A commercial to HMO conversion turns space that was never a home, such as upper floors over shops or small office buildings, into shared accommodation. In Wigan, a place of roughly 180,000 people in Greater Manchester, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Greater Manchester, England
- Postcodes
- WN1, WN2 and WN3
- Location
- 15 miles south of Preston
- Pricing region
- North West
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Wigan involve?
- Coordination with planning and building control
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
- Windows and thermal upgrades
Which rules apply in Wigan?
Here is what usually applies to a Wigan job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 3–6 unrelated sharers is use class C4; changing from a family house is usually permitted development unless an Article 4 direction applies.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- The Fire Safety Order 2005 applies to the common parts of HMOs, enforced by the fire and rescue authority.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Wigan?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,350 – £6,250 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,700 – £4,300 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £770 – £2,600 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,700 – £17,300 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £3,850 – £9,600 | ensuite |
Use these as a starting point for budgeting. Access, condition and the council’s requirements in Wigan can move the figure either way, which is why we quote after seeing the house.
How long does it take?
Allow 12–24 weeks on site for a typical job. Drawings, approvals and long-lead items such as kitchens or fire door sets are booked before we start.
When do Wigan landlords need it?
Landlords in Wigan most often ask us for this when:
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
- Empty upper floors above a shop you own
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Wigan
Is building control needed?
Yes. Changing commercial space to residential use is a material change of use and needs building regulations approval.
How far do you travel from Wigan?
We cover the whole of Greater Manchester and work UK-wide. For Wigan the nearest towns on our list are Hindley (2 miles), Ashton in Makerfield (4 miles), Westhoughton (5 miles).
Where do I check the HMO rules for an address in Wigan?
With the local council for the address. Councils in England can add additional licensing and Article 4 directions on top of the national rules. Check the council’s website for the exact address before you buy or start work.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Wigan?
Our guide ranges for North West are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Commercial and above-shop to HMO near Wigan
- Hindley · 2 mi
- Ashton in Makerfield · 4 mi
- Westhoughton · 5 mi
- Golborne · 5 mi
- Skelmersdale · 6 mi
- Leigh · 6 mi
- All of Greater Manchester
Other HMO services in Wigan
- Large HMO conversions (7+ sharers) in Wigan
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Wigan
- Sound insulation in Wigan
- EPC and energy upgrades in Wigan
- Rewires and EICR remedials in Wigan
- Layout changes and room reconfiguration in Wigan
- Extensions for extra rooms in Wigan
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Wigan