How to Build Home Garages into Living Spaces
Converting your garage into a comfortable living space can bring you additional bedroom space or an extra room in the house for entertaining. This conversion can be temporary or permanent depending on your specific needs. However, if the change is permanent the process is more involved.
- Review the local building codes in your area to find out if the conversion is allowed before you begin. Depending on your area, you may be required to have a garage or parking area. In this case, the conversion would not be legally allowed.
- Take out part of the interior wall paneling on the outside walls of the garage to see if the exterior walls are insulated. If the garage is not finished, the insulation will be visible. However, just because the garage is finished does not mean that the area is insulated.
- Speak with a heating and air conditioning service company to have them overlook your existing system. They may be able to add heat or air conditioning to the space using your current system, which will save you money.
- Ask an electrician to inspect the garage and verify that there is enough power to run any appliances or fixtures that you will install inside. If there is not adequate power, the electrician will be able to install an electrical panel to provide you with more.
- Use measuring tape to measure the outside windows if you plan to use the space as a bedroom. Typically, local regulations will require that your bedroom have windows of a certain size installed at a specific height. If the window is not suitable, you should consider adding a window on the wall that will replace the garage door.
- Speak with a builder to design the wall that will replace the garage door once it is removed. You will want the wall to blend with the house and not look like an add-on.
- Have the garage door removed, the exterior doors changed, the walls and ceiling insulated, the drywall finished, the siding or stucco installed and the electrical, heating and air conditioning systems updated. Then paint and decorate the room to your desired taste.