DB1981

Thanks all. Joe90, thanks for the link. Yes, I definitely wouldn’t say it would be classed as a permanent residence! Even if I put a settee and TV in there, it would never have a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom... I just wasn’t sure of splitting the garage with a stud wall and insulating the office part of there were then regulations because of fire risk or something else from the remaining garage, although I suppose there has to be common sense limits, as it’s only a small space I guess, but difficult to find a 100% definitive answer, although logically it makes sense that it shouldn’t as no one would ever live in there ... just didn’t want issues when selling if I said there was an office detached from the house as part of a conversion that’s all

Saying that if that’s the case suppose simple solution is to get the electrician to put a plug back on it and take it out the fused spur in the wall if that creates an issue!?

That’s Mr Punter. just to muddy the waters a little then... I have had an electrician for an electric heater to the wall already and this was wired into a fused spur. its a 1500kw wall mounted heater and he also added a couple of sockets and then gave a part P certificate (if it would be needed) which automatically notifies building regs. does this heater mean that I’ve got to have building regs? I thought it was just a safe and neat way to do it as cable goes behind wall so no permanent plug. But if this now means I’ve got to get building regs because of that then I’ve shot myself in the foot and best putting it back by sounds of it, unless Part P means it’s been checked and ok?

Hi All, I was hoping someone knowledgeable could assist me with a question of building regs and whether it applies to a conversion I want to do? we have a 6mx6m detached garage (about 3m from the house?) I want to convert the back half of the garage into an office (so the front half with two garage doors remain a garage, the back half of the garage becomes an office) this will be a stud wall down the middle of the garage that will give a floor space of 16m2 as the office. I always assumed that as the garage was over 30m2 (36m2 in total) that as it was over 30m2 I needed building regs. I have just been told by someone who apparently has spoken to someone at building control who they know that they’ve said that as the part in converting is under 30m2 and won’t have a bed in then it’s exempt from building regs. I am therefore confused. I guess contacting my local council will be the definitive answer but before I do that I just wondered if anyone knew if the above was correct and it’s whether the part you’re developing is Over 30m2 that requires building regs, rather than the size of the garage itself. It will be used as a full time office for myself (to get me out the house for peace and quiet from the kids when not at school!). Will never be used as a bedroom etc, but just want to ensure that when I come to sell in years to come there’s no issues with it being classed as an office when selling (may want to put a settee and TV in longer term for a ‘man cave’ type of thing, but that’s about it and it’s purpose would remain an office primarily) Thanks in advance chris