Garage Conversions Can Add More Livable Space to Your Home

If you need more space in your house but have a limited budget for home remodeling, consider converting a garage into living space. You can usually add 200 to 400 square feet, depending on the size of the garage. You can even save a bundle compared to an addition because a garage already has walls, a floor, a roof, and electrical wiring.

Depending on where the garage is in your house, you can convert to suit just about any need your family has. Many homeowners use the garage for an extension of the kitchen or to add a bathroom. Family rooms and playrooms are other popular choices. If your garage isn’t near the house’s main living area, it might be good for adding a home office, fitness room, or extra bedroom. If you have a relative or nanny living with you, it can be made into an apartment with its own entrance.

Below are some things to consider before starting a garage conversion:

First Steps: First assess the garage space and think about what you can do with it. Think about cracks in the floor or other issues that would need to be fixed before you start. Set up a budget and then look for a designer. Your designer doesn’t have to be an architect, but even if you’re doing the work yourself, you’re better off consulting with someone who has experience with garage conversions.

Permits: Before you start planning, check with the local building inspector so you know the zoning requirements. Don’t neglect obtaining building permits. If you do and your converted garage isn’t up to code, it could lead to major problems later on. If you have a contractor, he or she can obtain the permits on your behalf.

Garage Door: This can be the biggest challenge. If you remove the garage door, you will have a large empty space to fill. Some homeowners put in sliding doors, French doors, or a large bay window. You can also frame the empty space and install standard size doors or windows.

Floor: Most garages have concrete floors, which are generally cold and ugly. Many garage floors are also sloped so that water will run out of the garage door, so check to see if your floor is level before you start your conversion. You can use the concrete as a subfloor and put hardwood, tile, or carpeting above it. If the garage floor is lower than the floors in the rest of the house, you may want to elevate the entire floor.

Plumbing: If you are adding a kitchen or bathroom, you will need to figure out how to run pipes into the new room. You can cut into the existing floor or elevate the floor for the entire room. It’s best to consult a plumber during the planning phase to avoid any nasty surprises.

Heating and Cooling: Although your garage has walls, they aren’t insulated, so the first step is to add insulation before putting up drywall. Then see if you can extend your existing HVAC into the new space. If not, you can add a separate system to the converted garage.

Aesthetics: Think about how you can make the renovated garage blend in to the rest of the house. You want it to be pleasing from the outside and inside, especially in the space where the garage door used to be. If the interior is dark, use light colored paints and carpeting to make the space feel lighter and larger.

Find a garage conversion company near you.