Convert your Garage into a Home Office

With many more of us now working from home, you might be fed up of working from the dining table and considering a home office. It is widely agreed that having a dedicated work space at home not only increases productivity but helps to improve work life balance. Instead of having a makeshift office squeezed into a corner of your home while your garage sits empty, you can convert your garage into a home office.

Give it some thought and plan ahead 

It’s important to plan out how you are going to use the space. Will this just be an office ? Or will you add a futon so that it can double up as guest accommodation? What about storage ? Where are you going to store everything that is currently in your garage? 

Standard single garages tend to be longer and narrower than other rooms in your homes so it might be worth considering partitioning the space with a stud wall into separate spaces. It is also paramount to think about how you will access the space, especially if you do not already have internal access from your home. 

A well planned and carefully thought out garage conversion can add as much as 10% to the value of your home. With the average garage conversion costing between £5000 and £8000 they are one of the most cost effective ways to improve the value of your home whilst adding practical living space. 

Planning Permission and Building Regulations 

According to the Government’s Planning Portal the majority of Garage conversions will fall under ‘Permitted Development’ and not require planning permission. This is provided that all the work is internal and there are no ‘extensions’ to the original building. 

There are exceptions to this rule such as your home being a listed building, is located in a conservation area, new housing development, flat or maisonette. 

Building regulations are separate and will be needed for all garage conversions. 

The principal concern for Building regulations is Fire spread prevention, making sure your home improvements are made in conjunction with Building Control is essential to ensure that your new addition meets all requirements, including a fire escape route. In order to meet Building regulations, you will also need ventilation, which can be achieved by installing uPVC or double glazed windows and doors. Essential improvements to include floor, wall & roof insulation in order to comply & provide added comfort.

Unsure if you will need Planning permission or what Building Regulations you will need to meet? Get in touch with us to discuss your needs and how we can help with your project.