Converting your garage into a room to add living space to your home usually involves a full garage makeover of raising floors, insulation, and more. This costs roughly half as much as a new house addition, depending on location and design considerations. As such, several considerations must be made before embarking on such a project.
Read on to discover what you have to know before undergoing a garage conversion.
Garage Remodeling Concerns to Address
To assess whether a garage conversion is acceptable for your property, assess your current situation and raise valid concerns, such as:
- The Timeline and Feasibility of the Project
Converting a garage into a room is a low-cost option to add living space to an existing home. However, you must know when to do this project (and complete it).
A garage remodelling is ideal if it’s simple to replace a garage door. Will your new home’s overhead door be replaced by patio doors or another entrance? If not, incorporate the new wall into your home’s façade so it does not resemble a garage.
A garage remodelling is ideal if the HVAC costs are included in your budget. Determine whether your HVAC system can sustain an additional room to save money. Install garage ventilation if this is the case. If not, you may either update the system or buy a new system to heat the garage, but you’ll need the money to do so.
A garage remodelling is ideal if you have access to plumbing services. Begin by contacting a plumber if you intend to add a bathroom or kitchenette to your garage conversion project in order to turn it into an in-law suite or apartment. Adding plumbing connections, particularly drainage, is often the most expensive aspect of a garage remodel and may be out of your price range.
Lastly, garage remodelling is ideal if there is plenty of parking and storage available elsewhere. Converting your garage permanently eliminates parking and storage. If you can’t store your lawnmower, or toolbox, or have limited parking space, converting the garage into more room isn’t worth it.
- The Permit Requirements
Because you are altering the space, you may need building permissions; however, this differs by location. For garage conversion permits, contact the city’s Zoning Department. A floor plan created by an architect may be necessary when filing for a permit.
Permits ensure that your construction plans comply with local and national requirements. Building codes may specify the minimum number of windows, exits, entrances, outlets, and ceiling height. You may be able to submit a variance request depending on the nature of the problem.
Garage conversion licenses typically cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Variations are more expensive.
Some local ordinances or homeowners associations may mandate a certain number of covered parking places, making a garage conversion impossible.
A final inspection will be necessary to establish compliance with the building code and zoning rules if you require a permit.
- The Purpose of the Remodelling Project
Customisation is available. If you follow building codes, you can create any type of living area in a converted garage. Depending on the zoning of your home, it may be quicker to convert your garage into a single room than to build an apartment.
The only constraints to converting your garage into a living space are local rules and your budget.
Adding Value to Your Home
If the built-in line with permits and building rules, a garage conversion will raise the value of your property. The value is determined by the conversion and building quality of the space. The rise in property value recovers around 80% of the project’s cost.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when a garage is simply a garage where you park vehicles and store old furniture. With a garage conversion, you can make your home warm, cozy and inviting for family and friends.
However, know that home improvement projects are a big deal. As such, keep all of what we mentioned above in mind before you dive in and spend money on a garage conversion.
Contempo Renovation Solutions Inc. is here with professional renovation services in Toronto. Our team offers a wide range of quality services to make your dream home. Work with us today!