Estimate on converting garage into livable space

8 years ago

Hello all! We would like to convert our attached garage into livable space! Any idea how much something like this would cost? We basically just want it to be 2 more bedrooms and possibly a small powder room. Thanks for any help you can offer! :)

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littlebug zone 5 Missouri

8 years ago

A lot. A vague answer to go along with your vague question.

Where in the world do you live? Urban? Suburban? Rural? Costs vary wildly. Do you have to replace the garage with a new garage as a part of this project? Do you have to move the driveway? Will you be enlarging the present garage to get everything you want? What kind of foundation is under the garage, and is it suitable for supporting new living space? Is it already plumbed, or will you have to cut into its flooring for installation of water/sewer lines? If you have a septic tank, will it handle this additional load? Is the garage insulated (walls and ceiling)? Is it already heated/cooled, or do you have to provide a new supplementary heating and cooling source? What about governing body regulations/permits? Are you going to do any of the work yourself? And multiple other questions.

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Comments (11)

User
8 years ago
$100-260K depending if you are including building the new garage and driveway that will need to happen. Garages are not built to habitable residential living space standards and have to be brought up to that. Adding plumbing is very expensive. Slab foundation gor the house as well as a garage slab? Then it’s VERY expensive yo add plumbing.

And that is if permitting and zoning and the health department allow a garage conversion to happen. If you’re on septic, likely that’s a NOPE.
Vith
8 years ago
Yup, zoning and permitting might not allow.

Also, you would need to somehow run drain line from that garage to the house sewer.

Better off selling and buying a house that fits your needs.
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Milly Rey
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Really depends. Without plumbing and without replacing the garage as little as $20k if the walls are already insulated and you pick carpet on a floating insulated subfloor and the duct work is easy. No plumbing then. From there to the sky. ;)

I am on septic, and zoning allows this just fine. There actually is no upper bedroom limit here.
User
8 years ago
A 8 bedroom house can obviously not use the same size tank and leach field tank as a 3 bedroom house. That’s just silly. Unless sewage backups as a way of life is a goal.
Vith
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Depending on your lot size and zoning code, you really need to check those first. Some locations require a garage. If your lot doesnt have space for another garage and dedicated parking spots you might not be able to do it. Some locations also dont allow separate buildings to be considered living space. It is 'attached' but it is a separate building.

If your out on some farm somewhere and no zoning restrictions, do what you want lol... (within safe building code)
matzchristine
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all for the input!
geoffrey_b
8 years ago
It's going to take 2 weeks, and cost $1,000.
Milly Rey
8 years ago
Sophie, after 4 bedrooms, you hit the max requirements here.

I think they assume that a 4 bedroom house could have 10 people in it.

We have neighbors who had 12 kids. Septic was fine.
geoffrey_b
8 years ago
It's amazing all the traffic on an initial comment, when the OP says nothing. I'd think she posted it as a whim - never to return - while others argue among yourselves.
matzchristine
Original Author
8 years ago
I did return. I said thank you all for your input. These are all great points and now we have more to think about. So again, thank you all.