Shop Conversions

Shop conversions are on the increase because shop owners are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with large shopping malls and national retailers so many shop keepers are selling up. This gives way for shop conversions where you convert a shop to a home.

You might think that shops make difficult conversions but this if far from the truth. If the building is in good condition there should be very few problems. Most shop buildings already have existing living accommodation such as a flat above the shop, however it might need modernizing and then designed in such a way that it flows with the old shop downstairs.

One point to remember is that you don't want to convert a shop into a house if it is in the middle of a row of shops, even if they are all up for sale. You can't be sure that they will be also converted into shops, and living in a row of shops will be noisy.

With converting a shop to a home you may have the ability to:

• Add an extra floor
• Add a mezzanine level
• Use the basement as a games room or bedrooms

Problems with converting a shop to a home include:

• The large window at the front may not be allowed to be altered so a good idea is to use opaque glazing and or don't use the room as a living room
• You may be on a busy road which gives off noise pollution and no privacy
• Make sure you are able to convert the shop into a home by contacting the planning permission office

Below are two pictues (before and after) of the back of a shop that have renovated.

For some picures of some Shop-Front Conversions
Visit our Case Studies page for more pictures.

For professional help in any area of shop conversion contact ARCH Building Solutions today there here to help you.