15 Things You Must Know Before Converting Your Garage Into a Living Space

Wikipedia

Converting your garage into a living space offers several benefits, including increasing your property value, providing more room, and optimizing your space usage. However, it may not always be the best option, as there are also some downsides to consider. Here’s an overview of the pros and cons to help you determine if it’s the right choice for you!

You Can Expand Your Living Space

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As families grow or lifestyles change, the need for additional rooms arises. To expand the usable living space in your home, you can convert your garage. The conversion allows you to add more space without extensive renovations or costly extensions. You could turn a garage into a bedroom, children’s playroom, entertainment area, gym, or home office.

Flexibility And Versatility

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Unlike ready-to-move-in homes with a fixed design you can’t change, converting your garage means you can choose your preferred design. While choosing how it looks, you can also tailor the converted space to meet specific needs, like a gym, studio, or even a rental unit. Feel free to use your creativity and let your imagination run wild.

Increased Property Value

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Homes with extra functional living spaces attract more buyers, especially people with families. They also have higher selling prices when the conversion is well-executed with proper permits while following local building codes. Estimates suggest conversion can increase a property’s value by up to 30%, depending on factors such as location.

Separation From Main Living Areas

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Since your garage is away from the main living areas, you can make it a private space for quiet studies, music rooms, play areas for children, or rental. You can even create your dedicated workspace for more focus. Besides the extra room, this separation makes other areas look less cluttered and makes your home more serene.

You Can Make Rental Income

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Converting a garage into an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) adds living space and opens up renting opportunities. With platforms like Airbnb, you could make extra cash. You can also offset renovation costs and maximize your property’s utility. Depending on local demand and rental rates, a well-done ADU often adds between $200,000 and $500,000 in some markets.

Upgraded Living Conditions

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After converting your garage, you’ll often update lighting to more energy-efficient options like LED lights. Besides consuming less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, LED lights pay lower energy bills with better illumination. Also, replacing old garage doors and windows can drastically reduce heat loss, especially since there are windows with high R-values and low U-factors to minimize thermal transfer.

Enhanced Overall Home Efficiency

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A well-insulated garage with modern energy-efficient systems can stabilize temperatures throughout the house. It can work as a buffer zone between the outdoor environment and the main living areas. How? You can decrease drafts by covering your garage’s wooden door frame with aluminum sheeting or improve ventilation with a fan-driven ground-level ventilation system.

Heating And Cooling Systems Become Better

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Homeowners often upgrade or install new heating and cooling systems after conversion. These modern systems are better than older models, using less energy and saving more money on utility bills. Likewise, adding insulation to garage walls and ceilings stabilizes temperature and reduces energy consumption. The following slides will make you reconsider converting your garage despite these valid advantages.

Goodbye To Parking Space

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Converting a garage may not sit well with some neighbors, particularly if it disrupts the uniformity of the neighborhood or leads to increased street parking issues. Without a garage, vehicles may be exposed to the elements, which can lead to wear and tear and may also increase the risk of theft or vandalism.

You Storage Space Also Reduces

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The average American’s garage is a valuable storage area for tools, seasonal items, and other items. Converting this space means you’ll need to find alternative storage. If you lack enough attic or basement space, different areas of your house will look packed and disordered. Usually, the clutter affects your overall organization and functionality in a few months.

High Conversion Costs

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While garage conversions are more affordable than traditional home extensions, you’ll still have to spend a lot. Expenses can range from $7,500 to over $50,000 depending on the extent of the conversion and the quality of materials used. However, unexpected costs like structural changes, plumbing, and electrical upgrades can demand extra spending.

It’s Time-Consuming

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Converting a garage is more than a simple renovation; it often requires much time and effort. Depending on the design and complexity, the process can take several weeks to complete. Homeowners must also consider any disruptions to their daily lives during construction, which can be inconvenient. Without prior planning, you’d get inconvenienced when it lasts longer than expected.

Potential Regulatory Hurdles

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Depending on local zoning laws and building codes, obtaining the necessary permits for a garage conversion can be stressful and take time. Homeowners may face regulatory challenges if the conversion affects the building’s exterior surface. These hiccups could delay or complicate the process, and failure to comply may result in legal issues.

Reversibility Is Usually Harder Than Conversion

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Once a garage is converted into a living space, returning it to its original use can be complicated and costly. If homeowners later decide they need a garage again—perhaps due to changing family needs or preferences—the process of undoing the conversion and structural work is usually expensive. So, you must think ahead with foresight before conversion.

Resale Considerations

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While some potential buyers view a converted garage as an asset, others may prefer having an actual garage for parking and storage. This preference could affect future sales opportunities and limit the pool of interested buyers. Also, many conversions are done without permits, raising red flags for buyers who might rely on financing that does not cover unpermitted work.