Guide To Converting Your Garage

A major project such as a garage conversion needs to be tackled with great sensitivity. As always, thorough research and careful planning are the keys to success in converting your garage – cutting corners in the initial stages could prove expensive in the future.

Choose Your Company Carefully

Make sure you get a copy of a contract with the terms and conditions off the contractor you choose to convert your garage. Also get a fixed cost from your contractor on the contract, it isn’t unheard of some contractors increasing costs half way through a project if its not a fixed price.

 - Ask for references for previous work. If you can speak to previous clients.

 - Check what industry accreditations the contractor has and that they are current. Whilst builders do not have to be accredited it is certainly better to choose one that is because they will have invested time and money in the process and will need to operate safely and with secure financial backing in place to get and maintain accreditation.

 - Ask for the company VAT number. It’s almost impossible for a building company to operate without reaching the VAT threshold so if the company is not registered for VAT that should ring alarm bells.

Insurance

Ask to see a copy of their liability insurance, do NOT choose anybody who hasn’t got cover, this is asking for trouble.

Guarantee

Make sure you ask what kind and how long a guarantee you will be getting, again ask to see a copy of their guarantee. If you are offered a 1 year guarantee the company or individual obviously don’t want to know about any problems you may have 13 months down the line, this is hard to believe considering the amount of money involved in having your garage converted.

Electrical

Make sure all electrical work is carried out by an electrician certified under Scotland’s trade association for the electrical industry. You MUST have your electrical work in your conversion signed off at the end of the job and you should get a certificate from the electrician.

Some people offering a “too good to refuse” offer in most cases wont use an electrician who is a member or will try to do the electrics themselves to cut costs.

The local authority will ask for your unique electrical certificate when issuing your completion certificate at the end of your project, if you don’t have one, you wont get your completion certificate.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The penalties for non-compliance with building regulations can be severe and hefty, penalties can be imposed on the home owner, who is ultimately responsible for any alterations to their home.

If correct procedures are not followed then problems usually arise when the home owner decides to sell their property. The vendors solicitor will ask for the formal planning approval, which if not available will often cause the sale to fall through.

Building Control Approval

The other major hurdle is Building Control approval. The onus is on the home owner to show that all major works to their property comply with current regulations, especially with respect to electrical and gas installations. Make sure the company you choose to carry out your garage conversion will co-operate and help you fully to achieve your completion certificate.

It will be a pre-requisite that a Building Control certificate be available in order for a sale to proceed.