Converting Existing Outbuildings into Living Space

Converting existing outbuildings into living space is something that many people believe applies only to people with older houses surrounded by stables and barns, but it could equally apply to garages and even urban properties that had outside toilets and coal sheds when they were first built. Anything that can be converted into living space can be used to give a family useful extra space, provide an office for working at home or perhaps a gym or games room.

Fundamental Issues With The Conversion Of Outbuildings

The major problem with this sort of conversion is that outbuildings were rarely designed for living in and so weren't designed to stay particularly warm and dry. To be honest, when you take into account the fact that VAT is not reclaimable against renovation and restoration project but is for new builds, it could be that you would be far better off, economically at least, knocking the older buildings down and starting from scratch.

However, as it's likely to be older properties that have outbuildings, there may well be restrictions against replacement rather than conversion, either in the local plan or if the property is in a conservation area. As each project differs and every area in the United Kingdom differs, the only sure way to sort out what is possible is to go to your local planning office and ask about planning permission and building regulations that apply to your project.

Get The Outbuilding Shell Sorted First

Assuming you get the go-ahead then it's full steam ahead with the conversion of your outbuilding into living space. You may well need to put in a proper floor and at this point it makes sense to put in a dampproof course (DPC) if there isn’t one already. There are lots of new DPC products on the market that are injectable so there isn’t the disruption that a traditional DPC might have required. Drainage will need attending to at this point as well, including connection to the sewer system if the building is to have toilets.

Walls may need to be made good, depending on the condition of the outbuilding, and there may well be other building work, such as a new roof, and the installation of any new windows and doors. But once the structure is sound and the floor is made good then it's time to turn your attention to insulating the outbuilding. As it is very unlikely that any outbuilding will have a double skin wall with a cavity, it will be necessary to insulate the walls by cladding them internally.

Insulating The Walls of Outbuildings

This will make the building easier to heat and it will retain the heat for longer, something that's desirable in a place that is to be used as living space all year round. One method is to put battens around the wall then fix plasterboard to them, laying insulation material against the wall first. Unfortunately this does encroach on your living space but it really is necessary unless the building is only going to be used as living space in the summer months. If that's the case, it needs to be well ventilated when it's not in use.

Depending on the extent of the electrical and plumbing work that will be done, and the style of the building, it might be worth running the pipes and electrical cables through the outbuilding before attaching the cladding and insulation. Once everything is in place the finishing off and installation of the electrical nd plumbing fixtures and fittings can take place, then the final decoration and fitting out can take place.

Consider Professional Building Help

This all sounds easy when it's laid out in a summary like this but there are likely to be many detail problems that will need to be tackled along the way so if you are thinking of taking on the job yourself make sure that you know what you are doing. It might well be worth getting the professionals involved.