Is Turning A Garage Into A Living Space Worth It
There isnt one right answer to this question because the choice to convert depends on your lifestyle. Of course, we can hear you sigh, its never a straight answer.In most cases, losing protected parking and storage isnt a wise financial decision, especially if youre not currently living in your forever home. But if you live in a city like San Francisco, where square footage is a premium commodity and real estate is cut-throat, a garage conversion could be the answer to your prayers for more living space.
Other scenarios when a garage renovation could be a good investment?
- You want to earn rental income by turning the garage into an apartment.
- Your family embraces multigenerational living.
- You dont plan to sell your house.
Regardless, if youre considering the upgrade, its smart to consult with a local real estate agent who knows the value of a garage in your neighborhood. They can tell you about the return on investment you can expect if you decide to sell your home in the future.
Add A Ductless Air Conditioner To A Garage
The cost of adding a ductless air conditioner to a garage ranges from $700 to $3,000. Keep in mind that most garages are not insulated. If you plan on adding an AC, you may need a larger unit than normal, or you may find that you need to run it for longer periods to cool the garage. To remedy this, make sure you insulate before adding an AC. The air conditioners type and size vary based on your garages size and insulation.
Will A Flat Garage Roof Need Replacing
If, on inspection, you see that water is lying in pools on the flat roof, then this has the potential to cause problems in the new space beneath. The roof will need repairing and the underlying fabric of the structure checking for damage.
Occasionally it is necessary to replace the entire roof. This is sometimes a welcome discovery swapping a flat roof for a pitched design can help tie the new space in with the rest of the house, aesthetically, although you may require planning permission to do so.
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But Buyers Might Prefer The Parking Space
However, when parking is at a premium, such as in urban areas, you might actually the value of your home if you swap out your garage, Tsalagas says.
In certain parts of Boston, parking is worth a lot more money than the square footage of the living space, unless its high-luxury, he says. For example, a single-car garage can easily be sold for $300,000 to $400,000, he says, so its definitely not a smart decision to convert when you have a parking space that will give you that much of a return.
Is Parking Your Car Outside Okay
In areas with mild climates, parking outside is manageable. For homeowners in areas with harsh winters, this may be the biggest factor in whether or not they want to give up the garage. Do you really want to clear snow and de-ice every morning before work for a third of the year?
Uyar is no stranger to snowy Northeast winters, but she doesnt plan on building a new garage. We never put our cars in the garage, she says. Plus, one-third of the house is the garage. It seems like a crazy amount of space to dedicate to a car. Id rather entertain.
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Remote Control Garage Door Cost
To have your garage door operate via remote control, the costs range from $300 to $940. You need a garage door opener that operates by remote control. There are several opener types and various remote systems. Each has costs for the opener and the installation. If you have an existing system that operates by remote control, you can purchase a replacement remote for between $15 and $90, depending on the system. Remote controls do not work universally, so ensure that the remote and system are compatible.
Are You Required To Have A Permit
Building permits are required because you are changing your homes look, though it depends on location. Apply for a license to your citys Zoning Department and you may need the help of an architect to provide the proposed flooring plan. Permits ensure credibility. That is will your building meet the building codes and local ordinances for living space. The cost of garage conversion varies in cost. However, that average cost is between $1000 and $1500.
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How Much Does A Garage Conversion To A Granny Flat Or Studio Cost
Garage conversion to a granny flat costs around $5,000 to $25,000, but can go higher or lower depending on the size of the space, location, and complexity of the project. Garage-to-studio conversion costs are similar to those of granny flats since these are both under garage-to-loft remodelling.
Other factors include permits , insulation and drywall , air conditioning and electrical rewiring . But before getting anything started, the granny flat must follow the National Construction Codes Building Code of Australia and comply with Residential Development Local Planning Policy requirements.
Is Converting A Garage Worth It
Well done garage conversions can increase the value of your home. Having an additional bedroom and bathroom can drive up property value when it comes time to sell, and a separate guest suite or apartment space is attractive to potential investorsand can provide you passive income while you still own the house.
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Is It Hard To Convert A Garage Into A Living Space
Converting a garage into a functional, comfortable, and attractive living space isnt easy, but depending on how extensive the renovation is, some experienced DIY home improvement enthusiasts will have what it takes to get the job done. For most people, however, hiring professionals to transform a typical 600-square-foot, two-car garage is the best way to go.
Projects That Make Your Garage More Liveable
If a full-scale garage conversion doesnt fit your budget or your plans, you can still make your garage more comfortable. Create an open-air pub, wine bar, workshop or just a general gathering spot for hangouts with friends and neighbors.
While these smaller projects fall short of creating fully habitable garage space, the advantage is that they are easier and less expensive to build.
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Cost Of Garage Conversion Interiors
The type of room you are creating will have a large influence on what youll pay in total for converting a garage because of the features the particular room will need.
If youre aiming for a home office, you can expect to pay about $5,000, says Rachel.
To convert your garage into a bedroom, youll likely end up paying between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on whether you want to add a bathroom to the new bedroom.
If you want to convert the entire space into a bathroom, you could end up paying anywhere between $3,000 and $25,000, depending on how many features you want to add.
You can also transform your garage into a kitchen, which tends to start around $6,000 but can go up to $50,000 or more.
If you plan on having a lot of guests in your home, you can convert your garage into a guest house for an average of $22,000.
You can also transform the space into a utility room for about $6,000 or an entertaining area for around $7,500.
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Most people think of the garage as simply a place to park their car, store the lawnmower and hang their tools. But when youre in need of more living space, you might want to think twice about that. Remodeling the garage is more affordable than building an addition because the roof and walls are already in place.
Some people remodel a garage to use it as an extra bedroom or to convert the garage to an apartment. Others create an office or second living room.
However, some people simply remodel the garage to make it a better, more functional garage. They might add drywall, organizing features like garage cabinets, shelves and a work bench. See our article on the labor cost to hang and finish drywall.
Garage Remodeling Costs
The price of a garage remodel depends on whats being done. Obviously, turning the garage into a basic living room or office is more affordable than turning it into an in-law suite with a kitchenette and bathroom.
BOTTOM LINE?
The average cost is about $10,000 to $15,000.
Video: Garage Remodel Timelapse
Check out this before and after video of a simple garage renovation. What a diiference!
Garage Remodel Return on Investment
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How Much Does It Cost To Convert A Garage
According to a report by bank Santander, of the 9.3 million private garages in the UK, 650,000 have already been turned into bedrooms , as well as home offices, kitchen extensions, utility rooms or sitting rooms. And a further 470,000 are going to be converted into extra living space.
Santander calculates that the average garage conversion costs £6,300, once its been plastered and decorated. That works out much cheaper than moving home, with all the fees and costs like stamp duty. Or the £30,000 it costs to convert the average loft.
If you have an integral garage, the job should be quite simple and could even be taken on by a competent DIYer. If you need to make structural changes or if your garage is detached, it will be a more complex job involving knocking down walls, for example, and will cost far more.
A local builder is often the cheapest option, but a specialist firm, such as the Garage Conversion Company , should provide a guarantee and architectural service. The Garage Conversion Company charges around £10,000 to convert a single garage and £15,000 for a double.
SpaceSolutions charges around £11,000 to convert a single garage into a living space.
As for how long it will take, the time frame to completion could be anything from 10 days to several months, depending on the job.
Weatherize Doors And Windows
As temperature control is rarely a priority in standard garages, doors, and windows, these are generally not weatherized the same way as a home. However, if your finished garage will be serving double-duty as a workshop or hobby area, weatherizing doors and windows can help with energy savings throughout the year. Plus, if you live in an area with fluctuating temperatures such as Ottawa, ON, itll prevent that uncomfortable rush of frigid or humid air from entering the space.
The weatherizing required for your garage space will depend on its current construction for example, not all garages have windows or additional doors so a contractor can be a valuable asset in identifying needs and implementing effective plans. This can be as simple as adding extra insulation around openings or as complex as fully replacing doors and windows with more appropriate alternatives.
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Should I Buy Insurance Before Converting My Garage
In some instances, existing home cover might not spread to outbuildings, so this is especially important if youre planning on building a detached garage conversion that is separate from your propertys existing structure.
Further to this, you can get additional conversion insurance to cover you while the work is being carried out at your property. This can save you in the event of any accidents during the work, or if any of the contractors equipment is stolen.
Does It Add Value To Your Home
When correctly done, converting your garage with permits and abiding by the building codes will add value to your home. The type of room you build and how seamless you transform the space will determine the value.
The following reasons can make converting your garage detrimental to your home if:
- Lacking a garage will limit street parking or you wont have covered parking.
- The project is done illegally without any permits.
- You eliminate storage space and worsen the problem of storage.
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Can A Garage Conversion Become A Living Space
Yes, your garage conversion can most definitely become a living space!
To legally do this you must convert a garage by turning it into either a guest quarter or an accessory dwelling unit. A guest quarter is a living space that has a bathroom and a wet bar, but no kitchen. These units may not be rented out long term, but can be used by family members or guests.
An accessory dwelling unit is its own fully functional apartment. It has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living space.
Fun fact: Thanks to new statewide regulations introduced in 2020, you can now build an accessory dwelling unit on either a single-family lot OR a multi-family lot.
We make planning, hiring, and building your accessory dwelling unit simple.
Maxable has been on the front-end of a lot of these legislation changes, and weve already helped over 800 homeowners realize the potential of their property, whether its a multi-family or single-family lot. It all starts with booking a free phone consultation, and well handle the rest.
How Can I Save Money On A Garage Conversion
Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of your garage conversion. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple builders near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget.
Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:
As weve covered above, there are a great number of ways a garage conversions costs can skyrocket. Thankfully, there are some ways to keep costs down during the project, which well outline now:
Where you can, removing debris, furniture and old flooring from the existing garage can help to shave time off your contractors clock.
Instead of paying a premium for them to do the heavy lifting for you, if youre able, opting to move things before they step foot in your property can save both time and money in the long run.
Similar to the above, if youre willing to take a few trips to the tip yourself, you can save on skip hire and get rid of the building debris yourself.
This isnt a pleasant job, but it can help to save you a few hundred pounds. This could be the difference between a slightly more premium finish to some of the aspects of the garage conversion, which could pay dividends further down the line.
Already a dab hand at your home? You can choose to pick up the paintbrush once the contractors have left and finish off the job yourself with a lick of paint or wallpaper in your newly converted garage.
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What Are Garage Conversion Insulation Requirements
If you want your garage conversion be a comfortable space to spend time in you will need to ensure it is properly insulated. If the garage is integrated, it’s likely to have been built to the same standard as the rest of the house in terms of its thermal performance, but this is not always the case. The garage’s construction will inevitably dictate the work required.
Adding external insulation is not usually recommended as, although it minimises the impact that extra insulation will have on internal spaces, it can cause issues externally with wall thicknesses.
The simplest method is to use insulated plasterboard, fixed to timber battens that are protected by a strip of damp proof course placed between batten and wall. Alternatively, insulation can be placed between battens, before a fireproof plasterboard is fixed to them.
Good insulation will not only insure your garage conversion is comfortable but is also a requirement of building regulations.
Insulating a roof typically becomes a consideration in detached and attached garages with no room above.
Otherwise:
Floor insulation is always absent in a garage and including some in the conversion should be part of the project, whenever its possible.
Garage floors are often lower than the house floor and so adding a damp proof membrane , insulation and a new screed, along with your final floor covering, is a good method for how to level a floor up to that of the rest of your house.
Tips On Garage Conversion Into A Living Space
Everyone could use a little more space in their home. Looking in all directionsaddition in back, another floor on top or finished basement belowone area off to the side often gets ignored: the garage.
Installing a garage is one thing, but converting a garage into living space is one of the less expensive ways to add a large amount of room to your home. Since the outer structure is already built, conversion is a matter of creating walls, flooring and other elements that define an indoor space.
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Factors That Influence Garage Conversion Costs
As weve seen, garage conversion costs can vary quite widely, and there are a number of elements, including garage insulation, that play into what the final bill will be.
Materials are one of the most important cost factors when converting your garage into a living space, explains Rachel. Youll likely need to insulate the space, depending on how you plan to use it, which costs about $1 per square foot. You may also need flooring, which can cost anywhere from $5 to $15 or more per square foot.
Depending on the space, you may want to install windows, which usually cost $1,000 each. Dont forget about any new furniture youll need to make the space livable. The quality of the materials you choose for each of these components will have a big impact on the total conversion cost.
Budget for the input of the professionals you employ, too. You should also consider labor costs when determining the cost of your garage conversion, advises Rachel. You can expect to spend 15 to 20 per cent of the total project cost on labor but talk to some pros and gather actual quotes for a more accurate estimate.