Over the past two years, many homeowners have suddenly needed an extra room in their home, either to serve as a home office, home gym or a sanctuary away from other family members who are working, learning and living from home.
Whilst building dedicated extensions, conservatories, cabins or sheds is a definite option, one of the easiest ways to get more room is to take advantage of a building that many homeowners have but not every homeowner uses.
Here are some of the pros and cons of converting a garage into a living space.
Pro: Little Chance Of Needing Planning Permission
The garage is a completed structure either already connected to or separate from your home, meaning that in most cases, any work you do to it will fall under permitted development, meaning that you do not need to take the time to make a formal application.
With that said, it is always important to ask your local authority as there are cases, such as in conservation areas, where planning conditions already exist or in places where on-road parking is a problem, where PD rights have been removed.
Con: Loss Of Storage And Parking Space
Garages tend to be used for storing cars and for storing excess items that do not fit in the house, and the trade-off is that this storage space will be lost to gain living space.
With people who do not own a car, this trade-off may seem clear but it is important to note.
Pro: More Living Space For Less
Because the structure is already there, there is far less construction work to do and outside of complex cases a much cheaper and quicker build.
Many garages also already have an electricity supply, which reduces project costs further.
Con: Check Your Council Tax
If you add an extra room to your house, it could potentially affect your council tax band, and this is worth investigating as the additional cost could offset any benefit.
For more information and advice about garage conversion in Milton Keynes, get in touch today.
