Although residential renovations ar
e sometimes focused on aesthetic improvements, converting your garage into a home addition can offer some practical advantages and disadvantages as well. Here are some pros and cons to help make the decision easier.
Pro: Affordability
The obvious reason many homeowners choose to convert their garages into home additions is to have more living space. Keep in mind that additions come with their own list of considerations, and one major benefit of converting a garage over other home renovation options is that it is generally more affordable than constructing from scratch. In fact, converting a garage could cost two to three times less than building a completely new extension.
Con: Sacrificing Parking Space
While converting a garage into an addition can be significantly more affordable than the alternative, there is one large contention homeowners must make: sacrificing parking space. This can be problematic in some areas, but if roadside parking is available, many find that this tradeoff is worth it.
Pro: Versatility
Although garages are often converted into “man caves,” they actually offer a great deal of versatility in terms of function. Garages are great spaces for fitness or entertainment rooms, as they can muffle the sounds of loud equipment or stereos. Because they are annexes, they are also a great way to give visitors extra privacy when converting the space to a guest room.
Con: Structural Changes
Garages are not often insulated or raised in the same way as living spaces, meaning that some additional renovations must take place before garages are livable. These conversions may take up to 4-6 weeks, and they often include replacing garage doors with stud walls, adding doors and windows, raising the floor height, and fully insulating the walls and ceiling.
Pro: Increased Property Value
Converting a garage into living space may be time-consuming and costly at first, but it can also significantly increase the market value of the property. In the case of a modern, professional renovation, it can often increase the property value by much more than the project’s cost. Converting a garage into a home addition can have a great payoff, but it’s best to go in with help. For financing information and more, contact us today for a quote!