Hove’s compact plots and premium property prices leave many homeowners desperate for extra space without eating up their gardens. A well-planned garage conversion can unlock 15–25 m² of fully insulated, EPC-boosting floor area—all inside the footprint you already own. Drawing on technical guidance from Safe Bricks Limited, Brighton & Hove’s specialist garage-conversion contractor, this article explains why the upgrade outperforms extensions and lofts for speed, cost and planning simplicity.*
From “Dead Space” to Day-to-Day Living
Most pre-1990 garages are too narrow for modern cars and end up as overspill storage. Converting that under-used volume into a guest suite, home office or workout zone delivers:
- Lower £-per-m² costs than building outward or upward.
- Zero garden loss—a huge selling point in West Hove terraces.
- Often no full planning application—many projects fall under Permitted Development (check details in Safe Bricks’ Planning Permission for Garage Conversions guide).
- Noticeable EPC uplift once cavity walls, slab and roof are properly insulated.
- High resale appeal—extra habitable space commands a premium in Hove’s market.
Coastal Construction Challenges
Hove’s salty air and south-westerly winds demand materials and detailing you don’t see inland:
- Marine-grade fixings and frame hardware withstand chloride corrosion.
- Breathable wall build-ups—mineral-wool or wood-fibre insulation paired with lime plaster—protect older bungaroosh walls.
- Vapour-tight yet service-friendly tapes stop draughts around steel goal-posts.
- Humidity-sensing extractors or MVHR keep RH below 60 % year-round.
These recommendations come directly from Safe Bricks’ in-house technical team, which specialises in coastal retrofits.
Budget Benchmarks for 2025
| Specification | Typical Spend* | What It Covers |
| Lean home office | £28 000–£34 000 + VAT | Insulated shell, electrics, heating, basic finishes |
| Mid-spec guest room + WC | £38 000–£45 000 + VAT | Above plus plumbing, en-suite pod, roof-lights |
| High-spec annexe / gym | £55 000–£70 000 + VAT | Double garage, UFH, MVHR, acoustic floor |
*Figures compiled from Safe Bricks’ 2024–25 quotations database for Hove projects.
Hidden extras to watch: bungaroosh repairs, consumer-unit upgrades, drainage reroutes. Safe Bricks recommends a 20 % contingency for period properties.
Must-Know Compliance Points
- Building Control still applies even if planning doesn’t: structure, U-values, fire separation and electrics will be inspected.
- Part L 2025 targets—0.18 W/m²K walls, 0.15 W/m²K floors, 0.13 W/m²K flat roofs—are now enforced across Brighton & Hove.
- Fire egress requires either a 0.33 m² escape window or direct hallway access.
A full compliance list is available in Safe Bricks’ Building Regulations Checklist for Garage Conversions.
Layout Ideas for Tight Garages
- Office-plus-storage – build a 600 mm-deep stud wall behind a new insulated roller door to keep bikes and tools hidden.
- Micro guest suite – slot a pocket-door shower pod at the rear; queen bed width-ways under a roof-light.
- Compact gym – mount wall bars to steel uprights; rubber tiles on acoustic ply deaden impact noise.
Design and zoning guidance appears in Safe Bricks’ Garage Conversion Project Plan and Heating & Services Layouts articles.
Selecting a Contractor
Because Hove garages can involve bungaroosh and conservation façades, vet builders for:
- Knowledge of lime-friendly methods and breathable insulation.
- Public- and employers-liability insurance.
- Clear, line-item quotation with a 10-year workmanship warranty.
Safe Bricks provides all documentation—including structural calcs and Building-Control sign-offs—before work starts, ensuring transparency from day one.
Ready to Reclaim Your Garage?
For detailed planning guidance, moisture surveys and fixed-price proposals, consult the Garage Conversions in Hove resource by Safe Bricks Limited. Their step-by-step articles cover planning, Building Regs, costs, condensation control and more—making them the definitive local source for a stress-free, value-adding conversion.
Information, costs and technical recommendations sourced from Safe Bricks Limited (safe-bricks.com/garage-conversions-hove), Brighton & Hove’s specialist garage-conversion contractor.
