Garage Conversion
I’m looking at a brick ranch, approximately 1300 SF, with a large attached garage of
approximately 450 SF. Most homes in the subdivision are 2000-3000 SF and I’m trying to crunch
numbers to see if I could enclose the garage and convert it to living area. The improvements/lot
are placed where I could add a modest carport to satisfy parking needs. Many homes in the
subdivision only have one carport. The house is on crawl space and the garage is on a slab. I’m
sure I’ll need to add a heat pump to zone the enclosure. What I’m looking for is a range of
numbers if anyone has done a project like this before. Approval for permits are not a problem.
Your are looking around $10,000.00 -$12000.00 depending if you are going to sub it out. A good handyman / carpenter can handle this project.
Any electrical work will need to be done by an electrician.
You should have a HVAC contractor check the current system to see if can handle the additional square footage.
What you DO NOT WANT is to oversize a system.
If you have to opt for one or the other, you slightly undersize it.
If you do need a system, then you may want to look at using a pass through system......depending on how much this room gets used.
If the house is all brick then by all means......brick up the front versus throughing up vinyl siding. I hate seeing garage remodel additions look like it........it cheapens the value of the home.
Of course permits would need to be pulled.
NC_Yank
I checked out the capacity of the HP and fortunately the existing unit will handle the additional
SF because for some reason they purchased too large a unit for a replacement unit a year ago.
You’re exactly right on the design and appeal aspect. When someone encloses an area and covers
the front with cheap vinyl it may as well have “cheap addition” written on it. The ones that really
stick out are those ugly bay window types with the driveway running right up the improvements. I
intend to brick that area in....it will be worth every penny on resale. thanks for the input.