Garage Access Basement

5 years ago

Hello! Curious if any of you here have had a garage access basement that you converted into interior access. If so, did you cut through the first floor/basement ceiling to add a staircase? Or did you opt to lose part of your garage space to enclose the garage access to basement? Did you use an engineer or architect? Or just a contractor? We will be getting bids, but wanted to check here to hear more about your experience.

Featured Answer

jmdkc
Original Author

5 years ago

@Patricia Colwell Consulting--I find it fascinating that you seem to reply to just about each of my discussion posts with a response alluding to if only I would do this, or provide that, or post this, then I would get better answers, when in fact I seem to get great, insightful, educated answers. Please re-read my question--I am asking for those that have had a garage access basement converted to interior access to provide me with their experience. Since you are listed as a PRO, I am shocked that you are not familiar with a garage access basement or how common they are in the midwest. Obviously I am wanting my beautifully finished basement to have access from my main house, not just from the garage or else I wouldn't have posted this question. But then again, perhaps I would take you more seriously as a PRO if you had than just a couple of pictures up for your portfolio. Please only respond kindly, I am tired of the underlying criticisms and "thou art holier" responses.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
IMo if this is supposed to be part of the main house it needs to have a staircase from the main house to the space . I would not want to have to go to the garage to get to the space . Maybe a better explanation will get better answers.
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shirlpp
5 years ago
:)
jmdkc
Original Author
5 years ago
Oh! And if anyone used prefabricated stairs vs custom.
D C
3 years ago
Which did you end up doing? I'm struggling with deciding for my house!
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
When you have basement access from the garage, garages are designed to accommodate a stairway without losing parking space for a car. If you add a staircase after the fact with a loss of car space it could hurt future home sales.

Doing it another way cutting into the floor with a landing, you would have to give up a good portion of the 1st floor to accommodate a stairway opening... Would have to see the floor layout drawing with dimensions to see if it is feasible to do that.

Good luck
Nancy
3 years ago
Thank you for your very well articulated question. It was perfectly clear to me. I’m wondering what you ended up doing since I have the same desire to create indoor access to my basement in a fairly small ranch. Thanks in advance if you are able to respond.