Key points
- The process starts with a free survey and ends with a completion certificate.
- A structural engineer designs the new opening or knock-through and checks the foundations.
- The Building Control inspector visits at set stages to check the work.
- We book and attend every inspection, so you are not left coordinating.
- On site, a single garage usually needs two to three weeks.
The first call and the free survey
Everything begins with a conversation. You tell us which room you want and what the garage is like now. We ask about the house, whether the garage is attached or integral and whether anything such as a boiler or meter lives inside it.
We then arrange a survey at a time that suits you. We measure the garage, check the floor and walls, note where drains and services run and look at the door opening. The survey is free and there is no pressure to go ahead.
This is also when we check the planning position for your property. Our planning permission guide explains what we look for.
If you already know your layout, send us a rough sketch or photos. It helps us arrive at the survey with the right questions.
Your fixed-price itemised quote
After the survey we send a written quote that lists the work line by line. It is a fixed price, and it includes the Building Regulations sign-off, so you can see the full scope in one place.
Take your time with it. If something is missing or you want to change the finish, tell us and we adjust the quote before you commit. Our cost guide explains what shapes the figures and how to read an itemised quote.
Once you accept, we agree a start date and tell you what to clear from the garage beforehand.
Nothing is hidden in the small print. What you see itemised is what we build, and the quote shows each part of the work next to its own line.
Want to know what your garage could become?
Book a free survey. You get a fixed-price itemised quote and we arrange Building Control, the inspector and the structural engineer for you.
How we appoint and work with the structural engineer
Any garage conversion that changes the structure needs a structural engineer, and we appoint one for you. You do not need to search for an engineer, brief them or pay them separately.
The engineer designs the structural alterations. If you want the garage opened up to the house, they produce the beam calculations that size the steel needed to carry the wall above the new opening. If the old garage door is being closed up, they design how the new wall is supported.
The engineer also checks the foundations for the infill wall. A garage door opening has no wall below it, so the new wall needs a base that can take its weight. The engineer looks at what is in the ground and specifies what is needed.
We pass the engineer's drawings and calculations to the Building Control inspector, and we build to those drawings. If anything on site differs from what the survey showed, we go back to the engineer before carrying on.
The engineer's involvement is usually quick to explain in person, and we are happy to talk you through any drawing you receive.
How we appoint and work with the Building Control inspector
Building Control is the check that the work meets the regulations. We submit the Building Notice or full plans, depending on the job, and appoint the inspector who will oversee your conversion.
The inspector visits at set stages. They look at the foundations before concrete is poured, then the damp-proofing before the floor is covered. They check the insulation before it is closed in, and they look at fire safety, such as escape routes and alarms, along with ventilation and electrics. A final visit confirms that the finished room is complete.
We book every visit and we are on site for each one. You do not need to take time off, phone the council or interpret an inspector's notes. If the inspector asks for a small adjustment, we make it and tell you what changed.
This is why our team does the coordination. Inspectors, engineers and trades each work to their own schedule, and getting them in the right order is part of the job we do for you.
What happens during the build
Work starts with the structural alterations, since the opening and the foundations come first. The new front wall is built, any beams are fitted and the window goes in.
Next come the floor, insulation and damp-proofing, followed by first-fix electrics, plumbing and heating. Walls and ceilings are boarded and plastered, then second fix, flooring and decorating complete the room. The order is planned so each trade works once the one before has finished, and so the inspector can see each stage before it is covered.
For a typical single garage, expect the build to run for two to three weeks on site. Larger garages, an en-suite or structural work to the house can change that, and we confirm the timing in your quote. For a picture of the finished result, see our garage conversion to bedroom page.
We also protect the rest of your home during the work. Dust sheets, covered routes and daily tidying keep the mess contained, so you can carry on living in the house.
Sign-off and handover
When the work is finished, the inspector carries out the final check. If all is in order, the completion certificate is issued and we hand it to you.
We also walk you through the new room. We show you the heating controls, the consumer unit, the smoke alarms and any windows or fans that need explaining. We then clear the site and leave the room ready to use.
Keep the certificate with your house papers, because a buyer will want to see it one day. If you have questions later, you can contact us and speak to someone who knows the job.
We also tell you what to do if you notice anything in the first weeks, such as a draught or a sticking window. Call or email us and we will arrange to look at it.