What to Consider When Converting Your Garage into a Living Space

If you're thinking of converting your garage into a living space, you've come to the right place! We all know that adding extra living space is undoubtedly an attractive home remodeling idea when your property is short on square footage. However, expanding your home by building new rooms or an outhouse from scratch is rather expensive. Not to mention that a project like that would demand a lot of your time and effort. Also, you'll lose precious yard space that would be better for an outdoor patio, kid's playground, etc. So, instead of wasting all those resources, it's a far better idea to convert the space you already. For example, you can remodel your basement or attic. Or, if you're already using that space effectively, there's another excellent option. Convert your garage with the help of builders dublin! It already has walls and a ceiling, and possibly isolation. With epoxy flooring and a few easy steps, you can turn it into quite a suitable living space. Of course, your decision will depend on many factors and your specific circumstances. With that in mind, we've prepared a list of things to consider when turning your garage into a living space.

Pros and cons of converting your garage

As with all projects, there are some advantages and downsides to turning your garage into a living area. Naturally, a lot will depend on your particular situation as well as your needs and priorities. Here's a list of potential pros and cons.

Advantages:

• by using a ceiling tv mount you'll have extra space you can adapt to your needs;
• you already have a good foundation for the project (walls, ceiling, etc.);
• you'll save money and time (unlike when completely building a new space);
• your yard space remains intact;
• you'll make use of previously underutilized space;
• you can turn it into a DIY project.

Downsides:

• you'll have to park your car outside or build a carport (if you own a car);
• you have to get necessary permits and deal with legal issues (this will largely depend on the area you live in);
• converting your garage into a living space can potentially decrease the value of your home, click to find out more.

Will this project devalue your home?

There are many reasons for remodeling your home. But before you start, you probably want to know how it will affect your home value. Again, this question has a situation-dependent answer. Broadly speaking, most experts agree that converting your garage into a living space won't increase your home's value. However, it doesn't mean it will have a negative impact. The best way to determine the effect of this project is to look at homes in your neighborhood. Do all or most homes in your area have garages? If the answer is yes, unfortunately, it means that a garage is a desirable feature in your area. In that case, converting it might affect the future sale. On the other hand, if the answer is no and square footage is valued higher than garage space, it's a win-win situation for you. Also, if you've found your forever home and don't plan to sell, a garage conversion is an excellent idea!

Determine your budget

Assess the state of your garage first. How much money you'll need to spend on building supplies and labor depends on how finished your garage is in the first place. For example, maybe you already have drywall and need to finish it. On the other hand, if you only have bare walls, installing drywall or something similar is necessary. The same goes for other parts of your garage. Is your garage floor on the same level as the house? Do you already have windows, tiles, etc.? Do you want a conveyor belt to make it luxurious? Before you make a list of all necessary changes, inspect and assess each aspect of your garage. You can visit sites like www.cir.net/conveyor-belts-lacing/ to get a quote if you already determined what you want for your garage. Finally, you should add to your budget the cost of renting Commercial Roll Off Containers for the construction cleanup.

Make a plan - what room do you want to convert your garage into?

Additionally, your expenses will depend on what kind of living space you have in mind. Different spaces require different types of professional home renovations experts, so make sure to take everything into account.

Living room or game area

This is one of the easiest and least expensive garage conversions. After insulation and flooring, all you need to take care of is wiring. Most garages already have one wall-controlled light switch. If you can expand the cooling and heating system from your home - great! But even if you can't, it's relatively easy to install a separate one. The same applies if you want to turn your garage into a home gym, office, or studio.

Kitchen

On the other hand, a kitchen would require a bit more effort and adjustments. Garages usually have a single lighting circuit, but a kitchen needs more. There are many appliances that we use daily, so you'll need several additional circuits. You can check out this popular Outlet Installation to help you with that. 

Bathroom

While turning your garage into a bathroom is far from impossible, it will certainly demand significant changes and extra effort. Supplying water isn't much of a problem, but drainage often is. It would be a good idea to consult with a plumber before the project and consider all the possibilities.

Step by step guide for converting your garage into a living space

So, if you enjoy summer home improvement projects, it's time we embark on this one. With that in mind, we've made this list of necessary steps to create a functional and pleasant living space. You may include hiring a pest control company to this list if your garage has become a breeding ground for different household pests.

Insulation

First things first, you need to insulate your garage walls. If you have drywall and no insulation, you'll have to remove the drywall and insulate first. There's a variety of materials you can use. Rockwool, fiberglass roll insulation or foam insulation are all great choices. On the other hand, maybe you're lucky enough to already have insulated walls and unfinished drywall (it's usually unfinished in garages). In that case, all you need to do is to finish it!

Garage door

One of the most important decisions you need to make is what to do with the garage door. You can leave them or remove them. If you choose to leave the garage door, you have to insulate them. If it's broken, find a garage door repair technician to fix it before you proceed with the remodeling. On the other hand, removing them means you need to fill the extra space. Or you can be creative and install a bay window or a large picture window instead! Consult a residential window installation professional on what type of window would best fit your garage.

Flooring

Firstly, if your floor is lower than the rest of the house, you need to elevate it with the help of a concrete leveling contractor. That will prevent flooding and keep your lovely new space free from water damage. The next step is, of course, installing the flooring. Possibilities are endless! Hardwood floors, laminate, tiles, etc. - choose what appeals to you the most and what suits your new space best. Afterwards, a garage floor coating is recommended to add a protective layer on your flooring.

Wiring

Again, what you need to do with electricity depends on the space you want to create. Maybe you need to add new circuits or make do with the existing ones. Additional wiring could be run from the house, which will make this task more manageable.

Heating and cooling

According to sites like https://aqualityhvac.org/air-conditioning/air-filtration/, it's possible that you'll be able to utilize and extend the cooling system you already have in your home, especially if the garage is attached to the house. You might need professional air conditioning services to extend your cooling system to your garage. On the other hand, if this is not an option, you can install a separate system in your new space with the help of the hvac company or AC services like Airsheen Services. If you have an old furnace that you can use in your garage, make sure that it is serviced by a furnace repair professional. This will make your new converted space cozy and comfortable. Click here for more residential heating and cooling tips and services.

Deal with unsightly areas and make the outside look seamless

Lastly, you want your new space to look beautiful both on the inside and the outside. Before you move furniture and other items in, it would be a good idea to build a wall around certain areas such as a water heater, furnace, or storage area. Additionally, you want the exterior of the converted area to match the rest of your home. Choose the siding, colors, door, and window styles so that they blend nicely with the outside of the house. After all, you want it to look like it has always been there.

Store your items safely while converting your garage into a living space

Another thing you should keep in mind when remodeling your garage is the items that are stored there. Naturally, you don't want your belongings to suffer damage during the project. If possible, pack your garage and store all the items in other parts of your home - a basement or attic, for example. However, if that's not an option, consider packing up your garage and temporarily renting a storage unit. By having everything packed and ready to go, you will be able to start your project and finish it sooner!

Find a reliable contractor

Finally, our last piece of advice is to think about hiring professionals to assist you. Even if you're handy and have experience with DIY projects, remodeling and converting your garage will take a lot of time and effort. Remodel and design experts will make the whole process go smoothly. Plus, they can provide valuable insight and tips on how to achieve the most satisfying results. As you may see, there are many things to consider when converting your garage into a living space. Weigh the pros and cons, and see what course is best for you. Follow these tips to create a beautiful and functional new space you'll enjoy in years to come!