ᐅ Ideas for Building an Extension Above the Garage to Create Additional Living Space

hegi___ schrieb:

First of all, thanks for the input.

Is this what you meant?

Yes, they would be staggered.

Yes, that’s what I meant.

But the structural issue still remains.

Does the building permit / planning permission allow such a large dormer?

Extending the roof has the same structural issue.

If the extension rests on both garage walls, there should be no structural issues.

I don’t think a dormer makes much sense due to the low ceiling height. There is no building permit / planning permission.

hegi___ schrieb:

A dormer would theoretically be possible, although the staircase would then have to fit into the walk-in closet.

No, it would be in the open space above the old staircase…

hegi___ schrieb:

What do you think about that?

Nothing…

Why do you need additional space? Why is an extension on the ground floor not an option?

Smarti99 schrieb:

If the extension rests on both garage walls, there should be no structural issues.

However, the extension does not rest on both walls, since a 3m (10 feet) distance from the property boundary must be maintained. Additionally, there is the wall above the garage door. This is really not easy.

ypg schrieb:

No, it would be in the space above the old staircase...

Nothing...

Why do you need more space? Why isn’t an extension on the ground floor an option?

I don’t want to lose that open space.
We need a larger office.
I don’t see many options on the ground floor. Sacrificing the garage is also not good because the entrance to it is at the front gate. That would mean no proper access.

hanghaus2023 schrieb:

But the extension doesn’t rest on both walls since a 3-meter (10-foot) distance from the boundary must be maintained. Besides, there’s still the wall above the gate. It’s really not easy.

But it rests on three walls, so that should be enough.

It’s all somewhat far from ideal.
If necessary, we will have to build new, on another plot. But we actually wanted to wait until the kids have moved out and then build smaller accordingly.

hegi___ schrieb:

I don’t see much possibility on the ground floor.

Why not? You have windows facing outside… others might add a conservatory at the back. Similarly, you could build a second office.

hegi___ schrieb:

I don’t want to sacrifice the open space.

Neither would you, that stays—just with stairs.

hegi___ schrieb:

Giving up the garage is also a bad idea because the entrance to it is at the front gate.

That was only suggested at first by someone inexperienced… it was never meant as serious advice.

hegi___ schrieb:

Somehow it’s all not ideal.

Well, just for a "larger" office… Is it about storage space for file folders, a bigger or second desk? I would start by addressing and optimizing that before taking drastic measures.
For example, you could add a bay window to the existing office. That would gain you 4–6 sqm (43–65 sq ft). The bay window could extend forward, to the side, or both.
Or add an extension that protrudes into the front garden? That would also add some visual interest to the facade.

If the open space is that sacred, then the need is not high but more of a desire. If necessary, you could place a garden shed or, even better, a mobile home in the garden. New caravans are available from €12,000 with gas or electric heating; an older mobile home might cost around €30,000…
That has more charm than spending €50,000 on an ugly extension that hardly adds value beyond a small extra room plus access (or rather, minus, since the dressing room is lost) plus extensive construction work where the costs are basically wasted rather than invested.