Convert A Garage To A Small House

Converting your garage into a small house will maximize your living space without having to move from one home to another. A small house in the back of your home is perfect to rent out or for when your son or daughter returns home from college. When determining whether or not a garage-house conversion is right for you, you should take care to remember that it can save space and money, but might require a lot of time and hard labor.

Cost Considerations

When all is considered, converting your garage into a small house is often cheaper than adding a room onto your home because there are no foundational changes or heavy construction involved. Any addition to your home would need a costly foundation built, depending upon the building codes in your local area. This cost can be almost completely avoided if your garage is already up to code before you begin the renovation. Depending upon the condition of your garage, plumbing and electrical fixtures may already be provided, again saving you the expense.

If your only other alternative is moving to a larger space, then converting your garage to a small house will end up saving you thousands of dollars.

The money that is saved from dealing with such additional costs can easily be applied to interior design and finishing touches to create a space that is more comfortable when living within your garage.

Attached or Detached

One of the biggest factors in the planning your garage conversion is whether or not the garage is attached to your house because attached and detached garages offer different features and benefits.

Attached garages benefit from the connection to the home in climate control and easy access for the homeowner. They are also better suited for an attached room which would see regular use, such as an entertainment room or a master bedroom for example.

If your garage is going to be converted in order to create a more private or functional specific place, then a detached garage would benefit you for a number of reasons. For example, this space would work well for the creation of a separate workshop; or an independent living opportunity for older children who just married or are in college. It could also possibly serve as a perfect space for the home office, free of any and all distraction.

Additional Considerations

Additional factors to consider in the decision to convert the garage are its overall size and your home's needs. Remember that with this conversion of your garage that your vehicles are going to be displaced. Cars that have lost their home to a full repurposing of the garage can be moved to an external carport. Larger garages may be converted only in part, leaving room for a single car to park, or for items to get stored.

If your garage is presently being used primarily for storage, then buying a portable storage shed is going to be well worth the cost so that you can get better use out of your garage by converting it into a living space.