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New Garages & Conversions
Are you looking to transform your garage into a functional living space or construct a new garage? You can rely on GT Building Design for expert guidance and support throughout your project. Contact Glenn today to discuss your garage project.
Contact Glenn
Glenn would welcome the opportunity to help you.
Click the button below for advice, support or to request a quotation.
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Thinking about turning your garage into a cosy new living space? Maybe a home office, a bedroom / ensuite, or even a sleek gym? Before you start swinging the hammer, there’s a bit of homework to do. Garage conversions can be a brilliant way to add value and extra space to your home, but they come with their own set of rules and red tape. Don’t worry, I’m here to walk you through the essentials of garage conversions, planning permission and building regulations in Northern Ireland.
Do I need Planning Permission for Building a Garage?
Planning NI has a booklet called "Your Home and Planning Permission" In this guide Planning Service sets out the criteria where Planning permission is not required. Click to follow the link for advice.
If you wish to convert a garage into a habitable room(s) you will however need Planning Permission.
Do I need Building Control Approval for Building a Garage?
Within the Building Regulations they do state when an application should be made. Click to follow the link for advice.
If you wish to convert a garage into a habitable room(s) you will however need Building Control Approval.
Garage Conversion, Newtownards
Bright, Modern Living Space with New Glazing & Rooflights
My clients wanted to convert their existing garage into usable living accommodation. They no longer needed it for a car, and with an existing WC and utility area already in place, it was an ideal space to transform. By insulating the structure, removing the garage door and introducing a new window, we were able to create a warm, comfortable room that feels fully integrated with the rest of the home.
The addition of double‑glazed sliding doors and new rooflights has made a remarkable difference, bringing in natural light and providing easy access to the garden. What was once a simple garage is now a superb extension to the home — bright, modern and genuinely useful.
Project Details
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Existing garage converted into fully habitable accommodation.
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Space insulated and reconfigured to meet modern standards.
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Garage door removed and replaced with a new window.
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Double‑glazed sliding doors added for garden access and natural light.
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Rooflights installed to brighten the interior.
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Existing WC and utility area incorporated into the new layout.
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A highly effective way to extend the home without building an external addition.
Garage Conversion, Donaghadee
Double Garage Conversion — New Open‑Plan Living Space with Two First‑Floor Bedrooms
My clients wanted to convert their existing double garage, which included storage space above, into fully habitable accommodation. The structure offered excellent potential, and the brief was to create a modern open‑plan living area on the ground floor with new kitchen, dining and sitting spaces, along with a WC.
A new staircase was introduced to access the first floor, where the converted roof space now provides two new double bedrooms, each with its own ensuite. The result is a superb extension to the home — bright, spacious and designed for everyday living.
Project Details
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Conversion of an existing double garage with storage above.
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New open‑plan ground floor with kitchen, dining and sitting areas.
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Ground‑floor WC incorporated into the layout.
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New staircase installed to access the first floor.
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Two new double bedrooms created, each with ensuite.
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A highly effective way to add significant living space without constructing a new external extension.
Garage Conversion & Link to Dwelling, Lurgan
Garage Conversion & Link Extension — New Utility, WC and Future Bedroom Option
My client had a standard detached garage that was no longer being used for parking. To enhance the home, I was asked to convert the garage and create a new link connecting it directly to the existing Kitchen/Dining Room. From this link space, we introduced a new utility room, downstairs WC and a practical store.
The layout has also been designed with long‑term flexibility in mind. In future, the utility room can be reconfigured to form an additional downstairs bedroom with an ensuite and walk‑in wardrobe — a valuable option for changing family needs.
Project Details
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Conversion of an unused detached garage into habitable accommodation.
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New link corridor created to connect the garage to the Kitchen/Dining Room.
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New utility room, downstairs WC and store provided off the link.
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Future‑proofed layout allowing the utility to become a ground‑floor bedroom with ensuite and walk‑in wardrobe.
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A practical and adaptable way to expand the home without a full extension.
New Detached Double Garage with Playroom Above, County Down.
New Double Garage with First‑Floor Room — Example CAD Drawing
Here is just one example of the many new garage drawings I’m asked to prepare. This design features a double garage at ground‑floor level with external steps leading to a versatile first‑floor room — ideal as a study, hobby room or children’s playroom.
The external finishes include sand/cement render painted in a natural tone, complemented by natural stone facing to the front elevation and external steps. On the rear elevation, solar panels are positioned to service the main dwelling. This screenshot is taken directly from my CAD drawing, showing the clarity and level of detail provided.
Project Details
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Double garage at ground‑floor level.
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External staircase leading to a flexible first‑floor room (study/playroom).
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Sand/cement render painted in a natural colour.
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Natural stone facing to front elevation and steps.
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Solar panels located on the rear elevation to support the main dwelling.
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Example taken directly from my CAD drawing set.
Replacement Garage, Bangor
Replacement Garage — Structural Defects Resolved with New Design
The original garage on this site was showing substantial signs of structural failure and required full replacement. I was appointed to prepare the new drawings, and here is an example from my CAD set. The replacement design provides a robust, modern structure while maintaining the practical layout required by the client.
Project Details
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Existing garage demolished due to significant structural defects.
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New replacement garage designed and detailed.
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Drawings prepared to modern standards for construction and approval.
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Example screenshot shown from my CAD drawing set.
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Garage Conversion to Studio Apartment, Newtownards
Garage Conversion — Self‑Contained Accommodation for Family & Friends
My clients wanted to convert their existing detached garage to provide additional accommodation for family or friends staying over — giving visitors their own private space while remaining close to the main house. The garage offered excellent potential, and the transformation has created a bright, comfortable and fully self‑contained living area.
What was once a simple outbuilding is now a warm, welcoming extension to the home, perfect for guests who appreciate having their own space. A great transformation, and I hope you like it as much as they do.
Project Details
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Conversion of an existing detached garage into self‑contained accommodation.
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Designed to provide privacy and comfort for visiting family and friends.
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Bright, modern interior created within the existing structure.
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A highly effective way to add valuable living space without a full extension.
New Garage, Newtownards
Full Drawing Package Prepared
I prepared the plans, elevations, sections, details and specification for this new garage. The CAD drawing shown below is taken directly from my drawing set and illustrates the level of clarity and detail provided for construction and approval.
Project Details
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Full drawing package prepared: plans, elevations, sections and details.
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Specification included as part of the design documentation.
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CAD screenshot shown below from the completed drawing set.
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Clear, accurate information ready for submission and construction.
Garage Conversion, Newtownards.
Garage Conversion — New Ground‑Floor Bedroom with Ensuite
This project involved converting the existing garage into a fully habitable space to provide a new ground‑floor bedroom with ensuite facilities. Access was created from the existing hall, and the garage was fully insulated to meet modern standards. The original garage door was removed and replaced with a new window, and a rooflight was positioned over the ensuite to bring in natural light.
To achieve a good‑sized double bedroom, the front of the garage was extended slightly, allowing the new accommodation to feel spacious, bright and fully integrated with the rest of the home.
Project Details
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Existing garage converted into a new ground‑floor bedroom with ensuite.
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Access formed from the existing hall.
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Garage fully insulated and upgraded to modern standards.
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Garage door removed and replaced with a new window.
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Rooflight added above the ensuite for natural daylight.
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Front of the garage extended slightly to create a generous double bedroom.
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A practical and effective way to add valuable living space.
