Turning your garage into an extended living space might just be the best idea you’ve ever had. It’s practically a step closer to converting your home to the dream house you’ve always wished to have. Plus, a garage conversion is much more affordable compared to other extension methods. Rest assured, the project will end up being profitable for you in the long run.

So, how much would you have to spend and what are some of the benefits of opting for a garage conversion? Let’s find out in this detailed guide. Garage conversion cost can vary depending on the year but the estimates in this post are valid for 2020 and 2021. 

How much will a garage conversion cost?

As mentioned above, a garage conversion will cost much lower to what you’d pay for a regular extension project. This is because you won’t have to invest money in adding a new foundation or constructing new walls. Additionally, your existing garage may already have power and plumbing which can further reduce the costs of the conversion project.

All in all, you can expect to foot bill ranging between £5,000 and £7,000. This roughly costs about £1,000 per square metre which is fairly priced however there are a number of factors that will affect the overall cost of the project.

It’s worth noting that a single storey extension would have ended up costing about £13,000 or even more, depending on your needs. This thus makes opting for a garage conversion a most cost-effective way to extend your house’s living space.

Breaking down the Garage Conversion Costs

Similar to any extension project, you can expect a fair share of work. Keeping this in mind, it makes sense to break down the costs of the whole project. This will allow you to cut back anything that seems to excess and will help you devise a better budget. Here are some typical costs you should expect:

Designing

You can’t initiate the project without a proper plan in place. This usually starts by hiring a structural engineer who will most likely cost you about £300 to £400. On the other hand, the design fee may range from £1,200 to £2,500.

Keep in mind that the cost may vary depending on your personal preferences and specifications. The total area of the space will also have an impact on the overall costs.

Removal of The Garage Door

This is practically the first towards converting your garage into a decent living space. After all, a large garage door doesn’t exactly exude homey vibes. Since this is a relatively simple task, it will maybe cost you between £800 to £1,000. But in case you need to add a small window, expect to pay a little extra.

Flooring

The flooring in your garage may not be the most extravagant option in your household. For this reason, you may have to pour new concrete on the ground. This needs to be done even if you are planning on installing carpets as the floor may be uneven to begin with.

Professionally laying down a new even layer on the ground may cost you around £1,000. You may have to pay more depending on the kind of beautifully tiled floors you want installed.

Doors and Windows

It’s safe to say that doors and windows happen to be among the most integral part of any living space. These two components will play a critical role in altering the space of your garage and turning it into something homier. The number of doors and windows will depend on the overall space you have to work with.

Most doors and windows typically cost about £500 – £600 on average. However, if you’re looking for something more high-end, you may have to up your budget.

Walls

Now, we can’t eliminate the walls, can we? It is most likely that the internal structure will remain intact and a stud wall will be built to accommodate your new space. The price of the stud wall may vary. You may have to pay a little more if you are opting for an energy-efficient model and of course, the number of walls will also impact the overall cost.

Heating Costs

Aside from all the structural costs, you should also be prepared to pay for heating and plumbing. Ideally, your plumber won’t have any problems extending the existing system to your garage. This won’t be too pricy and will probably cost you anywhere between £150 per day however, you will be charged extra for the supplies. Bear in mind that this won’t take too much time and will only take a day or two.

On the other hand, if you are planning on upgrading your heating system and opting for something more advanced such as underfloor system, be prepared to pay more. While underfloor heating is more expensive to install, it is a much cheaper option over time. Opting for electric underfloor heating may allow you to save a couple of bucks.

Also, you may have to install a new boiler to get your new underfloor heating system up and running. This will be costly as getting a gas boiler can cost you around £2,000. Of course, if you don’t have the budget for it, you can always stick to your existing heating system.

Building Regulations Fee

Notify your local authorities about the changes you plan on making. To start off, you will require building regulations consent. This will be followed by a home inspection and may cost you a few hundred bucks. If you hire a contractor, they will likely take care of this for you.

If you are planning on getting a loft conversion but aren’t sure if you should, read our guide on do loft conversions add value to your house.

Hopefully this guide has helped you estimate the average cost of a garage conversion. Keep in mind that the overall price may vary depending on how big your space is and what materials you decide to opt for.

If you’re in need of professional help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation. Our team will be happy to help you. You can do so by filling out our contact form on our homepage.