Enclosing Garage

My husband and I plan to remove the garage door and replacing it with a wall and insert a bay window. I want to know if this is a do-it-yourself job? Is this a weekend job for two? Are there any books/videos that you could recommend that shows step-by-step instructions on how to complete this project?

 

Hello
There is much more to closing in a garage than removing the door and installing a window. I do not know where you live
but in most places this will need a permit...things you have to consider. The floor, is it level? you will need electrical installed, heating installed, is the water heater and furnace in the garage they will some things done to them. should this need a permit and you do not get one
you could end up taking it all out and be fined.
It is allways better to do every thing right, you will never have any problems if you should sell the home at a later date.......

 

Rose, if you go to Lowes, menards, wickes, etc..any large home building store they should have books on projects such as yours. Take your time, measure good and stop to think alot along the way and youll be fine. The books will point out alot of things you may not consider yourself, such as building codes and unsuspected surprises. Good luck to ya!

 

This is not a weekend project. This is project that can go on and on. Take out the door, build a wall, insert a bay window, finish and side the outside of the garage, the list goes on. big job. This will take lots of planning and a bottle of excederin.

 

Sure it will be alot of work, but its not all doom and gloom like Jack makes it out to be. If ya like to work on your home together it can be very fun and VERY rewarding when your all done and can stand back and admire your handiwork. The only excedrin youll need is when you samck yer thumb with the hammer! take your time, youll be fine...smile

 

Hi nrose88,

I think halfwet is just that, halfwet. lol! Sorry halfwet, don't take it personal; just having fun! If you knew me better like the others here, I'm sure you would know what I mean. I just couldn't resist with a handle like yours. I can appreciate halfwet's eagerness to tackle renovation projects which tend to be much more work that new construction projects. And I am a really big believer in doing it yourself. But I agree with Jack the Contractor 110% on this one.

The very fact that nrose88 is asking for an outside opinion suggests to me that she and her husband do not have their own experience to rely on, to answer the questions they are asking. Also, nrose88 asked for step by step videos !!
Another red flag. This suggest to me that they don't even have a complete design to their project. A saying that I say to others is, 'if you can lay it out, you can build it'. Conversely, 'if you can not lay it out, you won't be able to build it'.

I think that just replacing one garage door is a weekend project for most people. Her renovation could easily take 6 to 12 weekends depending to what degree the project has been formally planned for. It could involve concrete footings, demolition, redesign and construction, and finish carpentry skills to trim out the finished project inside and out, and on and on.

I recently installed several replacement windows in my house. The last 4 windows tooks a mere 2 hours to install. The first window took me 4 hours to install! Is reality beginning to set in?

I think nrose88 should do the job theirselves if they can, but first; lay it out completely, allow many weeks toward it, and buy the Excederin! I promise it will not be a weekend job for two, but could be a job your husband might enjoy doing.

Merry Christmas to halfwet, Jack , Nrose88 and all!

"If you want it done right, do it yourself,... except for crown molding,,...and ..... and..."

Mark (Jack of no trades)

 

Yea yea, most of the time my wife says Im ALL wet! lol..And hey, she may be right.....half the time... Any way guys, I agree with y'all that renovating a garage into living space is alot more than just removing the door, building a wall and inserting a window...thats a major chore to say the least! But we dont know from the question that thats what they are going to do, all she asked was about removing the door and puting in a window, for all we know they may just want to use the room for partys, boy scout meetings or whatever, and not turn it into living space. I just cant assume what people are going to do, just have to go by what they ask.....merry xmas! Oh and Mark..I need to replace my windows too, I may be askin for advice about that soon, keep watchin! This subzero weather really brings out the weakness in my windows....brrrrrr

 

Half wet: The key in her question was "is this a weekend project for two" The answer was no. Merry Christmas Guys, have a glass of cheer and put in on my account.

 

Jack....Are you saying that with 24 hrs labor you and a helper couldnt take out a garage door and frame in a window?

 

Once again my 2 cents.
With so much work to be done there is a lot of crap contractors out there.If the 2 of you are comfortable with this project seek as much advise as u can,and grab a hammer.
It hurts my heart to see drunken no talent loosers working on someones house drive a nail and drink or smoke thier lunch.
Two people who care can do the job well enough as the 2 bit workers.but it will take a long time as compared to a good contractor.But its your home grab a hammer and dig in and enjoy your hard work when its finished

 

Hello
You can do any think you know you can do...First do all the planing that it will take, this in itself is no small task. I am not going into a long speach but when avery thing in pland and you have a permit...Then do every thing you know you can do, the permit will help with this, in some area it has to be the electrical has to be done by a electricl contractor, this is a real good idea if you have any douts aboud doing it....BUT...Good Luck and HAVE FUN....I thingk you folk have been though enough with all this...Who know best...This is up to "YOU"

 

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. Your feedback has enlightened me on a lot of issues. Basically, we will use the garage as a den/playroom for the kids. The way the garage was built, the homeowner has the option of closing it in. The builders drywalled, painted and electrically wired the garage. The only thing left to do (besides getting a permit) is remove the electrical garage door, construct a wall and insert a bay window. When the the garage door is removed, there will be a 9' x 7' hole to close. We want to build the frame for the wall and install a bay window; completing the outside wall with wood.

Oh, there is one other thing. The inside wall of the garage is parallel to the living room wall. Our plans are to cut out an opening in the living room wall, install french doors leading from the living room, opening into the garage. My father-in-law is a great handyman. He will assist as needed. But I want to have a better idea of what these projects involve. I am trying to find books that give details on the materials that will be needed and how-to information. We are also getting quotes from contractors. I am trying to weigh all my options.

 

nrose88: You did get alot of response, but I kind of figured there was more to this project then you originally mentioned. Now this is how it is in the real world. If you have two carpenters, all the materials there, including the bay window, exterior sheeting, siding, trim, inside trim, etc. This is a 2 day job. This is a fact. Anyone who says it takes less is not going to give you a good job. Your french doors are another matter. 2 carpenters 1 day for prep, and the next day about 4 hours to insert, level, trim
etc. If you have a good father in law like I think you do, he can really help out. You will look long a hard for a book to help you out. However, I will assist you in any way I can. I can tell you exactly step by step how to do it. But, it will not be in just one weekend. It will take you a few days. If you want, my e-mail is onthept@valleytel.net