Don’t fall for these modification mishaps

Increasing the living footprint of your home by converting your garage has many benefits; foremost it can add value while cutting some of the costs of a regular extension. However, without proper planning and execution, the project could end up devaluing your property. Before you begin dreaming of a new room of possibility, click or scroll through and take a look at these garage conversion gaffes from storage restrictions to temperature control and save yourself stress and money.




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Underestimating the time and costs

Yes, a garage conversion costs considerably less than a new extension, however, it needs to be planned and executed to building regulations that make it livable, which doesn’t come cheap. According to HomeAdvisor the average cost of a garage conversion is $14,407. But it can be more if the room is intended to be a bathroom or kitchen with plumbing, for instance.  




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Not factoring in extra energy use

A garage conversion will almost certainly need new electrical circuits and heating and cooling options especially if it is going to have a new internal kitchen or bathroom fitted. The extra load on your HVAC system is often an after-thought. Be sure to give the existing water heater and system an MOT to ensure it will cope with the extra work. A new one could set you back thousands of pounds so should be included in a contingency budget. 




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Treating it as a DIY project

Remodeling a garage isn’t a casual weekend job you can do yourself. Yes, the frame is there but it needs professional expertise to function safely and efficiently as a livable internal room. Unless your DIY skill level is high, contracting a tradesperson to carry out the job will be cost-effective and time productive in the long run. 




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Side stepping an architect

An architect could turn your new room into an innovative space that you would not have thought of. As professionals, they are experts in design possibility, safety and will have the most up-to-date knowledge of building regulations and paperwork. Here a mezzanine floor has been added into the eaves of a double garage, making the most of the space.




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Assuming you can do the electrics

What with all the added insulation, running electric cables and rewiring for lights and outlets will be extremely complicated and should not be attempted unless you are a trained electrician. A professional will know whether you will need a separate mains supply and/or circuit breakers for the lighting and electric supply you need. Be sure to pre-plan your electric layout in the planning stages to avoid costly changes later on. 




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Not applying for a permit

Just because you already own the property and are not increasing the footprint doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consult authorities. If you are planning on converting a detached garage into a separate dwelling or business premises with home office, you will need to apply for a building permit via your city’s Zoning Department. Building codes may dictate the minimum number of windows in a space, the number of exits and entrances, the height of the ceiling, the number of outlets and other factors. 




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Thinking it will count as an extra bedroom

Simply drywalling walls, adding laminate flooring and furniture will not make your garage conversion safely habitable. Nor will it count as an extra bedroom when it comes to selling your property. It needs to have been converted with the strict building regulations to be used as a ‘fit for purpose’ sleeping area. This includes sufficient insulation, ventilation and the correct fire and safety regulations. 




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Leaving all walls exposed

Rustic walls may look trendy but in a garage intended for new purposes, it may not be practical to cut corners and leave it bare. Rough garage walls will scuff up furniture and offer no insulation which can lead to a multitude of other problems. Insulated drywall or wood paneling will certainly make the garage interior-worthy. 




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Not installing enough windows

A typical garage has restricted windows and light so when planning your conversion it’s important to consider window placement not only for light purposes but for ventilation that meets building regulations too. Light increases the sense of space so without adequate windows your garage renovation will be disappointingly dark small and unhealthy. This garage conversion has been transformed into a successful light-filled living space with large glazed doors. 




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Not adding ventilation

A habitable garage conversion requires adequate ventilation to ensure airflow is not compromised to meet strict building regulations. Lack of proper ventilation can cause mold, dampness and even carbon dioxide build-up. The action varies in form depending on room size and use and created with opening windows, window trickle ventilation and air vents. New kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms or toilets must include exhaust ventilation also.




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Keeping quiet on soundproofing

An original residential garage will almost certainly have been built with very little soundproofing around and above the space. As a test stand in the garage and ask a family member to make some noise in the adjacent room or rooms above. We bet you will hear them very well. There are various methods to diffuse noise at varying costs. Methods include timber joist soundproofing and foam-wall soundproofing. 




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Failing to prepare floors

Original garage floors are usually concrete and susceptible to becoming cold and damp. Simply painting or laying new flooring will not do. A garage conversion must meet building regulations to meet thermal performance and be water-tight. Depending on the ground level, flooding may be an issue also so floors must be leveled, damp-proofed with membrane and insulated before the new flooring is laid. 




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Making a home gym hazardous

Swapping an expensive gym membership for a private and personal training space may seem like a great idea but not planning an appropriate exercise space could be costly for your financial and physical health. Ascertain who’s going to use it and what for first, then install the appropriate elements to make it practical. Consider your gym flooring, ventilation, space, equipment costs and lighting. And, after all that effort will it get used enough? Need inspiration? Mr. Kate designed this home garage gym “with brightness and spa-like accents in mind” for maximum motivation.




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Losing valuable storage

You may be gaining a new room but what will happen to the items already stored in your garage? Start with an appropriately named ‘garage sale’ to declutter then consider storage options for other areas in your home for necessities such as the attic, garden shed or even a hired storage space. It may be possible to add practical storage systems in your new space like this stylish wood box shelving designed by Losada Garcia. A partial conversion that retains a storage area is also a solution. 




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Failing to floor plan

When designing the ideal garage conversion, it’s important to consider the overall floor plan. Whether it will be one small room or part of a new open-plan space, some garages are thoroughfares to the yard or a side exit from the house, so access should be a top priority. Plan the layout before you decide where the door and windows will go – the last thing you need is a double bed overhanging the doorway into the main house.




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Undervaluing insulation

Simply adding standard drywall will not be enough to insulate a garage conversion, especially if the area you live in sees varied and vast temperature changes, or you intend to install vast expanses of glass. Building regulations insist all walls, floors, ceilings and windows be adequately insulated with specialist panels or filling foam to accommodate all temperatures. 




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Not making the most of space

Depending on the size of your integral or detached garage the conversion can be more than just one room. It may be possible to do a partial conversion leaving the front doors in place for storage at the front or stud walls could be erected to create an ensuite or laundry room. An architect or specialist building contractor will have experience and knowledge to help plan and create various solutions. 




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Picking the wrong contractor

As with a regular extension, it makes sense to do your homework when employing a skilled tradesperson to carry out the construction job. Never go with the first quote or contractor you find. Ask plenty of questions including details of past work. Garage conversions are a common building project so take a walk around your neighborhood, then knock and enquire about the contractors of projects you like. Nothing beats recommendations and word of mouth. You’ll find there are lots of companies who specialize in conversions and can offer sound advice for your space.




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Not looking at the bigger picture

The common route to a garage conversion is by bricking up the garage door whilst including a window. It sounds simple but can be a sure-fire way of ruining the finished job almost from the start, if the window is too small, too big or does not match existing windows. Be sure to consider proportions, light entry options and consistency with the original building. This double garage conversion feels like a real home thanks to a few carefully selected details. Bachelorette Pad Flip gave the exterior a makeover by replacing decaying garage doors with energy-efficient, black patio doors and new crisp white siding.




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Losing valuable car parking space

A home with adequate off-road parking is usually high on house buyers’ wish lists, so unless your property has enough driveway space to park vehicles on, a garage conversion might not be the right solution to gain more space. Instead, look for alternative additions that cost less than an extension, such as converting only half a double garage, looking at a loft conversion or going into the yard with a detached outdoor garden room. 




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Not following home owner association rules

Some city ordinances or home owner associations may require a certain amount of covered parking that could prevent you from converting your garage. If your space requires a permit, it will also require an inspection at the end of the renovation to make sure you have met all building requirements.




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Living in real time

Thinking about the future could save you thousands in the long run. At the design stage of your garage conversion assess whether the existing garage foundations are deep and the building is sturdy enough to take new loads. You might decide to build up by adding a second story at some point and the current efforts will have been wasted. 




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Underestimating bathroom plumbing

A garage can be a great place to add a new bathroom as the floor space will almost certainly be bigger than your existing cloakroom. However, before you start contemplating a home spa – there are mistakes to avoid. Again, all regulations must be met especially ventilation – an exhaust fan is a must. Other problems you must address are what existing plumbing can be tapped into and is there an appropriate foul drainage route? 




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Ignoring the roof

What’s the point of going to all that trouble making your garage conversion lovely inside if it gets wet from leaks and cold as soon as it rains? As well as wall and floor insulation the garage ceiling needs defending internally to be watertight and double-checked for leaks or broken tiles externally. A reputable contractor will most probably factor in a new roof with the project.




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Forgoing fire safety

Within with building regulations, certain fire-safety checks will need to be adhered to (depending on the project). A reputable contractor will advise on aspects such as fire door width, escape window sizing and smoke alarm requirements. 




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Disregarding home insurance

If you don’t inform your home insurance provider about a garage conversion build you run the risk of your current policy becoming invalid. Double-check beforehand if the cover can continue during and after and whether any home emergency cover will include works being carried out for peace of mind.  

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27/27 SLIDES