Clearing the clutter from your garage could give you extra room and add value to your home. But how much will this kind of conversion set you back?
If your home is starting to feel a bit cramped, an extension might feel like the obvious answer.
READ MORE: 26 garage renovation mistakes people often make
However, you don't always need to increase your home's square footage to create extra living space. You might already have the space you need—it’s just a matter of converting it into something more useful.
The prime candidate in most homes is the garage. According to research carried out by the RAC in 2021, 53% of households with garages don't use them to store cars.
Wasted space
Instead, it found homeowners were using their garage as a dumping ground for all the things they didn’t need on a regular basis.
68% of the drivers surveyed admitted that they have too many other items stored in their garages to use them as intended.
But by decluttering for good or relocating items somewhere else, for example into a shed, homeowners could not only benefit from converting their garages into extra living space, but they could also increase their home’s value.
In fact, tradesperson listing site Checkatrade estimates a garage conversion could add up to 20% to the value of a home if it means it has an extra bedroom and ensuite, while a home office or playroom could add 10% onto a home’s price tag.
What does a garage conversion cost?
The good news is that compared with an extension, the cost of a garage conversion can be relatively modest, depending on the scale of work that needs to be carried out. Tradesperson finder site MyJobQuote estimates that the average single garage conversion will set you back £13,500, with costs typically ranging from £7,000 to £20,000.
Checkatrade puts the average garage conversion cost at £625-£1,250 per square metre. Compared to its average estimate of £1,250-£2,500 per square metre for a home extension, this highlights how much more budget-friendly a garage conversion can be.
The cost of a garage conversion will be lower if your garage is attached to your home or is an integral garage, and as an added bonus you shouldn’t need planning permission for such a conversion as it usually falls under permitted development.
If your garage is detached, it is likely to cost more and you may need the local planners to sign off on your project if you're making external changes.
The table below, compiled by Checkatrade, has a handy guide to the likely costs of different types of garage conversions.
| Garage type | Cost + VAT (low-high) |
Average cost |
| Garage conversion (16m2) | £10,000-£20,000 | £15,000 |
| Integral garage conversion | £10,000-£14,000 | £12,000 |
| Attached garage conversion | £10,000-£20,000 | £15,000 |
| Detached garage conversion | £15,000-£25,000 | £20,000 |
| Double garage conversion (36m2) |
£20,500 (integral) |
£32,750 |
| Carport-to-garage conversion | £10,500-£22,000 | £16,250 |
| Partial garage conversion | £5,500-£8,500 | £7,000 |
| DIY garage conversion | £4,500-£10,000 | £7,250 |
Aside from whether your garage is attached to your home, the other main factor that can influence its cost is the intended purpose of the room, especially if you’re dreaming of turning it into a kitchen or bathroom.
While many garages already have some electrics, they are less likely to have any plumbing connected and a significant amount of work will be needed to install a kitchen or bathroom.
Considering you’ll also need to budget for the kitchen or bathroom fixtures and fittings, Checkatrade estimates that adding a bathroom could add £2,500 to £5,000 to your garage conversion cost, while a kitchen could add £10,000 to £25,000 to the final bill.
On the other hand, it says transforming your garage into a bedroom, living room or home office will help keep costs towards the lower end of the scale.
Need some inspiration for your conversion project?
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Featured image: IKEA