Internal garage conversion

[PeterS123]

Hi

I wanted to convert my internal garage into a room. I'd get somebody to brick it up and put in a window, then finish the insides myself. The question I have is do I need to get the buildings control involved at all? The room will be a study, with a raised floor to match the rest of the house (joists with insulation inbetween+ floor boards). Both my neighbours did theirs, and didn't bother with the buildings control BUT they haven't tried selling the house yet

Cheers

 

[frutbunn]

Yeah it needs B regs due to a change in its energy status. there may also be some structural and means of escape issues.
This is quite a popular one for retrospective approval when people come to sell.

 

[PeterS123]

Thanks frutbunn. That's some useful information there. After you've mentioned retrospective I did some more searching and come across an article saying a lot of people buy indemnity insurance in such circumstances. Sounds ridiculous that doing things properly (B regs) cost around £400 and an "insurance" will be a £100 IF the buyer insists... Now I know the logic of why neighbours couldn't be bothered

 

[^woody^]

The other issue with not applying for building regulation approval when you should, and living with unauthorised work, is that you potentially invalidate your house insurance cover.