A garage conversion is an excellent option if you're looking to create new living spaces, workshops, or studios in your home, increase storage area or just want to better organize the space you already have. Whether you're converting your garage into a bedroom, office or studio, expanding a pre-existing garage, building an extra room or apartment on top of your garage or adding a new garage altogether, it's good to be up on what to expect from these projects before the work on your new garage begins.

Minor Garage Conversions
Since a garage conversion is primarily limited to your garage's pre-existing space, this type of project's impact on your daily life is relatively minimal in relation to other garage undertakings. You can expect the minor inconveniences of noise and outdoor foot traffic that go along with any construction project, but other than that it should more or less progress along out of sight and out of mind; however, that may depend on the purpose of your remodel. Installing cabinetry and workbenches won't require much more than setting a few screws and sawing some planks, but if you're transforming your garage into a new bedroom, music or art studio, things like installing drywall, running new wiring, installing specialty equipment, and modifying entryways might do more to grab your attention.

Major Garage Remodels
Major garage remodel or a garage conversion is as big an undertaking as any other major home remodel. It will require significant work that includes, but is not limited to, improving or expanding your home's foundation, the demolition of walls and roofing, and major construction work. Expect all the inconveniences and hassles that are part and parcel to any large remodel or addition, such as a large crew working on your property, lots of noise, and granting your contractor access to other parts of your home when necessary. If your garage conversion includes modifying or building new entryways, take into account where those projects will take place. You may find yourself ordering pizzas or eating out for a few days to avoid the dust, and if access to your new garage is through your kitchen, for example, increased traffic and loss of privacy will accompany that phase of the build.

A Few Tips to Consider

• Think about your contractors. Bring them some lemonade or sodas if it's hot out or some coffee on cold days.


• Don't forget heating and cooling. Many garages are not insulated, and if your garage is not currently heated or cooled it will make for an uncomfortable workshop, guest room, or office without proper heating/cooling and insulation.


• The average garage conversion costs $10,221 and takes almost 4 weeks to complete, according to our data. Want it completed faster? Consider letting your contractors begin work earlier, end later, and work on the weekends.


• Consider leaving the floor concrete. Concrete flooring is pretty popular these days, and can help keep the room naturally cool in the summer. Plus, you can use the money you didn't spend on flooring to upgrade some other part of the garage conversion.

Garage Additions
As with an extensive remodel or garage conversion, a new garage addition is a major construction project. If you are building onto your existing home you can expect all of the same inconveniences mentioned in the previous section. If you're building a detached garage the impact to your day-to-day life will be much less since the construction does not impact your immediate living space. However, remember that building a detached garage is similar in scope to building a new house (albeit a small one). That being the case, you'll want to prepare yourself for the extended presence of the crew and all necessary materials and vehicles on your property, as well as the noise and bustle that come along with any project of this size.

Final Considerations
Be sure to agree on a timeline with your contractor before the garage conversion or garage building begins. Keep in mind, however, that most large construction projects will probably take a little longer than the initial estimate. With any large construction undertaking, new challenges and surprises will undoubtedly surface, and while your contractor will do his/her best to meet the timeline you agreed on, sometimes it takes a little extra ingenuity and time to get the job done right. In the end, putting up with an extra week or two of construction will be worth it when you consider the long term benefits your new garage project will provide.