IF YOU struggle to find a convenient place to park outside your home, or you want to protect the investment of a new car, constructing a garage or parking area in your garden may be a good investment.

Recent surveys show over half of property owners interviewed believed a garage is a necessity and a spot to park a car is top in the 10 most important things for home buyers. At the same time, those selling a home see this as key to a successful sale.

In most cases, the financial benefits really do outweigh the cost of the construction, not to mention making life more convenient and maybe saving on car insurance.

The value associated with a garage will depend on where you live. Consider the following: Do you have trouble finding a parking spot in the road? Is your road favoured by commuters travelling from a nearby station? How important is your garden to you? Would it make a huge difference if you lost a few square metres to your car?

Off-street parking can range from a few metres of paving on a front lawn to a full-blown garage. Always check with the local council to see if you need planning permission.

If your home is listed or in a conservation area you will certainly need planning permission. If in doubt, check first.

If you want to lay a paving area yourself then the costs can be minimal, though remember you'll need to be prepared for plenty of digging, cement, sand and paving slabs.

For a proper brick detached structure, including a concrete base, you should plan on spending a minimum of about £50 per square metre. For a detached garage, 6m x 3m, for example, with a pitched roof, electric points, a window, side door and a drive leading to it, you can look to spend in the region of £8,000.

However, according to a survey by the Nationwide Building Society, although the potential increase in value to a property from a garage or double garage has remained constant over the last few years, you might expect a parking space to typically add about eight per cent to the value of a home.

However, a single garage would add a further three per cent and a double garage a further nine per cent to the value, giving a total of about 20 per cent. A survey by B&Q broadly agreed, estimating that, on average, a garage improved the value of a home by £8,000.

Before you start, decide on your requirements - and your budget - and find a reliable builder who comes recommended. Get three quotes for the work and make sure that any of their work comes with a guarantee.

If you need interior advice, you can contact me at Honeysuckle Interiors on 01256 780831, or log on to www.honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk