With housing prices rising across the UK, many homeowners are looking at ways to make better use of the space they have in their current property, rather than buying another one. Garage conversion ideas are everywhere – folks are looking at ways to create that extra living space, bedroom or home office without changing the existing footprint of their house or burning too big a hole in their savings.
The garage is generally a sadly overlooked part of the property. Cold, dark, uninviting… it’s the universal storage space where all the odd bits-and-pieces-without-a-real-home get stored! If you’re looking for a simple way to increase your living space, you may have the answer right under your nose: a garage conversion can transform the functionality of your home without breaking the bank. In North London, builders are seeing more and more garage conversions as homeowners seek to maximize their current investments.
So, what are the pros and cons of a garage conversion? At Combit Construction we understand the needs of homeowners and that’s why we’ve taken the time to list out the advantages and disadvantages of this type of renovation:
EXTRA SPACE
This is a no brainer. The possibilities of a garage conversion are endless: this space our can become a bedroom, living space, hobby/craft area, home gym, bathroom, kitchen space or home office… whatever you need most. Extending a house can be a costly business, but by converting your garage you can achieve this extra room without altering the footprint of your home.
MINIMAL DISRUPTION DURING RENOVATION
One huge advantage of a garage conversion is that the bulk of the work can be accomplished with minimal disruption to your daily living – the space already exists, so it’s just a case of renovating it.
Ensuring harmony between the renovation project and the rest of the home is a job for a team of specialist North London builders.
EXTRA INCOME OPPORTUNITY
Are you planning to take in a boarder? A garage conversion is a great way to create the space you need to rent out. In this instance, the money spent on the renovation can be reclaimed through rental payments (and you may be able to chip away faster at your mortgage too!).
AVOID HIDDEN MOVING EXPENSES
There are many hidden expenses involved in moving to a new house: on top of the monetary difference between your current home and the new one, you have to consider stamp duty, removalist costs and any renovation costs that will be necessary to make the new home comfortable and practical. A garage conversion is a great way to gain the extra space you need without all the hassle and hidden cost associated with moving.
LOSS OF STORAGE SPACE
The most obvious thing you’ll loose with your garage conversion is the space to store your vehicle. Of course, if yours is a double garage, you can have your cake and eat it too! – by dividing your garage you can renovate half of it and still park your car out of the elements.
A simple carport may be a way to overcome this obstacle – do you have room to erect a carport so that your vehicle can be parked out of the weather?
And what about somewhere to store all the extra clutter? While this might seem a problem, it’s a hurdle that can be overcome with relative ease – use this opportunity to de-clutter and talk to your building team about creating storage solutions as part of your renovation project.
YOUR FUTURE BUYER’S NEEDS
Ultimately, every home renovation project should increase not decrease the resale value of your home. When considering your garage conversion ideas, be sure to think about your future buyer’s needs – for example, if car parking space in your street is at a premium, converting your garage may not be the best option for you.
PERMISSION HASSLES
If your garage conversion involves changing the exterior of your home, you will need to obtain the appropriate permits from your local authorities. It is important to remember that if all building works are not done legally, your home insurer may drop the value of your home. So, while it’s not usually difficult to obtain the necessary paperwork, it may involve time and a bit of hassle.
WHERE DO I START?
The team at Combit Constructions pride themselves in garage conversions that blend seamlessly with the rest of the house. From initial idea through to completion of your project, you need the guidance and input of the professionals. We would love to help you achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family, while ensuring that your renovation project adds significant value to your home.
