Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa June 2013 | Page 41

RESIDENTIAL
while maintaining the original garage look
on the exterior. Another approach is to have
large windows or doors fill the opening. Large
folding glass doors are a great option if they fit
the overall aesthetics of the exterior. What you
choose will all depend on the amount of space
you have to work with and your budget, so talk
to a professional and get their input on what
type of doors and windows will work best and
what they will cost.

Finishing touches

Pipes and plumbing

If you outsource the construction and building
work, make sure you use a professional, there
are two associations that offer protection to you
the consumer should you feel your contractor
has ripped you off.

Adding a kitchen or a bathroom to a conversion
can be tricky, as you need to tie them into the
existing plumbing lines. An electrician will
need to be called in to wire for additional
lighting and electrical outlets, especially where
appliances will be introduced into the space.
Water supply will need to be added so that a
bathroom or kitchen area can be created. The
number of necessary lines will also depend
greatly on what additional appliances that use
water will be installed. That being said it will
greatly up the price of your garage conversion
but in the long run it will add value to your
property if and when you decide to sell. Along
with pipes and plumbing comes rewiring so that
you have electricity and light fixtures, this must
be done by a qualified electrician, as incorrect
light fixtures can cause electrical fires.

Hitting the right height

to installing a concrete, ‘topping slab’ over the
existing floor is that a radiant heating system
can be installed within the concrete.

The type of framing used at the garage roof
will dictate what can be done economically,
but if you can, increasing the height of the
ceiling will add to the room’s spaciousness.
If the garage has a pitched roof, it may be
possible to alter this and create a vaulted
ceiling, insulating the roof between the rafters.
If the roof is flat, or forms the ceiling of a room
above, it may have to be removed and raised up
to create the necessary headroom.

Where is the door?

Running hot and cold

When you convert a garage into a living space,
there is always the issue of what to do with the
garage door opening? Because this opening
and the garage doors have a large impact on
the overall look of the new living space it
makes sense to think of something timeless
and elegant, like sliding glass doors or French
doors. You can even opt for a solid wood door
and use the extra space for large windows. You
could also do standard carriage-style doors;
they can be a featured element on the interior,

Temperature control is very important, your new
living space may need to be heated or cooled, and
will need insulation. Depending on the size of
the area and its location, you may not be able to
use existing ‘central’ heating and cooling system.
Mini split systems can be a great alternative
if this is the case. Hand in hand with this is
insulation and dry wall, insulation needs to be
installed in the roof area, and depending on how
finished the walls are, you will need to insulate
and dry wall and damp proof the walls.

www.reimag.co.za

Now comes the fun part it’s time to get covered
in paint! If the walls are roughed, brush on
stucco compound and use a nap roller to make
a raised design on the surface. If the walls
are smooth, then you have a wide range of
possibilities you can explore with colour and
design. One neat trick for your new granny flat
is to paint the window frames a different colour,
as this will make them stand out.

National Home Builders Registration
Council
By law, all homebuilders have to be registered
with the council, and have to comply with its
building quality standards. Check the website
to see if your builder is registered, or whether he
has been suspended or deregistered.
There is also a warranty scheme in place, which
covers “major structural defects” caused by poor
workmanship. Noncompliance and deviation
from plans and specifications are also covered.
The council has offices in all provinces. You
can lodge a complaint via the council’s website,
www.nhbrc.org or call the tollfree number:
0860 200 824.

Master Builders Association
The association offers a range of services to
the public, either free or for a reduced fee.
If you feel a builder has provided you with
unsatisfactory workmanship, the association
offers advice, inspections and mediation. The
website, www.mbsa.org.za carries impartial
contractual documents, as well as details for
provincial and regional partners, some of
which carry member directories.
Once your conversion is complete you will have
added value to your property and have another
room or separate granny flat, either for personal
use or profit.

RESOURCES
South Africa Info

June 2013 SA Real Estate Investor

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