Remodeling not only adds value to your home but also makes you more comfortable in it, despite home price drops, remodeling projects are holding their own as a way for owners to add value. Although construction costs on the Pacific Coast are nearly 17 percent higher than national averages, the value of renovations at resale more than makes up for those higher prices. Remodeling a garage to a room is often a cost-effective way to add living space to your home. Because the foundation, roof and exterior walls are already built, you will not incur these costs and be able to remodel the area with little disruption to the rest of your home, you may already have the electrical wiring as well as plumbing and depending upon local building codes, you may not need a building permit for your project. Why would you need a building permit? This can vary from one location to another, but the primary issues are: Structural soundness, exits, heating and cooling, windows, ventilation, insulation, plumbing and electrical, the best place to start remodeling a garage to a room is to determine what you have to work with in terms of floor, walls, access, etc. You will likely have a cement slab floor and an adequate roof. If there are no windows, you will need to decide whether to install them, and where you will place them. If your garage has finished walls you will need to insulate them and make a plan for heating and cooling, adequate lighting and electrical outlets. Do you need plumbing in the room? If so, you will need to determine whether there is or is not plumbing in the area and what changes are required. Your next decision will be whether to use the entire garage for your new room or only part of it. If you have a three-car garage, you might decide to finish only one into living space. In this case, you might want to pay extra attention to soundproofing. Converted garages can serve a variety of functions like a kitchen to a living room or a family room, den, home theater, home office or an extra bedroom or playroom. You might discover enough “attic” space to finish two rooms (one above the other) or to open the ceiling and design your new room with a vaulted ceiling. The next decisions will determine the appearance of the finished room. What kind of flooring will you use? You will find that a slab is conducive to almost any kind of flooring you choose to install. Be sure to seal the slab before you begin installation of any flooring materials. And, if you install carpet, you might want to invest in double padding to make the room more comfortable, a traditional joist floor over the garage slab to match the floor level in the rest of your home is also a possibility.
For more remodeling ideas for your home call me, Lee Soffer at Remodeling Design & Management Inc. to schedule a free estimate, consultation and design session at your home. RDM is a local full service design, remodeling, and construction firm and can help you with every phase of your remodeling project. We handle all types of remodeling, whether it’s a major renovation like an addition or extension, renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or remodeling an entire home.
For more information, please call Lee Soffer with Remodeling Design & Management Inc. at 661-771-6672.