[Tengocity]

Anyone done this? Was it a lot of hassle?

We are buying a house with a double garage but with two single doors. I'd need to fold my mirrors just to get my car in and putting two cars in is just never going to happen, so id rather make it a very spacious garage to put one car in to and leave lots of room for bikes, wheels, car parts etc. Parking the car centrally would leave a nice space to work on it in bad weather and get all the doors open for example.

So I'm guessing there would need to be some work on the structure if taking away the support in between the doors, perhaps fitting a stronger lintel?

I know absolutely bugger all about building so just looking to understand how feasible it is.

Thanks!

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Anyone done this? Was it a lot of hassle?

We are buying a house with a double garage but with two single doors. I'd need to fold my mirrors just to get my car in and putting two cars in is just never going to happen, so id rather make it a very spacious garage to put one car in to and leave lots of room for bikes, wheels, car parts etc. Parking the car centrally would leave a nice space to work on it in bad weather and get all the doors open for example.

So I'm guessing there would need to be some work on the structure if taking away the support in between the doors, perhaps fitting a stronger lintel?

I know absolutely bugger all about building so just looking to understand how feasible it is.

Thanks!

It is easily done there are a few companies out there that will do it for you in a day or two, yes you will need a steel or concrete lintel put in but it is not a big job.

[robbiep]

Yes, as said. It's not hugely complex, but does need to be done right.

[Kal101]

As above can be done using an appropriate lintel. Just make sure they support the garage roof etc whilst removing the central pillar !!!

You might want to consider concertina style doors dependant on the actual width of a single garage door

[Tengocity]

Thanks guys, sounds like it's pretty straightforward if you choose the right company then. Anybody have any idea how much it would cost roughly?

I know pretty much exactly which door I'd go for- a Hormann or Secureoglide sectional roller. Very secure and well insulated.

[JustChris]

Know exactly where you are coming from with this, I'd 100% be doing it, just better access, singke width garage doors are so tight!

Supporting RSJ for the span increase and central pillar out of course. Size of the double might be custom unless you shorten a bit.

Is this at the new pad, settling well?

[Mark1966]

I would think £2 to 3 grand should cover it depending on the door

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by MCarChris

Know exactly where you are coming from with this, I'd 100% be doing it, just better access, singke width garage doors are so tight!

Supporting RSJ for the span increase and central pillar out of course. Size of the double might be custom unless you shorten a bit.

Is this at the new pad, settling well?

The house move is fecking nightmare! Our original buyers pulled out and we've got new ones but the chain is moving very slowly. Slow to the point where Redrow (developer we were buying from) started upping the pressure and throwing around deadlines and threats of pulling out. Eventually they decided to remarket the property we were going to buy but not pull out. There's noting we can do to speed up other parties, So me and the wife considered our contingency options and ended up finding a better house! So, looking forward to telling Redrow we are pulling out on Monday.
The irony is that it's their own fault as we o it found the other house as I'd set up an alert on Rightmove to tell me when they remarketed ours, but the search criteria highlighted another house to us instead.
So, anyway, we are playing catch up on the chain but it's a better way round to be when buying a new build.
The one disadvantage of the new house is that the garage isn't as good, but I'd never planned to keep two cars in the garage, just really liked that the Redrow house had one double sized door rather than two singles. Good to know its not something I can't sort.

[Rbrown]

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do. Hang in there...it will be worth it in the end.

As others have said, garage can be changed. But get it done properly to ensure taking out the supporting wall between the current 2 doors doesn't warp the whole structure. I saw people so it in a new build estate and things went badly wrong.

Is it too late to get the builders to change it now?

Good luck!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Moving house is one of the most stressful things you can do. Hang in there...it will be worth it in the end.

As others have said, garage can be changed. But get it done properly to ensure taking out the supporting wall between the current 2 doors doesn't warp the whole structure. I saw people so it in a new build estate and things went badly wrong.

Is it too late to get the builders to change it now?

Good luck!

Thanks, yes the stress is crazy, especially when you constantly have developers and estate agents to deal with.

The house we've decided to buy instead is already completed so only option will be to get it done ourselves. It will be a project for later in the year or even next year I expect, apparently carpets and the inside of the house are more important

[DougMcL]

Just having a sectional Hormann door put in in Anthracite M rib. 9' wide 7' high with a supramatic opener. £1600. This website lets you price the door..

http://www.thegaragedoorking.co.uk/a...rain_40mm.html

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Thanks, yes the stress is crazy, especially when you constantly have developers and estate agents to deal with.

The house we've decided to buy instead is already completed so only option will be to get it done ourselves. It will be a project for later in the year or even next year I expect, apparently carpets and the inside of the house are more important

Carpets and soft furnishings are overrated!

Just remember that for some new builds you will also need to add turf, garden fencing, curtain poles, curtains, light fittings etc etc.

Oooops...that may have just pushed the garage conversion back again!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

Carpets and soft furnishings are overrated!

Just remember that for some new builds you will also need to add turf, garden fencing, curtain poles, curtains, light fittings etc etc.

Oooops...that may have just pushed the garage conversion back again!

The spec on this place is pretty decent so basic garden is all done- turf, patio area, shed, external tap. So it's flooring, window coverings that are the main thing. But since we are moving from a 2 bed to a house with over double the interior space we've quite a bit of furniture to buy in general. But between that and my new company motor delayed till November it looks like my weekend car is going to have to wait till after that :

[Notechy]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Thanks, yes the stress is crazy, especially when you constantly have developers and estate agents to deal with.

The house we've decided to buy instead is already completed so only option will be to get it done ourselves. It will be a project for later in the year or even next year I expect, apparently carpets and the inside of the house are more important

Why leave out solicitors? When I sold my mother's flat they were the problem - ignored our clear statements of requirement between exchange and completion and all in short chain seemed utterly unproactive (pardon the word) about maintaining progress. It was mega stressful even though we were not involved in any physical move.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Notechy

Why leave out solicitors? When I sold my mother's flat they were the problem - ignored our clear statements of requirement between exchange and completion and all in short chain seemed utterly unproactive (pardon the word) about maintaining progress. It was mega stressful even though we were not involved in any physical move.

Yes, solicitors can be a total nightmare but ours has been brilliant so far. Great communication, listens to what you're saying and asking, very proactive too. We have had issues with our buyers solicitor, but that's not who I've had to deal with directly.
The real issue has been the developer we were going to buy from and their expectation on timelines v what's realistic in a slow chain, that's slow due to indecisive people and poor solicitors.

[isleaiw]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Yes, solicitors can be a total nightmare but ours has been brilliant so far. Great communication, listens to what you're saying and asking, very proactive too. We have had issues with our buyers solicitor, but that's not who I've had to deal with directly.
The real issue has been the developer we were going to buy from and their expectation on timelines v what's realistic in a slow chain, that's slow due to indecisive people and poor solicitors.

Be good to get a recommendation on solicitors as I have to buy a house and know nothing about firms in the locality (we are in Hemel). I do know prices down here are ridiculous though. And you have just reminded me to get the builders to put one single door rather than two separate ones!

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by isleaiw

Be good to get a recommendation on solicitors as I have to buy a house and know nothing about firms in the locality (we are in Hemel). I do know prices down here are ridiculous though. And you have just reminded me to get the builders to put one single door rather than two separate ones!

No problems, have sent you PM.

[Danny Fireblade]

Don't scrimp and save on interior items like floors, but the very best as it will always bug you if you don't.
I've just had a seceuroglide put in ourselves, really good door, as is the hormann, which I really wanted but was a pain trying to find a decent company to fit it.
Enjoy your new place when you get in, and get some slippers, that way you won't need carpets:-)

[NorthEastX5]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Thanks guys, sounds like it's pretty straightforward if you choose the right company then. Anybody have any idea how much it would cost roughly?

I know pretty much exactly which door I'd go for- a Hormann or Secureoglide sectional roller. Very secure and well insulated.

we have a sectional securoglide door (insulated) over the normal 2.5+m double garage opening. cost £2400 (inc the optional glazing panels across top) from memory with a "Somfy" motor. Touch wood so far been faultless. very happy with it.

[McBride]

I know this Is nothing to do with the original thread, however if I were you, Assuning your new house is also a new build, I would go over that house in every minute detail before taking the keys.
It is commonly accepted in the residential building trade that houses due for completion around April (end of year) are rushed to the point where there wil be endless problems. If a developer has any chance of getting a build completed before end of quarter, drying times etc go out the window.

[isleaiw]

Originally Posted by McBride

I know this Is nothing to do with the original thread, however if I were you, Assuning your new house is also a new build, I would go over that house in every minute detail before taking the keys.
It is commonly accepted in the residential building trade that houses due for completion around April (end of year) are rushed to the point where there wil be endless problems. If a developer has any chance of getting a build completed before end of quarter, drying times etc go out the window.

My last new house was completed and we moved in end Sept. All of our neighbours moved in Xmas week. There were no real issues for any of us beyond the snagging you would expect in any new build.

I know it can happen but I think to say "the will be endless problems" is a bit exaggerated - it can and does happen but its not compulsory!

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by isleaiw

Be good to get a recommendation on solicitors as I have to buy a house and know nothing about firms in the locality (we are in Hemel). I do know prices down here are ridiculous though. And you have just reminded me to get the builders to put one single door rather than two separate ones!

In all seriousness, a good conveyancing solicitor could be in an office in Cornwall and dealing with properties all over the country. You don't need to go local at all.

I've (professionally and personally) used the same person, at the same firm, for conveyancing for 20+ years. Have recommended him to friends, who've recommended him to family / friends, etc. He's in Wrexham, and did one job last year down in Essex for a friend's sister. She contacted him again a few weeks ago, asking if she could pass his details on to someone else down there, because it seems the local ones are all useless.