Garage apartment conversion. Three simple words with mammoth consequences. Sure, you’ll add more livable square footage. And, increase the footprint of the house without the big expense of an addition. What’s more, you’ll have another living space which can easily be used for a variety of purposes. But, you’ve got to ask yourself a few questions to determine if it’s the right move.
Garage Apartment Conversion Pros and Cons
Let’s begin with the pros and cons of a garage apartment conversion. It does provide more living space and it can generate additional income. What’s more, it doesn’t require a whole new mortgage, like purchasing rental property (if paid with cash or mostly with cash). Now, those are good things. Not to mention, it will increase the livable square footage, which helps to boost property value.
If you’re looking for a way to enlarge your home without shelling out for a full-scale addition, converting your garage into living space typically adds about 600 square feet (assuming it’s a two-car garage). The good news is that you’ll spend less than if you build an addition. Because a garage already has a foundation, walls, and a roof, using the existing structure typically costs around half what you’d spend for an all-new addition. --House Logic.com
However, when you do a garage apartment conversion, you lose the garage storage and parking space. Also, you just might be in danger of overbuilding for the neighborhood. Plus, if you can’t cash flow the renovation, that means taking on another debt obligation. Then, there’s the matter of resale. If you plan to sell in the future, understand buyers will see it as a positive or a negative.
Garage-Apartment Conversion DIY Guide for Hernando Beach Property Owners
Now, we’ll look at the basics of a garage apartment conversion. It’s a really big job, so it’s best to turn it over to a licensed, experienced professional. You’ll need to first learn if you need building permits and obtain them, if necessary. Now, here’s an overview of how to do a garage apartment conversion:
- Remove the garage door. You’ll either have to remove or cover-up the garage door. It’s best to outright remove it and then fill in the space to accommodate another front entry door. Additionally, you’ll need to install new windows to provide natural life.
- Level and finish the floor. Next, you’ll need to level and finish the garage floor. This is due the fact that garage floors are built purposely with a slight grade (either to the outside or to the center). So, the floor isn’t level and that’s a necessary change to make it into a living space.
- 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, drywall, and install climate control. To finish it all, you’ll need to add insulation, hang drywall, and finally equip it with climate control to make the transformation complete.
When you need a complete garage cleanout, just phone 800-433-1094 or visit AAA Rousse Services.