Garage Conversion Cost

How Much to Convert a Garage?

What does a garage conversion involve exactly?

A garage conversion involves converting a garage into a usable living space, such as an additional lounge, dining room or in many cases, extending a current kitchen into a larger kitchen diner.

So what can you expect to pay for a garage conversion?

The average garage conversion costs around £13,000 to £18,000 for an 18m² single garage, while a 36m² double garage ranges from £27,000 to £36,000.

Be aware that like most home projects, every garage conversion is different, with conversion costs depending on your existing layout and ideas.

If you have a large garage that is around 52 square metres, then you should expect to pay around £39,000 to £54,000 for a garage conversion.

Converted Garage Prices

What are the Supply Costs of a Garage Conversion?

If you plan to convert your garage yourself or wish to buy your own construction supplies, then you will need to consider the average cost of garage conversion supply materials including:

Garage Conversion Flooring Cost

When converting your garage, you may need to have the floor prepared, which may involve laying concrete slabs that will cost around £800 to £1,000 for an average sized garage.

The cost of garage conversion flooring will vary depending on the type of floor you want.

For instance, if you are planning to convert your garage into a dining or living room, then you may opt for laminate flooring which costs around £8 to £50 per square metre. You may also want to opt for carpet, which usually ranges from £5 to £70 per square metre.

If you are converting your garage into a bathroom or kitchen, you’ll need to factor in the cost of tiling. Prices typically range from around £20 to £80 per square metre for materials and installation, depending on the type of tile and whether you hire a professional

Garage Conversion Heating Cost

Another significant cost you need to consider is heating, as more than likely your garage will not have any radiators or a heating system in place.

The supply cost of heating will vary depending on the type of heating you want in your garage, as well as whether the room you're converting can be connected to the current heating supply in the property.

If the room has access to the main supply, then you may just need to purchase new radiators which cost around £95 to £850. However, this may require the system to be reviewed and to ensure it's in compliance with Part L of Building Regulations.

If your garage conversion cannot be connected to the mains supply, then you may need to have a new central heating system installed.

For a combi boiler, you should expect to pay around £500 to £2,800, while a system boiler costs around £600 to £1,400 although you also need to pay for labour fees

You may also consider purchasing an electric boiler which typically ranges from £500 to £1,200.

Garage Conversion Lighting Cost

Lighting is another essential supply cost you need to consider when converting your garage.

The price of lighting will vary depending on the type you choose, for example, downlights cost around £1 to £80 per light, while ceiling lights range from £2 to £60.

What are the Additional Costs of a Garage Conversion?

There are various other costs to consider when calculating the price of a garage conversion, including:

Garage Roof Replacement

With costs from around £750 to £2,000, a single garage roof replacement may also be required as part of a conversion.

A double garage will cost more due to it's size, and either may also come with additional costs such as requiring scaffolding hire.

New Boiler Cost

If your garage conversion does not have access to hot water or the main central heating system, then you may need to have a new boiler installed.

The cost of installing a new boiler will vary depending on the type of boiler you choose. For example, a combi boiler costs around £1500 to £3500, while a heat-only boiler ranges from £1500 to £2500.

Other options include a system boiler which is usually quoted at £1500 to £2800 for professional installation.

New Kitchen Garage Conversion Cost

If you plan to convert your garage into a kitchen, then you should expect to pay around £10,000 for a small kitchen and up to £20,000 or more.

This usually includes the price of kitchen worktops which range from £20 to £50 per square metre for budget worktops.

High-quality granite worktops cost around £300 per square metre, while corian worktops costs up to £500 per square metre.

You also need to consider appliance costs, for example, a fridge-freezer can range from £160 for a basic model, while a smart fridge-freezer can cost up to £7,000. For a new gas cooker, you should expect to pay around £350 to £1,000, while an electric cooker ranges from £150 to £2,000.

New Bathroom Garage Conversion Cost

For a bathroom garage conversion, you should expect a quote ranging from £3,000 for a small lower end bathroom, while a large luxurious bathroom can cost upwards of £15,000.

This will involve the price of tiling, which generally costs around £800 to £1,000 for wall tiling.

You may also have to consider extra plumbing costs which range from £700 to £900.

This includes fitting a toilet, taps, bath or shower, along with pipework installation.

Tradesmen Costs for a Garage Conversion

One of the most important elements you need to consider is the labour and tradesmen costs for a garage conversion. Although prices may vary depending on your location, with costs in London and the South East being higher than the national average.

This job involves assistance from a number of tradespeople, including:

Joiner

When converting your garage, you may need to hire a joiner to construct and install new doors and windows.

For a kitchen garage conversion, you may also need to employ a joiner to fit kitchen cupboards.

Joiners tend to charge around £160 to £240 a day, or they may prefer to quote on an hourly basis which usually costs around £20 to £40.

Painter & Decorator

If you want to have your walls painted or wallpapered by a professional, then you will need to hire a painter and decorator.

They usually charge around £15 to £40 an hour, or for a large room, they may quote a daily rate of £100 to £300.

Electrician

To ensure your lighting fixtures or electrical appliances are fitted properly, you should consider hiring a qualified electrician.

You should expect to pay around £30 to £60 per hour or £170 to £340 a day.

Plumber

If converting your garage into a bathroom or kitchen, you will need the help of a qualified plumber to install any plumbing fixtures.

Plumbers tend to charge a daily rate between £200 to £400 or for smaller jobs they may only quote an hourly rate of £30 to £60.

Kitchen Fitter

When converting your garage to a kitchen, you may want to consider hiring a kitchen fitter to install your worktops and cabinets.

They usually charge around £120 to £200 per day or £10 to £20 an hour.

Heating Engineer

Converting a garage may involve installing a new heating system which will require the help of a heating engineer.

You should expect an estimated quote ranging from £150 to £500 a day or £30 to £50 per hour.

Plasterer

To ensure your walls are prepared and in good condition, you should hire a plasterer.

Qualified plasterers tend to charge around £150 to £200 per day or for one wall they may only quote you an hourly rate ranging from £10 to £20.

How Long Does It Take to Build a Garage Conversion?

The time spent on building a garage conversion will vary depending on several factors, including the size and location, awaiting building approval and completing the finer details such as adding the electrics and plumbing. Realistically, a small single garage conversion can take between 2 to 4 weeks to finish.

In contrast, a large double garage could take up to a month to convert.

The type of garage conversion will also determine the time frame, as a bathroom garage conversion could add on two weeks, while a new kitchen could take up an additional five days or more.

Types of Garage Conversion

There are various garage conversion ideas to choose from, including:

Kitchen Garage Conversion Cost

Many homeowners choose to convert their garage so they can accommodate a larger kitchen. This may involve knocking down a wall to extend the current kitchen or creating an entirely new space.

The main benefit of converting your garage to a kitchen is that it provides more space to cook and can also provide more room for dining.

However, despite kitchen garage conversions being useful, they can be quite expensive, as they cost around £10,000 to £20,000 or more, although, in the long run, this may offer you a good return on investment.

Pros:

• You can create an entirely new kitchen and space
• Can provide dining room too

Cons:

• It can be one of the more costly conversions

Bathroom Garage Conversion Cost

If you only have a small garage that is not much use, then you may opt to convert it into a downstairs bathroom. This will be more practical, especially if you have guests, as having a ground floor bathroom will prevent visitors from venturing upstairs and ruining your stair carpet.

The cost of a bathroom garage conversion typically ranges from £2,700 to £7,000, although this may be in addition to basic conversion works if plumbing and structural changes are required.

Bathroom garage conversions tend to add on around £2,700 to £7,000 to a standard garage conversion which includes everything from plumbing fixtures to lighting and tiling to decorations.

However, you may find that you need to pay more for additional plumbing, as you may not be able to connect your new bathroom to the primary central heating system.

Pros:

• Great option if you only have a small space to convert
• Provides a downstairs bathroom space

Cons:

• Can be more costly than an extra room as there will be additional costs for plumbing

Living Room Garage Conversion Cost

A great selling point of any house is more living space; therefore, you may decide to expand your current living room by knocking down a wall into the garage to make the room bigger.

Living room garage conversion prices range from £6,000 to £7,000, although this will depend on the size of the space, the type of flooring and wall decoration you choose, and whether or not new heating appliances are required.

Pros:

• Cheaper option than a kitchen or bathroom
• Provides extra living space

Cons:

• Reduces storage space

Home Office Garage Conversion

With the increase in people working from home, the concept of a garage conversion allows for the installation of a home office. This helps to create a dedicated space for work, separate to the main living areas of your house.

Typically costing between £8,000 and £12,000, the price of a home office conversion may also depend on insulation, heating and electrical work, and any additional soundproofing that may be required.

Pros:

• Keep your work life separate from the home
• Reduces travel expenses by remote working
• Provides a professional environment

Cons:

• Will increase energy bills

Double Garage Conversion Cost

If you have a double garage that you want to convert, this can be a big and costly job, which ranges from £27,000 to £36,000.

However, the price is worthwhile if you want to expand the living space in your home, as this can add value to your property.

You will also need to consider planning permission and building regulations, as you may incur a cost if you have to apply for authorisation.

An extensive job like this can also be very disruptive to your home life, as well as affecting your neighbours, so you should consult with them before beginning any work.

Pros:

• Provides substantial living space
• Can add significant value to your property
• Ideal for large-scale home improvements

Cons:

• May have to apply for planning permission
• Can be disruptive to your home while the work is being carried out
• Greatly reduces off-street parking

Planning Permission and Building Regulations

Generally speaking, a garage conversion falls under Permitted Development Rights, meaning you can carry out the work without any formal planning permission.

However, there are some exceptions - for example, if you live in a listed building or a conservation area. If unsure, check with your local planning authority, especially if you’re making any significant changes to the outside of the property.

When it comes to building regulations, there are certain standards that need to be followed, including those related to structural stability, fire safety, insulation, ventilation, and energy efficiency.

You should apply for building regulations approval through your local council’s Building Control department or have the work signed off by an independent approved inspector. Depending on the scope of your plans, it’s always worth contacting your local authority before starting any work.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Garage Conversion?

If your garage conversion does not meet building regulations, you may need to remove it with the help of a professional.

The cost to remove a garage conversion is around £500 to £2,500. You will also need to add on around £200 to remove kitchen cabinets plus around £12 to £20 for tile removal.

To get rid of a bathroom garage conversion, you should expect to pay around £1,000 to £1,500.

To remove the demolished construction from your property, you will need to hire waste removal experts who tend to charge around £70 to £180 per removal.

FAQs

Q: Can I do a garage conversion myself?

A: If you're confident at DIY, you could take on a basic garage conversion, especially if it's for living areas such as lounge or spare bedroom. However, more complex garage conversions such as building a kitchen or bathroom will usually require professionals for any plumbing and heating work.

Q: Will a garage conversion add value to my property?

A: Converting your garage can certainly add to the value of your property, which is beneficial if you plan to sell your home in the future, as you will get more than what you paid for it.

Q: What insulation is needed for a garage conversion?

A: To ensure your garage conversion is adequately heated and protected from damp, you will need to install fibreglass insulation or polyisocyanurate insulation. These are high-quality types of insulation which will prevent heat from escaping from your property, while also stopping the cold from getting in.

Q: What is an integral garage conversion?

A: An integral garage is built within the main property’s walls and typically has direct access to the home. It’s usually easier to convert, as it's already attached and often includes basic insulation.

Q: Do garage conversions need a party wall agreement?

If your garage shares a wall with a neighbouring property, it's courteous to inform your neighbour, but you may also be legally required to serve an official Party Wall Notice. Always check with a qualified surveyor or your local council if you're unsure how to proceed.

Sources

1. https://uk.virginmoney.com/brighter-money/article/how-to-add-value-to-your-home/
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/garage-conversion/planning-permission

Author: Heather B

I am a seasoned copywriter from Liverpool - who after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in English Media and Cultural Studies - went on to specialise in the creation of business and lifestyle copy for a wide range of industries across the UK and USA.