GARAGE CONVERSION
Considering frequent guests or exploring rental opportunities for extra income? Converting your garage into a guest house can be an excellent choice. A garage conversion can be one of the quickest and most affordable ways to add living space to a home. The foundation, walls, and roof are already in place, the wiring is often sufficient, and if the garage is attached to the house, the entry already exists. Easy. However, this transformation requires thorough planning and budgeting to ensure success. Converting with Build IT Construction means our in-house team will guide you through every step of your conversion – the planning, design, and construction. Our unique builders and developers have the resources and many years of building experience to deliver personalized attention and fair pricing to homeowners. You can trust us to bring your dream home to life. Call us at (760) 450-2381 now to get started.
11 Tips For Successful Garage Conversions
Insulate the Walls
Typically, garage walls and ceilings lack insulation. If drywall is already in place, it needs removal before installing insulation. For walls, options include conventional fiberglass roll insulation, rockwool, or sprayed foam insulation. Fiberglass batts are suitable for ceiling insulation.
Install New Drywall or Finish Existing Drywall
Garage walls are often constructed with non-finish-quality materials. If insulated, you can retain the existing drywall but elevate the finish to higher standards for a more polished appearance.
Raise the Floor Height
Garages are often constructed at a lower level than the main house. While not mandatory, it's advantageous to ensure consistent flooring heights by incorporating sleepers to raise the floor covering above the concrete garage floor. Certain localities may mandate the addition of floor insulation. Even if not obligatory, you might consider adding insulation for enhanced comfort, especially since garage floors, typically concrete slabs, can feel cold and uncomfortable during colder seasons.
Install Floor Covering
Even with the addition of sleepers to elevate the floor, a suitable floor covering is essential. Popular options for garage conversions include laminate flooring, engineered wood, tile, and luxury vinyl plank flooring.
Replace or Insulate the Garage Door
Deciding whether to retain the garage door or replace it with a wall is a significant consideration before converting the garage into a living space. While some areas may necessitate replacing the door with a wall, if you have the option to keep the garage door, it's recommended to insulate it. This choice represents a crucial decision point in the garage conversion process.
Hide Unsightly Areas
To conceal areas like the water heater, furnace, laundry space, or storage, consider adding non-load-bearing walls. Sectioning off these areas while leaving them unimproved is likely the most cost-effective approach to saving money on a garage conversion.
Add Enough Windows
Ensure ample window space to facilitate natural light and ventilation. Depending on local regulations, this may entail providing at least 5 1/2 square feet of window area or a percentage relative to the total garage space.
Maintain Proper Ceiling Height
Maintain a minimum ceiling height of at least 7 1/2 feet. However, achieving this may pose challenges, particularly if you're also raising the floor height.
Build in Enough Lighting
Include a wall-controlled light switch in your garage conversion project. According to electrical code standards, garages typically already have at least one such switch installed.
Add Enough Outlets
Ensure that wall outlets are strategically placed or modified to meet minimum spacing standards. Ideally, no cord should need to reach farther than 6 feet to access an outlet.
Add Heating/Cooling If Needed or Required
Ensure adequate heating to maintain a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the converted space. Retrofit heating options may involve extending existing central heating ductwork or installing electric baseboard heaters or fan-driven wall heaters. Additionally, keep in mind that certain communities may impose cooling requirements for rented properties.