• 1980s detached house in Surrey
• Integral single garage
• Not in a Conservation Area
• No Article 4 Directions
• Not a Listed Building

Sarah wanted to convert her underused garage into a home office. The conversion would involve:

• Replacing the garage door with a window and brick infill
• Adding insulation to walls and floor
• Installing heating and electrical circuits
• Adding internal partition for storage

Using PRAITE, Sarah confirmed her conversion qualified as permitted development because:

• The external changes didn't exceed the limits for alterations
• The garage was integral to the house (not a separate outbuilding)
• The new window matched the existing house style
• No new floor space was being created outside the existing footprint

**Important Note:** While planning permission wasn't needed, Building Regulations approval was still required.

Sarah's conversion needed to meet Building Regulations for:

• **Thermal insulation:** Walls, floor, and ceiling needed insulation to meet current standards
• **Ventilation:** Adequate ventilation was required for the new room
• **Fire safety:** Fire detection and escape routes were checked
• **Electrical:** All electrical work needed to comply with Part P
• **Structural:** The floor needed upgrading to support office use

**Damp Issues** The surveyor discovered rising damp that needed treating before conversion. This added £800 to the project but was essential for the new room.

**Heating** Sarah initially planned to use electric heaters, but opted to extend the central heating system. This added £1,200 but improved the room's usability.

**Window Placement** The original plan had windows facing the front, but Building Regulations required minimum light levels. Sarah added a roof window to meet these requirements.

The Building Control officer made three site visits:

1. Foundation and damp proof course check 2. First fix (electrical, heating, insulation) 3. Final completion inspection

All inspections passed first time thanks to choosing an experienced contractor.

**Space Created:** 16m² home office **Total Cost:** £16,200 (including the extra heating and damp work) **Time Saved:** Approximately 3-6 months compared to applying for planning permission **Money Saved:** £258 planning application fee, plus potential architect fees

**Sarah's Verdict:** "Using PRAITE gave me confidence that I could proceed without planning permission. The conversion has been fantastic – I now have a proper office space that's added real value to my home."

1. **Check permitted development status early** – it can save time and money 2. **Building Regulations always apply** – even when planning permission isn't needed 3. **Budget for unexpected issues** – Sarah's 20% contingency covered the damp work 4. **Choose experienced contractors** – they understand building regulations 5. **Consider future needs** – the heating upgrade cost more but improved long-term usability