ᐅ Does this renovation count as new construction?

Hello everyone,

I am currently considering converting a vehicle garage (hall) into a residential building. The existing roof structure is to be removed, and a wooden frame extension will be built on top. A company that specializes in this type of project has already inspected the site.

The technician mentioned that the project will be classified as new construction. This surprises me somewhat, since the original foundation walls of the garage will remain and will partly be used as living space in the future.

Now I am wondering from when a conversion is legally considered new construction?
What are the advantages and disadvantages depending on whether it is classified as a conversion or new construction? I assume that the legal requirements for new construction are much stricter. How do energy efficiency grants compare between existing buildings and renovations?

What conditions must be met for the project to be classified as a conversion?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

Well, you are already adding a new floor on top (an extension). For that, you will definitely need a building permit / planning permission! Furthermore, you are also changing the use of the building; is there approval for that? Do you have an architect and a structural engineer to plan it? People often say you are just "renovating" – but without permission, that won’t be possible.

If you move a wall inside the building or change the floor plan, then that is considered a renovation.

Hello nordanney

I understand that a building permit is required. I am also fully aware that the type of use must be approved.
I assumed that a permit is also needed for a renovation.

You are creating a residential building where there was none before.
This means you have to build according to the energy saving regulations.

__Markus__ schrieb:

What advantages and disadvantages can I expect depending on whether it is a renovation or a new build?

The energy saving regulations must always be observed. Whether Section 9 paragraph 1, Section 9 paragraph 4, Section 9 paragraph 5, or Section 3 of the energy saving regulations apply to your project cannot always be answered easily or generally for existing building renovations. It depends on the specific case and your planner needs to determine this.

What you are planning is a change of use, which generally requires a building permit / planning permission. The applicable current building and planning regulations, as well as other legal requirements such as the energy saving ordinance, must be followed. Renovations are only exempt from building permit requirements if they involve minor interventions in the existing structural stability, for example, when creating door and window openings that can be covered with standard lintels. Depending on the existing situation, however, a window or door opening wider than 1 meter (3 feet) already requires a structural engineer’s assessment (lintel design / load transfer, etc.).

In your case, I strongly recommend working with an architect from the beginning, who will first clarify and assess the building and planning regulations and realistically show you what options you really have in your situation. For example, if the coach house is located on the property boundary, setback requirements from the neighbor may be triggered, as well as specific fire safety considerations concerning the so-called "party wall."

Most likely, the architect will initially need to submit a preliminary building inquiry to determine the fundamental feasibility of your construction project.