With housing costs rising with each passing day, homeowners are looking for ways to improve their existing properties with the help of home addition companies instead of investing in new ones. One of the ways that are gaining popularity is turning garages into living spaces. Even though it might be a smart idea for some but carries some drawbacks as well. Let’s discuss!
Pro: Can be a bonus in some parts of the country
If you are living in warmer areas of a country, where parking your car inside the garage won’t help much, turning your garage into a living space should not be an issue. Plus, some homeowners prefer having a living room instead of a garage to park their cars inside. As a result, you can increase the resale value of your property should you plan on selling the property in the future.
In addition to that, if you want an additional area for your kids to play in or a room where you can relax with your friends and family members, especially when the available space is already limited, converting your garage into a living room will seem far more appealing.
Con: Might decrease the resale value
While some people would prefer having a living room instead of a garage, from a resale viewpoint, buyers might offer a lower value simply because they would prefer the opposite. The thing with resale value is that it is mostly based on the needs and preferences of the buyers. If the majority does not like garages being turned into living spaces, they won’t have any use for it.
Therefore, the price offered will be slightly lower. This is particularly the case in colder regions. Due to extreme snow and other factors, people need garages to park their vehicles inside to protect against external elements. Therefore, if you plan on turning your garage into a living space, make sure that you consider the preferences of the majority for future resale reference.
Pro: It can be the easiest way to expand
When it comes to expanding your current property, there are several ways. However, not each is going to be easy to do so. Perhaps the biggest advantage of turning your garage into a living space is that you already own the area. You do not have to search the market for bigger properties. In addition to that, garages are mostly of sufficient size to accommodate modern features and plans. Therefore, if you are willing to put in some time and effort, you can turn your garage into a practical living space.
Con: It might make your property look worse
The biggest downside to turning your garage into a living space is probably the fact that no matter what you do, it will still look like a converted garage at the end of the day. The reason is that matching the exterior as well as the interior of the house is not that easy in such cases. Even if you are able to match the interior, the exterior will give you a hard time. With that said, you will need to make sure that your garage blends in well with the rest of the house if you plan to turn it into a living space.
Pro: It may be viewed as a flex
For some people, a garage conversion might just be a flex. You can turn it into a workshop or gym, where you and your friends can gather on the weekends and work on your fitness. Plus, you can also work on your hobby and spend some spare time doing what you love. Making an area more usable will make it look more practical and appealing for some potential buyers.
Con: The process can be expensive
Turning your garage into a living space can be expensive, especially when it comes to removing the garage door. You can expect somewhere around $5,000 for a blank wall and around $7,500 to add doors and windows. To begin with, you will need to remove the hardware, and door and install a new window or door in its place, and then finish the outside. So, even the initial process can be quite heavy on the pocket as well.
Final Word
If turning your garage into a living has become a necessity, you will need to consider the pros and cons mentioned above. Plus, consult architects builders who will help complete the project successfully and according to your needs and preferences. Remember, the process will take time and you need to plan it carefully.
