A garage conversion turns an integral or attached garage into a warm, habitable room by insulating the floor, walls and ceiling, replacing the garage door with a wall and window, and adding heating, lighting and finishes.
From a first conversation about a garage conversion to the day the site is cleared, homeowners in Caterham deal with us directly. We come out to measure up at no cost, explain the choices in plain terms and send a written quote. For context, comparable work in the South East usually falls within £13,500–£31,500 including VAT, and it is available across CR3 and CR6.
- Guide price
- £13,500–£31,500 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 2–6 weeks on site
- Postcodes
- CR3 and CR6
- Planning rules
- England
- Local area
- Surrey
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a garage conversion cost in Caterham?
No two jobs cost exactly the same, but the ranges below give a fair picture of a garage conversion in Caterham. Pricing for the South East runs about 12% above the national guide, and the overall guide is £13,500–£31,500 with VAT included. We'll confirm your figure after surveying the property for free.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Caterham |
|---|---|---|
| Integral single garage | A garage within the house footprint, with sound walls and a roof already in place. | £11,000–£20,000 |
| Attached single garage | A garage beside the house that may need roof, wall or floor upgrades. | £15,500–£28,000 |
| Double or detached garage | A larger or separate building, often with a shower room or kitchenette. | £24,500–£50,000 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Condition of the floor, walls, roof and foundations
- Whether a shower room or kitchenette is included
- Heating method and ventilation for the new room
- Window and door choices and the level of finishes
What does the job include in Caterham?
- Infilling the garage door opening with insulated wall and new window
- Damp-proof membrane, insulated floor and screed or raised timber floor
- Insulated walls and ceiling built to building regulations
- New internal door or opening into the house
- Electrics, heating and ventilation by qualified trades, with certificates
- Building control inspections and completion certificate
What are homes like around Caterham?
Surrey has many Victorian and Edwardian villas, interwar semis in the commuter towns near London, and Arts and Crafts houses with tile-hanging and tall chimneys. Bargate stone appears around Godalming, and large detached homes are common in Guildford, Woking, Weybridge and the Surrey Hills villages.
Larger homes often take kitchen extensions, bifold doors, landscaping and driveway renewal. Interwar semis suit loft and side extensions, while tile-hung and period properties may need roof and hanging-tile repairs.
Knowing the typical building types in Surrey helps, but a survey of your own home in Caterham is what decides the right approach to a garage conversion.
Permissions for a garage conversion in Caterham
Caterham is in England, so the planning and building rules set out below are the ones that apply. We confirm the details with the council before we quote.
In England, converting an attached or integral garage into a room usually needs no planning permission, unless a planning condition on your estate has removed permitted development rights (common on newer houses). Changing the garage door to a wall and window is generally fine.
Building Regulations approval is needed: foundations for the infill wall, a damp-proof course, insulation, ventilation and fire safety.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
What happens after you get in touch?
We look at the job
We arrange a free site survey on a date convenient to you. We measure up, look at the existing structure and access, and discuss your plans for a garage conversion so the price reflects your home.
Written quote
The quote arrives in writing, not over the phone. It covers the full scope, the finishes you've chosen, any exclusions and the payment schedule, with a fixed price tied to that specification.
Booking the work
Before anyone starts, we confirm the programme in writing, check whether consents are required and arrange deliveries. If a skip or scaffolding on the road needs a permit, we apply for it.
Build and hand over
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
Working with SK Home Improvements
Frequently asked questions
Does the floor need raising?
Garage floors are usually lower than the house floor and slope towards the door for drainage. Most conversions raise the floor with a damp-proof membrane, insulation and either a screed or a timber floor, so it lines up with the house and removes the step. The final level depends on ceiling height and the door into the house. We measure both during the survey.
Who do I deal with during the job?
One point of contact manages your project from survey to handover. They schedule the trades working under our contract, keep you updated on progress, and are the person to call with any question. You don't need to coordinate builders, electricians or decorators separately, because that is part of what we do.
How much does a garage conversion cost?
A typical single garage conversion costs £13,500–£31,500, depending on whether the garage is integral, attached or detached and what the room is for. Integral garages usually cost least because the walls and roof are already sound. Adding a shower room, upgrading a flat roof or levelling a sloping floor adds cost. As a guide, allow roughly £550–£1,100 per square metre plus fixed costs. We confirm a fixed price after the survey.
How long does a garage conversion take?
A straightforward integral garage conversion usually takes two to four weeks on site. Attached garages that need roof or wall upgrades, and conversions with a shower room, typically take four to six weeks. Detached garages turned into annexes can take longer. Before work starts, allow time for drawings and building control approval. We give you a clear programme with your written quote.
How much will a garage conversion cost in Caterham?
As a guide, expect to pay £13,500–£31,500 including VAT for a garage conversion in Caterham. That range is adjusted for the South East, which runs about 12% above the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
Nearby towns
Caterham and its CR3 and CR6 postcodes are part of our coverage. Homeowners in Coulsdon, Purley and Redhill can also book a free survey with us and receive a written price for their job.