How Much Will a Garage Conversion Cost?

To determine the costs associated with a garage conversion, think about how the space will be used and how the conversion construction will take place.

Contractor vs. DIY

Many homeowners want to complete a garage conversion on their own in order to save money. This is a great plan, but even a garage conversion requires building permits before beginning the work and having each phase of the project inspected and approved before moving to the next stage. If you complete the garage conversion entirely on your own, you can expect to spend between $2,000 to $10,000, or even more.

It may beneficial to work with a contractor during the planning stage. A contractor can help you obtain the initial permits and complete the electrical and plumbing work so that it meets building inspector approval. Once these aspects of the project are completed, you can complete the rest of the project on your own to save money. Working with a contractor often costs approximately $7,000 to $20,000 depending on the scale and detail of the project.

Updating to Code

In many cases, a residential garage conversion requires that you not only obtain building permits, but that the garage area be brought up to current code. This may entail installing fire sprinklers, additional ventilation, insulation, and even replacing the parking space that was provided by the garage.