More and more people are working from home at least part of the time, and the trend is one of the major reasons a growing number of homeowners are looking to add home office garage conversion to their home improvement list this year.
Unless you are able to convert a basement into a home office, a garage is the next best option to expand your living area and add that extra workspace to your home—it often isn’t possible to re-purpose premium interior space otherwise. The good news is that the home office is one of the more affordable options when it comes to transforming a garage into a room.
On the surface, this would seem to make a lot of sense, particularly if the garage is being underutilized and you don’t use it to store your vehicle. However, there are a lot of little practicalities to consider, which you should take into careful account during the planning stage to ensure your full satisfaction with the final outcome–and no regrets!
Home Office Garage Conversion: 6 Things to Keep In Mind
When assessing whether your garage can be converted into an office space, the first thing you should think about is whether or not your proposed conversion meets municipal bylaws for safety and approved building use guidelines.
If you’re not sure whether your idea conforms to local laws, or what kinds of permits you’ll need to acquire, contact municipal authorities and find out before proceeding. The last thing you want to do is invest time and money into a construction project that will wind up trapped behind bureaucratic red tape.
Once you’ve cleared that hurdle, you can plan your home office garage conversion project using these proven tips and ideas to guide your thinking:
#1. Consider costs
While the average price for a home office garage conversion varies depending on location and what you plan to do, a good guideline is to budget for about $120+ per square foot. From insulating walls and ceilings to installing heating and cooling, electrical service upgrades, and replacing doors and windows, there are many options to consider. Remember that construction projects often run over budget, so be sure to allow for some unexpected expenses and contingencies. Also, don’t forget to set aside between $1,000 and $1,500 for a building permit as well.
#2. Perform a survey
Create a detailed survey of the existing garage, noting the material that covers its floors and walls, where the windows are located, and the condition of the wiring and lighting. These elements will largely stay in place once the conversion into an office space is done, so you’ll need to integrate them into your ideas at a very early juncture.
#3. Think about systems
Garages, especially detached ones, often aren’t serviced the same way as your main house, so you may have limited options when it comes to running water and climate controls. One of the key things you’ll need when transforming a garage into a room is a way to keep the space warm during the winter and cool during the summer, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in your new home office. Space heaters and window-mounted air conditioners are great alternatives, as long as their electrical needs and ventilation requirements are both taken into careful account.
#4. What about the door?
Chances are you’ll want to replace the main garage door with a wall, window, or other element that makes your home office feel more like a part of the house. Don’t forget to include this in your budget, as it will likely be one of the costliest aspects of the project.
#5. Create a plan
Once you’ve considered all these details, put pen to paper on a detailed plan. Many people find themselves in need of professional help at this point, so this is often a good time to research quality general contractors in your area if you haven’t already.
#6. Only Hire Quality Local Contractors
Unless you’re a seasoned DIY expert, chances are you’ll enjoy better results if you trust the execution of the conversion to a general contractor familiar with the ins and outs of successful home improvement.
Once you’ve made up your mind regarding the scope of the project, interview local contractors and ask them to make competitive bids for the job. Jacek Kaznocha at All Roofing Solutions offers an important tip here: “The easiest way to compare multiple estimates is to make a checklist of everything you need and have each contractor submit competitive bids based on what you want. This gives you a quick overview of which company is offering the best products and services at the lowest possible price.”
Make sure you look beyond the bottom-line price. Communication between yourself and your contractor is vital – choose one with whom you have a good rapport. Quality of work is critical, however, as garage conversion could be a substantial investment in your home’s resale value. A high-quality garage conversion project can return 60% or more of its initial cost.
Need Help With Home Office Garage Conversion?
Whether you’re converting your garage into a home office or building one from scratch, we can help! At Mid-Atlantic Home Improvement, we’ve handled numerous garage into office conversions, especially in the last couple of years.
We are a fully licensed, insured, and bonded Virginia Class A Builder, in business since 1975!
Over the last 45 years, we’ve performed countless custom home improvement and high-end remodel & renovation projects throughout Virginia. From high-quality home additions to kitchen upgrades, fire and water damage repairs, garage conversions, basement renovation projects, and much more, we are your one-stop shop for all your home improvement needs, large and small.
Contact us for an estimate for a home office garage conversion today — call (804) 647-0649!
We are a family-owned and operated Virginia general contractor with over 45 years of experience in construction, restoration and remodeling. Our dedication to your satisfaction is our number one priority!
Call (804) 647-0649!
Renz Path says
It is good that you pointed out that having an allowance for unexpected costs and needs is an important consideration when we are planning to convert our garage into an office. Since we often overlooked the careful budgeting in our planning, that part of your article is a good reminder. Considering that we are really planning to turn our garage into an extension part of the living room, we will definitely consider your suggestion and seek the service of those in home repair to make it possible.