garage conversion

**louised** · 26-08-2008, 05:57 PM

Has anybody converted their garage into a playroom, I've been seriously considering this for the past year as childminding is beginning to take over my house. Have had 1 quote (9k) which I thought was way too expensive considering the small amount of work which needs to be done. I have 2 teenagers of my own and I think it could be a great space for them and their friends when I'm not using it with the mindees. I'd be interested to know what other people have paid for their conversions.

**carolinel** · 26-08-2008, 06:03 PM

hi,

we converted ours and it cost less than 1K inc carpets. BUT we left in the garage door, boarded it and plastered over. we have no plans to move house but thought if we ever did then the option is there for new owners to convert back. hubby did a lot of the work himself but we paid for a plasterer. we also needed to knock in a door from house to garage so this hiked up the cost a lot.

i would get a few more quotes if i were you!! btw - best thing we ever did was to convert, and this was done before i even considered minding!!

**mrsbumbles** · 26-08-2008, 07:24 PM

mine cost 2k last year, i had french doors and a window in the front.

Its one of best things i have ever done.

I have my family home back and my own work space

**Monkey1** · 26-08-2008, 07:46 PM

Adam did ours for about £500. We left the doors too, just borded them up! Would highly reccomend it. Childminding does not impose in my home anymore....well apart from the paperwork that seems to follow me wherever i go!

**Noodles** · 26-08-2008, 08:06 PM

i had mine done a year ago and it cost around £4000that was to make it into a room with a window in.
its the best thing we have ever done although yesterday it did resemble the tip of a garage that it used to be.

**LisaH** · 26-08-2008, 08:57 PM

I don't have a garage to convert unfortunately.

But I still think it's a great idea!! If you can still childmind and have some sense of normality in your home it has to be a good thing.

Not an expert but the quote does seem very high.

LOOPYLISA · 26-08-2008, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by LisaH

I don't have a garage to convert unfortunately.

But I still think it's a great idea!! If you can still childmind and have some sense of normality in your home it has to be a good thing.

Not an expert but the quote does seem very high.

Me neither we have a shed is that any good!!!!!!!!!!!

**Gherkin** · 26-08-2008, 10:48 PM

Want to convert mine but my very sensible husband has pointed out that we would have nowhere to keep all our c***!

**louised** · 27-08-2008, 08:10 AM

Our garage is also full of all our rubbish but I'm thinking a garage conversion may force us to get rid!!!

**Trouble** · 27-08-2008, 08:15 AM

we thought of it but too much rubbish

so if someone ever builds our conservatory i will use that

**Noodles** · 27-08-2008, 08:34 AM

Our garage was full of rubbish too before we had the conversion. we got a big skip and a 10ft by 6ft shed and filled both of them instead

We also have an attic conversion so no loft space either

**CCJD** · 27-08-2008, 09:08 AM

we converted our garage around 4 years ago and have never looked back. It was precisely because we only stored our c@@p in that we got it done. My husband loves it as it means when he is home from work he can watch tv (which before he couldnt because there were children in the room)and not be surrounded in toys and kids. At weekends and evenings it doubles up a space downstairs for my kids too and as it has a tv it means we can avoid the whole tv in bedrooms issue. We got ours done by a friend in thebusiness but did get quoted of around 12k! A friend had hers done not so long ago and I am sure she paid around 8 or 9k - we both had our garage doors removed and replaced with a wall and window. Can't recommend doing this enough!

**manjay** · 27-08-2008, 09:24 AM

DH says that is a fairly realistic quote if you are getting someone in to do it. I am waiting for mine to be done. Planning permission is in place (only needed because we want to go out slightly at the front)and we have most of the materials but I just have a husband who is too busy to do it

DH has a lock up for his work tools so we have just moved most of our rubbish to there.

I would say go for it if it is at all possible

**louised** · 27-08-2008, 12:16 PM

I'm really keen to have it done and after scouring the internet last night and coming across some forums on the subject I have find out that a decent builder will charge 3-4k but the specialist companies will charge about 8K, so I think when I'm ready I'll get some builders quotes, it will have to wait until next year though because we're going to Florida in June.