If you wish you had an extra room on your property or desperately need a spare room, consider this: Before you buy a new property or settle for the inconvenient space you have at the moment, ask yourself this question: Do you have a garage you don’t use?
If you do, you may not need to look elsewhere for an extra room. You can convert your garage into an excellent extra room. Converting your garage to an extra room is often a big project requiring much modification. You might need to raise the floor, fit in a proper cooling or heating system, insulate the walls, add new doors, apply a fresh coat of paint, and more.
As you would expect, these modifications may cost you quite a lot. But if done right, it is worth it. So, if you hope to convert your garage into a room, you are in the right place. This article is a complete guide on how to turn your garage into a beautiful extra room. Let's get to it.
Is This Conversion a Good Idea?
Converting your garage into another living space is one option to consider, provided the following:
Your garage door can easily be replaced.
Consider if the new room can allow a door or entrance where the garage door used to be. If this isn’t possible, ensure that you can create a new wall that can blend with your existing home exterior and one that won’t easily show that it used to be the garage.
You can make the new room look modern by replacing the garage door with transparent tempered glass. This works if the space is for entertainment. This home design invites more natural light into the new room and provides a great view of your home's outdoor area, like your garden.
Adding a gym mirror is the best way to lighten up your darker garage gym space within your budget. It gives the impression of having more muscle mass and fitness than you actually do, which is perfect for keeping you motivated and helping you monitor and rectify your workout postures.
You have the budget for heating and cooling.
You can eliminate this from your budget if your present HVAC system can support the new extra room. This means expanding the ventilation to reach the garage. Otherwise, you can update your system or obtain a different system to provide heating and cooling to the new space.
Air conditioner repair services are available to ensure your HVAC system is properly functioning and can support the new room. You can hire a specialist from a reputable HVAC company to make your new living space comfortable like other rooms in your home.
Because HVAC experts have the right tools and equipment, you can ask them to relocate an old unit or install a new air conditioner in the new room.
Suitable storage and parking are available somewhere else.
Transforming your garage means giving up storage and parking space. Converting the garage into a new living space isn’t a worthy investment if you lose essential storage space or if it means you’ll have inconvenient or unsafe parking.
You can install a pre-fabricated steel garage if you have a spacious garden. This material is affordable and easy to find. Steel kits have complete materials that fit together, and installers can quickly assemble them to help property owners save money from construction costs.
So, talk to a steel kit company to check your design and price options for a suitable parking and storage area.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
You most likely don't need it. However, to be on the safe side, it is essential to check with your local authority. However, if you plan to convert the garage into a listed building or a conservation area, you need planning permission.
And sometimes, these planning permissions come with conditions. The conditions must have been pegged to the building or garage during construction. So, you must apply to the local authority to remove the terms before you start your conversion.
Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?
Building regulations are there for a reason. It would be best if you didn't trample on them while trying to convert your garage to an extra room. You have to adhere to these building regulations for the safety of the house's inhabitants.
Usually, the regulations include thermal performance, ventilation, acoustics, and fire safety. You must apply to your local building control department for approval. They would inspect the property to ensure that the conversion plans would not go against any of the building regulations. After this, they give you the go-ahead with the conversion.
What Kinds Of Rooms Can You Convert Your Garage Into?
You probably already know what kind of room you want to convert your garage into. With the help of an architect or interior designer, you can convert your old or unused garage into any room you desire.
- Bedroom
- Office
- Studio apartment
- Art studio
- Kitchenette
- Playroom
How Much Does Garage Conversion Cost?
Garage conversions often cost between $6000 and $20,000. The range is wide because of the differences in garage sizes and modification needs.
You may want to convert your garage to a bedroom, which doesn't always require plumbing. And I may want to convert my garage into a kitchen or bathroom, which needs massive plumbing work.
Can You Do It Yourself?
That depends on how complex the conversion is and how skilled you are at construction. However, if you can afford an architectural designer to give you professional ideas and input, you could employ them. Experienced builders can, of course, get the work done.
If you are on a tight budget and want to DIY the conversion, you may choose to go ahead with most of it yourself as long as you have enough construction skills. If you don't have any experience in construction, it is recommended that you call a professional instead.
The Construction Part of Your Garage Conversion
This section is the part where the builders get to work.
Raising the Floor Height And Installing Floor Covering
Many garages have floor levels lower than the floor levels of the other rooms on the property. While some might ignore this part of the garage conversion, it is an excellent practice to raise the level of the garage floor.
After you raise the floor level, add a floor covering. This is very important, unlike raising the floor. The popular floor coverings for garage conversions are engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank, lamination, and tiles.
Insulating the Garage Door
If you are keeping the door of the garage instead of building a new wall, you need to insulate the garage door.
Plumbing and Wiring
Plumbing and wiring are also essential parts of garage conversion. These alone require a lot of consideration.
For example, if the garage already has some wiring in the walls or ceiling, you may need to ignore them and install new power mains. This is because the old mains supply that caters to the other rooms may not be able to sustain an extra room.
Also, if you are converting your garage to a bathroom or a toilet, you need to check the soil outflow of the garage. The same level of consideration goes into the plumbing.
Disadvantages of Garage Conversion
There are some disadvantages to consider when considering a garage conversion. Some of them are these:
- You are converting a multifunctional space into a room serving one purpose. This might seem obvious, but take a moment to consider it.
- An effect of this conversion is that you would need to park your car outside. Apart from having to wash your car frequently, the elements can lead to the quick aging of your vehicle. Also, your vehicle is exposed to other hazards.
- In addition to that, you would have to find a new storage location for the stuff you kept in the garage. Remember that these items were there in the first place mainly because they weren't fit to be in the other rooms but, at the same time, not fit to be disposed of.
- Garage conversion often costs a lot of money.
- The process of getting permits and approvals may be slow and agonizing
- A property with a converted garage may not have increased value. This is because many people prefer garages in their homes.
Alternatives to Garage Conversions
Maybe now that you are thinking about it, you realize that a garage conversion is less attractive than you thought. That’s okay. There are alternatives to garage conversions, such as basement and attic conversions.
