Many people could certainly do with an extra 600 square feet of living space, but that doesn’t seem possible. Modern day trends towards a game room, media center, home office, man cave, or any number of other types of nontraditional rooms have taken over the design of new home builds.
How can existing homeowners take care of this without buying an entirely new home? If you have a garage you do not really use, consider converting it into a new room of your dreams. It is incredibly easy and affordable, primarily due to the existing foundation already in place. In fact, such a conversion can come in at half the cost of a full renovation.
How much will this cost?
To do a proper garage conversion into a functional living area, such as a bedroom or office, you will want to plan on spending anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000. Allot an additional $15,000 if you are adding a bathroom.
It is true that a garage conversion is more affordable than completing a new addition to the home, but you do not want to cut any corners when planning your budget. Hire quality contractors and you will be much more satisfied in the end.
Schedule
Four to six weeks are normally required to complete a professional conversion job. Once you make contact with a contractor, he will go through the entire process with you, including any necessary inspection and licenses required in your community.
Preparing for the job
The conversion process makes use of existing structures, but you will want to get the floor ready ahead of time. This includes filling in any cracks that might have occurred in the concrete, taking care of any spills that have accumulated over the years, and providing a sealant to protect against ground moisture.
Upon completing the preparations, you will now have a clean slate upon which to work; that includes getting ready to add tile, carpet, or hardwood depending on the design you have in mind. If you have the budget, consider a wet bar as a great addition as well.
Take care of plumbing issues
As most garages do not come with plumbing, this is one aspect that you will want to consider as you complete a conversion. To begin, make certain that your walls are well insulated, and that you put in some quality drywall.
As you might need to also add some stud framing to any existing cinder block walls, this would also be a good opportunity to consider any closet needs that you might have for the new room.
Electrical needs
This is one part of the conversion that you want to hire out to a professional to do. Electricians have the skills necessary to safely install outlets and light fixtures, as well as any switches that need to be added.
Climate control
When completing a garage conversion, it is important to consider the installation of a proper heating and cooling system. Your existing ductwork in the house can likely be extended into the new garage area. You might also consider floor or baseboard heating, or you could opt for more inexpensive window cooling units. There is also the possibility of a ductless system, so make sure to discuss what your best options are with your contractor.
As you replace your garage door, consider adding in some windows, and then decorate the area to make sure that it meshes with the original plans of the house.
Replacing your garage door
Perhaps the most significant part of the conversion process will be replacing the door itself with a newer, properly insulated and secure model. Atlas Overhead Doors Sales has many types of residential garage doors for you to choose from that will be more than acceptable for a converted room, so feel free to contact us for a quotation.
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