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What Does It Cost to Remodel a Garage into a Bedroom Living Space?
Most garages are attached to the main house and this substantially reduces the cost of remodeling a garage into a bedroom. The main costs are incurred by ensuring that the building has safe access from the house, is water and damp-proofed, fully insulated, and that all windows are double-paned.
Introduction to the Cost of Remodeling a Garage into a Bedroom
The requirement for an extra bedroom can be met by the conversion of a garage, which can often save the inconvenience of moving from the family home. The new bedroom may be required to bring an elderly relative to live with you or, to accommodate a family member’s disability.
When I became disabled remodeling a garage into a bedroom was for my benefit. as I could no longer climb the stairs of our Fisherman’s cottage to reach the upstairs bedrooms.
The cost of this is substantial but is somewhat offset by the expense which would have been incurred in moving house, and the value that another bedroom adds to your property.
This is an article on remodeling a garage into a bedroom, and in particular, the costs involved. We begin by having a quick look at a standard garage building.
Description of a Garage Building
The normal garage is built from a single course of concrete blocks, is minimally insulated, and has a concrete floor and an up–and–over steel door.
The majority of garages have a damp-proof course built into the walls, but this does not mean they are leakproof.
Some garages already have windows but these are invariable single-paned and quite small.
Garage Areas in Need of an Upgrade
- Up and over door to be removed and replaced by a wall.
- Walls and floor to be insulated.
- Central heating and hot and cold water are to be supplied to the garage.
- Garage roof to be fiber-glassed.
- Holes cut into walls for new windows.
- Sewage and water drains to run from the washroom (a small room with a rubber non-slip floor that contains a shower head, toilet, and small sink)
- Electricity supplies to be upgraded
Remodeling Sequence and Methods
We start with clearing out the garage of the usual rubbish we all accumulate – just in case we need it!
I hired someone when we did our conversion and closed my eyes to old engine parts and scrap wood, and got rid of it all to the local recycling yard, our bicycles, and gardening tools being stored in the garden shed.
- Remove the garage door, dig foundations for a new wall, fill with concrete, and build a wall.
- Cut apertures in walls for new windows and fit windows, including the windowsills.
- Remove the old ceiling and place insulation between roof joists and fit plasterboard (sheetrock).
- Run copper piping for central heating and hot/cold water supplies to approximate locations.
- Run an electric cable from the main fuse box to approximate locations.
- Run telephone cable.
- Cut a hole in the wall for the washroom extractor fan.
- Roll out damp-proof plastic membrane across the floor and halfway up walls.
- Fit wood battens to walls and floor and apply insulation to walls and floor, the washroom floor battens being about 1/2” smaller than the main floor battens.
- Plasterboard (sheetrock) walls and lay flooring over the insulation, to fit the access door.
- Build a partition for the washroom and fit the door.
- Remove old felt from the flat roof and apply a two-part epoxy fiberglass coating.
- Fit radiators and electrical fittings, testing both water and electricity integrity.
- Fit sink, w/c, and shower to the washroom and small radiator/heated towel rail.
- Replace exterior moldings, guttering, and downpipes.
Cost of Remodeling a Garage into a Bedroom
Before starting the modification of the garage to a bedroom, I estimated the materials required, added 10%, and doubled this total to allow for labor.
I was still $2000 less than the builder’s estimate of $19350, which was due to hidden costs.
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Hidden Costs
Architect’s Fees
These fees should include the production of a set of plans, application for local authority planning permission, and building warrants. My architect also agreed to witness any critical areas such as the depth of foundations, damp-proofing, and electrical tests.
Planning Permission and Building Warrants
These can cost anything up to $1000, but are essential and obtained from the local city or town authority. Their surveyor may want to witness critical areas as well.
Decoration
Because the whole inside of the garage required to be sheet-rocked, the joints between the boards need to be taped over, filled, and sanded, which took our decorator two days to complete.
Furniture
Although not part of the building costs, an amount should be put aside for new bedroom furniture. Depending on your need, plan for the cost of a special bed for a disabled person if necessary.
Summary
There are several reasons for remodeling a garage into a bedroom, such as looking after an elderly relative or, a disabled family member such as myself who could no longer climb stairs to a bedroom.
There are a few hidden costs that I missed when estimating my garage conversion. I forgot all about the architect’s bill for supplying a set of plans and supervising the builder (this is very important) along with the city or town’s charges for planning permission and a building warrant.
Other than those costs, the rest is straightforward costing of materials; and of course, the labor, working out at approximately $19350.
Apart from labor my largest outlay was for the fiberglass roof, the next highest being the addition of a washroom gave me a bit of independence, privacy, and my own shower!
(I should be so lucky with our three girls traipsing in and out of my bedroom to use my new shower).
However, I was delighted with the outcome and the cost of remodeling a garage into a bedroom living space
Table Detailing Cost of Remodeling a Garage into a Bedroom Living Space and the Layout Plans
