With mortgage rates staying stubbornly high and house prices slipping further, UK families are increasingly choosing to improve the homes they already have rather than face the financial and practical pressures of moving.
According to the latest figures from Rightmove, November saw the sharpest decline in over a decade, with the average asking price dropping 1.8% in just one month. More than a third of sellers have reduced their prices to attract buyers.
In this environment of uncertainty, many homeowners are exploring creative ways to expand their living space—placing garage conversions high on the list of preferred solutions.
Pro Assist Property Services, a specialist provider of garage conversion work, has reported a notable spike in demand, as people look to repurpose their garages into usable rooms.
“Most people don’t even use their garages for parking anymore,” said Asa Herbert of Pro Assist Property Services. “Now, that space is being turned into something useful, a home office, a gym, or an extra bedroom.”
The company says that many conversion projects now start from around £10,000 and can be completed in as little as two weeks.
Pro Assist also highlights that homeowners can achieve a value uplift of up to 10% with a well-designed conversion, especially in areas where on-street parking is plentiful. Although the trend initially grew during the pandemic, the types of spaces people now want have evolved.
“Now, people want extra bedrooms, annexes, or a quiet space for relatives,” said Herbert. “A garage conversion is one of the easiest ways to get that room without moving, and in most cases, you don’t even need planning permission.”
However, professionals caution homeowners to proceed with proper planning. Because garages were not originally built to be lived in, poor insulation, ventilation or waterproofing can create issues with cold or damp. “A proper survey and professional contractor make all the difference,” Herbert added.