Garage

Status: Conversion to habitable room planned Target: Before winter 2025 Building Regs: Required (Building Notice or Full Plans)

Current State

• Ceiling plasterboard removed (exposed)
• Roof is leaking (discovered November 2025)
• Integrated garage, same construction as house (cavity wall, double block, DPC)
• Contains: 22mm gas pipe, fusebox, main waste stack
• Garage door opening has footings underneath
• No insulation in ceiling or against rafters
• Mock Tudor facade inspection (15 June) - needs complete redo, planned summer 2026

Needs (Immediate)

• Fix roof leak
• Reinstate ceiling once roof sorted

Conversion Plan

Why Convert

• Fire separation for attached garage is strict - conversion often easier
• Adds liveable floor space (~£2-3k/m² vs £3-4k+ for extensions)
• Solves house access/flow issues
• Already 90% of way to habitable (same build standard as house)

Building Regs Required For

• Garage conversion to habitable room
• New door from hall into garage
• Door through block partition to utility

Structural Work

• Block up garage door opening
• New doorway from hall (bottom right corner)
• Fire separation (easier as room than garage)

Insulation

• Warm roof: insulation on felt (roof stays warm)
• 25mm PIR minimum (pragmatic) or multifoil + PIR hybrid
• Fire-rated board on ceiling

Floor

• Add insulation to concrete slab
• Match house floor level

Services

• Space for plumbing manifold (between gas pipe, fusebox, waste stack)
• Extractor ducting through to old boiler flue hole

Options

Full conversion now:

• Proper building control sign-off
• No fire safety questions later
• More work upfront

Temporary door opening:

• Quicker access
• May face building control queries
• Kicks can down road

Notes

• One of three slabs in house (“Frankenhouse”)
• Rafters accessible from outside
• Consider bifold door where window is (shorter heating run, south-facing)
• Water leaks noted November 2025