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myCost to Convert Garage to Bedroom
At a Glance
- The average cost to convert a garage into a bedroom is around £6,500 in the UK.
- The job will take approximately 7 to 10 days to complete.
- A complete pricing breakdown for converting a garage into a room and what to consider before starting your conversion project.
- How long it takes to convert your garage into a bedroom, and a general overview of the steps your conversion specialists will take.
- How to find and hire a local garage conversion specialist.
Do you want to find out how much it costs to convert a garage to a bedroom?
The average cost of a garage conversion is around £6,500.
In this guide, we'll discuss all the costs included in bedroom garage conversions, such as labour fees and material prices, and list a few other jobs you might want to get done at the same time.
We also discuss the difference in costs between a single garage conversion and a double garage conversion to help you make an informed decision.
Already know how you want to convert your garage and are ready for a quote?
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£6,500
Table of Contents
How Much to Convert a Garage into a Bedroom?
What's the cost to convert a garage?
The average cost to convert a garage into a bedroom is around £6,500 in the UK.
Converting a garage into a bedroom is one of the most popular home conversions most homeowners undertake. Traditionally, a garage would be used for storing cars. However, more and more homes aren’t really using the area for that purpose.
Homes with garages - especially family homes - use the room as extra storage space for bits and pieces but aren't making much practical use of this extra space.
Turning that space into an additional bedroom is becoming one of the most popular solutions to utilising this space.
Converting your garage into an extra room will give your home that extra bit of space if it is lacking. And, it will be a less costly solution for those who would probably be more willing to move properties just for that extra bit of legroom.
How long does it generally take an architect to complete plans/designs for a medium-sized garage conversion?
"It would typically be about a week or two for an initial draft depending on the complexity of the rest of the house (making the rooms work etc), including the time to survey the house and measure up."
Garage Conversion Prices
| Job Description | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Garage | 7 – 14 Days | £3,000 | £150 per day |
| Double Garage | 14 – 21 Days | £6,000 | £150 |
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What Alternatives Are There to Bedroom Garage Conversion?
Unlike other conversions, such as an extension, a garage conversion won’t eat into your garden or any other areas - so you won't have to compromise. A garage conversion could actually add value to your home even if you wish to sell in the future.
However, if you're not completely sure about converting your existing garage into a bedroom, here are some other conversion and extension options to consider:
House Extension Costs
An extension is a common home improvement project and can be enticing for potential house buyers, offering you a good return on investment. While garage conversions may be limited in what they can become, house extensions can be new kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, home offices - the list is practically endless.
The average house extension costs around £40,000, depending on the exact size and materials you choose.
Double Storey Extension Costs
You can optimise your space further by adding an extra storey onto your home with a double-storey extension. These come with higher costs than the single-storey option and can give you enough space for a new kitchen or living room as well as an additional bedroom or bathroom.
Understandably, there's a lot more disruption with a double-storey extension compared to a garage conversion, but the return on space is far higher.
Double-storey extensions cost upwards of £60,000, being the most expensive extension option out of our selection.
Loft Conversion Costs
If you don't want to give up any of your outdoor space to a "traditional" extension, you can opt for a loft conversion instead. This will still open up your home, but won't impact your garden and outdoor space.
Loft conversions are great for adding an extra bedroom to your home, but won't be suitable for open-plan living if that's what you want.
The typical cost of a loft extension starts at £40,000 but can rise depending on the size and scope of your design.
Things to Consider When Converting a Garage Into a Bedroom
Converting a garage shouldn’t be too much of a headache, especially compared to other conversions such as a basement, a loft, or even an extension. The conversion of your garage into a bedroom should be a rather cost-effective and relatively stress-free project.
Planning permission shouldn’t really be needed for a project like this, as it should come under permitted development. However, you will need to inform your local building regulations authority of the work you plan to carry out. As you will likely change the garage door and fill it with matching brickwork, you may want to add some windows or a door.
This will need permission as any new windows or glazed doors will need to be certified under building regulations. You can either apply for this certification, or a registered window specialist will be able to self-certify. This is why, along with the handling of utilities, you may want to hire a trained specialist to carry out this job for you.
I want to do a DIY garage conversion. Our garage is detached, and we want to convert into two bedroomed accommodation. Looking for advice on planning and building regulations.
"If you want to convert your garage to a habitable dwelling, then you have to apply for change of use, so it will need building regulations approval. You've also got to take into account that services need to be run into the garage (water, waste, electrics). You don't need planning permission if you're not changing the the size or shape."
Some costs you will need to be aware of include design fees if you hire a structural engineer. On top of your fees for the conversion, expect structural engineer costs to be in the region of £400 for a consultation. An architect will cost you at least £1,000 for design, although this would probably be unnecessary for your project.
You will also need to factor in costs for different stages of the project and may need to hire more than one specialist. A builder will be suitable to perform all-around structural and foundation work and the flooring. However, you may need to source electricians and window fitting specialists.
Doing it Yourself
Converting your garage into a bedroom is a project that many experienced and confident DIYers would gladly tackle. If your garage is of high-quality build already and doesn’t need any repairs, then most of the hard work is already complete.
However, we recommend hiring a specialist to carry out some parts of the job, such as any foundation, which will need to be done when replacing the garage door, installing new windows or doors, and anything to do with utilities.
You will need to plan the design and layout of your converted room. You will need to completely clear out the garage and strip out the main structure so that you can clearly gauge what kind of space you will be working. This should give you ideas on design, layout, and any possible problems.
Designing your new room is probably the first thing you want to do before starting any new renovations. You can either do this yourself, leave it to your hired specialist tradesman, or even hire an architect.
Inspecting and assessing the existing foundations and walls is essential, as this will give you or the tradesman an idea of the scale of work that will be needed for the job. Most modern homes with a garage should have existing solid foundations that won’t need much or any work doing.
The floor will likely be made of concrete and you may think it will still be solid enough to leave as is. However, some work will need to be done on the flooring, such as levelling it out, ensuring it is damp-proof by laying down a membrane, and ensuring there is sufficient insulation.
I have a tandem garage converted into a room, but the outside wall with a door and window is only single-skin. It makes the room both cold and damp, so I'd like some advice as it's used as a bedroom.
"There are lots of ways to do this, but the cheapest and most practical way is to build a stud wall internally with cavity insulation between the existing 4” brick wall, then plasterboard the stud wall and skim and place skirting boards for a warm seal."
The same can be said for the walls and ceiling. These will also have to be looked at to ensure that they are fully suitable for living conditions. If you have an attached garage, i.e. part of the main building, then the walls and ceiling shouldn’t be an issue as they should be up to the same standards as the rest of the house.
You will also have to check utilities, which would mainly involve electricity and heating for a bedroom. Most integrated garages already have electricity fed into the room, so that shouldn’t be a problem and will save you on extra costs.
A lot of the steps listed here can be quite a challenge for even some of the most experienced DIY enthusiasts. That’s why we would recommend hiring a specialist to carry out the bulk of the job, such as foundation and insulation work, flooring, windows and utilities. If anything is wrong with these, then the project will end up costing you a lot more than you had planned.
If you aren’t too confident in your abilities just yet and want to the job doing professionally, then the easiest way is to use MyJobQuote, enter your details and receive quotes from three tradesmen in your local area.
Checklist: Converting a Garage Into a Bedroom in the UK
- Check the foundations and structural quality of your garage before starting any work.
- Weigh up costs of different jobs that will need doing to fully convert your garage, such as flooring, windows and utilities.
- Be sure to apply for any planning permissions, or at least check with your local authority if any is needed.
- A garage conversion is a cheap alternative to an extension, but be sure you are comfortable with the loss of space for your vehicles.
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FAQs
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garage Conversion?
In most cases, you will not need planning permission for this job if the garage is integral and part of the original structure of your home. However, if it is a detached building, you may need to apply or at least check with your local authority.
Will I Need to Obtain Building Regulations for My Conversion?
Yes, as with any conversion of any room into a living space, you will need to apply for building regulations. You can do this by contacting the Building Control office at your local council and requesting their approval.
Will I Need to Feed Utilities Such as Gas and Electricity into My Converted Garage?
You will need to have the appropriate utilities fed into your new space. Since this will be a bedroom, the only utilities you should need are electricity and gas for lighting and heating - you will not need water for this room.
Most integral garages will already have these utilities running through as part of the main house. However, you may need to hire an electrician and plumber to install appropriate lighting and radiators.
Most integral garages will already have these utilities running through as part of the main house. However, you may need to hire an electrician and plumber to install appropriate lighting and radiators.
Is It Better to Do a Conversion or an Extension on My Home?
The answer to this is entirely up to what you want and your budget. Both are options when homeowners are looking for a bit more space in their homes.
A conversion will always be the cheapest and easiest option in comparison to an extension. This is due to there already being an existing structure for you to create your new space in, rather than having to build something new from scratch.
A conversion will always be the cheapest and easiest option in comparison to an extension. This is due to there already being an existing structure for you to create your new space in, rather than having to build something new from scratch.
Is a Garage Conversion DIY-friendly?
This job could be quite a nice project for many DIY enthusiasts if they have the time and patience. Doing so will save you on the cost of materials and labour when hiring a tradesman.
However, when converting any part of the house, there are a few things that could go a bit wrong if not done properly, such as electrics, heating and insulation.
However, when converting any part of the house, there are a few things that could go a bit wrong if not done properly, such as electrics, heating and insulation.
