Are you in California, and you plan to convert your garage into an apartment or living space? Whether you plan to turn that space into a studio apartment or additional living room, a garage conversion is a property improvement project that makes it easy to maximize the unusable space. In this guide, we’ll cover steps for a successful garage conversion that makes the most of your budget and time and minimizes hassle.
Let’s start!
Preparing For Garage Conversion
Preparing yourself for the garage conversion is pivotal. Start preparing yourself by getting the required permits from the local zoning department, county courthouse, or town hall.
Also, you need to work hand-in-hand with a professional architect to create a floor plan and ensure you stick to the local building codes. These building codes will dictate the windows, outlets, entrances, and exits you need. They will also determine your ceiling height.
Besides this, you also need to have an inspector review that space if you plan to rent it or use it as a bedroom. Moreover, determine the impact of that conversion on your property and its effect on your house taxes.
Steps For A Successful Garage Conversion
Consider following these steps if you plan to turn your garage space into a living room:
Step 1: How To Use The Garage Door
First, decide how you’ll put the garage into use. You can decide to use a wall and door, a window and a wall, or add a wall into that garage door space.
Also, you can follow the money-saving option by insulating that garage door(the existing one) and avoid replacing it. Through this, you’ll improve energy efficiency and climate control.
Step 2: Windows Needed
The step involves deciding the number of windows required and installing them. Here you can look for and hire a professional contractor for top-notch window installation services.
Step 3: Ventilation
In this step, you need to expand ventilation and ensure that your HVAC system can work well in that additional space. Also, you can hire an HVAC system expert to ensure that this device works well in that room.
Step 4: Hire Experts To Save Money
Consider hiring experts if you want to save money. For example, consider hiring professional plumbers if you plan to add a standalone sink in your bathroom.
Step 5: Follow The Spacing Codes
When adding or changing wall outlets, ensure that you update the lighting and follow the spacing codes to avoid or prevent any related issues.
Hire professional electricians to handle custom lighting, outlets, and additional wiring.
Step 6: Insulation
Focus on minimizing what you spend on heating and cooling during the garage conversion process. You can achieve this by using fiberglass insulation or cellulose insulation to insulate the walls.
Step 7: Drywall Addition
Remember to add drywall only after completing the insulation, plumbing, and electrical work.
Step 8: Flooring
Consider adding a concrete layer if you have a sloped garage floor. This step is pivotal because the concrete layer creates an even surface.
Raising the space’s flooring height to be in uniform with the rest of your property is another crucial thing to consider. Examples of the flooring include sealing the concrete or using stain/paint or textured vinyl.
Step 9: Painting
Here, paint the space’s walls, trim and more. Consider hiring a skilled painting company to do this process for you.
Step 10: Finishing
Create a real living space feeling by completing the finishing touches. For example, you can add furniture, a large-sized area rug, window coverings, and built-in storage.
Final Thoughts!
Hesitate no more! Implement those steps for a successful garage conversion process. Also, consider hiring a professional and highly skilled team to help you through the garage conversion planning and design process.
In case you have any design requirements or questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
