Garage conversion is quickly becoming the quickest and easiest way for homeowners to increase a home’s total square footage. Whether you plan on using the space as a master suite, or a young adults apartment, garage conversion, while an inexpensive alternative to home addition, remains a home improvement project in need of a great plan.
Garage conversion plans are a necessary part of converting your garage successfully. Conversion plans should address permits needed, housing codes, contractors and floor plans.
The permits needed for a home improvement project, such as, a garage conversion will vary from town to town, state to state. Homeowners may need to employ a general contractor to help with obtaining all the proper licenses and permits needed to begin the build.
Housing codes are just as important as housing permits. Housing codes will change when changing the usage of the garage, from storage space, to living space. Housing codes may even go as far as regulating the distance allowed between wall studs and roofing beams. To ensure the proper housing codes are met, a general contractor can walk a homeowner through the changes to be made and explain the different housing codes that will apply to the newly defined space.
If a homeowner has decided to employ a general contractor to help with obtaining building permits, the contractor will already be on hand when the garage plans are being written. If not, a general contractor should be hired at this point. In addition to a general contractor, a plumber will need to be employed if your garage conversion will include a bathroom or wet bar area. The general contractor, plumber and homeowner will work together to plan all aspects of the garage conversion. Planning where rooms and space will be defined as well as choosing the enclosure specifics for the garage door will happen during the planning stage.
When writing the floor plan for the garage conversion, the homeowner must also take into consideration the permanent fixtures located in the garage. Water heaters, gas valves and electric boxes are just a few of the details that will need to be addressed during the planning phase of the garage conversion. While the plan is essential to the success of the build, there will be mistakes and changes that need to be made. Homeowners will need to keep the garage conversion plan flexible to move with the changes.
Garage conversion is much more inexpensive than home addition. The added 200 to 400 square feet, in most cases, is a great way to add on to a kitchen, house a master suite or give your growing children a little place all their own. While garage conversions may seem simple, there are proper paths with which to accomplish the build. General contractors and plumbers will help the homeowner to achieve their vision properly and safely.
