What is a garage conversion?
A garage conversion turns an integral or attached garage into habitable space, such as a study, playroom, bedroom or utility. The garage door is replaced with a wall and window, the floor is raised and insulated, and the walls and roof are brought up to building regulations.
How much does a garage conversion cost in East Sussex?
In East Sussex, a garage conversion typically costs £20,000–£33,500 for a single integral garage, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Building costs in the South East run about 12% above the UK average, and the figures for East Sussex are adjusted to reflect that. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A single integral garage | £20,000–£33,500 |
| Higher specification | £33,500–£42,000 |
What moves the price most:
- Bathroom or kitchen
- Whether planning permission is needed
- Heating and flooring
- Integral, attached or detached
A guide range is only a starting point: the guide price tool gives an instant figure for your size, and a free survey turns it into a fixed quote.
Do you need planning permission for a garage conversion in East Sussex?
Whether you need planning permission depends on your house and its location in England. In England converting an integral or attached garage usually does not need planning permission, unless a condition on the house removed permitted development rights (common on estates built in recent decades) or the house is listed. Building regulations approval is always needed.
Where work involves a shared wall, building on the boundary, or digging foundations within 3 metres of a neighbour’s building and deeper than its foundations (or within 6 metres for deeper work), the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies and notices must be served before work starts.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
On a typical garage conversion we handle:
- Building control completion
- Planning check for removed permitted development rights
- Floor raised with insulation and damp-proof membrane
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Drawings and building control application
- Electrics, heating and plastering
How long does it take?
The build itself usually takes 3 to 6 weeks on site. Allow time beforehand for drawings and approvals, usually 6 to 12 weeks.
Building in East Sussex
Commuter towns across the South East have many 1930s and post-war semis that suit rear extensions and hip-to-gable loft conversions.
Towns we cover in East Sussex include Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea and Hailsham.
How it works
- 01
Free visit
We look at the property, talk through what you want and measure up. There is no charge and no obligation.
- 02
Drawings and written quote
We prepare the design and give you a written, itemised quote with inclusions and exclusions.
- 03
Permissions sorted
Applications, building control and neighbour arrangements, all before the start date.
- 04
Build and sign-off
We run the build to a written programme and hand over the completion certificate.
Questions about garage conversions in East Sussex
Do I need building regulations approval?
Yes. Converting a garage to a habitable room needs building control approval for insulation, ventilation, fire safety and the new wall.
How long does it take?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks on site.
Who approves a garage conversion in East Sussex?
Planning matters in East Sussex go to the council covering your address, and the work needs building control approval. We prepare and submit the applications for you.
Can the floor be level with the house?
Yes. The garage floor is raised and insulated to match the house floor level.
How much does a garage conversion cost in East Sussex?
In East Sussex, a garage conversion typically costs £20,000–£33,500 for a single integral garage, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.