Extending a garage

[944Nick]

I have a double garage of about 17 feet square (internal dimensions) and would like a bit more room in it. It's constructed from single-skin brickwork with brick pillars in the corners and at the rear (where it would be extended) either side of the window, which is about 4 feet in width.

While recognising that this wouldn't add much if anything to the value of the house, it would be a viable alternative to a move, and would thus be potentially worthwhile for me.

My questions are these: is there any rough and ready way of costing this extension (I'd like to go between 10 and 17 feet in extra garage length)?

Similarly, is there any cost or other benefit/disadvantage in extending the roof space similarly or would a flat roof be a suitable solution? The current roof is pitched with the line of the roof apex at 90 degrees to the direction I'd be extending in.

Finally, would the cost to remove the back wall be much greater than leaving the existing rear wall in place (and leaving an access path where the window is now). Obviously, removing the rear wall would provide more flexible "accommodation" than leaving it in place.

regards
Nick

[Fat Richie]

What's the actual distance between the pillars on the rear wall, just the 4ft width of the window or wide enough to get a car through?

[944Nick]

There are pillars at the corners of the garage, and two further pillars with a steel joist between them over the window. There is only about 4 feet between the pillars that are either side of the window - definitely not enough to get a car through, which is why I was considering their removal.

regards
Nick

[944Nick]

Some more research has yielded an approximate answer, which is around £600 per square meter for brick-built garages. Presumably this would hold good for an extension to a garage too.

Nick

[mrmaggit]

That sounds a bit high if it's a double garage you're extending, but a good enough guide for costing purposes.

Check your local planners before you start.

[mk1fan]

I'd check with Building Control too. What are you going to use the extension for? Are you converting the Garage?

[944Nick]

Hopefully, the actual cost per square metre will be less than this - fingers crossed.

It's just an extension to a garage to gain some extra space for the same purpose. From what I've read of the local planning controls, it wouldn't require PP unless certain height regulations are exceeded. I need to make some further checks but it seems as though it should be OK.

regards
Nick

[mk1fan]

You'll still need Building Control.

I'd be careful with the Planning too. As you don't want to use you Permitted Development allowance on extending your garage.