveyor who will then determine what work can be carried out.

Internal renovation work

2. Get building regulations approval for loft conversions

Converting a loft is another easy way to create more space in your home. However, make sure you get the correct building regulations approval. This is required to ensure there is sufficient structural strength to the floor, while also making sure that the existing roof and the structure’s stability isn’t jeopardised.

Many houses do not have sturdy enough flooring in their lofts to support a lot of weight. This could cause issues if you plan to turn your loft space into a spare bedroom, for example, and without official planning meeting set regulations you could run into a host of problems. Perhaps surprisingly, any work that you carry out could indeed hinder your future sale if you don’t get the appropriate permission and paperwork. In some instances, you’ll be required to revert the property back to its former state if you haven’t gone through the correct channels when carrying out the work.

Construction work taking place outdoors

3. Check your electricity

Electricity is an important part of home renovations which is often overlooked until work gets under-way. Sometimes, work you plan to carry out will mean moving your electric meter and fuse box. However, you must make sure you don’t move it yourself. Why? Yep, you guessed it; this is also illegal. Usually, if it’s a move of less than 15 centimetres, this can be carried out by your energy supplier free of charge. But for larger-scale moves of over three metres, your local distribution company would have to move your mains supply before the electricity meter can be relocated. If this is something you require, make sure you book the relevant appointments to avoid long delays.

Drawing blueprints for a house

4. Check if you need planning permission

Garage conversions generally don’t require planning permissions if you aren’t intending to increase the size of your house by making the garage larger. If your sole purpose is to use the space for personal gain, then you should be able to carry out your intended work so long as you complete the work thoroughly and to the correct standard. However, it’s important to note that planning permission must be sought if you’re looking to convert the space into a separate house.

Wood frame work on house renovations

5. Planning for an extension

Extensions are a popular way to add extra space to your home. However, not everyone understands the impact it may have on your property. For example, have you considered the impact an extension will have on your current boiler? Adding extra space will mean there’s an added demand on your hot water system and, in some cases, your boiler won’t be able to cope. Make sure you factor this in to any plan.

Even if you don’t require planning permission, due to using permitted development rights, you’ll still need building regulation approval. In some cases, you may also need to pay a Community Infrastructure Levy, so it’s important to investigate this prior to conducting any work.

Hole made in an internal wall between two rooms

6. Check if your home is a listed building

Some buildings in the UK fall under the listed building category – you should have been informed if your home was listed at the time you bought the property.  If it is, then chances are you’ll struggle to carry out any planned work without resistance. It’s actually a criminal offence to simply go ahead with any work without prior authorisation to do so. If you’re unsure whether or not your property is a listed building, you can check at British Listed Buildings.

Whilst renovating your home can be an exciting experience, you’ll have a lot of hard work to undertake before you can enjoy the finished product. For any work you may be thinking of carrying out, it’s important to carry out thorough research before you start so that hidden costs and issues don’t creep up on you.

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