Seattle Garage Remodeling: Car Shelters and Home Additions

Though the importance of a garage should never be underestimated, Seattle garages are even more important than most. Though our King County Metro Transit system is annually ranked as one of the best in the country, most people still use their cars for getting around the city, as any morning or afternoon on I-5 will tell you. Whether the Seahawks are making an extended playoff run, or thousands of politically active and vocal citizens descend on the city center, or you yourself are enjoying a nice evening at home, there are any number of times when you'll want a place to park your car.

The Personal Value of a Seattle Garage Remodel
Given the choice, few Seattle homeowners would prefer to leave their car on the street for the seven months of clouds, rain, and humidity, a few months of which also register near-freezing temperatures. Whether you're concerned about the lifespan of your vehicle or simply cringe at the prospect of scurrying out to your car each January morning, being able to park your car in a garage is a convenience many Seattle homeowners don't want to do without.

At the same time, not very many Seattle homes have basements, putting a premium on other home storage and recreational areas. The garage remains one of the first places where homeowners look to supplement this capacity and activity. This is where the remodeling process enters the picture. More efficient storage systems, garage expansions, and general remodeling including insulation, a new garage door, garage flooring, and additions to your garage's heating, plumbing, and electrical capabilities can enable you to optimize the use of your garage and still shelter your car.

The Financial and Resale Value of a Seattle Garage Remodel
There's no reliable data on the resale value of a garage remodel in Seattle or anywhere in the country, but if you're looking for some reassurance, consider this: The resale value in Seattle for building a garage addition is about 88 percent (average cost $63,500, additional property value $56,000). The national average for a garage addition is only 69 percent. Plus, in general, one of the best ways to maximize cost versus resale value is to find a way to remodel an area of your home into a livable area for a fraction of the cost of a full addition. Can we promise you that 100 percent of the cost of your project will be recouped when it comes to sell your home? No, of course not, especially with the downward trends in the housing market. We can tell you that your money won't be going to waste when you try to sell your home. More than raw figures, a remodeled garage can be a selling point that gets your house off the market that much faster.

So, how much is your garage remodel going to cost? The data collected by ServiceMagic shows that the average cost of a garage remodeling project runs around $10,000. This cost can still include insulation, heating, wiring, and the like but with a strict budget and tough choices in mind. For a truly emerald-quality garage, however, your project can easily top $20,000.

Seattle Garage Renovation Contractors
As obvious as it is too many homeowners, it can't be stressed enough: Do your homework and talk to as many contractors as you can and can stand. Garage remodeling is full of different home improvement professionals. Many home remodeling contractors can undertake and competently complete a garage remodeling project. Some, however, may specialize in garage renovations more than others. Plus, the project you have in mind may suit some contractors more than others. The best contractor for a new garage door and garage insulation may not be the best contractor for a garage that needs new electrical wiring and plumbing. Rest assured that, whatever your needs, ServiceMagic can find the right contractor for your project, but know that you may need to talk to several before you can determine the best fit for you and your home.