If you are one of the many Americans who love their home but would also love more space, then you probably have considered moving to a larger home. While moving is a good option for many, it does come with some drawback for others including budgetary restrictions, having to move out of a beloved neighborhood or community, uprooting kids from school, leaving a house you love, and more. If this is the case, then another alternative to consider is that of converting your garage into a liveable space. If done correctly, a garage could be transformed into an extra bedroom, an office, a den or even a separate mini apartment.
If you live in Colorado or another state where real estate is in high demand then a garage conversion may be a great compromise; it will allow you to remain in your desired community and in your home, while having more space to breathe. However, before you jump into a big renovation project that will cost you $11,000 on average, there are some important points to consider.
Return On Investment
It is well known that certain renovations are more worthwhile than others when homeowners interested in selling their home are trying to up their property value. When it comes to a garage conversion, you will probably only get about 20-30% of the money you invested back when you sell the home. However, if you are planning to stay in your home for a long time you may be more focused on making the most of the space you have and being able to enjoy it comfortably.
Legal Issues
Before diving into a renovation, it is crucial to check that the work you are doing is legal. A garage conversion may involve adding square footage and changing the structure of the exterior of the home which in most places requires permits and zoning rights from the city. Also, to avoid costly surprises it is wise to check with professionals experienced with pipe installation and repair such as Snowbridge Inc as well as an electrician to make sure that the space can feasibly be converted without too many complexities.
Parking Place
Once you convert a garage into another type of space then you are taking away a parking place. If your garage was used not for parking but for storage, then you will be losing valuable space. Before you commit to the garage conversion make sure you have a plan as to where you will park your car and store all your sports equipment, bikes and the like. After weighing the pros and cons you may find that losing the parking spot or the space is not worth it.
