Midland Garage Conversions

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How to Choose Your Contractor

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There are a number of factors to consider when choosing your contractor. Most people want rapport, professionalism and trust as well as top quality workmanship. Here are some key things to look for when choosing who would work best for you.

  1. Don’t automatically choose the cheapest. Look in detail at the quote in full. Be wary of anyone who offers a cheap quote but misses vital elements out which will come later as extras e.g. VAT, building control fees etc
  2. Always check examples of previous projects. The best way to understand the quality of the work is to see it. Don’t be afraid to request a visit to a completed job. Your contractor should be happy for you to talk with previous clients openly about their work and the process.
  3. Check for testimonials. They should be able to provide recent, legitimate reviews of their work and explain the details of the job to you.
  4. Meet with them beforehand to see if you genuinely get along. Any garage conversion will mean at least a few weeks of strangers in and out of your home. During the process there may be obstacles to overcome or decisions to make and you need to be sure that your personalites work well together and you are happy to have them in your home for weeks.
  5. Be flexible with dates if you can. Although you may be excited to get the work started it is always best to wait for the right firm, rather than rush and use the wrong people. You will probably have to wait weeks or even months for some contractors but getting the job done properly by the right team will ultimately be far more important than the timing.

Understanding Building Regulations

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Building regulations are a set of requirements laid down by parliament to ensure that building work is carried out to approved standards. The considerations for these standards fall into various categories including the health safety and welfare of people in and around buildings and the conservation of fuel and energy within buildings.

As a homeowner, building regulations are there to protect you, other people and the property itself.

For a garage conversion, building regulations affect things like fire doors, vents, window and door openings. Each of these will have a standard applied which must be adhered to in order for the work to be signed off and certified. Years of research and experience goes into the building regulations to ensure the safety of the people using the buildings.

Regulation also applies to energy performance markers such as minimum insulation requirements. This protects you and the environment and these regulations are regularly updated to align with the government energy efficiency targets.

It is very rare that a garage conversion will not require building control sign off so always ensure this is part of your contractor’s pricing. They should guarantee adherence to the regulations and certification at the end as part of your contract.

Top 5 Questions To Ask Before Your Convert Your Garage

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Is Your Garage Suitable?

Firstly you should ensure that converting your garage will not create any problems for you. Have you got somewhere safe to store the belongings you keep in the garage? Do you park your car there and if so, do you have a viable alternative? For most people the space in the garage is underused and the property kept in there will fit easily into a garden shed or similar.

The second consideration is the layout. Is it attached to the main house? Will you be looking to create a bigger open plan space or just a door through to your new room? Will there still be outside access? Most garages follow a straightforward format and are easily absorbed into the the main fabric of the house but if you’re unsure then talk it through with your garage conversion specialist.

Do I need Building Control?

Usually, yes you do. In the vast majority of cases building control will be required. What this means is a certified building control officer will make an application to the council on your behalf. They will then inspect the works periodically and perform a final inspection at the end, after which you will receive your official building control certification. Your garage conversion specialist should liaise directly with the building control officers throughout the whole build to ensure all specifications and requirements are adhered to before the conversion is complete.

What other permissions do I need?

It is rare to need planning permission for a garage conversion but it is your responsibility to check with your local authority. For the most part it falls within permitted development rights and does not require planning. You should also check there are no restricted covenants on your home, although you can often overcome these for a small fee. A good contractor should be able to advise you on how to check if any of these apply to your project.

Will it add value?

Invariably the answer is yes. A habitable living space is of course more valuable than an unlivable storage space. Once you consider the cost of the conversion against the increase in value you usually find about a 25% uplift from the amount spent. Because it’s a lot cheaper than an equivalent sized extension it’s a very cost effective way to add both value and space to your home.

How do I choose my contractor?

Whilst it is possible to project manage individual trades yourself it would be advisable to get an expert in to quote for the whole project. Your contractor should have specific experience of garage conversions. They need to be completely up to date with current legislation, able to make suggestions and overcome any hitches along the way. We’d recommend someone who will deal with all the building control and electrical certification. Make sure your quote covers everything (including VAT) and is broken down into individual elements with a clear description of each stage and what it involves. If a quote is a page long it’s really not enough. Your contractor should be willing and able to answer any questions and be totally transparent about the contract before you sign.

What Can I Achieve In My Space?

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Firstly, it’s probably more than you think. When the garage is full of bikes, cement and tools it’s hard to see clearly how much space you have.

In the UK most modern houses are built with either a single or double garage. As a rule of thumb these are usually 2.5m x 5m and 5m x 5m respectively. These are both good sizes and give you plenty of space to work with.

In a single garage you can comfortably fit in a new bedroom with a small ensuite at the back. Alternatively there’s plenty of space to create an office or playroom while retaining a section at the back for utility space. You can also knock through from the main house to really open up a grand kitchen and dining space.

For a double garage you have many options. You can create a modest self contained living space, with a shower room, bedroom and small kitchen/living area. We’ve installed cinema rooms and studios or some people choose a complete house redesign. You can use the large garage as a new kitchen and dining area and utilise the previous kitchen for more living space.

By completely integrating the garage into the rest of the house we can seamlessly expand your living space and increase the value of your home. As well as getting the space up to the same standard or higher in terms of insulation and warmth we also make sure the aesthetics match. From a perfect brick and window match for the outside, to ensuring we give you the same doors, architrave and skirting boards inside, we always make sure you’d never know the garage was ever there. This gives you the same potential as an extension without the associated upheaval and cost.

Having converted over 300 garages we have experienced of all sorts of ideas, big and small. You bring the ideas and we make it happen.

How Long Will A Garage Conversion Take?

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One of the first questions most people ask us is how long will a garage conversion take? For a straightforward single conversion we would expect to be complete within 2 weeks. For a double garage or something slightly more complex e.g. a bathroom or kitchen we would usually be finished within 3-4 weeks.

Because we specialise in just garage conversions we are quick and efficient. We’ve converted over 200 garages in our time and our team are like a well-oiled machine. All the tradesmen have been working with us for many years and operate to the highest standards.

We survey and prepare everything in advance including the brick match, so on day one we we hit the ground running. You can expect a huge transformation by the end of the first week and by then you’ll be able to see it taking shape. When we finish at the end of week two you’ll only have the carpet to put down and the walls to paint, everything else is done.

We only do one job at a time, we don’t try to run multiple sites, so you’ll have our full attention while we’re converting your garage. Our director, Scott, will be onsite every day project managing, which means that we finish quickly and efficiently and the job doesn’t drag on.

It is this unique combination of experience, logistics and expertise that enables us to work to such a short timescale. This means less disruption for you and your home could be transformed in a matter of weeks.

To understand our process fully please see our Converting Your Garage page.

Top 5 Reasons To Convert Your Garage

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Here are our top 5 reasons to convert your garage. There’s plenty more of course and we’re always happy to discuss your project further and answer any questions you may have. See our FAQ page for more details.

  1. The footprint is already there. You don’t have to take up precious garden space, consult the neighbours or go through planning permission (usually). You already have the floorspace and this saves plenty of time, money and energy.
  2. It will more than pay for itself. On average, a garage conversion adds far more value than it costs. According to Real Homes a garage conversion could add up to 20% of the value of your home. Not only do you get to enjoy all the extra space but you can significantly increase the value of your home.
  3. It will look seamless. The layout already exists so we’re not trying to tag something on or find a way for an extension to look unobtrusive. With the right contractor you will never know there was a garage there. We tooth out the bricks (remove every other one so there’s no ‘seam’), match them perfectly and custom build your window to match too. Therefore the house looks as though it was always built that way.
  4. You can be flexible. If you still need some utility space, or want a bit of storage at the back you can split the garage into more than one room. Many people opt for a living area at the front with a new window but keep a little room at the back for their old garage storage.
  5. You won’t lose any natural light, in fact most people gain some. With an extension you usually have to lose a window or two to accommodate the new space. A garage conversion uses the existing space but we usually put in a full size window across the front, opening up your home to more, not less, natural light.

Charity Fundraiser

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On 20th March 2022 our Director, Claire, will be taking on a charity fundraiser by running the Stafford Half Marathon in aid of The British Lung Foundation.

The British Lung Foundation is the UK’s only charity specifically supporting people with lung conditions. They provide funding for essential research, support for patients and their families as well as education and information for care workers and support staff. Midland Garage Conversions are long standing supporters of this charity, having raised nearly £500 for Claire’s last challenge, the Ludlow Sprint Triathlon.

Claire will be supported by Scott and the family at the finish line with cake and glass of something fizzy! Over Christmas and the winter she’ll be pounding the streets in Staffordshire and Shropshire getting ready for the big day. We’ll keep you updated on training and fundraising and if you’d like to support Claire and The British Lung Foundation please see her Justgiving page.

Building Control

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One of the most confusing aspects for our clients is building control. Thankfully we take of everything, from the initial application, booking the inspections, liaising with the officer and ensuring you receive your certification at the end of the project.

However, many people still want to understand what it’s all about so here’s our top 5 building control facts:

  1. If your work entails any structural change (e.g. removal of load bearing walls), electrical wiring, installation of heating appliances, work which needs to meet fire safety regulations (e.g. escape routes), plumbing or ventilation then building control will be required. This covers almost all garage conversions.
  2. Building control certificates will be requested if you later sell your home so don’t employ a contractor who says you don’t need to go through building control. Retrospective building control certificates can be issued but this will not be without extensive remedial work to uncover what’s been done and make any appropriate changes.
  3. The homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring building control certification is received. This is normally delegated to your contractor but don’t be afraid to ask for details of the initial notice, inspection reports and always make sure you receive the final certificate at the end.
  4. Planning permission and building control are not the same thing. They are entirely different. Planning permission is concerned with controlling the way in which areas are developed. Building control ensures the safety, environmental impact and control of how a building or renovation is built.
  5. Approved building control companies (which are our preferred choice of provider) are a perfectly legal and legitimate route for building control. They are authorised to issue the certificates and undertake all the work on behalf of your local council. We prefer to use them as they are experts in building control, given that’s their sole line of business. It is a highly regulated field and you can be assured anyone licensed to issue certificates is held to extremely high competency standards.