Can I renovate my garage to use it for some other purpose without it being legally re-classified as "interior space?"
It is actually very common for people to remodel the garage for some other purpose besides storing a vehicle, yet still keep the space legally a garage. However, if changes are made that physically alter the area so that it cannot be used to store a vehicle, then any city inspector who notices that will re-classify that square footage to no longer be a garage.
The basic issue is that there must be some way to get a vehicle inside of that covered space. There can be some type of garage door that lifts overhead or another large opening (like big doors that swing or slide open from the side).
For simplicity, there are two general kinds of garage conversions: partial and full
1. Garage remodeling, renovations, or "partial" conversions (so that the space is still legally functional as a garage even if you never use it as covered parking for a vehicle) - like you can see above on the right... or
2. "Full" garage conversions (so that the space is no longer legally functional as a garage and will be legally be re-classified as interior square footage, like for purposes of home insurance coverage, real estate listings, and property taxes)
Either way, planning your garage conversion has two basic phases:
1) creating a basic plan for the actual process of converting the garage for use as living space (including the costs and financing options) plus
2) carefully considering all the consequences of the renovation (city code compliance, insurance coverage, resale, etc).
What kind of consequences? Most people are aware of the potential for the garage conversion to greatly improve the resale value of the home, although you may want some input from an expert once you learn more about the potential complications involved with city code compliance, unpermitted conversions, maintaining the full protection of your insurance coverage, and legal barriers to selling a home after an improper conversion. In other words, you want to maximize the value of the converted space plus know that the conversion is being done in a way that avoids stressful surprises in the future.
When you contact a contractor through this site, you will have the comfort of knowing that you have an expert who can quickly give you a quick estimated price range plus help you organize every detail of the planning and construction. Note that if you will be requesting a general estimate, sometimes it is sufficient for the renovation supervisor to simply see a picture of the existing garage plus ask a few simple questions, and then the contractor can give you a general price range. Of course, for a precise written bid (including the specific building materials that you select), a personal inspection of the site will need to be scheduled, plus the services of a designer or architect may be relevant. In summary, our contractors can help you recognize what fits with your priorities and then manage the whole renovation process for you.
Our conversion pros have been
converting garages for decades
When you hire our professionals to convert your garage, you will feel the interest and confidence of our specialists as you speak with your renovation supervisor about your priorities and questions. It can be very exciting for you to see the project get completed so smoothly and quickly. You may also be quite relieved to find out how little the entire project will be and how fast it can be completed.
Over time, our experienced contractors have developed great relationships with the staff of the various local cities who issue permits for residential renovations and who conduct inspections at your home. Several different inspections may be required (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, etc...). The process of dealing with the paperwork and the inspectors can be stressful for many homeowners. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else to handle all of that for you?
If you are just starting to plan a garage conversion and want to read our planning FAQs, click costs, codes, permits, etc. Next, contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Common questions when converting from a garage:
1. Which kind of garage conversion is best for me: a permanent conversion, reversible conversion, or partial conversion?
2. What priorities do people who previously converted their garage recommend that I consider before I start?
3. What will my garage conversion cost, how long will it take, and how can I qualify for financing?
1. Which kind of garage conversion is best for me: a permanent conversion, reversible conversion, or partial conversion?
2. What priorities do people who previously converted their garage recommend that I consider before I start?
3. What will my garage conversion cost, how long will it take, and how can I qualify for financing?
Where is the garage located?
Click the option below for the
location of the conversion.
Western states: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, or WY
Central states: AR, LA, IA, IL, KS, MO, MN, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, or WI
Eastern states: AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MS,
NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WV
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a garage converted to a bedroom:
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a conversion to a sun room: | another conversion to a bedroom:
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