Desperate for more space? Could your garage become a flexible living space?
You may be able to maximise the livable area in your home by converting a garage into a Media or Games Room, a Teen Retreat, In-Law accommodation or just more room for the family to expand.
Your first question to see if your garage would be suitable is:
What is the ceiling height?
Livable space must have a ceiling height of more than 2.4m.
Second question will be the floor – it must have a moisture barrier beneath the slab and the slab must be able to support residential loading requirements (1.5kPa vs 0.25kPa for garages). An Engineer can tell you if this is the case.
If your floor (usually a slab) is not suitable it can be covered, either with a new slab, or a raised timber floor. Again there are specific ways that this must be done to comply with the Australian Standards and the National Construction Code (NCC) which exists to make sure spaces where humans live are healthy. After all we don’t want mold or too much moisture making you sick.
Renting out an approved secondary dwelling can provide a steady source of additional income, helping to cover mortgage payments or other household expenses.
A secondary dwelling offers the perfect space for extended family, such as elderly parents or grown children, allowing them to live nearby while maintaining privacy and independence.
Adding a well-designed secondary dwelling can significantly increase your property’s market value, making it a wise investment for the future.
Beyond rental income and family use, a secondary dwelling can serve as a home office, art studio, or private retreat, offering versatile functionality that adapts to your changing needs.
Our process begins with a detailed consultation to understand your specific requirements and goals. During this phase, we assess your property to ensure compliance with local zoning laws and discuss design preferences and budget considerations.
Our experienced designers are available to create a plan that maximises space, efficiency and aesthetic appeal. We consider the style of your primary home to ensure that the granny flat or secondary dwelling complements it.
Longshaw Construction prides itself on using quality materials and skilled craftsmanship. Our construction process is transparent, with ongoing communication ensuring that every detail aligns with your vision.
Navigating the regulatory environment is crucial. We manage all aspects of compliance, from obtaining the necessary permits to ensuring that the build adheres to all local guidelines and regulations, including size limitations and setback requirements.
Maybe – provided it meets the necessary requirements like ceiling height and moisture barrier on the floor. Getting a professional opinion EARLY on is best.
This will depend on what it will be used for. A media room or teen retreat may be as big as the space is. In-Law-Accommodation will be limited to a specific size depending on where you are. Under the Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), the size limit of a granny flat or secondary dwelling can be up to 60 m2 in size or a higher limit if permitted by the local council’s DCP. Further information can also be found on the NSW Planning Portal.
Yes, converting a garage will require approval. The approval usually sought is for a Change Of Use. There are several approval pathways. You can either go through a Development Application (DA) process or, if your proposal meets specific criteria, you can seek approval through the Complying Development Certificate (CDC) process, which is usually faster. You can contact your local council, for details, however sometimes specific conditions like your Zoning or being on Septic will mean one approval pathway may be closed to you.
It is usually best to reach out to a professional who has experience and can give you some early advice before you get too far along this path.
The timeframe for approval can vary significantly. A Complying Development Certificate (CDC) can take as little as 10 days if all criteria are met, while a Development Application (DA) might take several months or more depending on the complexity of the project and specific council requirements.
A typical 6m X 7m garage conversion with new double glazed windows, a new ensuite, a new floor and good insulation (in 2025) costs about $95K-$110K WITHOUT the cost of approvals.
The costs for approval can vary depending on the zoning of your block, whether its affected by any Heritage, Bush Fire, drainage or other issues. An Approval submission would need to have specialist reports to support the change of use complexity of the project and specific council requirements.
One client faced $21,785 in Fees to get the Documentation ready PLUS $3000 odd for the actual DA and Certifier costs. This block needed reports on Bush Fire, Tree Preservation, Water Quality, Storm Water containment and Septic capacity so it was a bit of an extreme case but it meant the project was outside of the client’s budget.
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