Remodeling a garage into an apartment can be quite time-consuming, but the potential benefits are worth it. In accordance with Case Handyman and Remodeling Services, a nationally home improvement firm, most garage remodeling projects may add 200 to 400 square feet of distance into your house. This additional space will not only boost your house’s resale value, but can also be a source of extra income if you rent from the flat.
Get any necessary permits at your city hall or county courthouse. As you are not physically constructing a new structure, you won’t need to go through as much red tape, however a simple building permit is necessary for adding plumbing and power to the area. Following the first issuance of a building permit, you will also need to arrange a time for a building inspector to view the house before it can be officially approved for occupancy and renting.
Decide what you want to do concerning the door. In accordance with Case Handyman and Remodeling Services, the garage door presents a special and frequently costly obstacle. If you’ve got a large budget, then think about hiring a contractor to convert the door into a large bay window or a sound, seamless outdoor wall area. Although, for most homeowners, the least expensive option will be to leave the present door undamaged. Should you choose to keep the garage door in place, you’ll need to add insulation to the door in addition to seal the border with caulk or foam.
Use a layer to determine the slope of the floor. Case Handyman and Remodeling Services explains that most garages have sloped floors to permit for easier water . If the floor is sloped, you’ll need to pour additional concrete to level it out. Ensure that you budget for a thin, extra layer of concrete.
Paint the floor with matte enamel paint if you are attempting to save money. Matte paint will not only brighten up the gloomy concrete, but it will also help add traction to an otherwise slippery surface. If you can manage to devote a couple of hundred dollars on linoleum or carpeting, also think about these options for a warmer, more inviting apartment area.
Run piping and power through the outside wall of the home into the flat unit. To save on contractor costs, plan on placing the bathroom and kitchen close to the shared wall of the flat and the main home. If you install fixtures in the opposite end of this space, you will wind up paying tens of thousands of dollars extra on installation and materials fees.
Compare prices for conducting heating and cooling ducts from the main house into the garage flat versus the expense of installing small heating and cooling components directly in the garage. You may find an electrical space heater and a small window air conditioner can allow you to save on your bottom line.
Install fiberglass or foam insulating material cover the walls. Should you fail to add insulation, heating and cooling for the area will be atrociously large, deterring any prospective tenants. At this moment, you may also wish to add new inside walls into the area, sectioning off individual rooms in the flat. Additional walls, however, just make millennial sense whenever you are working using a 2 – or three-car garage. A one-car garage will usually be so modest that incorporating walls can make the space feel cramped. For a one-car garage, it’d be better to simply leave the space available as a studio flat, only installing additional walls for a small toilet area. Make certain to paint all of the walls with latex paint for a finished aesthetic; white is usually a safe, neutral shade for apartment spaces.