Integral Garage Conversion - Where to begin!

[Mike Wales]

Hi everyone, I really want to convert my large integral garage into a living room, and could really do with some help.

I work in I.T but like to try DIY projects, but am not very skilled. I am good at planning and organising (Project Management) and willing to try most things (low risk)!

Very grateful if you could help me piece this job together! And I hope some of this provides useful to other planning their conversions!

My house has a large 17x14ft double garage, connected to internal hallway. It is double blocked, and rendered with concrete internally. The floor is concreted, and a non double glazed side window exists. The door is a big heavy steel door, with electric mechanism.The ceiling is asbestos slabs (had tested).

#1 - Things I don't know - "and really need to know upfront"
Check if planning required?
Check if floor work required (may be OK)?
Check if existing walls need insulating (maybe already)?
Check if foundation required under door (where new wall goes)

#2 - First shot at a plan - "I could do with some pointers, some of this may not be needed (e.g foundation, insulate existing walls, remove beam?)"
Release Cables / Tidy Up
Frame Ceiling for boards (install frame through cement boards into joists)
Plasterboard Ceiling
Extend Plumbing for Radiator
Run Electrical Cabling for Outlets (Sockets, Lighting [inc utility area], Ethernet, HDMI, Coax)
Install Foundation (if req'd) under Garage Door
Lay DAMP PROOF on current floor
Insulate Garage Floor (use insulation boards)
Cement garage floor (on top of insulation boards)
Remove Garage Door and Mechanism
Block up door (double skin, damp proof & inuslate)
Remove Garage Door STEEL BEAM? And finish block work
Install air-vent
Concrete render new wall (where door was)
Box-In existing pipes, fuse box, gas meter.
Block up existing side window (double skin, insulate, render)
Stud wall installed around "utility area" plasterboard, plastered
Install door on utility area
Install electrical outlets
Re-render Internal walls for plastering
Plaster remaining walls
Install Bay window at front
Outside wall blockwork, render, paint to match existing front of house

#3 Regs / Inspections - things I think I need to consider and implement
Building Regs
Thermal Regs
Ventilation
Building Inspector (views as you go along)?
Planning Permission if needed
Completion Certificate
Check with mortgage provider before start
Check existing/original planning on house
Inform Insurers


I have uploaded some pics (excuse the mess). I would love to get some rough costings for the total job (ball park) - if reasonable, I may get a builder to do the lot - but have been whacked with a massive unplanned funeral expense, and my conversion plans are up in the air at the moment.

Many thanks for taking the time - I hope this gets some good response, and provides a useful resource to others.

NB. This is in South Wales.

Happy to exchange some guitar questions and answers for your comments -
something I actually know a bit about haha.

Cheers,

Mike.

More Pics HERE :-

 

[geraldthehamster]

I would begin in the "Building" forum. "Your Projects" is for reports of completed projects, as the pinned post says, at the top.

Cheers
Richard