How Much Does It Cost To Remodel a Garage?
Last Updated: January 19, 2022
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A garage remodel is usually much cheaper than a home renovation because the foundation, roof, and walls are already built. Many garages also have electrical and plumbing installed to some extent. The actual cost of a garage remodeling project, however, depends on what the renovated space will be used for. While a new home gym won't require much in the way of amenities, converting a garage to an office, apartment, or bedroom requires adding significantly more creature comforts.
Garage Remodel Considerations #
Once you clean all of the clutter out of the garage and park the car in the driveway, the beginnings of a new living space will begin to take shape. If you haven't already decided how that space will be used, here are a few ideas:
- Apartment: Turning a garage into an apartment, whether it's used for aging parents, children, houseguests, or tenants, gives you some flexibility. For example, family members might use the apartment for the time being, but a few years down the road you might the space out to help offset remodeling costs. And if an in-law style apartment with a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, and more is beyond your budget or needs, consider adding a studio apartment or a bedroom
- Home Gym: The convenience of working out at home might be what you need to meet your fitness goals.
- Game Room: Who says a man cave has to be located underground? A garage equipped with a pool table, entertainment center, wet bar, and more can provide hours of fun for small and big boys alike. In areas where basements are not possible, the garage might be the only option for such a room.
- Home Office: Those who work out of the home but don't have the extra space for a dedicated office might consider converting the garage to a work space. Some or all of the construction costs may be tax-deductible; speak with an accountant to learn more.
Converting a garage to a living space typically requires the addition of plumbing, electrical, insulation, interior walls, windows, and HVAC. Although your garage might already have some of these features, upgrades will likely be needed for conversion to a finished room.
There are a few different options when it comes to garage renovation basics, but finishing materials provide the most options and the most flexibility. Flooring alone offers a dozen or so choices, from inexpensive laminate and carpet to elegant hardwood and natural stone. A great discrepancy in quality (and therefore costs) also exists between different types of cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, appliances, wall finishes, ceilings, windows, doors, molding, heating systems, and much more. And of course, depending on your intended use for the room, you'll need to buy furniture, appliances, curtains, decorations, and all the other complimentary odds and ends.
Garage Remodel Costs #
The actual cost of a garage renovation depends on the size of the space, the type of renovation, the materials selected, and local labor and material costs. The following figures are only meant to provide a rough cost overview.
- Garage remodels typically cost somewhere between $7,500 and $15,000. According to the scope of the project, however, costs could be as little as $3,500 to $7,000 or as much as $15,000 to $30,000. Turning a garage into an in-law apartment could cost as much as $40,000 to $70,000.
- A do-it-yourself garage remodel should cost no more than $10,000 and costs might be as low as $2,500 to $5,000.
- Contact your municipality for information on zoning laws and necessary building permits.
- Larger projects might entail hiring an architect or structural engineer. If you're having trouble deciding on the specifics of a garage remodel, consider hiring an interior designer. Costs for these professionals vary depending on their experience and level of involvement in the project; you could pay a few hundred dollars for a one-time consultation or several thousand dollars for beginning to end involvement.