Garage Conversion so expensive

[singlewiththree]

I have had 3 quotes for a garage conversion and I can't believe it they are £7500, £6500 and £5000 and I can't afford it :panic: My neighbour a retired builder had said about £2000 and I just can't afford £5k. I was going to borrow the money off my dad but he can't lend me that amount, doubt I would get a bank loan with the way they are at the mo and that I'm only minding part time the other option is a credit card with interest free for a while or remortgage again in another year when my fixed rate is up and add another £5000 to it however my divorce stipulates I can't remortgage as my ex owns a % of the house :angry: I'm really upset I was so looking forward to having a playroom and now I'm stuck.

[Polka Dots]

What a shame Paula! :panic: Could you have a conservatory? would that be any cheaper?

[carolinel]

crikey, that's expensive.

We converted our garage and it cost about £1200. We left the garage door on just boarded and plastered over it. to be honest we did do a lot of the work ourselves. just paid for the plasterer and carpet fitter.

[amirose]

Wow I am another surprised at the cost! They are just converting it not building it!!! This is something I am in the future hoping to do to

I hope you get something sorted carolinel has mentioned in the post above she did a lot of the work herself, maybe you builder friend could give you some advice on where to start :thumbsup:

Good luck :clapping:

[haribo]

i agree if you get people in seperately to do the jobs you cant do it may work out cheaper than a firm doing the lot.

[helenlc]

First things first, hubby thinks you need to get permission off council to change use of garage to a residential type of use.

He also said that to convert the garage, you would need to board the walls, plastering is an option, not necessity. And lay carpet or laminate. If you have a radiator near the garage ie in hallway or whatever room adjoins the garge, then its easy to drill through and run pipes through.


Even before asking him, I thought the quotes were excessive. Ask someone to recommend a few decorators/builders in your area and get them to give you quotes about making it usable for a room. Check out your local Netmums site (www.netmums.com) and go to the Household Help section. On here you will find builders that have been recommended by users of the site.

Good luck

Helen

[rickysmiths]

I'm not surprised. We have been getting quotes for an extention and the garage sized bit to be added to our sitting room is coming out at £30.000 so up to £5000 for a good conversion that complies to all the regulations doesn't sound bad.

Unfortunately it is a fact of life now that these things don't come cheap, just the planning applications, I assume you will need change of use and building regulations seem to cost quite a bit and can take for ever. We have been told to expect all that to take up to 12 weeks!!!!:eek:

I must say I don't like the idea of leaving the door and boarding and plastering it inside, doesn't sound all that safe and where are the windows? ugh!

[louised]

We had a quote of £9000 from a reputable company who specialise in home improvements and a quote of £3500 from a local builder who converted one of my mindees garages. No question as to who we are going to use!

[carolinel]

I'm not surprised. We have been getting quotes for an extention and the garage sized bit to be added to our sitting room is coming out at £30.000 so up to £5000 for a good conversion that complies to all the regulations doesn't sound bad.

I must say I don't like the idea of leaving the door and boarding and plastering it inside, doesn't sound all that safe and where are the windows? ugh!

Why does that not sound safe???? we have secured it so it is impossible to open, then boarded and plastered. It is a very light room even without window, and can easily be converted back to a garage should we ever move.

it's not "ugh" at all, it is brightly decorated with lots of posters and childrens work, and the children and I love it.

[manjay]

I'm not surprised. We have been getting quotes for an extention and the garage sized bit to be added to our sitting room is coming out at £30.000 so up to £5000 for a good conversion that complies to all the regulations doesn't sound bad.

I must say I don't like the idea of leaving the door and boarding and plastering it inside, doesn't sound all that safe and where are the windows? ugh!

Lots of people do this a) because it reduces the cost and b) it is much easier to revert back to a garage if needs be at a later date. I would say the windows are probably on the side! This wouldn't work for me as we have no windows on the side and ours needs buliding out slightly at the front so not as simple. I now just have to wait until dh finds the time to fit me in:rolleyes:

[singlewiththree]

First things first, hubby thinks you need to get permission off council to change use of garage to a residential type of use.

Helen

Thanks Helen, I've been in touch with the planning dept as the extension that was build when my ex was here hasn't been officially signed off yet, apparently I just have to give building notice at £238 so that they know its been changed from a garage to a room.

I don't think I would just boarder it up as there is only one door in so I would feel safer with a fire escape window.

I've decided to try and find a brickie to do the front, my neighbour can get windows at cost and says he will fit it for free. Then I need someone to do the floor and then me and my dad are going to do the plasterboard, next door thinks that materials for the lot are about £1500 and then add the cost of the brickie and the joiner the whole lot can be done for £2500 :thumbsup: I'm feeling a lot more positive now!

[LOOPYLISA]

Lots of people do this a) because it reduces the cost and b) it is much easier to revert back to a garage if needs be at a later date. I would say the windows are probably on the side! This wouldn't work for me as we have no windows on the side and ours needs buliding out slightly at the front so not as simple. I now just have to wait until dh finds the time to fit me in:rolleyes:

Snap, hubby is a heating engineer he is so busy (which is great ), but we have had a dripping shower for 2 weeks !!!!,

[Jules12Wed]

I was going to suggest if you can take your time whether your retired builder neighbour would do it for you.

[manjay]

Thanks Helen, I've been in touch with the planning dept as the extension that was build when my ex was here hasn't been officially signed off yet, apparently I just have to give building notice at £238 so that they know its been changed from a garage to a room.

I don't think I would just boarder it up as there is only one door in so I would feel safer with a fire escape window.

I've decided to try and find a brickie to do the front, my neighbour can get windows at cost and says he will fit it for free. Then I need someone to do the floor and then me and my dad are going to do the plasterboard, next door thinks that materials for the lot are about £1500 and then add the cost of the brickie and the joiner the whole lot can be done for £2500 :thumbsup: I'm feeling a lot more positive now!

Shame you are not on the other side of Cheshire. I would have sent dh to plasterboard for you. He would of had it done in a flash:rolleyes:

[singlewiththree]

I was going to suggest if you can take your time whether your retired builder neighbour would do it for you.

He is 65 now and admitted he doesn't want to, but at least he has offered to help fit the 9ft window! I'm trying to stay positive, I really want it done for Sept when my full timer comes but until then my house is loaded with toys!

[jeanybeany]

I'm not surprised. We have been getting quotes for an extention and the garage sized bit to be added to our sitting room is coming out at £30.000 so up to £5000 for a good conversion that complies to all the regulations doesn't sound bad.

Unfortunately it is a fact of life now that these things don't come cheap, just the planning applications, I assume you will need change of use and building regulations seem to cost quite a bit and can take for ever. We have been told to expect all that to take up to 12 weeks!!!!:eek:

I must say I don't like the idea of leaving the door and boarding and plastering it inside, doesn't sound all that safe and where are the windows? ugh!

We have got planning permission to have ana extension at the side of the house about the size of a garage and when we got quotes over a year ago, they wanted 30,000 to do it give or take a few pounds. I couldn't believe it thought we were looking at half that. Sadly the plans are in a drawer and probably will not be put into use.:(