Residential garages across Britain have become obsolete spaces not used for their intended purpose. It is livable space wasted. Most use it for storage or clutter that gets collected over the years. Where property prices are enormous and space scarce, London is no place to leave perfectly livable spaces untouched. There is a lot to be gained from your disused garage. An over garage extension London is a cost-effective and convenient home improvement to undertake.
Unlike an extension you need to build from scratch, your garage is an existing space. Most of the structural work is already in place, and there’s no need to dig a new foundation if the present one is stable. Building over your existing garage also offers the versatility for you to use your garage to park your car or as a tool shed or storage. If you are utilising both the ground and upper levels as living space, then you get to double the living area without having to sacrifice any garden space you often have to with a separate single-storey extension.
A detached garage can turn into an annexe for guests or grandparents. It will be a freestanding design. It also means building work will not affect your home, and you can incorporate design features freely without an impact on the existing house. If the garage is attached, you can consider adding an entrance from the main house or knock down walls to integrate the two spaces. However, it makes things a lot easier to have a separate entrance and a staircase to minimise disruption. You need to consider windows when building on top of an attached garage. If the new structure is likely to block off windows in the main house, a redesign of the affected area can resolve it.
The need to rebuild
The existing structure needs to be strong enough to support the extra floor on top. If the garage doesn’t have double-skinned brickwork, it will have to be rebuilt with new walls to provide the extra strength. A solid foundation is also necessary to safely hold up the load-bearing walls. The property’s ground and sub-terrain capacity must be able to bear the weight of a two-story structure. As the weight from the foundation transfers to the ground, it spreads downwards and outside the footprint at a 45degree angle.
You will be working with a pre-existing blueprint with a garage conversion. And, you might want more space or a different design. When that is the case, a rebuild is necessary.
Safety
Your new extension needs to conform to building regulations. Installation of walls, insulation, flooring, ceiling, and fireproofing protection also affect the cost. Smoke alarms, egress windows, and fire safety doors fall under fire regulations on an extension project. Over garage extensions require fire protection to the ceiling as the risk of fuel spillages and combustibles in storage are higher in a garage.
Plumbing
A bedroom with an en suite or a bathroom needs plumbing work and will add to the cost.
Double or single – if you have a double garage, building over its entire length will provide considerable space for a double bedroom or bedroom with an en suite and kitchenette.
Partial/ full – a partial extension allows you to keep the ground floor free for parking, storing, or any other use, while the top floor becomes your new living space. A full garage extension utilises both levels to design an upstairs en suite bedroom and downstairs sitting area or a bedroom downstairs and bathroom upstairs.
Flat or pitched roof – a pitched roof offers a more refined and harmonious look with the rest of the house, while a flat roof can look modern and cost less.
The costs for an over garage extension vary depending on pre-build requirements, the size, and other construction elements. It can cost between £15,000 to £30,000 depending on whether it is a single or double garage and rebuilding necessary. The average cost per square metre is from £1,000 to £1,250.
Bedroom with an en suite – an over garage extension has the advantage of creating a bedroom and a spacious bathroom. It can become a self-contained guest room and even include a lounge space.
Open plan integration – the downstairs of an integral garage can become a ground floor extension that joins the main house with knocked down walls to form an open-plan kitchen/dining area or an extended living room.
A play den – a garage conversion can turn into a playroom and a teen hangout. It can become a gaming room or an entertainment room so you can keep the noise away from the main living areas.
Home office or work studio – working from home can have its distractions, but a garage extension offers the privacy and personalised space for your work. You can receive colleagues and conduct meetings undisturbed.
Reading nook – an over garage extension makes a perfect library or reading room to spend quiet hours with garden views.
How we deliver projects
Our process is simple and divided into two distinct phases with separate contracts: Design and Build. As a client you only commit to one phase at a time depending on what stage of the process you are in. Each phase consists of three stages as described below.
1. Design
This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.
2. Planning
At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.
3. Technical
Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.
4. Pre-build
90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.
5. Build
One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.
6. Handover
As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.
This is the kick-off point for your project. We carry out a complete architectural measured survey of the property. This allows us to create accurate CAD design drawings. This is followed by a design meeting to start discussing your ideas in more detail.
At this stage we finalise the designs with you and start preparing planning applications as needed. We place a high priority on ensuring that plans, designs and schedules are all based on a thorough and detailed understanding of planning guidelines. We co-ordinate with local authorities until the decision is made, and the planning approval is secured.
Once the planning consent is secured, we translate the design drawings into more detailed technical drawings for the purposes of building control and construction. This also includes specifications and structural calculations. At this stage, we will also submit to you our ‘no obligation’ quote for the build phase.
90% of our clients decide to stick with us after the design phase is completed. Once the build contract is signed, we kick off the process by making sure all the pre-build processes are complete. These include assistance with party wall agreements, Thames Water build over agreement, submitting building control application, and preparing method statements etc as needed. This stage ends with a pre-start meeting with your foreman before the actual build begins.
One of our foremen will be dedicated to your project and will be on-site to manage everyday works. Our project managers will be overseeing the works to make sure they are completed to high standards, within your budget and on time. Throughout the process we will keep you updated with the progress and coordinate the works with third parties such as kitchen or flooring suppliers. We will also advise and guide you to choose any suppliers if needed.
As the build draws to finish, we will help to iron out any ‘snags’ to make sure everything is completed to your satisfaction. We will put together all necessary certificates such as gas, electricity and building control completion along with warranties for glazing, boiler etc. At the final completion meeting, we will hand you these documents, together with the keys to your house. Needless to say, you can contact us any time after this, if you want us to look at something.
Featured Projects
Harlesden
Sellons Ave NW10 4HJ
The project included creating a master bedroom in the loft with an adjoining terrace.
Learn more
Fulham
Orbain Road SW6 7JZ
This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.
Learn more
Lambeth
Hetherington Road SW4
We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.
Learn more
Teddington
Station Road SW4 7PA
We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.
Learn more
Leyton
Windsor Road E10
We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.
Learn more
Harlesden
Sellons Ave NW10 4HJ
The project included creating a master bedroom in the loft with an adjoining terrace.
Learn more
Fulham
Orbain Road SW6 7JZ
This project was completed in 2023 and the approximate budget was £101,000.
Learn more
Lambeth
Hetherington Road SW4
We completed this stunning project for our client Angus in Lambeth.
Learn more
Teddington
Station Road SW4 7PA
We completed this exciting project for our clients on Station Road, a quaint residential area in the heart of Teddington.
Learn more
Leyton
Windsor Road E10
We completed this kitchen extension on Windsor Road, a charming residential street nestled in the heart of Leyton.
Learn more
What Our Clients Say
Build a Quote!
Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.
Get StartedBuild a Quote!
Let's get started with building your own bespoke quote for your dream extension. Tell us as much in detail as possible to get most accurate price.
Get Started