Does removing a garage devalue your house?

Depending on your setup, removing your garage could help you to gain extra living space, increase the size of your garden or even let more light into the home. But does removing a garage devalue your house?

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Garages are sought after by homebuyers. They can be great for storage, help you to keep your car safe and even lower your car insurance premiums. But depending on your setup, removing your garage could also help you to gain other benefits – whether that’s to do with increasing the size of your garden or gaining more living space.

If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of removing your garage, you’re probably mulling over one very important question: does removing a garage devalue your house? Here’s the lowdown.

Does removing a garage devalue your house?

There’s no simple answer as to whether or not removing a garage could reduce your property’s value. While it could devalue your house, it will also depend on what you choose to replace your garage with.

If, for instance, you remove your garage in order to add another bedroom to your home, you’ll usually end up increasing the value of your house. In fact, converting your garage into a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom could add around 20% to the value of your home (check out our guide on how much value a garage conversion can add to learn more).

Converting your garage into a home office or playroom could also be sensible, typically adding around 10% to your property’s value. However, it’s important to do extensive research before opting for a garage conversion, as some kinds won’t have much of an impact on the value of your home, and some could even lower it.

Ultimately, it’s important to note that many homebuyers will only consider houses that have a garage. So, even if removing your garage doesn’t affect your home’s value, it will certainly reduce your pool of potential buyers when you eventually come to sell your property.

Should I remove my garage?

We know what you’re thinking: that’s all very well, but should I actually go ahead and remove my garage? To help you decide, here are some questions to ask yourself:

What condition is your garage in? If your garage is an eyesore that’s riddled with asbestos, it might not be contributing much to your home’s value. In fact, if it’s a real monstrosity, it could even be detracting from it as homebuyers may see it as an expensive problem they’ll need to solve
What problems is your garage causing? If your garage is causing issues, such as taking up your entire garden or blocking all the light in your home, it could indirectly be making your home less appealing to potential buyers
Do other homes in your area have garages? If other similar homes in your area have garages, this may be something that homebuyers will expect from yours. If they don’t, your garage might be less of a dealbreaker – although keeping it could also help your property to stand out from the crowd
What will you gain in place of your garage? It’s important to consider whether you stand to gain more than you lose by removing your garage. If you’re planning on converting your garage into an extra bedroom, you could actually increase the value of your home. However, if you’re just planning on enjoying a larger garden, you may well reduce your home’s value
How long are you planning on living in your home? Remember that your home is your space and needs to work for you. If you’re only planning on living there for a few years, you might want to prioritise resale, but if you’re planning on staying there long-term, you might prefer to prioritise your own needs

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong. The impact that removing your garage could have on your home’s value will depend on a number of factors, including where you live, the size of your home, the condition of your garage and (most importantly!) what you plan on replacing your garage with.

It’s also worth taking a look at the price of properties on the market in your area – with and without garages – before making a decision. That way, you can gain a better understanding of how removing your garage might affect your home’s value.

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How much does removing a garage cost?

The typical garage demolition cost comes in at around £2,000. On the other hand, if you choose to keep your garage’s structure and instead turn it into an extra living space, you can expect to spend anywhere from £10,000 - £20,000. Your exact garage conversion cost will depend on its design, the quality of the materials used and the price of labour in your area.

Generally speaking, a garage conversion is a cost-effective way of adding extra living space to your home. It’s more affordable than a full extension and less prone to planning complications. Just make sure that the cost of your garage conversion is lower than the amount of value it adds to your home. That way, you can make sure that you make a profit overall and avoid devaluing your house.

Key takeaways

Whether or not removing your garage devalues your house will depend on what you choose to replace it with
Many homebuyers will only consider properties that have garages
Replacing your garage with an additional bedroom could increase the value of your home

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