The carpenter is a jack of all trades. From framing walls to installing fixtures, carpentry is one the most versatile crafts when it comes to construction making it the perfect skill set for converting a garage into a new office for the home. A carpenter’s expertise will be particularly useful during the construction phase of the project. They will also be able to work with the architectural designers and electricians.
Planning Permission
When converting a garage, several requirements must be met. Typically, integral garage conversions fall under Permitted Development which does not require planning permission, but if the garage is within a certain area, permission will be required. Building regulations will need to be adhered to as well. Carpenters have experience with checking and following building regulations and can contact the proper local authority for planning permission.
Four Walls and a Floor
The first step to any garage conversion is the removal of the garage door, which will require installing a wall afterwards. Experienced carpenters will be able to remove the door and frame the exterior and interior wall as well as install insulation and drywall. They will also be able to install any windows or doors afterwards. Once the garage door is removed, the next step will be to lay in new flooring. Whether it be fresh tile or cut carpet, the carpenter will be able to lay any flooring the homeowner desires.
Electricity and Heat
Converting a garage will require new wiring to be done, and the carpenter will need to confer with an electrician. Most garages have a single lighting circuit which won’t be enough for an office space, so the carpenter and the electrician can install several additional circuits for lighting and appliances. The garage may also require independent heating and cooling if the existing system in the house can’t be extended. Either way, the carpenter and electrician will be able to extend the home’s system if possible or install a separate system if needed.
Architectural Designer
Once the foundations of the room are finished, the carpenter can then consult a designer to determine how the homeowner wants the room to look. Following the homeowner’s and architect’s suggestions, the carpenter will be able to install any new fixtures and lighting that the homeowner wishes to have in the newly converted living space.
