How to Create a Garage Apartment

A garage apartment can do much to improve a home’s value because it adds livable space. It can be the perfect answer for a part-time or full-time rental, or, serve as a fully functional guest suite. In addition, it is also ideal for parents of college age students who come back during school holiday breaks. Though most garage spaces aren’t particularly suited as a ready to use living space, these can easily be converted to meet a need. If you need extra living space, then it’s a good idea to convert a garage into an apartment.

How to Create a Garage Apartment

The garage to apartment conversion can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, depending entirely on your wants and needs. For instance, if it’s going to largely serve as a place where out-of-town friends or college age children come to stay once and awhile, you won’t need to go all out. However, if you do plan to rent it as a means of generating a passive income, you’ll have to do a bit more to make it marketable.

Remodeling a garage into an apartment can be very time-consuming, but the potential benefits are well worth it. According to Case Handyman and Remodeling Services, a nationwide home improvement firm, most garage remodeling projects can add 200 to 400 square feet of space to your house. This additional space will not only increase your property’s resale value, but can also be a source of extra income if you rent out the apartment. —San Francisco Chronicle

So, if you don’t have the room, or, just aren’t excited about doing a complete cleanout because that’s where you store a lot of possessions, and/or is your dedicated laundry space, your garage is the only viable space. After you’ve junked the old lawn equipment and begun to organize the space a bit, then you can convert a garage into an apartment by doing the following:

• Obtain the necessary permits. Because you’re going to be either adding or modifying plumbing and electrical wiring, you’ll need building permits. Go to the city and/or county to learn about which permits are necessary.
• Decide what you’ll do with the garage door. One of the biggest challenges of a garage to apartment conversion is the garage door. You can choose to build-in a wall and install an entry way door, or, fill-in part of the space with a wall, window, and entry door combination.
• Level and finish the floor. Garage floors are typically sloped to promote drainage; so, you’ll need to level it by pouring a thin layer of concrete to make it level. When the floor is level, you can beautify it with enamel paint or by putting down an engineered hardwood, tile, carpet, or a combination of flooring.
• Add plumbing and electrical wiring. You’ll need to have a licensed plumber and electrician run new water and drain lines, as well as electrical wiring for switches, outlets, and lighting. Install a small shower to save space and be sure the main electrical panel and system can handle the extra appliance and heating and cooling loads.
• Insulate and drywall to finish the build out. For the interior to be comfortable during the summer and winter months, you’ll have to add insulation. You can frame the walls, insert insulation, and then, hang drywall. When done, you can then paint and furnish the space.

When you need a complete garage cleanout, just click here to schedule a day and time. We’ll do all the heavy work for you so you can get to converting your garage into an apartment right away.