From Car Space to Living Space

Whatever the driving force behind your need for more living space, from a new baby to a new hobby, you don't have to travel far to find the extra room you need. The keys to liberty -- and legroom -- could be right in your own garage.

"In this market, there are more and more people who are looking at upgrading their home instead of moving to a larger home," said Denver Realtor Greg Montoya. "People are finishing basements, adding bonus rooms or converting garages. People are adding game rooms, home theaters, craft rooms, extra bedrooms -- a little retreat."

If it sounds like a long, strange trip, don't worry. The Home Depot experts "Coach Dave" Orosco and "Ask Mr. Jay" Harris have some tips to help you map out your excursion.

Picking the Interior

If you feel as if you're spinning your wheels trying to decide whether to convert your garage, Orosco and Harris suggest that you think about the purpose of the new space, what might be involved in the conversion and what you might be giving up.

"Does it need heating/air conditioning, electrical connections or plumbing?" said Orosco. "Where are you going to store the things that are in your garage now? Is the amount of space really going to be livable if you are going to turn it into a bedroom? It looks like a large area, but consider the sizes of your average bed and desk or table. Also, will this be an effective move? Would changing this entire room aid you in the long run, rather than leaving you with the extra storage space a garage gives?"

Both function and location are essential when considering your new room, says Harris, a design consultant and flooring specialist. For example, if your garage is detached from the house or far from a bathroom, it might not be practical as a bedroom or entertaining area.

Space and comfort are also important considerations. "Small play areas or an extra office would work nicely for this project, as it would still keep it a low-traffic room," said Harris. "Bedrooms are still feasible, but you would want to spend a bit more on better insulation for the walls and more comfortable floors if you are going to be spending that much time in the room.

"The best advice would be to draw out the space on large grid paper and then envision the things you want to put in that room, and draw those to scale as best as possible. Does this leave you enough room to be comfortable?"

Once you have decided on the function of the new room, don't get stuck with a lemon. Call in a licensed contractor to give you an idea of the cost and feasibility of your plan.

Keep These Pointers on Your Radar

The Home Depot experts "Coach Dave" Orosco and design consultant and flooring specialist "Ask Mr. Jay" Harris can help you avoid the mistakes that do-it-yourselfers make on home improvement projects.

Have a plan for the project. Make sure you have a drawn-up plan and an item list so you can have everything ready to go on day one instead of having people stand around waiting.

Always check with your city to see what permits are needed, if any.

A licensed contractor with references is money well spent, especially if the project calls for electrical, gas or plumbing work or anything structural.

Never pay upfront for the entire project. If any contractor says, "I need all the money upfront," then you most likely need another contractor.

Don't attempt what you don't know. Leave things like electrical work and plumbing to those who are licensed to do it. Attempting your own wiring never ends well.

Who's in the Driver's Seat?

Is it realistic to think of the job as a do-it-yourself project?

"This depends on if you're simply going to paint or move some furniture or if you are going to tackle some bigger projects," said Orosco. "The more laborious tasks can all be done with a bit of DIY knowledge and a friend or two to help you. These tasks include things such as putting up new drywall, laying down carpeting or flooring, and painting the walls."

Work such as electrical and plumbing projects, he warns, often require permits. If you're not familiar with the ins and outs of wiring or plumbing, don't hesitate to hire a professional.

"Electricians, plumbers, carpet layers and general contractors are time and money savers in the long run, when you can count on them to do the job correctly," said Orosco. "Your ability versus your budget should be carefully considered."

Improving Your Mileage

The costs of such a project can vary substantially, depending on how much work needs to be done and how much of the work you can do yourself.

"A licensed contractor can give you some realistic quotes that match what you are trying to accomplish with the project," said Harris.

Get more than one quote for the overall project and for each aspect of the project, such as plumbing, heating, air conditioning and insulation. Also ask for references. Then write out and itemize your budget, and remember to consult it often. If it appears that you will go over budget in one area, see where you can cut costs in another to balance out your expenses.

"Using a low-pile, inexpensive carpet will help save quite a bit over doing something such as a laminate or tile floor," Harris said. "And if you're creating a small office or guest bedroom, save a bit on the paint finish and use a flat enamel (the starting price point for paint -- eggshell, gloss and other finishes typically cost more). Not only will this help cut costs, but also help cover any imperfections in your first drywall job."

The more you can do on your own, the more money you will have to pay the right professionals when needed.

"A skilled do-it-yourselfer with the right tools and know-how can knock out a good chunk of this job," said Orosco. "Employ some family or friends to give you a hand with what you can fix up, and leave whatever is left to the professionals."

Curves Ahead

"The most important thing to remember is to be prepared for the unexpected," said Orosco. "Perhaps there is unseen damage, termites, mold or substandard work that needs to be corrected before you continue. A little preparation can turn a nightmare into a dream home."

So take some time to think about, talk about and plan your adventure. Prepare for some detours, and don't hesitate to stop for a break and to ask directions. With the right plan, tools and expert advice, you can have a smooth ride. Remodeling your garage could provide just the right vehicle for increasing your living space.