Extensions over a garage in New Buildings
Thinking about an extension over a garage in New Buildings? We design it, take it through the approvals it needs and build it, with one team responsible from the first visit to the final certificate.
Before you start in New Buildings, here's what applies.
- Postcode districts
- BT48
- County / area
- County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
- Price region
- Northern Ireland
- Guide price
- £27,500–£40,500 (£1,540–£2,240 per m²)
- Approval route
- Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.
- Nearest towns
- Derry (3.2 miles), Culmore (7.1 miles), Eglinton (7.9 miles)
- Distance to Derry
- about 3.1 miles
- First visit
- Free, no obligation
About an extension over a garage
An extension over a garage suits you if you have an attached single garage beside the house and need an extra bedroom or a larger main bedroom with an en-suite. You get an inspection of the garage structure, a design that matches the house, the approvals your nation needs, structural design, building regulations approval and the build, carried out by vetted teams working under S&K.
We cover postcode district BT48 in and around New Buildings, along with neighbouring Derry, Culmore and Eglinton.
What it costs in New Buildings
In Northern Ireland, which includes New Buildings, we'd expect an extension over a garage to cost around £27,500–£40,500 for 3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²), or £1,540–£2,240 per m² including VAT. We'll give you a written design-stage price first, then a fixed build price once the drawings are agreed.
| Spec | Per m² | 3 m × 6 m of new first-floor space (18 m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | £1,420–£2,060 per m² | £25,500–£37,000 |
| Standard | £1,540–£2,240 per m² | £27,500–£40,500 |
| Premium | £1,850–£2,690 per m² | £33,500–£48,500 |
Planning and building control in New Buildings
In Northern Ireland, permitted development for two-storey work is set out for rear extensions, so building over a side garage normally needs a planning application, which costs £347 per dwelling. Councils aim for an average of 15 weeks for local applications. Building control approval is also needed, including fire separation if the garage stays in use.
Approval in Northern Ireland: Planning application for works to a house: £347. Councils aim to decide local applications within an average of 15 weeks; many take longer.
Building control: Building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets.
Design points for New Buildings homes
Checking the garage foundations
Garages are often built on shallow strip footings sized for a single-storey wall and a light roof. A trial hole shows their depth and condition, and the engineer decides whether they can carry two storeys or need underpinning or new foundations inside the garage.
Matching the house
A room over a garage usually sits beside the front of the house in full view, so roof form, ridge height, windows and brick matter. Setting the front wall and ridge back slightly from the main house usually helps it look as if it belongs.
How we'd run your project
Free site visit
We visit your home in New Buildings, look at the structure, access and boundaries, and talk through what you want the new rooms to do.
Drawings and permission
Our designers produce plans and elevations, then we take care of planning or permitted development checks with the council covering New Buildings.
Technical design
We prepare the building regulations drawings, structural calculations and specification so the build price can be fixed.
Build and hand over
We manage the build from groundworks to decoration-ready finish and hand over with the completion paperwork.
Questions about extensions over a garage in New Buildings
Which postcodes do you cover around New Buildings?
We cover New Buildings (BT48) and nearby places including Derry, Culmore and Eglinton, plus the rest of County Londonderry. The first site visit is free.
Do I need planning permission for an extension over a garage in New Buildings?
New Buildings is in Northern Ireland. Planning permission is needed: permitted development side extensions in Northern Ireland can't be more than 4 m high, which rules out two storeys.
Who handles building control for a project in New Buildings?
We handle it as part of the project. What's needed in Northern Ireland: building control approval from the local council under the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland), using the Technical Booklets. We prepare the drawings and the engineer's calculations, book the inspections and pass you the completion paperwork at the end.
How do I get into a room over the garage?
Usually through a new opening off the existing landing or a bedroom, so the stairs stay where they are. If the floor levels do not match, a step or two may be needed inside the new room. Where a landing opening is not practical, a new stair from a converted garage is an option.
Can my garage take a room on top?
Sometimes, but it needs checking. Many garages are built on shallow footings with thin walls, designed only for a single storey. We dig a trial hole and inspect the walls, and the structural engineer decides whether to reuse them, strengthen them, underpin the footings or build new foundations inside the garage.
Nearby
We also cover places near New Buildings, including:
Other extensions in New Buildings
- Rear
- Side
- Wraparound
- Part two-storey
- First floor
- Semi-detached
- Detached
- Kitchen and bedrooms
- Bedroom and en-suite
All two-storey extension services in New Buildings · Extensions over a garage across County Londonderry
Send us your postcode and a few details. We'll get back to you to arrange a visit and talk through your options.