Property-Garage conversions

By Nick Roberts RMR Group

After the entire family has taken up every inch of space during the festive period, Christmas seems a distant memory. In hindsight one extra room with all the trimmings would have been ideal. Life has changed, we’re at home more than ever before. But the idea on an extension could just be a step too far when you consider the national crisis about soaring utility bills and thermostat rationing. This is when your garage might just provide the cost-effective solution to adding an extra bedroom, office or whatever you need. Let’s face it, we store a lot of junk in garages! And most would struggle to home a motorbike let alone a modern-day family car! They’re a convenient place for all bits and pieces for the ‘tomorrow’ that never comes. But, hidden within those three walls, lies a huge opportunity to expand your living area and create a transformative improvement to your property. In most cases, garages already have the fundamental requirements to extend into but it’s important to know that there are far more details than you might think when embarking on a conversion. Whilst planning permission isn’t usually required, it’s imperative that building regulations are met with regards to ventilation, fire safety, thermal performance and structural elements. Most garage conversions are straight forward but it’s not unusual for projects to turn complex when work gets underway, and the layers are stripped back to reveal what surprises are in stall to ruin your day. Our advice: instruct an architect or builder you can trust to – at the very least assess your garage before starting the project. It may stop that swear jar from overflowing! Unsurprisingly, demand for conversions is at an all-time high - they’re a brilliant way of transforming your home. They don’t encroach on our valued gardens, they cause minimum disruption as far as building work goes and they boost the value of your home. This is why they’ve become one of the most popular ways to gain space. www.robertsmillerredshaw.com