Converting your garage into a room might be an appealing alternative if you need additional living space in your house. Although costs can vary depending on your region and your ideas, a garage makeover should cost around half what you anticipate spending on a new home. However, consider the other factors before embarking on a project of this magnitude.
Raising the floor, insulating the walls, installing heating, cooling, and ventilation, and replacing doors and windows are all part of converting a garage into a living area.
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Finally, homeowners who want to convert their garage into a dwelling should conduct soul-searching beforehand. What difference will it make in your quality of life? Will you be renting it? What effect will it have on the value of your home? For many, a garage is more valuable as a living area than a car storage room.
Everyone may benefit from having a bit of extra room in their house. Looking in all directions—addition in the back, different levels on top, or full basement below—one place on the outskirts is frequently overlooked: the garage.
Check the Permits and Laws
Be careful to investigate local restrictions and permissions needed to convert a garage into a living space. A construction permit will undoubtedly be required. It will cost between $300 and $1,000, depending on where you reside and the expected cost of your project. “Expect to jump through hoops with permits because certain towns are known for making converting garages into living areas tough,” Reece advises.
Aside from permission, Brown says you must admit that you are adding square feet of living area to your land. “If you live in a high-tax region, this is something to think about since you may have just increased your taxable square footage,” he adds.
Check your Budget
Budgets for garage renovations can vary substantially based on various criteria, such as the condition of your garage, its intended use, and the materials you want to employ. It’s usually ideal for getting down with a general contractor who can tailor an estimate to your specific circumstances to get an accurate feel for your budget.
Converting a garage is a cost-effective way to expand living space to your house, costing $30 per square foot less than an extension.
Raise the Garage Floor
Garage floors can be up to 18 inches lower than house floors. Raising the garage floor to the height of the home’s foundation using an expanded sleeper system improves safety and integrates the converted garage with the house.
Insulation
Unlike the rest of your home, your garage most likely lacks enough insulation. Therefore, it is vital to transform a garage into an apartment for around $1 square foot. You’ll probably need to remove the existing drywall to install the insulation below, then go back in and replace it.
You can insulate using fiberglass roll, Rockwool, or spray foam insulation. Keep in mind that the ceiling and even the door may require insulation. Consider if you want to replace the typical garage door with walls and a regular door or preserve the current entry. If you opt to maintain the original entrance, you must still insulate it.
Choose a Contractor
Choose a contractor who matches your garage conversion ideas to save time, money, and inconvenience. For example, if you are on a tight deadline, you may want to hire a contractor that can complete all or most of the work. For instance, it might imply hiring a well-versed construction business in all parts of your task.
On the other hand, if you have more time and are looking for perfection, hiring an expert for each task may be more profitable in the long term to ensure the job correctly completes the first time.
Flooring
Another item you may have overlooked is the flooring! Traditional garage flooring may not be sufficient when converting a garage into a room. Consider hardwood or carpet from your own house, or go for something more adaptable. Waterproofing your garage floors is also necessary to keep mold and water damage at bay.
Improve Exterior
Concentrating on the converted garage’s internal aesthetics, you may overlook how it will appear from the outside. For example, working with an architect has the advantage of assisting you in blending the garage conversion with the rest of the home’s façade.
Create a Driveway Separation
Nothing says “garage conversion,” like a driveway that ends in a blank wall. Removing the garage door ensures the driveway ends just below the garage.
To build a planting bed for shrubs or flowers, break up the last few feet of concrete or remove the brick. Even this small gap creates a barrier between the driveway and the garage.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve discussed what to expect when converting your garage into a room, it’s time to analyze your area and find out what works best for you. Before making a final decision, speak with contractors and other specialists to decide whether a garage conversion is the most efficient, safe, and cost-effective option to increase the value of your property.
