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 Greater Manchester?
In Greater Manchester, a garage conversion typically costs £17,000–£28,000 for a single integral garage, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). That range is adjusted for the North West, where domestic building work typically costs around 6% below the national average. Design, structural calculations and council fees are extra.
| Size or type | Guide range |
|---|---|
| A single integral garage | £17,000–£28,000 |
| Higher specification | £28,000–£35,000 |
The main things that change the cost:
- Whether planning permission is needed
- Foundations under the old door opening
- Heating and flooring
- Bathroom or kitchen
Your exact price depends on the survey and drawings. The guide price tool gives a quick range in the meantime.
Do you need planning permission for a garage conversion in Greater Manchester?
Here is how the rules work for a garage conversion 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.
Building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control service or a registered building control approver. The work is inspected at key stages, such as foundations, drainage and insulation, and a completion certificate is issued at the end.
We check this for your address before design work starts, so there are no surprises later.
What we handle
The work we manage on a garage conversion:
- Electrics, heating and plastering
- Floor raised with insulation and damp-proof membrane
- Planning check for removed permitted development rights
- Building control completion
- Wall and ceiling insulation
- Foundation check under the garage door opening
How long does it take?
Build time is typically 3 to 6 weeks on site. Design and approvals come first and typically take 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the approval route.
Building in Greater Manchester
Terraced streets across the North West often suit rear dormers and single-storey kitchen extensions.
Towns we cover in Greater Manchester include Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport and Salford.
How it works
- 01
Survey and brief
We visit, discuss your ideas and budget, and survey the property or site at no cost.
- 02
Design and fixed quote
Drawings, structural calculations and an itemised, fixed price for the agreed specification.
- 03
Approvals in place
We handle planning, building control and neighbour notices before work starts.
- 04
Construction and completion
We build, put right any snags and hand over the building control certificate.
Questions about garage conversions in Greater Manchester
How much does a garage conversion cost in Greater Manchester?
In Greater Manchester, a garage conversion typically costs £17,000–£28,000 for a single integral garage, including VAT at 20% (standard rate). Your fixed price depends on the survey and drawings.
Can a detached garage be converted?
Yes, but using it as separate living accommodation may need planning permission.
How long does a garage conversion take in Greater Manchester?
Typically 3 to 6 weeks on site. Design and approvals beforehand usually take 6 to 12 weeks.
Will losing the garage affect parking?
Councils sometimes object if on-street parking is under pressure. We check local parking standards.
Do I need planning permission for a garage conversion?
Usually not if the work is internal and the house keeps its permitted development rights. Many newer houses have planning conditions that remove those rights, in which case an application is needed.