Garage conversions in Knowle

Garage conversions in Knowle: approvals and local details

Planning permission is not normally needed to convert a garage in Knowle, unless a planning condition says otherwise or the building is listed. The conversion must meet Building Regulations, and you receive a completion certificate when it's signed off.

The footing under the old garage door is often shallow, and building control may ask for a new foundation beneath the infill wall.
Some newer estates have planning conditions removing the right to convert a garage, so it's worth checking with Solihull Council first.
Relocating a gas or electricity meter takes time to arrange, so it's best raised at the survey stage.

Postcode district: B93
Planning and building control: Solihull Council
From our West Bromwich base: 14 miles

Options to consider in Knowle

Detached garage conversion

A separate garage can become a home office, gym or garden room. It usually needs more work than an integral garage, with new insulation throughout, a power supply run from the house and often a new roof covering. If it's to be lived in as a separate bedroom or annexe, planning permission is likely to be needed.

Partial conversion with storage kept

A stud wall splits the garage, keeping a shorter store at the front behind a new insulated garage door, with a utility, gym or office behind. It keeps somewhere for bikes and tools while still freeing up the house. The front section stays unheated, and the new room is insulated and ventilated to full standards.

Garage conversions prices in Knowle

Guide prices start at £7,500 and run to £40,000 depending on size and specification. A single integral garage converted into a study or playroom: around £13,500–£18,000.

Guide prices for garage conversions
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Partial conversion with front store kept	£7,500 – £12,000	Utility, gym or office behind a new insulated door
Single integral or attached garage	£12,000 – £20,000	Suits a study, playroom or snug
Double, detached, or with a shower room	£20,000 – £40,000	More floor, drainage or roof work involved

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. A free survey turns this guide into a fixed, itemised price.

Your questions answered

Is a garage floor warm enough for a living room?

Not as it stands. Garage floors are usually bare concrete, lower than the house and uninsulated. We lay a damp-proof membrane and insulation, then a screed or timber floor, so the new room sits level with the house and meets current energy standards. Building control inspects the build-up before it's covered, so you know the floor won't feel cold or damp.

How do I book a survey in Knowle?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your garage conversion and arrange a time to visit.

How long does a garage conversion take?

A straightforward single garage usually takes 3–5 weeks on site. Allow a few weeks beforehand for drawings and the Building Regulations application, and longer if a planning application is needed. Window and door lead times can affect the start date, so we order them as soon as the quote is accepted and the drawings are agreed.

Does Solihull Council need to approve my garage conversion?

Not usually for planning, unless a condition on your estate removes permitted development rights — Solihull Council can confirm. Building Regulations approval is always needed for a garage conversion.

Garage conversions near Knowle

More services in Knowle

Phone 0800 088 6248 for a chat about your garage, or send us your postcode to book a visit.