TONY SARSON
Graphic Designer with 20 years experience
telephone 01243 641 111 // mobile 07802 430 360 // email tonysarson@hotmail.com
back
Graphic Designer with 20 years experience
telephone 01243 641 111 // mobile 07802 430 360 // email tonysarson@hotmail.com
back
Converting your garage into living space
Converting your garage into living space is one of the most cost-effective and ways to extend your home. In fact a good quality garage conversion can add value to your home.
Do you need to get Planning Permission?
In most cases a garage conversion will fall under permitted development especially if you are not altering the actual structure of your house. However if you are converting a stand-alone garage, as opposed then you may have to apply for a change of use.
If you live in a listed building then you will almost certainly require permission. Those in a Conservation Area may also have to apply for permission.
If you live in a relatively new build, check that there are no conditions attached to the garage saying that it has to remain as parking — if this was the case, an application would need to be submitted to remove this condition.
Contact your local planning department for advice.
Do you need to update the foundations?
Where you are filling in the space left by the garage door, adding new windows and doors, or building up and above the garage, the existing foundations will need to be assessed. Contact a structural engineer to investigate for you or dig a trial hole and ask building control to come and inspect the foundations.
Some garages were built with a continuous foundation across the front and in this case it may be fine to build on.
If the foundations are found to be inadequate there are several options that may be offered. You probably need to build new foundations to support the infill wall. The depth of which will depend on the soil conditions and any windows and doors you want.
Damp proofing
The concrete floor may or may not have been cast over a damp-proof membrane. In recent decades, integral garages would normally have included a one and certainly the walls would have a damp-proof course. But without plaster and screed finishings to conceal them, the two elements would not meet as they would in the house. Protecting the concrete floor with a polythene or paint-on damp-proof membrane and dressing it up under your new finishings to the damp-proof course layer will ensure that damp is not a problem.
Garage Conversions need Building Regulations
Garage conversions fall into a ‘change of use’ and so will require meet building regulations. Building Regulations apply to:
moisture
damp proofing
air ventilation
insulation
fireproofing
escape routes
structure.
You must notify your local council of by submitting a building notice or full plans application. Once you have finished, a building inspector will come to visually inspect the windows, doors, fireproofing measures and foundations before they will offer a certificate of completion.
Will Floors Need Insulating?
Floor insulation is always absent in a garage and including some in the conversion is important. That said, breaking up the concrete floor simply to re-cast it over is usually uneconomic and unnecessary. Garage floors are often lower than the house floor and so adding a damp-proof membrane, insulation and a new screed, along with your final floor covering, is a good way to bring the levels up to that of the rest of your house. Building control will advise on how much insulation will be required.
Sarson Building Services are general builders and experts in garage conversions. They are based near Chichester, Selsey and Arundel. They offer a complete building service to their customers who benefit from a wealth of knowledge, experience and quality craftsmanship. Contact them on 07802 430 360.
Converting your garage into living space is one of the most cost-effective and ways to extend your home. In fact a good quality garage conversion can add value to your home.
Do you need to get Planning Permission?
In most cases a garage conversion will fall under permitted development especially if you are not altering the actual structure of your house. However if you are converting a stand-alone garage, as opposed then you may have to apply for a change of use.
If you live in a listed building then you will almost certainly require permission. Those in a Conservation Area may also have to apply for permission.
If you live in a relatively new build, check that there are no conditions attached to the garage saying that it has to remain as parking — if this was the case, an application would need to be submitted to remove this condition.
Contact your local planning department for advice.
Do you need to update the foundations?
Where you are filling in the space left by the garage door, adding new windows and doors, or building up and above the garage, the existing foundations will need to be assessed. Contact a structural engineer to investigate for you or dig a trial hole and ask building control to come and inspect the foundations.
Some garages were built with a continuous foundation across the front and in this case it may be fine to build on.
If the foundations are found to be inadequate there are several options that may be offered. You probably need to build new foundations to support the infill wall. The depth of which will depend on the soil conditions and any windows and doors you want.
Damp proofing
The concrete floor may or may not have been cast over a damp-proof membrane. In recent decades, integral garages would normally have included a one and certainly the walls would have a damp-proof course. But without plaster and screed finishings to conceal them, the two elements would not meet as they would in the house. Protecting the concrete floor with a polythene or paint-on damp-proof membrane and dressing it up under your new finishings to the damp-proof course layer will ensure that damp is not a problem.
Garage Conversions need Building Regulations
Garage conversions fall into a ‘change of use’ and so will require meet building regulations. Building Regulations apply to:
moisture
damp proofing
air ventilation
insulation
fireproofing
escape routes
structure.
You must notify your local council of by submitting a building notice or full plans application. Once you have finished, a building inspector will come to visually inspect the windows, doors, fireproofing measures and foundations before they will offer a certificate of completion.
Will Floors Need Insulating?
Floor insulation is always absent in a garage and including some in the conversion is important. That said, breaking up the concrete floor simply to re-cast it over is usually uneconomic and unnecessary. Garage floors are often lower than the house floor and so adding a damp-proof membrane, insulation and a new screed, along with your final floor covering, is a good way to bring the levels up to that of the rest of your house. Building control will advise on how much insulation will be required.
Sarson Building Services are general builders and experts in garage conversions. They are based near Chichester, Selsey and Arundel. They offer a complete building service to their customers who benefit from a wealth of knowledge, experience and quality craftsmanship. Contact them on 07802 430 360.
