Building a garage with apartment above is an excellent way to expand your home and increase its value without having to move. If you’re looking for a way to add square footage to your home without having to relocate, building a garage with apartment above is one of the best options available. You can build this addition in stages, so it will fit into your budget and timeline.
Building a garage with apartment above also provides you with a place where you can store your car and belongings while still having access to them when needed. This allows you to keep everything close by, while still giving you some privacy from neighbors or passersby on the street below.
In the United States, and increasingly around the world, more people are building a garage with apartment above. This is because it provides a great solution for those looking to save money on rent while still having some flexibility in where they live. However, this type of project can be expensive so here’s some information about how much it costs to build a garage with apartment above.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Garage With An Apartment On Top
The cost to build a garage with an apartment above will depend on multiple factors. Some of these include:
- The size of the garage.
- The location of the garage.
- The size of the apartment, and current market value of the property.
Select a Plan and Start Building
The cost to build a garage with apartment above will depend on several factors. The size and location of your garage will determine the overall price, as well as any amenities you intend to include, such as a workshop or office space. The cost to build an apartment above will also depend on the size and amenities offered.
Plan Your Garage Apartment Layout
Once you have the floor plan for the garage apartment, make sure to leave enough room for your car. If you can’t park inside of your new space because there is nowhere to put it, then you should go back and adjust your layout. You also need to make sure that you have enough space for a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room.
You will want to make sure that there is plenty of room for stairs if you want an apartment above your garage. The last thing anyone wants after working hard all day long is having to climb up multiple flights of stairs just so they can get into their own home.
Foundation
When determining the cost per square foot of a garage, it’s best to work from the ground up. The first cost you’ll need to estimate is the foundation of the unit, which is determined by what climate you live in. In areas where the ground doesn’t freeze, homeowners can get away with building their garages on a concrete slab poured right on grade. In parts of the country where frost permeates, it’s probably a better idea to have a foundation with a footer below the frost line, with the slab poured between the outer concrete walls that extend downward for stability. Average national cost for a basic free-floating slab is about $2,000 to $7,000.
In our example of a 20 x 20-foot garage, a new foundation will cost between $1,600 and $2,000. This cost can vary somewhat depending on the circumstances. For example, if major excavation is required, costs can be higher. Or if the new garage is being built on the site of an old garage with a solid existing foundation, costs could be lower.
Budgeting for a Garage Apartment Conversion
A garage apartment conversion can be a great choice for homeowners who want to add additional space to their home, or for anyone who wants to rent out part of their house. Before you begin, it is important to set a budget and get quotes from contractors. Here are some things you should think about when estimating the cost of your project:
- Costs of permits – Building permits will help ensure that your garage apartment conversion complies with local building codes and laws. Depending on where you live, these permits will likely cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 USD (roughly $1 – $7 per square foot).
- Building materials – Materials used in the construction of an apartment above a garage vary greatly depending on what type of structure was built originally. A simple addition to an existing shed-type structure consisting mainly of drywall would have lower material costs than if you were converting an old storage container into housing for yourself and others. To estimate how much it’ll cost us around here at least figure somewhere around $500 – $2k depending on size & quality level desired. It’s wise though before committing yourself make sure all plans are approved beforehand because once work begins there may need significant changes made due lack adequate space within this office which could lead towards extra charges being added later down line.”
Determining If You Need Building Permits for a Garage Apartment Conversion
If you are planning to build a garage apartment on an existing garage, you’ll need to check with your city or county building department to determine if you need a permit. Most cities will require that any additions be made with certain materials and have specific construction requirements. If this is the case, make sure that you know what they are before starting construction.
If you’re building a new garage apartment, then it’s likely that the city won’t require any permits at all—unless it’s attached to an existing house (in which case there may be restrictions). In this case, however, we recommend checking with the city before beginning work so that no surprises arise later on down the road when it comes time for inspections or repairs after construction is complete
Choosing the Right Builder for Your New Garage Apartment
Choosing the right builder is important if you want to ensure your home project runs smoothly. Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes time to choose a contractor:
- Choose someone who can meet your needs. Don’t be afraid of asking questions about their experience and past projects, especially if this is your first time building a garage apartment or if you have any unusual requests. A good builder should be able to give detailed answers that make sense. If they don’t seem confident or won’t go into detail with you, keep looking until you find someone who does.
- Look for a trusted name in the industry—someone with a solid reputation for good workmanship and customer service will likely produce better results than an unknown entity without these credentials.* They should also be licensed by local authorities like municipal building inspectors so that they can legally do business within city limits.* Finally, make sure they carry liability insurance so there’s no question about whether or not they’ll cover any damages that may occur during construction (and trust us—things will break).
Construction Permits
The first step in building a garage apartment is to obtain the appropriate permits from your local municipality. The cost and time required to obtain these permits varies from region to region, but they will probably be the most expensive part of this project. A permit ensures that your plans meet local building codes and standards, as well as ensuring that your garage meets all fire protection requirements if you intend to live in it.
Once you have your plans drawn up and submitted for approval, it may take anywhere from two weeks (if you live in an area with few restrictions) or several months (if there are many regulations). It’s important during this period of waiting that you don’t start construction until after receiving all necessary approvals and permits; otherwise, any work done could become void if something changes later on down the line.
Garage Plans
If you plan to build your own garage apartment, then the design of your new garage should include a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom.
If you are planning on building an apartment above a detached garage or storage shed, then it is best to make sure that your plans include these additional rooms: bathroom, kitchen and bedroom.
It’s also important for any homeowner who wants to convert their garage into living space to remember about the lighting situation. A good idea is installing skylights to bring natural light into every room in your new house layout plan.
Concrete Foundation
A concrete foundation is a part of the building process that helps to support and stabilize your garage. The foundation is what holds up the structure, so it’s important to have one built right.
Concrete foundations can vary in price depending on how big they are, what kind of material they’re made out of, and where you live.
Framing
Framing is the process of building the structure of a building. It’s done with wood, steel or other materials and it’s done by carpenters or contractors. The framing is done on the ground, then lifted into place.
Roofing
- Roofing materials and installation:
- Roofing repair, maintenance and inspection:
Siding and Windows
Siding and windows are the most expensive part of building a garage apartment conversion—and they’re also the most important. Siding and windows ensure that your new unit is safe, energy efficient, and attractive.
The cost to replace or add siding or windows can be anywhere from $10-$20 per square foot (psf). The average cost to install new windows is around $100-$200 psf. If you’re adding siding instead of replacing it, expect to pay between $40-$80 psf for vinyl siding materials installed. This will vary depending on what type of window treatments you use for privacy purposes: window shutters typically cost more than curtains do because they provide more coverage; however, shutters tend not to be as heavy duty as window shades due primarily being made from wood rather than fabric material which makes them easier than shades but harder than curtains when installed correctly onto their respective frames so it’s worth noting these differences when shopping around for both types before deciding which option works best for your own needs.
Interior Walls
Interior walls are the main ingredient of your garage. They’re what define its shape and keep it from falling over.
Interior wall framing can be built using 2×4 or 2×6 lumber, depending on the type of wall you want to build. If you’re building a straight wall, use 2x4s; for an irregularly shaped one, use 2x6s. The ceiling joists will sit on top of these beams (see “Roof Framing” below). The beam is supported by vertical studs spaced 16 inches apart at 16 inches on center (OC). You’ll also need diagonals separating each bay in order to keep the structure rigid during construction—these will later be filled with drywall or plywood sheathing as needed after the exterior siding has been installed (see “Drywall”).
You can make all interior walls out of just studs and headers, but this means there won’t be any insulation between them—and that means higher heating bills. If you’d like some insulation inside your garage apartment without adding too much bulk or expense (which would bring down your ROI), try using steel studs instead: these have holes drilled throughout their length rather than being solid pieces like traditional wood studs.
Electrical and Plumbing
- Electrical and plumbing are the most important parts of any garage conversion. You can either do this work yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. If you’re going to hire a professional, make sure they have experience working with existing structures such as garages since they may need to integrate their systems with other existing systems inside the home (such as water tanks).
- The cost of plumbing work depends on where your home’s water supply comes from and what kind of piping needs to be installed in order provide access for your garage apartment (if any). Plumbing is also an area that requires special training and expertise because there are so many different types of pipes used throughout homes today; however, if someone does not have experience working with these types of materials then it could lead them into making costly mistakes like breaking walls open too soon without having gone through proper preparation beforehand first – which would result in further delays due to needing repairs made before moving forward again later down the road instead.
Heating and Cooling Systems
Choosing the right heating and cooling system is just as important as choosing the right contractor. Most people tend to focus on one area, such as cost or installation time, but there are many other factors to consider when making this decision.
- Choose a system that fits your needs. The best way to do this is by speaking with an HVAC professional who can help you determine exactly what kind of system would work best for your home and lifestyle. If you live in a climate where winters are mild and summers are hot, then you may want something more economical than if temperatures fluctuate drastically year-round.
- Make sure it’s energy efficient. Energy bills add up quickly over time so make sure the one that fits all these criteria is also energy efficient so those monthly costs go down instead up.
- Have it inspected before moving into your new home—it’s always better safe than sorry. And don’t forget about electrical compatibility too.
Appliances
Appliances can add a lot of value to your home, but they can also be expensive. Appliances are often bought used, at discount stores, or even big box stores.
You can buy appliances from many different places but I would recommend buying them new so that you don’t have to worry about maintenance costs down the road if something breaks on it.
Flooring and Countertops
The flooring material you choose for your garage will depend on the size of the room, as well as personal preference. Concrete is often used in garages because it’s durable and easy to clean. Tile is also popular because it allows light to penetrate through to the floor below, making your garage feel more open and airy. Wood has a more rustic look that may suit some people better than concrete or tile.
The countertop material will also depend on personal preference, but granite tends to be one of the most popular choices for its durability and aesthetic appeal. Granite is not only attractive but also stain-resistant, so it can last for years with minimal care (it’s worth noting that some types of granite are harder than others). Marble has similar properties as granite—including being stain-resistant—but is softer; although this makes marble easier on knives when cutting food onto plates (and easier on hands), it requires more maintenance than granite over time since it absorbs stains more easily and quickly shows wear due to use/abuse
Exterior Stairs
You will also need to build the exterior stairs leading up to your apartment. This is especially important if you do not have an existing staircase nearby. The cost to build these is going to vary based on a variety of factors, but you can expect for it to cost at least $10,000 and as much as $25,000.
For instance, if you are looking at building these in a garage apartment or one story house with no roof (which does exist), then there are going to be some additional considerations that need to be taken into account before installing them. For example, with a garage apartment or similar designs where there is no roof above the space where people will be walking around outside of your home, then it may make sense for someone who has experience working with these types of projects before hand (such as an architect)
How Much Value Does A Garage Apartment Add To A House?
Garage apartments can add value to a home and it is a great way to increase the resale value of your home. However, garage apartments do not give you as much bang for your buck when compared to other renovations like adding a deck or updating the kitchen.
Garage apartment renovations are generally more expensive than traditional homes because they require more work and time from contractors who are building it from scratch, although there are some exceptions where you can buy an existing property that already has one built into it. These days garage apartments aren’t as popular as they were in the past because people want open concept living spaces with easy access to their cars without having to go outside in bad weather conditions (which happens frequently here).
The cost to build a garage with apartment above will depend on multiple factors.
The cost to build a garage with apartment above will depend on multiple factors. These include the size of the garage and apartment, as well as the location of your property.
If you have a small house and want to build a small garage for one car, then it will not cost you much; however, if you have a large house with many rooms, then it may be expensive for building such structures. If it is located in an urban area where land prices are high because there is limited space available for development then this could also increase costs associated with building garages.
In conclusion,
The cost of building a garage with apartment above is between $150,000 and $200,000. The price depends on the size of your garage and the location. The size can range from 1,000 square feet to as big as 3,000 square feet with an apartment above it. You can have a two-story garage or just one story depending on your needs but having two stories will surely cost more money because you need extra materials to build it up high enough so there will be no problems when driving inside without hitting anything else.
