With house prices increasing all the time finding the money to move to a larger property can prove difficult. It’s one of the main reasons why loft and garage conversions have become so popular in recent years, as they offer an affordable way to increase living space. Garages in particular can be used to build home offices, playrooms, home cinema rooms and much more – but do you need an architect for a garage conversion? We explain everything you need to know below.
Garages are just as likely to be spaces we use to store junk as they are for our cars. The longer you live in one location the more possessions you will acquire, and the garage often becomes the easiest place to store old or rarely used items.
But a garage can offer more than just storage space, as building a conversion could add as much as 20% extra to the value of your home. So not only could converting it create more living space but also increase the sale price if you are planning on putting it onto the market in the near future.
Like loft conversions, most garage conversions do not require planning permission as they fall under permitted development rights, particularly when no structural changes are being made. However, as with any building work you should always check with the local authority before work begins, especially for detached garages as they may require ‘change of use’ authorisation.
If you live in a listed property or it is located in a Conservation Area then planning permission will likely be required. The best course of action here is to make contact with your local planning officer before submitting your application to ensure you have all the information you need.
Also check the property deeds as there could be a chance that planning conditions are attached to the garage (for example, it can only be used for parking).
If you need more information please refer to our article about the different types of planning permission and how long does planning permission last. You may find information about How to choose a Surveyor useful to begin your project.
Garage conversions also require specialist information so make sure you read up on our earlier post about why do you need a Structural Engineer.
Much like any conversion or extension being constructed there is no legal requirement for you to hire an architect. However, working with a professional architect will give you a much better chance of converting the space to a high standard. They will also have experience in dealing with local planning authorities and other relevant agencies that are involved in the process. Just as importantly, using an architect will ensure the space is converted to meet the latest safety regulations.
The other option is to hire a builder, although this does come with its own risks as there is no licence required to work as a contractor. On the other hand, an architect has to follow a statutory code of practice and also have Professional Indemnity Insurance which offers you protection in the event of any issues arising as a result of their work.
Double check that the architect has Professional Indemnity Insurance to cover the work being carried out. If you already have home insurance get in touch with your provider before construction starts to tell them about the conversion. Changing the structure of your home without informing them could invalidate your policy, so have this discussion first to see if you need to pay higher premiums as the value of your property will have likely increased.
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