Understanding Garage Conversion Costs in Devon

If you are researching garage conversion costs, you are asking the right question. However, much of the information available online is either vague, outdated, or overly optimistic. This guide outlines realistic UK garage conversion costs, what drives them, and where homeowners often get caught out. I’m writing this from a contractor’s perspective, not a marketing brochure.

What Are the Costs of Garage Conversions in the UK?

As a general rule, here are the typical costs you can expect:

• Basic garage conversion: £8,000 – £12,000

• Garage conversion with bathroom or en-suite: £12,000 – £18,000

• High-spec conversion or complex layouts: £18,000 – £25,000+

  
  

In Torquay and the wider South West, most professionally delivered garage conversions fall between £10,000 and £16,000, depending on the scope of work. If someone quotes significantly below this range, they are likely either:

1. Excluding critical items, or

2. Cutting corners that you won’t notice until winter.

   
   

Factors Influencing Garage Conversion Costs

There is no flat price for garage conversions. The cost depends on several key factors.

1. Type of Garage

The type of garage you have plays a significant role in determining the cost:

• Integral garage (attached to the house): cheapest and simplest option.

• Attached garage: moderate cost.

• Detached garage: usually higher due to additional services and insulation requirements.

  
  

Integral garages benefit from existing walls, roofs, and services, which is why they dominate the lower end of the price range.

2. Intended Use of the Space

What you plan to do with the garage affects the cost more than the size. Here’s a breakdown of common uses and their cost impacts:

| Use | Cost Impact |

|------------------------|-------------|

| Home office / snug | Low |

| Extra bedroom | Medium |

| Bedroom with en-suite | High |

| Annexe or studio | Highest |

Bathrooms add costs quickly due to plumbing, drainage, ventilation, and finishes. There’s no way around this if it’s done properly.

3. Structural Work

Common cost drivers include:

• Removing the garage door and building a new insulated wall.

• Altering openings for windows or doors.

• Strengthening floors or adding insulation build-ups.

• Roof alterations or ceiling height corrections.

  
  

These are not “extras.” They are structural necessities that must be addressed.

4. Insulation and Building Regulations

A compliant garage conversion must meet current Building Regulations. This includes:

• Insulated floors, walls, and ceilings.

• Proper ventilation.

• Fire protection.

• Safe electrics.

  
  

Anyone telling you “Building Regs aren’t needed” for a habitable room is mistaken. You’ll pay for it later during valuation or sale.

5. Electrics, Heating, and Plumbing

These aspects are often underestimated by homeowners. Typical allowances include:

• Electrical installation: £800 – £1,500.

• Heating (radiator or electric): £400 – £1,200.

• Plumbing for en-suite: £2,000 – £4,000.

  
  

Cutting costs in these areas is a false economy.

Garage Conversion Cost Breakdown: A Typical Example

Let’s look at a realistic example of a bedroom with en-suite conversion for an integral garage:

• Strip-out & preparation: £800

• Structural alterations & external wall: £2,000

• Insulation & studwork: £1,800

• Plumbing & drainage: £2,500

• Electrical installation: £1,200

• Plasterboarding & plastering: £1,600

• Bathroom fit-out (mid-range): £2,500

• Project management & compliance: £1,200

  
  

Typical total: £13,500 – £15,500. This is a realistic, professional figure — not an internet fantasy.

Does a Garage Conversion Add Value?

Yes, when done correctly. A properly executed garage conversion can add 10–20% to a property’s value, especially when it creates:

• An additional bedroom.

• A bedroom with en-suite.

• Flexible living space.

  
  

Estate agents and surveyors treat compliant conversions as genuine living accommodation. Poor conversions often get ignored or devalued.

Common Cost Traps to Avoid

Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Unitemised quotes: You won’t know what’s missing until it’s too late.

• Excluding Building Control: This can lead to complications down the line.

• No allowance for insulation upgrades: Essential for comfort and compliance.

• No contingency for drainage or electrics: Always plan for the unexpected.

• Prices that seem “too good”: In construction, cheap often becomes expensive.

  
  

Is a Garage Conversion Worth the Money?

In most cases: yes. Compared to extensions or moving house, a garage conversion offers:

• Lower cost.

• Faster delivery.

• Minimal disruption.

• Strong return on investment.

  
  

But this is only true if it is designed, priced, and built properly.

Final Thoughts on Garage Conversion Costs

If you want an honest answer to “How much does a garage conversion cost?” expect £10,000–£16,000 for a quality result, with more if you add bathrooms or high-end finishes. Anything significantly cheaper should be treated with caution.

If you’re planning a garage conversion and want a clear, itemised, no-nonsense quotation, that is always the correct place to start.

👉 Contact Us for more information on how we can help you transform your garage into a valuable living space.