Looking to hire a garage remodel contractor and transform your existing garage into a gorgeous living space for some extra room? Wait! There are some things you need to know first.
Here are five things to consider when converting your garage into a living space.
Check Your City’s Regulations
One thing that often gets overlooked with garage conversions is city regulations. Turning parking spaces into living quarters is not allowed in every location. Before you hire a garage remodel contractor, ensure you check your local codes, regulations, and zoning. You may need permits or have to follow specific rules!
Focus on Insulation
Garages can be turned into a comfortable living spaces, but keep in mind that garages are not typically insulated. You’ll need to make a plan for insulating it well, so that not only do you not hear everything going on outside but that the temperature can be regulated, too.
If you are not replacing the garage door with a wall, don’t forget to switch it out with an insulated garage door at the very least.
Blend It Into Your Space
Sometimes garage remodels can look disjointed from the rest of your home. Before starting the project, you may want to think about how you can blend it into your current space.
Additionally, if you plan to get rid of the garage door and make it an exterior wall, be sure to have a plan to make it look nice from the exterior so that you don’t have an eyesore.
Consider The Flooring
Garage floors can be up to 15 inches or more below the level of the floors in the main house. They are also typically just concrete which doesn’t help for insulation and is not very comfortable.
Consider raising the floor to match the rest of the home which will provide an opportunity for insulation and create a more comfortable space.
Take Note of Electrical & HVAC Considerations
Before going through with a garage conversion, take note of how many electrical outlets there are and whether it is set up for heating and air. Most garages are not temperature controlled so they do not have ductwork pre-installed and sometimes only have one or two outlets.
For a garage to become a living space, you’ll likely need to add more electrical outlets and run ducts or get a freestanding air conditioner and heater for temperature control.
Schedule a Free Consultation
An experienced garage remodel contractor, like us here at Bela Development, can help you work through the logistics and make it easy to convert your garage into a stunning living space. Schedule a free consultation today and we’ll make your vision come to life.
