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If you're like many homeowners, you may need extra space, but you can't afford to embark on a full scale home addition. Maybe the extra space you need has been there all along, hidden under piles of boxes, sports equipment and garden tools - the garage. If you can find homes for the junk, and park your car in the driveway, this could be converted into that new family room, home gym, or other living space.
Before you start to drywall, here are some things to consider in the planning of your new addition.
Permits: Always confirm whether you'll need a permit for your renovation and whether it conforms to local code. Some local regulations require an actual garage or carport attached to a home, and this requirement would prevent you from converting your garage.
Who is doing the work? If you're a handy sort of person, you can probably complete the majority of this project. However, it may involve some electrical or plumbing and you may want to hire a contractor to deal with those issues. If you do decide on getting outside help, try to find a professional who has come recommended by someone you trust.
Assess the work: The best renovation is one that looks like it has always been part of the house. If this new living space is meant to resemble any another room in the house it needs to be finished that way. There shouldn't be any cutting corners such as slapping carpeting on uninsulated concrete floors, covering bare walls with paneling or even leaving the garage doors in place. Don't forget, you may want to sell this home one day, and the job you do today, could affect your selling price tomorrow.
The concrete floor will need an insulated plywood sub-floor. You may need to add "furring strips", or additional pieces of wood to build up the walls. The main house may have been framed using 2 x 6's, where the garage may have been done with 2 x 4's.
Ceilings may need to be re-painted or in some cases they may not have even been drywalled. T-bar ceilings with ceiling tiles are good choices for these spaces as well.
Exterior: What will you do with that big garage door opening? Whatever you do, it needs to blend in with the rest of the house. It may be necessary to call in a professional builder for this part of the job. Depending on your home, you may choose brick, siding or a bay window to fill in the extra space.
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