What's the difference?

[turnpike]

What's the difference between having a garage built compared to an extension?

I'm wondering if there is something structurally different or difficult to change afterwards?

I realise a room would have plasterboard, decoration, more electrics, dpc and insulated floor.

Cheers,
turnpike

 

[noseall]

A garage will not have an insulated floor and will tend to have a different floor level to the house.

There is nothing wrong with building it as a garage as such, but you will need to build it (as far as adhering to regs are concerned) as an extension then use it as a garage as opposed to the other way around.

Otherwise there is no point in going to the expense of converting it later. You may as well have the regs in place from the outset.

For example, my integral garage has insulated cavity walls.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

We are talking about a garage that is integral to house and not detached?

If that's the case, you'll still have structural issue and of course a garage will most likely have single door access from house as extension could well mean opening the side of the house up.

If your plan is to build a garage with an option in the future it to become an extension to the house.
Plan the build with the extension in mind, ie thermal insulation, electrics, plumbing, windows....

 

[noseall]

Plan the build with the extension in mind, ie thermal insulation, electrics, plumbing, windows....

I agree PBD. You would be foolish not to.....

 

[RedHerring]

and the additional cost at this stage is small compared to the cost of the overall project. My guesstimate:

Additional £500- £1000'ish for foundation?
£200'ish for DPM & DPC
Cost of walls may be double, if detatched. But if really stretched internal skin can be added later?
£1000'ish for insulation? (assuming over-rafter insulation)
£500'ish for window, opening & lintel?


Would you agree?

 

[turnpike]

thanks all.

redherring: dont' the foundations need done the same either way? interesting point about single skin and adding second later. i imagine it's not as straightforward as just laying a second internal block wall at a later date though? as the new garage would have a pitched roof i expect double skin is the sensible option from the start.

i've got an attached flat roof garage which is alongside a pitched kitchen extension. it's rubbish and probably just needs rebuilt. I've looked into repair and am now considering the total rebuild option for comparison.

if i have a garage built it would be further forward alongside the house and where the existing garage is would be a secondary kitchen area for freezers and storage etc. there is a door into the attached garage already. good point about a full on extension probably involving knocking a structural wall out to increase an existing rooms space.

I came up with the idea of just asking for a 2 room garage to keep costs down and was wondering what that would mean for the back room of the garage.

i think I've come to the conclusion that i just want a new 2 room garage. it would be nice to know the back room of it could be semi habitable in so far as not freezing or damp for storage and maybe washing machines and the like.

thanks again

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You want to go down the route of a double skin and cavity filled build then.