If you’re starting to become apprehensive about your garage situation because it’s old or because you want to possibly convert it and rent it out, then now’s the time to do something about it. More and more homeowners nowadays are converting their garages to make use of that space.
Many companies today can handle garage conversion projects so that you can convert your garage to an ADU.
How can you convert a garage to an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)?
Converting a garage to an ADU requires professional assistance. You can either convert your existing garage into an ADU or use the less common method of adding an ADU above your garage as a second story. Either way, you’ll add plenty of space and value to your home.
You can convert your garage into an ADU by using the following steps:
- Legally, you can convert a garage either into a guest quarter or an ADU. A guest quarter has a bathroom and wet bar area, but no kitchen. An ADU would include a kitchen, living space, and bathroom.
- You must make sure your ADU is on your residential lot and that this lot includes a single-family home.
- You need to obtain permission for planning any new remodeling. With an ADU, you’ll need to follow local zoning codes, building laws, and fire safety laws.
- After you obtain your permits, you can hire a contractor, who can help take care of the rest of the ADU conversion process.
Since there isn’t much information on the Internet today covering how to convert a garage to an ADU, we created this article to help you out. Below we’ll cover some of the costs of an ADU conversion, placing apartments over garages, and some of the benefits of converting your garage.
What Are the Costs of an ADU Garage Conversion?
Converting your garage to an ADU won’t necessarily be a cheap process. Because of the structural issues that can be involved with the conversion, as well as the necessary permits, you are more than likely going to need professional assistance when it comes to your conversion. When converting a garage to an ADU and trying to make the garage a livable space, professionals take into consideration things such as:
- Doors
- Windows
- Insulation
- Structural Integrity of the Garage
- Utilities
When contractors first assess what you can do with your garage, they’ll see if the garage can be turned into a functional room. Contractors will look over the size of your garage to see if it can be made into an office, a studio apartment, or whatever other types of rooms you want to make your garage. Since the costs aren’t cheap, many homeowners often wonder if the conversion process is worth it.
You can add quite a bit of value to your home by turning your garage into an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. Not only will it bring the property value of your home up, but you can also lease out your converted garage and earn an extra source of income, especially if you lease out the converted garage.
If you’re convinced that you want another living space in your home, then the first thing you can do is use a structural skeleton for your conversion, which costs around five thousand dollars.
However, if you are more interested in converting your garage into a studio apartment, then remodeling and construction work can cost between $50,000 to $150,000 depending on where you live and the amount of work required for the ADU conversion.
Other factors can also affect the cost as well. For instance, the interior you choose can affect price, the appliances you want to use, and any other additional features that can also increase the cost of your ADU conversion.
If you have to hire a project manager as well as an architect, then it will likely cost you more than the standard ADU conversion costs. However, if you want your conversion to be done correctly, then it’s worthwhile to hire experts rather than doing it yourself.
Placing an ADU Over Your New Garage
Some people decide to get both features added to their homes and build a new apartment over a brand-new garage. By doing this, the homeowner avoids the challenges of converting an existing structure, which can sometimes create some significant limitations.
Adding an ADU above one’s garage is the less common way to convert a garage to an ADU. However, by using this strategy, the homeowner gets to keep ample space for parking on the lot and still gets to add an extra apartment unit to rent out to tenants.
If you feel that you don’t need extra room for parking, then you’d be okay to transform your current garage to an ADU and skip placing a new apartment over the garage. Using your current garage’s structure may present some limitations, but it will be a more cost-effective way to convert your garage into an ADU. By using your existing structure, you’ll likely cut costs and save time.
Why Convert Your Garage?
Extra Income
If you’re still wondering why you should convert your garage, you should consider the many advantages of doing so. For one, once you convert your garage into an ADU, you may be able to receive extra income if you choose to rent it out to other people. This extra income will help to pay for the construction costs of the ADU over time.
Added Value to the Home
Another reason you may choose to convert your garage into an ADU is that converting your garage tends to increase the value of your home. This is something to consider as you consider ways to add value to your home.
You Already Have the Shell
Converting your garage into an ADU is also such a fantastic idea because you already have the shell of your ADU ready to go. Using your garage’s structure will save you significant amounts of money on construction costs. While it may have some limitations, if you are hiring professionals, they’ll be able to handle the structural issues and improve any structural weaknesses that need to be addressed.
Modernize Your Home
Turning your garage into an ADU can also add a lot of charm and help modernize your house. If your garage is old and outdated, then it would be a great time to turn your garage into an ADU. The value of your home will go up, and you’ll also increase your house’s curb appeal if you ever decide to sell it.
Water and Power
Another bonus to converting your garage to an ADU is that you may already have water and power going into your ADU. If your garage has a utility sink and light fixtures, then you know you’ve got both running into your garage.
By already having these items ready to go, it can make the price of your conversion dramatically decrease, and also save quite a bit of time. Those who you have contracted will be able to tap into your existing utilities without needing to create anything new.
Provide Extra Housing
You’ll also be helping to provide additional housing in desirable family neighborhoods. There are housing shortages in states like California, and an extensive need for cheap rentals. If you rent your ADU out, you’ll be able to help somebody that may not have otherwise had a place to find an apartment.
Conclusion
Converting your garage to an ADU can be one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to get an ADU on your property.
Having an ADU on your property can help generate additional income as well as add value to your home.