How to Build a Garage Apartment
If you're fortunate enough to have a two-story garage, you can transform this space to a garage apartment for an older child or an aging parent. Converting your garage is an investment into your overall property value. Spending, the least amount of money is key to gaining more profit from the addition.
- Contact the city assessor in your local area to ensure that you can legally build an apartment with your garage area. Your property must adhere to a specific set of zoning codes that you must comply with.
- Contact the local building inspector to verify that the plans you have drafted are within code regulations concerning construction. Speak specifically about the plumbing and mechanical codes, rules regarding occupancy, alternations and electrical and construction regulations.
- Obtain a building permit before you begin any form of construction.
- Design a floor plan for the apartment. Determine if you want a one or two story apartment, the number of bedrooms, location of windows and doors. A contractor will help you format your floor plan. Once the plan has been finalized, the construction team will begin work.
- Speak with a plumbing specialist and electrician to explain your specific for the garage apartment so they can help formulate a plan to meet those needs.
- Select the appropriate flooring for each room in the garage apartment. You'll also need to consider the staircase design, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, appliances and lighting fixtures.
- Purchase paint and painting supplies, appliances, furniture and decoration to finalize the garage apartment once construction is complete.