How to Build a Garage Into a Living Space

Check the local building codes to see if a conversion is allowed. Some zoning regulations require a garage or parking area. If remodeling means your home will no longer have the appropriate parking space, then the project may not be possible. A building permit may be required.

Remove part of the interior wall paneling on the exterior walls of the garage to see if the exterior walls are insulated. If the garage is unfinished, insulation (if any) will be visible. Just because the garage is finished, does not mean the outside walls (or ceilings) were properly insulated.

Arrange for a heating and air conditioning service company to inspect your current system. It may be possible to add heat or air conditioning from your existing unit. If not, you will need to explore other options to provide heat or air to the new room.

Have an electrician look at the garage and see if there is sufficient power to run any new appliances or fixtures. If not, a new electrical panel may need to be added. You may need to make arrangements to remove fluorescent lighting and install fixtures more appropriate for the room.

Measure any exterior windows. If the room is intended as a bedroom, local regulations often require bedrooms have certain sized windows at a specific height. If the current window is not suitable, consider adding an appropriate window to the wall that will replace the garage door. It might also be necessary to change any existing windows if it has inferior insulation.

Hire a qualified draftsman, builder, designer or architect to design the wall to replace the garage door, after it is removed. Ideally the new exterior wall should blend into the existing house, so it doesn’t look like an add-on.

Plan to relocate or made accommodations in the new room for any existing equipment located in the garage, such as a water softener or reverse osmosis system.

Arrange to remove the garage door, change exterior doors, insulate walls and ceiling (if necessary), upgrade electrical and the heating and cooling system, frame in the new wall, hang and finish drywall, install siding or stucco on the exterior of the new wall, add trim, paint the new room and install floor covering.