reclaiming a garage

[sawman]

we are househuntng at the moment. spotted a place this week, that ticks lots of boxes, the only fly in the ointment is that the current owners have snatched 10 foot of the integral garage and incorporated it into the dining kitchen, making quite a large, pleasant space.

My first thought was that it shouldn't be too difficult to re-convert it back - (would appreciate some ballpark figures for that, if poss)

my second thought would be to extend the front of the garage to regain the lost 10 feet (maybe add a couple as well) and possibly blend in a porch, and enlarged hall) it has a longish drive for an estate house (at least 2 cars long) and I notice that a house along the road had extended their front elevation to include a pitched roof porch extension, so their might be a precedent set - I was under the impression that extensions on the front of houses can be challenging regards planning permission. Would this idea be doomed to failure or too expensive to be sensible?

heres the current floorplan

Edited by sawman on Thursday 26th January 21:10

[CorradoTDI]

Looking at the floorplans that idea makes a lot of sense - wide garage plus hall...

You could also think about extending / adding a bedroom.

[Hitch]

I think you have a chance, restrictions to planning are strict when it comes to building in front of the original built line facing the road. As your garage is tucked back that shouldn't be an issue. Getting to a design which looks cohesive might be a challenge though.

I know this is pistonheads and all but do you really need a garage?

[Steve H]

Hitch said:

I know this is pistonheads and all but do you really need a garage?

Seriously? It would be one of the absolute essentials if I was house shopping.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

It'll make the hall pretty dark, plus you're losing one window to the living room.

[sawman]

Steve H said:

Seriously? It would be one of the absolute essentials if I was house shopping.

Absolutely, I'd really like a double but budget probably wouldnt buy one in preferred area. We are renting at pres and I have a large 22' square garage, housing boat, bikes, mower etc.

[sawman]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

It'll make the hall pretty dark, plus you're losing one window to the living room.

Was thinking lantern roof maybe, or velux if pitched

[DapperDanMan]

Hitch said:

I think you have a chance, restrictions to planning are strict when it comes to building in front of the original built line facing the road. As your garage is tucked back that shouldn't be an issue. Getting to a design which looks cohesive might be a challenge though.

I know this is pistonheads and all but do you really need a garage?

Burn him, burn him

The last garage I bought had a house behind it.

[PositronicRay]

I think if it were me I could forgo the garage, standard size is too small anyway, tools etc would be kept in the store.

A decently designed carport would be a useful addition.

[sawman]

Carport not weather proof enough for wooden boat storage and fettling.

Any rough guesses for cost of front single storey garage & hall/porch extension with pitched roof and lantern or velux over hallway, overall size appox 4 m square