Now seems as good a time as ever to start a thread about my Current project. I have spent many years following threads started by others carrying out conversions of every scale in pursuit of a dedicated home cinema room. These threads have provided a tremendous amount of inspiration when planning my own, plans which have evolved each year as my own project has failed to come to fruition.
In writing this thread I hope that I too can help others down the line whist taking on their own project, I will make all costing and plans available for all to that end.
In 2009 I began giving serious consideration to converting an integral garage into a media room. A great deal of time went into measuring and mocking up a workable solution using Google Sketchup, unfortunately however, disaster struck. An unforeseen financial black hole appeared beneath my partner and I. As we struggled to balance the books it became obvious that the conversion would not be happening that summer, previously thought to have been completed for commencement of the 2009-2010 NFL Football Season. Left over materials from previous projects would remain.
All thoughts about the conversion were put on hold pending a change in fortunes but by the time the summer of 2010 rolled around, together with a stronger financial outlook, all thoughts were on taking a well-deserved holiday and so once more, the conversion was dismissed.
This summer, our savings are ear-marked for a three week break in America, taking in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This blow out is no ordinary holiday and will see my partner and I celebrate my 30th Birthday watching my NFL Team in their home stadium whilst also enjoying our honeymoon following our Vegas wedding.
With so much going on I was speechless when she who must be obeyed gave the nod to go ahead with the much maligned garage project. A budget of £1500 and four weeks off work were earmarked for the work which would all be carried out with my own fair hands alone.
I am a complete DIY novice but I have always enjoyed working with wood and have a knack for picking things up quickly. I armed myself with the Collins book and spent many hours thinking the process through, reading up on the appropriate building codes and requirements.
From the outset the project was intended to leave the existing garage door intact with access provided by a new opening created in the hallway. Unfortunately, due to the existing floor plan, this leaves no space behind the door for storage and so in effect, the garage door will be false and sealed in a closed position. The reasons for leaving the door intact are two-fold, the first being that I am seeking total darkness to benefit my projector setup, the second, and critical cost.
Consideration was given to carrying out the work without notifying the local building office but ultimately the decision was made to do things by the book, for better or worse! The original plans were revisited, revised, and in some cases, redone.
These drawings were annotated based on the construction methods and building regulations I had started to become familiar with in order to confirm with the local BCO that I was on the right track. It has to be said, I have read some real horror stories written by people in my position when dealing with the building office but in my case, the guy has been very helpful and accommodating from the outset. As a DIY enthusiast his knowledge has been worth the £160 fee in the planning stages alone. In went the new doorway, fitted by a contractor at a cost of £270, a bargain and significantly less than originally budgeted. In a load bearing wall, this was one area that I was not prepared to turn my hand.
After a minor flood (curse plastic piping!) the door was complete and ready to be painted several days later when the plaster had completely dried.
A building notice was submitted and acknowledged by the BCO who pointed out that no planning permission would be required because no external changes were being made. Unfortunately, having received that verbal advice, I went on ahead and made the first orders of materials at a cost of around £1100. On the day those materials arrived, the floor went down within a couple of hours.
This proved just long enough to receive the days post from Royal Mail, a letter from the Planning Office stating that I did require planning permission after all. This was a dark time. Fortunately it was a very bright and sunny day and so I lay flat on the driveway staring at the clouds terrified that the financial black hole would soon be opening up again.
It transpires that as part of the original approval given to the builder or my home, the right to convert the integral garage was removed. As this is a four bedroom detached house, it requires space (or potential space) for three vehicles. A double driveway takes care of the first two, the third required the submission of plans to prove that space exists within the boundary for the addition of a third space should it be required.
These plans are yet to be submitted but it does appear that I can more than accommodate the required hypothetical third space, and since no external changes are to be made, planning approval *should* be given. Fingers firmly crossed.
And that brings us up to date. I find myself at a loose end today awaiting delivery of Breeze Blocks, Bricks, and stud frame timbers on Thursday. The time has been spent looking at how to extend the existing ground floor ring main to accommodate the requirements in the new room. A double socket exists on the rear wall but the temptation to extend the ring while I can, taking care of all electrical needs in a first fix environment prior to boarding might be too much to resist. Indeed it may be foolish. My understanding is that adding sockets or fused switch connections is not notifiable work providing that they are outside of special areas (bathrooms/kitchens/outdoors). I would need to have the work checked by an electrician and certified should I decide to move house however.
I am happy to answer any questions regarding my experience with Building Control and pass on his guidance in respect of required insulation etc. Feel free to ask and thanks for reading.
In writing this thread I hope that I too can help others down the line whist taking on their own project, I will make all costing and plans available for all to that end.
In 2009 I began giving serious consideration to converting an integral garage into a media room. A great deal of time went into measuring and mocking up a workable solution using Google Sketchup, unfortunately however, disaster struck. An unforeseen financial black hole appeared beneath my partner and I. As we struggled to balance the books it became obvious that the conversion would not be happening that summer, previously thought to have been completed for commencement of the 2009-2010 NFL Football Season. Left over materials from previous projects would remain.
All thoughts about the conversion were put on hold pending a change in fortunes but by the time the summer of 2010 rolled around, together with a stronger financial outlook, all thoughts were on taking a well-deserved holiday and so once more, the conversion was dismissed.
This summer, our savings are ear-marked for a three week break in America, taking in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This blow out is no ordinary holiday and will see my partner and I celebrate my 30th Birthday watching my NFL Team in their home stadium whilst also enjoying our honeymoon following our Vegas wedding.
With so much going on I was speechless when she who must be obeyed gave the nod to go ahead with the much maligned garage project. A budget of £1500 and four weeks off work were earmarked for the work which would all be carried out with my own fair hands alone.
I am a complete DIY novice but I have always enjoyed working with wood and have a knack for picking things up quickly. I armed myself with the Collins book and spent many hours thinking the process through, reading up on the appropriate building codes and requirements.
From the outset the project was intended to leave the existing garage door intact with access provided by a new opening created in the hallway. Unfortunately, due to the existing floor plan, this leaves no space behind the door for storage and so in effect, the garage door will be false and sealed in a closed position. The reasons for leaving the door intact are two-fold, the first being that I am seeking total darkness to benefit my projector setup, the second, and critical cost.
Consideration was given to carrying out the work without notifying the local building office but ultimately the decision was made to do things by the book, for better or worse! The original plans were revisited, revised, and in some cases, redone.
These drawings were annotated based on the construction methods and building regulations I had started to become familiar with in order to confirm with the local BCO that I was on the right track. It has to be said, I have read some real horror stories written by people in my position when dealing with the building office but in my case, the guy has been very helpful and accommodating from the outset. As a DIY enthusiast his knowledge has been worth the £160 fee in the planning stages alone. In went the new doorway, fitted by a contractor at a cost of £270, a bargain and significantly less than originally budgeted. In a load bearing wall, this was one area that I was not prepared to turn my hand.
After a minor flood (curse plastic piping!) the door was complete and ready to be painted several days later when the plaster had completely dried.
A building notice was submitted and acknowledged by the BCO who pointed out that no planning permission would be required because no external changes were being made. Unfortunately, having received that verbal advice, I went on ahead and made the first orders of materials at a cost of around £1100. On the day those materials arrived, the floor went down within a couple of hours.
This proved just long enough to receive the days post from Royal Mail, a letter from the Planning Office stating that I did require planning permission after all. This was a dark time. Fortunately it was a very bright and sunny day and so I lay flat on the driveway staring at the clouds terrified that the financial black hole would soon be opening up again.
It transpires that as part of the original approval given to the builder or my home, the right to convert the integral garage was removed. As this is a four bedroom detached house, it requires space (or potential space) for three vehicles. A double driveway takes care of the first two, the third required the submission of plans to prove that space exists within the boundary for the addition of a third space should it be required.
These plans are yet to be submitted but it does appear that I can more than accommodate the required hypothetical third space, and since no external changes are to be made, planning approval *should* be given. Fingers firmly crossed.
And that brings us up to date. I find myself at a loose end today awaiting delivery of Breeze Blocks, Bricks, and stud frame timbers on Thursday. The time has been spent looking at how to extend the existing ground floor ring main to accommodate the requirements in the new room. A double socket exists on the rear wall but the temptation to extend the ring while I can, taking care of all electrical needs in a first fix environment prior to boarding might be too much to resist. Indeed it may be foolish. My understanding is that adding sockets or fused switch connections is not notifiable work providing that they are outside of special areas (bathrooms/kitchens/outdoors). I would need to have the work checked by an electrician and certified should I decide to move house however.
I am happy to answer any questions regarding my experience with Building Control and pass on his guidance in respect of required insulation etc. Feel free to ask and thanks for reading.