How to spot Asbestos in your Garage Roof
If you believe that your garage roof contains asbestos – please get in touch with us to arrange its safe removal.
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A property in the North West costs on average £231,032, and with research suggesting that a garage can constitute up to 5% of the value of a property, that equates to a whopping £11,551. It is therefore without question that a new and high quality garage is one of the best ways to add to and maximise the value of your home.
A new garage is a value-add for potential buyers, reducing any hassle involved in the sale by purchasing a home with a garage that is ready to go. Whether it be for parking, electric vehicle charging, additional storage space, a home-gym, workshop or any number of potential uses for a garage, a new garage can undoubtedly add value to your property. Let’s explore why below.
Research suggests that a garage can add as much as 5% to the value of a property, and you’ll maximise that amount by having a high-quality garage, flexible in how it can be used. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the ways you can best make use of your garage space at home!
Secure parking for your vehicles
One of the most common use-cases for a garage is for somewhere to park a vehicle. Not only can a garage provide additional parking, but it also ensures greater safety for your vehicle, something which has become of increasing importance given the rise in motor theft in recent years.
In 2021, almost 48,500 vehicles were recorded by the police as stolen, an increase from 46,800 in 2020. That’s more than 900 vehicles stolen every week. Amongst the most targeted victims were the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Golf, however criminals also target high-end luxury vehicles such as Range Rover, BMW and Mercedez Benz.
Perpetrators use keyless technology in order to infiltrate the car’s locking system in order to gain access, therefore a new and secure garage provides an additional and dependable line of defence in protecting against car theft.
Furthermore, the global shortage in parts required for new car manufacturing has caused a surge for demand in the second-hand car market, which unfortunately means criminals are eyeing up potential car targets more than ever. There’s never been a better time to get a new garage to protect your car, and who knows, it may even prove to be a cost effective investment in the unfortunate event that your car was stolen.
Electric vehicle charging
Electric vehicles have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, driven by adoration for new and sleek designers such as Tesla, and an increasing awareness in the general public of environmental issues caused by vehicles with combustion engines. Sales of electric vehicles increased by 186% in 2020 alone.
What’s more, the need for a transition to net-zero and subsequent introduction of stringent environmental regulations has meant that governments are providing incentives for EV ownership, so this trend should only continue. Despite the rollout of an EV charging network across the UK, one of the greatest barriers for EV ownership is having somewhere to charge it at home.
A new garage is a one-stop shop for safely parking and charging your vehicle. Besides, you’ll have exclusive use of your charging station, and there’s no need to sit outside a random charging station for 20 minutes; just plug your car in and go relax in the comfort of your own home.
General purpose storage
According to Halifax, house prices increased by 12% in 2021 in the North West, which is even more than the national average of 10%. With exponential house price rises and average house prices in England now at record levels, you’ll no doubt want to get as much out of your property as you can. In the post covid-era, this might look like using the spare bedroom as your new office, or converting the basement into a games room for the kids.
This means offshoring all of your hoarded goods and christmas decs out of the house to free up valuable space. If you live in a relatively crime-free area and don’t have a Tesla Model 3 to charge, garages still remain fantastic spaces to store all manner of things – paint, gardening equipment, and your husband’s DIY tools that he all too often forgets how to use.
If, like me, you’re a bit OCD when it comes to your storage, there’s a multitude of things you can do to keep your garage storage space in order. This may include building garage cabinets, installing wall organisers and you might even go all-out and designate a section for each member of the family. Keeping your garage organised will keep your goods protected, clean, and eliminate the possibility of tearing your hair out trying to find the de-icer before work, and let’s face it, who doesn’t want that.
If you’re currently in the process of trying to sell your home or will be looking to in the near to medium term future, having a new or refurbished garage will definitely provide a boost to the sale. If your garage is old and in need of some work, this is likely to create friction in the sale process and drive the value of your property down, as it plays into the negotiating hand of the buyer.
Refurbishing your garage, building a new one in place of the old, or building a new garage where one didn’t exist before, will maximise the value of your property. Doing so can add value to your property over and above the economical cost of doing so, because additional factors come into play such as ease, and buyer sentiment, ultimately making your property more appealing.
Before upgrading your garage or building a new one, it is important to consider factors such as how much on and off street parking is available, and the amount of storage space there is in your home. If there is a substantial lack of both, then proceeding with building a new garage will unquestionably add value to your property.
A garage isn’t just a place to store and charge your electric vehicle or store additional items, it also contributes massively to the aesthetic of your property. In the vast majority of cases, garages are front facing, meaning they are one of the first things you see when you or your guests arrive at your property. Not only this – whether you like it or not, the visual appearance of your garage serves as an indicator for the level of care you have maintained at your property. Subsequently, the appearance of your garage matters undeniably – the visual representation of your property will influence potential buyers perception of your home.
For a buyer, a new garage which is ready to use will protect them from additional expenses required over and above the purchase value of a home. Many buyers will walk away from home without a garage, because of the additional expense and effort required in building one after they have purchased the home, especially if they have little experience in mandating this type of work. It goes without saying that garages are a huge value-add and can definitely contribute to making the process of selling your house fast, efficient and hassle-free.
Conclusion
To summarise, refurbishing your garage or commissioning a new build is one of the best ways to add value to your property. Unfortunately, due to shortages in new vehicles, car theft is at unprecedented levels. A new, secure garage can provide an excellent additional level of protection from theft. Also, if you’re on the electric vehicle hype, a garage is without doubt the best place to charge your EV, providing exclusive charging point access in close proximity to your home. Storage is also an important factor, and a garage is a great place to store your extra stuff if you’re a bit of a hoarder or if you simply want to make best use of the space inside your home!
At VSF, we are the UK’s No.1 garage refurbishment specialists. We can undertake all forms of garage refurbishment, as well as asbestos garage roof replacements and new garage installations. For refurbishments, VSF can complete all work within 1 day without the need to clear your garage, all with industry leading warranty to give you additional protection.
Our wide range of roofs, windows and doors can provide a garage aesthetic that you’re proud of and breathe new life into your beloved home, with tailored designs and industry leading materials. We’ll also try and save you money if we can. Get in touch today to find out how VSF can service your garage needs!
If you believe that your garage roof contains asbestos – please get in touch with us to arrange its safe removal.
Concerned about asbestos in your commercial or residential roof? This article will tell you all you need to know from grants to processes.
Here’s a recent case study from one of customers where we refurbished their garage after removing the asbestos garage roof
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