Garage Conversions:
converting a garage to a room

This page is for people who currently have a garage and want something else there in that space (such as a sun room, office, or extra bedroom). Instead, if your primary interest is a conversion TO a garage (like from a carport), then click here: converting TO a garage.

Planning your garage conversion has a few stages:

1) researching the minimum costs and legal restrictions.

2) carefully considering all the consequences of the garage conversion, including potential increases to the resale value or monthly rental value of the property.

3) finalizing plans for the actual remodel (including the design costs, permitting costs, and financing options)

Before we cover the 3 sections above, here are some quick links. Want general info on the different kinds of garage conversions? If so, click here: remodeling vs renovations vs standard garage conversions

First, want to see a few sample photos instead? If you prefer to browse a variety of sample photos from converted garages, you can scroll to the very bottom of this page. Or, if you plan to use your garage for a specific kind of room, click one of these links to see lots of relevant photos: converting a garage to a bedroom, to a family room, to a living room, or to a stand-alone studio apartment or guest house.

#1 Researching the minimum costs and legal restrictions

If you have never converted a garage to a room legally within your current local area, you may not be aware of the potential complexities of building codes and permitting. (Or maybe you have an unpermitted conversion already and wish to legalize it.) Fortunately, our specialists in your area are familiar with local restrictions, so they can quickly give you the relevant information.

In particular, in order to maintain your property insurance (which we promise you will be extremely valuable), you will want to get a building permit. So, in order to get a building permit in some locations, you may be required to EITHER add a garage or carport to your property OR "remodel" your garage in a way that keeps it legally a garage (even if there is a wall or partition inside of the garage door which you will plan to remove before selling the property).

We call those "partial conversions" or "temporary conversions" (like you can see to the right). If properly designed and built by specialists like ours, then those can be highly-functional for a second purpose (like as a home office or even sleeping area). However, to LEGALLY convert a garage to a room, there are many other details that are important to include in your plans, like fire codes for bedrooms will also require having multiple ways to exit the room (such as by adding a window).

#2 carefully considering all the consequences of the garage conversion

What kind of consequences? Those range from increasing the resale value of your home (when done well) to voiding your property insurance coverage (when done the wrong way)- or even making you vulnerable to fines.

You can read more about these issues further down in this box. Or, if you simply want to schedule a consultation or request an estimate, use the purple buttons on the far left of this page now.

So, most people are aware of the potential for the garage conversion to greatly improve the resale value of the home, although you may want some input from an expert once you learn more about the potential complications involved with city code compliance, insurance coverage issues, and legal barriers to selling a home after an unpermitted conversion. In other words, you want to maximize the value of the converted space plus know that the conversion is being done in a way that avoids stressful surprises in the future.

#3 Finalizing plans for the actual remodel

While this stage can be very fast and affordable when performed by our specialists, it can be complex and expensive (and very stressful) for "newbies." Depending on your property, this stage can include an assessment of the existing structure by a structural engineer or similar specialist, plus the services to design the new space (along with completing blueprints and obtaining a building permit).

In order to get a truly solid bid on the total costs of some garage conversions, all of that must be done PRIOR to the final bid. Our local specialists can let you know if your situation will allow for a firm bid prior to this stage, or only after this stage.

Also, because garage conversions can greatly add to your home's value (sometimes "instantly" raising the value of the home by far more than the cost of the renovations), there are some unique benefits to this type of project. In fact, you may find that borrowing money for this kind of home improvement project is quite appealing to you (and even easier to get approved than many other renovations). If you know already that you will be interested in a loan for converting your garage to a room, let us know when you contact our garage conversion specialists today.

Our conversion pros have been
converting garages for decades

The most important thing with your conversion project is that you are satisfied with the results for many years, right? When converting your garage, wouldn't you value using professionals that have extensive experience with every element of your construction project? Not only should you choose a pro who is skilled, but who can communicate clearly and with respect for your time (and money).

When you hire our professionals to convert your garage, you will feel the interest and confidence of our specialists as you speak with your renovation supervisor about your priorities and questions. It can be very exciting for you to see the project get completed so smoothly and quickly. You may also be quite relieved to find out how little the entire project will be and how fast it can be completed.

Over time, our experienced contractors have developed great relationships with the staff of the various local cities who issue permits for residential renovations and who conduct inspections at your home. Several different inspections may be required (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc...). The process of dealing with the paperwork and the inspectors can be stressful for many homeowners. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else to handle all of that for you?

In conclusion, when you select your state below and then contact a contractor through this site, you will have the comfort of knowing that you have an expert who can quickly give you a quick estimated price range plus help you organize every detail of the planning and construction. Note that if you will be requesting a general estimate, sometimes it is sufficient for the renovation supervisor to simply see a picture of the existing garage plus ask a few simple questions, then the contractor can give you a broad price range.

Of course, for a precise written bid including the specific materials that you select, a personal inspection of the site will need to be scheduled, plus the services of a designer or architect may be relevant. In summary, our contractors can help you recognize what you need and then manage the whole process for you.

If you are just starting to plan a garage conversion and want to read our planning FAQs, click costs, codes, permits, etc. Next, contact us today to schedule your consultation.

As you may know, the rules for garage conversions can be quite different for different places. We have local experts available year-round in almost every state in the US. When you contact us, let us know your full address (or use this link to jump to the web page for your state).

Photo galleries of garage conversions (Click any of the images below for more.)

the garage on the left was converted to a bedroom:

plus a new 2-car garage was built on the right.

this garage with an unfinished interior became a home addition:

with a sliding glass door & a much more attractive ceiling

These next 4 photos show a 2-car garage that was remodeled		in to a guest bedroom with walk-in closet and full bath

This 2-car garage was remodeled in to an ADU

(a studio apartment / accessory dwelling unit)

this 1-car garage was converted to a cozy living room:

with a brand new fireplace & laminate wood flooring.

This eyesore of an old garage was converted in to

exactly what the client requested: a funky 2-story apartment

this garage went from a recreation room to...		a stunning entertainment lounge (click for photos)
a home office converted from a garage:		a detached garage converted to a bright guest bedroom:
the interior of a garage converted to a bedroom:		a detached garage converted to an office:
a conversion to a living room		a remodeled garage with a loft
a conversion to a studio apartment / guest suite:		another conversion to a bedroom: