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Garage Conversion faq

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from our visitors!

Hopefully these will answer any questions you may have. If you don't see the answer to your question, please feel free to call us and one of our friendly staff will be there to answer your question!

What is Garage conversion?

Garage conversion is the action of repurposing a garage to be used for another purpose than it's intentional use. Garage conversions are a great way to add an additional 200-400 sq ft to your home at a lower price than building a home addition would be. Garage conversions can add space without compromising the existing design of your home.

Is Garage Conversion Legal?

As with anything else- its important to consult with your local government agencies such as city planning, and read up on current local laws, but generally speaking the answer is yes. It is legal. Converting your garage into a rental unit can be done the legal way- it just takes the proper permits when converting; all of which we here at Garage Conversions LA will take care of for you. All of our conversion projects are completely legal.
The issue that many home owners run into regarding the legality directly relates to a membership in a home owners associations. In many cases, a home owners association calculated the number of parking spaces by the number of spaces available in a garage, therefore converting the space can cause a conflict- but every home owners association is different. We will be honest with you about your project and can save you a ton of time in regards to authenticating its legality. Simply put- it its illegal, we wont do it. If you run into a company that offers to convert your garage without following the proper legal path, we recommend reporting them to local regulatory agencies. Illegal garage conversions can cost home owners thousands of dollars in fines plus the cost to revert the garage to its original purpose.

Do I need a permit to convert my garage?

All conversions require a city building permit.

How do I get a permit to convert my garage?

Generally speaking, your contractor should be responsible for walking you through this process, as every city has its own process and paperwork.

Who submits the Application for building or Converting my Garage?

It is usually the architect or contractor who is building or remodeling the garage.

What is the difference between garage remodeling and garage conversion?

The difference between garage conversion, and garage remodeling is in a conversion, the garage is repurposed to be used for something other than it's original intention. For example, converting a garage to a bedroom, or an apartment. Additionally, garage conversions entail a higher cost, and include a lot of work that a garage remodel doesn't require, such as adding air conditioning, building walls, replacing garage door, electrical work, plumbing etc.

A Garage remodel is when you add additional structure to enhance the storage capabilities, organization, or over all look and feel of your garage. Some examples of garage remodeling would be adding floor-to-ceiling cabinets, adding overhead storage, changing the color, adding work benches or adding a mud room to an existing garage.

What can a garage be converted into?

Realistically a garage can be converted into any type of space you can fit into a 200-400sq ft. The most common types of conversions include:

• Home Office
• Large Master Suite
• Home Theatre
• Game Room
• Small One Bedroom Unit
• Studio Room & Small Bathroom
• Photography Studios
• Play Room for Children

How much does it cost to convert a garage?

Depending on your conversion type, garage conversions are involved with all construction trades from planning and foundation to framing, plumbing, electricity and roofing, all of those make a huge difference in the construction costs but in general if you are doing it legally and professionally, a garage conversion costs starts at $12,000 and up to $60,000 to the more complicated ones.

Home advisor has this fantastic tool that can help you get a generalized idea of what kind of cost to convert a garage (which you can find at http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/garages/remodel-a-garage/ ) you would be looking at in your zip code. In the example below, we will look at an average Los Angeles Zipcode

 

 

 

Will Converting My Garage Affect My Resale Value?

Converting a garage correctly will add square footage to your home, on an average, one square foot for the average house in Los Angeles worth $250-$350 making 400 SF of garage conversion worth $120,000 while the cost of converting a garage will probably be 70%-80% less! So ask yourself if earning more than 50% on your investment is worth it? It sure is! Converting a garage to living space is one of the most cost effective ways to add space to your home and for sure add extra value too. Garage conversion's cost will rise in conjunction with the house price so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

How long will my garage conversion take to complete?

After you have received the proper building permits and selected a contractor and designed the conversion, the actual construction work takes on average between 2 and 4 weeks. The time it takes can vary depending on size and complexity of the project, as well as availability of materials and weather.

Why would I want to Convert My Garage?

Converting a garage is not for everyone. Different homeowners have different wants and needs from their living space, and in some cases a garage remodel is the perfect solution. Converting your garage has a lot of benefits, including:

• Adding square footage 
• Costs less than a home addition
• Can be used to generate income is used as apartment
• Can provide a productive space to work for people who run businesses from their home
• Great for hobbyists since a garage can be converted into music studios, painting studios, photography studios, and many more.
• Provide a safe place for children to play
• Can provide additional space for a childs room for growing families

The decision to convert a garage is very relative to each person. Many people gain a lot of joy out of their garage conversions, for many different reasons.

How many square feet will I gain if I convert my garage?

An average 2 car garage is about 400-450 Sq Ft.

An average 1 car garage is around 200-250 Sq Ft

author: Admin

Published: 3/30/2016