Garage conversions are one of the easiest (and often cheapest!) ways to add to the square footage of your home and increase property value. According to House Digest USA, a garage conversion that meets local building codes can add as much as $30-100k to a standard property, depending on the size and finish.

Because garages tend to be a part of the home already, they often have the main “bones” required for a quick conversion into a habitable space. For example, they usually have a proper ceiling, suitable walls, and enough headway clearance from floor to ceiling for them to be considered a room when converted.

This is unlike attic conversions and basement conversions, which often require significant changes to walls, flooring, ventilation, lighting, and staircases – all of which can make remodeling more expensive.

Keep reading to learn more about the anatomy of a garage conversion and whether your garage is suitable for a conversion project.

Can Any Garage Be Converted?

Generally, yes, any garage can be converted into a bedroom, bathroom, or extra living area. In fact, converting a garage is the easiest type of conversion (compared with attic conversions and basement conversions) and the cheapest. When done well, a former garage can even become a selling point.

Because garages are also part of the main building, they often have the biggest impact on your home’s interior. The best way to make a garage feel like part of the house is to raise the flooring to the same level as the rest of the building.

For your garage to be suitable for a conversion, three main things are required in most jurisdictions (in line with local building codes). These include insulated walls, a properly infilled garage door, and sealed flooring.

1. Newly insulated walls

For a garage conversion to be legal (and comfortable!), insulation is required for the exterior walls. How much insulation you need depends on your jurisdiction. Many areas allow you to keep the main 2×4 walls and simply fill the cavity with insulation (if it’s not already added) before installing drywall directly over it.

However, some jurisdictions are stricter in their building codes, which means more work and a higher remodeling budget. If your area requires the garage walls to be furred out to 2×6 or deeper before installing extra insulation, this can reduce floorspace and lead to a smaller conversion. Be sure to check with your local permitting office to confirm their area-specific requirements.

2. Removed and reframed garage door

When converting a garage, the existing garage door must be removed and reframed into a proper wall, windows, and/or door. In most cases, you cannot install a wall over the old, exterior door without removing it first if you want the conversion to meet building codes. You’ll also be required to pour a new concrete curb across the door opening, so the new wall framing doesn’t sit directly on the existing slab.

This is necessary not just for code requirements, but also to ensure proper insulation and weatherproof protection in your converted garage. Without reframing the wall properly, you could end up with severe leaks through the garage door that ruin the new interior, so it’s worth the additional costs.

Also remember: if your property is governed by a homeowner’s association, removing garage doors and installing new windows may require additional approval, so be sure to check any policies in your deed. While it’s may be cheaper not to install new windows, they make a big difference in transforming the space, upgrading your curb appeal, and making the converted garage feel like an intentional part of the home.

3. Sealed flooring

Just like basement conversions, most jurisdictions don’t require you to reframe a garage floor when converting it into a bedroom or living space. Instead, you can simply install carpet, hardwood, or laminate over the concrete slab. Just be sure to waterproof the concrete with epoxy or another suitable waterproof barrier first to prevent excess moisture from seeping through the slab.

Despite not being required in most areas, installing raised flooring is often a good idea for garage conversions. Framing up the floor means you won’t need to step down into the converted space, making the transition more seamless.

However, keep in mind that raised flooring must be included in building permit applications. Insulation must also be added between the new joist bays for it to be approved.

Are Building Permits Required for a Garage Conversion?

In order for your garage conversion to be considered legal, you’ll need a full building permit. Your local jurisdiction will need to sign off on the plans and confirm the space is considered habitable. Read more about how to prepare plans for a building permit.

Without proper permits, your conversion won’t be recognized as additional square footage when selling your property; it may also cause problems with the new buyers securing a mortgage loan. Improperly built conversions can also cause significant problems with how comfortable, dampproof, and well-insulated your conversion is year-round – those building permits will make sure the job is done correctly and to code.

Can I Convert My Garage and Add a New Garage In Front?

Many homeowners consider converting a garage and then adding a new garage in front of the converted space. This is a great way to ensure your home still benefits from an actual garage, while also adding to the interior living space. However, whether it’s possible to convert a garage and add a new addition depends on your available space.

The biggest challenge you’ll usually face relates to where your front setback is. Even with a smaller setback, say 10’ or 15’, your property line can make it a challenge to add much onto the front of the house. Most people assume the property line is at the edge of the street, and while sometimes it is, it often isn’t.

To determine where your property line is, observe your front yard landscaping and that of your neighbors. If there’s a sidewalk, your property line will often be at the inside edge (the edge closest to your house). Even if there is a sidewalk, if there’s a common visual separating line through all the front yards on the street (like fences, retaining walls, or hedge rows set back from the sidewalk), there’s a good chance that visual line is the property line.

Alternatively, if your driveway switches from concrete to gravel before it reaches the street, this could be your property line. Many neighborhood plats include this wide space between the street and the property lines to account for any street changes that may be required by the City in the future, like sidewalks, bike lanes, or street parking.

Call your local permitting office for help understanding where your property line is or seek help from a designer.

Want to know if your garage can be converted or how much it could cost? Get in touch with our friendly design team at Candid Home Design today!