Need advice on garage conversion.

Jimmy Garlic

I am thinking of converting a stand alone garage into a residential standard building. From what I can see the garage as it is was built with 9 inch cavity blocks. There doesn't seem to be a DPC layer in the wall. The roof is box profile sheeting over felt, it has been done to a good standard.

My question is what would I have to do to bring this building up to a standard where it could be used as a small studio apartment?

BryanF

Planning permission & compliance with current building Regulations/ building control regulations. Part A to M.. Separate Waste treatment/services/ parking.. disabled access & wc... BER compliance and renewable provisons... Etc etc

It's such a huge question.

This is an arch/engs day job go and ask them.

Your first hurdle will be getting the appropriate approvals from the local planning authority. Best of luck.

Jimmy Garlic

BryanF wrote: »

Planning permission & compliance with current building Regulations/ building control regulations. Part A to M.. Separate Waste treatment/services/ parking.. disabled access & wc... BER compliance and renewable provisons... Etc etc

It's such a huge question.

This is an arch/engs day job go and ask them.

Your first hurdle will be getting the appropriate approvals from the local planning authority. Best of luck.

Yes, I understand that the planning and all that good stuff will have to be looked into. What I really want to know is roughly what kind of work would have to be carried out after all that is sorted out. The garage already has a wc, electricity and water.

sydthebeat

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Yes, I understand that the planning and all that good stuff will have to be looked into. What I really want to know is roughly what kind of work would have to be carried out after all that is sorted out. The garage already has a wc, electricity and water.

It needs to comply with ALL building regulations.
That includes all aspects of ventilation, fire, sound, energy conservation, hygiene, heat producing appliances, drainage, workmanship, etc.

If it's to be a stand alone independent living accommodation is likely to be refused permission unless all aspects of planning policy are met.

BryanF

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Yes, I understand that the planning and all that good stuff will have to be looked into. What I really want to know is roughly what kind of work would have to be carried out after all that is sorted out. The garage already has a wc, electricity and water.

your question is to vague 'what kind of work would have to be done'... Lots. I guarentee the wc, elec, water connections are not adequate and further work with substantial costs will be be required. The first thing I would do is determine whether the garage is actually big enough, and structural adequate for its new use.

Jimmy, to reiterate: refer to everything on this page for starters: http://www.environ.ie/en/TGD/

Drift

"Conversion" is probably not the appropriate term here OP. It's a much bigger job than that - particularly if it's going to be a stand-alone residence.

Just off the top of my head a few items that pop up
Total rewire and new electricity connection including metre box.
New water connection with metre - Where's the water tank going to go?
Wheelchair accessible bathroom?
Wheelchair accessible front door?
Are there enough windows to meet the building regs?
Full kitchen with all appliances
Fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarams.
Separate sewer connections.
LOTS and LOTS of insulation. How are you going to hold that in place?
Solar panels/renewables
Does it have a radon barrier and extractor sump under the foundation?
You say there's no DPC - how are you going to fix that problem?


It might help if you gave an idea of what you have planned for the "garage" - are you looking for a granny flat? Is it for a family member/offspring? Are you planning to rent it? Are you looking for a mancave/studio?
Edit - apologies I see the OP says you want a stand-alone apartment.



Follow the link that Bryan posted above and read all the documents from A to M and your "garage" will have to comply with EVERY one of them when it's finished.

Strolling Bones

In my experience the question is moot. Planners more often than not condition that the stand alone garage must not be used for resedential purposes. In such cases "improvements" are wasted spends.

BryanF

I've managed the likes of this in an urban area, though to be honest not much of the garages were ever retained, it was more about the precedence of a garage, with just enough space to become a sub-divide site.

Jimmy Garlic

Drift wrote: »

"Conversion" is probably not the appropriate term here OP. It's a much bigger job than that - particularly if it's going to be a stand-alone residence.

Just off the top of my head a few items that pop up
Total rewire and new electricity connection including metre box.
New water connection with metre - Where's the water tank going to go?
Wheelchair accessible bathroom?
Wheelchair accessible front door?
Are there enough windows to meet the building regs?
Full kitchen with all appliances
Fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarams.
Separate sewer connections.
LOTS and LOTS of insulation. How are you going to hold that in place?
Solar panels/renewables
Does it have a radon barrier and extractor sump under the foundation?
You say there's no DPC - how are you going to fix that problem?


It might help if you gave an idea of what you have planned for the "garage" - are you looking for a granny flat? Is it for a family member/offspring? Are you planning to rent it? Are you looking for a mancave/studio?
Edit - apologies I see the OP says you want a stand-alone apartment.



Follow the link that Bryan posted above and read all the documents from A to M and your "garage" will have to comply with EVERY one of them when it's finished.

Thanks for that. A bit more work than I had anticipated for sure. I would have a budget of about 30 grand to work with. What I don't get is why it would have to have disabled access and a disabled accessible bathroom when nobody with a disability would be using it? I don't intend to rent it out.

I am in the process of reading through the info that bryanf provided. Things sure have changed since I had my house built.

BryanF

With 30k forget it

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

I am in the process of reading through the info that bryanf provided. Things sure have changed since I had my house built.

I recommend you seek professional advice.

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

bit more work than I had anticipated for sure. I would have a budget of about 30 grand to work with. What I don't get is why it would have to have disabled access and a disabled accessible bathroom when nobody with a disability would be using it? I don't intend to rent it out.

its about future proofing for you/ your family/ the next owner and about offering an enclusive built environment for all. It's the building regulations and has been for 15 years.

Gumbo

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Thanks for that. A bit more work than I had anticipated for sure. I would have a budget of about 30 grand to work with. What I don't get is why it would have to have disabled access and a disabled accessible bathroom when nobody with a disability would be using it? I don't intend to rent it out.

I am in the process of reading through the info that bryanf provided. Things sure have changed since I had my house built.

It will be treated as a new dwelling unit of you google new dwellng regulations Ireland you will see what's required. Along with all the technical requirements posted above you also ned an assigned Certifier to oversee the job and certify the job and issue compliance. This will eat at least 1/6 of your budget and that's after you have paid out for planning etc

In my opinion I don't think you will get planning for this anymore. The new regulations and new planning development plans are very strict with room sizes, orientation, private open space, storage requirements etc that I think you will fail.