Two separate pieces of research, by the RAC and Aviva, have concluded that many of the UK’s estimated 11 million garages never have a car inside. The most recent findings, published in July 2025, cite difficulty in parking (21%), a belief the car is too big (16%) and a driveway preference (42%) as reasons why 28% of garage owners never park their car inside.
Therefore it comes as no surprise that Aviva also found that two thirds (66%) of UK garage owners used their garage for storage instead of parking. But what if something more ambitious was available? Garage conversions shouldn't be overlooked by sellers who’d like to add value before they sell and potential buyers looking to shape a property to their own requirements.
In this guide, we answer the most commonly-asked garage conversion questions:
Q. What’s the difference between an attached and an integral garage?
A. An attached garage is joined to the main home on one side and has its own roof. An integral garage will be incorporated into a home’s ground floor, with no roof of its own.
Q. Do I need planning permission to convert a garage?
A. Usually a garage conversion falls under permitted development rights with no need for planning permission. Permission may be needed if you’re in a Conservation Area, a National Park or a National Landscape, so always check with your local authority’s planning department. You will need planning permission if you’re turning a detached garage into a new or separate dwelling. You may also need a party wall agreement if your garage is attached to a neighbouring property.
Q. How about Building Regulations?
A. Yes, you will almost always need Building Regulation approval for a garage conversion in the UK. This will make sure the project is safe and structurally sound, especially as it’s classed as a change of usage. You’ll need to provide your local Building Control office with some drawings that detail the work and a start date, and expect at least one visit from an officer.
Q. What can I convert my garage into?
A. Garage conversions lend themselves to living spaces, perhaps a snug, a TV room or a playroom. With hybrid working here to stay, garages also make fantastic home offices. Garages can be split into two, with one half dedicated to storage and the other turned into a utility or cloak room, for example. More ambitious and detailed conversions include creating a ground floor bedroom with en-suite shower room, or knocking down walls to incorporate the garage into an existing open plan space. The outcome will be determined by the space and budget available.
Q. What building work might be needed?
A. It’s important to know the building and utilities work involved in turning an underused garage into a usable room – it may be more than you anticipate! A builder or architect will talk you through:
Foundations: determining whether they need reinforcement
Flooring: raising this to the same level as the main home and adding damp proofing
Electrics: adding new power supply and lights
Heat: installing radiators or under floor heating
Insulation: keeping heat in by adding insulation to walls and the ceiling
Water: extending plumbing if the garage conversion includes a WC, sink, basin, shower or bath
Natural light: adding a new window, dormer or Velux
Access: blocking up the garage door and installing an internal door to the main property
Decoration: plastering, painting, making good and floorcoverings
Q. How much value will a garage conversion add?
A. Checkatrade says a garage conversion could add up to 20% to a home’s value. We stress that the final figure depends on what type of garage is being converted, its intended use, the value of your property and the quality of the finished space. A word of caution – a garage conversion could devalue your home if you’re taking away a valuable parking spot in an area with parking restrictions, so always consult with an estate agent before you start work.
Q. How much will a garage conversion cost?
A. According to Checkatrade, the average cost for a garage conversion in the UK is around £10,000 - £20,000 for a 16m² integrated or attached garage.
If you have any further questions about home improvements that could add value or enhance the versatility of a property, get in touch with our team.
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