How Much Does a Garage Conversion Cost? (2024 Guide)
Converting your garage into a different use, such as an office space can potentially enhance your home, but you might wonder: How much does a garage conversion cost?
Factors such as a building’s size and layout, materials needed, what to do with the garage door, and labor influence the total cost of a garage remodel. The costs for a garage conversion ranges between $5,500 and $38,500, with the national average at $15,100. States such as California and New York can far exceed this amount, with conversions costing as much as $100,000 on the lower end in cities such as Los Angeles.
This guide will break down how national garage conversion costs are determined, one category at a time. We’ll also review why it’s important to hire professionals for projects of this caliber and how standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) can help you find the right contractor for your project.
Table of Contents:
- The Average Cost of Garage Conversions
- Factors That Determine Garage Conversion Cost
- Cost by Location
- Cost by Size
- Cost by Conversion Type
- Labor and Permitting Costs
- Cost of Materials
- How To Choose Service Providers
- How To Save Money on Garage Conversion Costs
- Trust Precision Garage Door Service for Your Garage Door Needs
- FAQ About Garage Door Conversions
The Average Cost of Garage Conversions
To determine the national average cost of a garage conversion, we added the reported costs of the project in each state and then divided them by the total number of states. This works out to a national average of about $15,100 for a garage conversion.
State averages for a garage conversion vary greatly due to things such as labor laws and property values. For example, California has some of the highest home prices in America, and state laws require you to obtain the right permits before conducting a garage conversion. As a result, conversion projects in the Golden State typically cost more than $37,400.
Factors That Determine Garage Conversion Cost
There are multiple factors that go into the cost of a garage conversion project. Common considerations include:
- Location
- Size of space
- Conversion type
- Labor and permits
- Materials used
- Changes to garage door, such as a garage door made of different material
- Additional considerations, such as electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC costs for labor and materials
Every project is different, and external factors, such as labor availability, will also affect prices.
Cost by Location
The state, city, and county you live in influence the price you’ll pay for a garage conversion. Locations with larger populations or higher real estate values will typically see higher-than-average rates for conversion projects, partially because contractors need to provide higher worker compensation.
Below are some examples of just how much a garage conversion project can vary in different regions.
| Region | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Northeast | $16,500 |
| Southeast | $20,000 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $15,000 |
| Midwest | $14,000 |
| Northwest | $16,000 |
| Southwest | $26,000 |
| Source: Precision Garage Door Service | |
Cost by Size
Contractors rely on square footage to work out the cost of a conversion project. On average, it costs around $40 per square foot to complete a garage conversion project. The following chart shares a few examples of how much you might pay based on square footage.
| Number of Cars | Square Footage | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 x 20 = 240 square feet | $9,600 |
| 2 | 18 x 20 = 360 square feet | $14,400 |
| 3 | 32 x 22 = 704 square feet | $28,160 |
| Source: Precision Garage Door Service | ||
Cost by Conversion Type
Are you planning to attach an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your garage space, or are you looking to fully convert your garage into a new room? The more elaborate your conversion project is, the more it will cost.
Increased functionality can result in major price hikes — the cost to convert a garage into another living space brings things like lighting, plumbing, and HVAC installation costs into the equation, whereas turning your garage into a home gym won’t require as much labor or materials.
| Room Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Bathroom | $14,000 |
| Bedroom | $18,500 |
| Gym | $5,500 |
| Kitchen | $25,500 |
| Guest room | $30,000 |
| Office | $7,500 |
| Game room | $20,000 |
| Utility room | $6,000 |
| Source: Precision Garage Door Service | |
- Bathroom: Adding a new bathroom can cost as little as $3,000 if you just add a toilet and sink. Including a shower, windows, lighting, and other add-ons such as a sauna will get you closer to $25,000. This project may involve removing your garage door entirely and replacing it with a wall.
- Bedroom: The cost to convert a garage to a bedroom can range from $12,000 to $25,000, depending on the amount of electrical and/or plumbing work required. Replacing your garage door with a wall for privacy will increase the costs.
- Gym: A full set of dumbbells, barbells, benches, and weights might run you about $6,000 on the low end. Add in a few cable machines, a treadmill, and floor padding, and you can expect your total price to increase by a few thousand dollars. You can swap your current garage door for a full-view clear glass door to allow sunlight in the space.
- Kitchen: Garage-to-kitchen conversions are some of the priciest projects, ranging from about $20,000 on the low end to upwards of $50,000. Most notably, the gas, plumbing, or electrical work needed for a proper kitchen significantly increases the price. You will likely need to replace your garage door with a wall and window to properly ventilate the space.
- Game room: Pool tables and dart boards can cost a few hundred dollars. However, a game room with electricity, plumbing, and air conditioning can cost about $20,000. If you keep your garage door, you can open up this space to accommodate more guests.
- Office: Adding a new office space can be straightforward. Slotting in a work desk, chair, and basic lighting might only cost around $5,000. Replacing your garage door with a wall and adding insulation panels can soundproof this room.
- Guest room: Turning your garage into a guest room can cost about as much as a bedroom conversion does. This project tends to average around $30,000 if you include a bathroom or a kitchenette. Consider installing carriage-style garage doors to give this room a more cozy aesthetic.
- Utility room: Creating a new storage space is a cheaper project that generally costs about $6,000. Including appliances such as washing and drying machines can bump up the price by several hundred dollars. It may be worth installing more durable garage doors if you plan to store fragile items here.
Labor and Permit Costs
Every state, county, and municipality has different labor laws and guidelines for obtaining permits, which, along with differing labor costs, account for the variance in garage conversion costs around the country. In your state, there may be a plan review fee to encourage environmentally safe construction practices and a permit fee to gain the legal right to build.
One reason construction projects in a state such as California are expensive is permit fees; the permit for a garage conversion project in the city of Los Angeles can cost about $1,840.
Below is a breakdown of the average hourly labor costs for several types of vendors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Vendor | Average Hourly Cost |
|---|---|
| Carpenter | $29.31 per hour | $29.95 per hour |
| Electrician | $32.60 per hour | $29.95 per hour |
| Flooring installers | $23.41 per hour | $23.72 per hour |
| HVAC installers | $27.55 per hour | $25.73 per hour |
| Insulation installers | $25.04 per hour| $23.89 per hour |
| Plumbers | $29.59 per hour| $25.41 per hour |
| Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Precision Garage Door Service | |
Electrical: On average, electricians charge an hourly rate of $32.60. Electricians who work in metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles County typically earn a mean salary of $83,090 to compensate for California’s high cost of living.
HVAC and ductwork: HVAC installers regularly charge about $27.55 per hour in the United States. This aligns with the average salary for workers in states like Kansas, where annual salaries hover around $53,691.
Insulation: Insulation workers regularly charge $25 per hour. The process of insulating a converted garage isn’t as lengthy as insulating an entire home, so this might be one of your lower expenses.
Plumbing: Plumbers charge about $29.59 an hour to ensure your property has clean running water and effective waste disposal systems. If your plumber needs to secure a permit to complete the project, this could further increase prices.
Cost of Materials:
The materials used in garage renovations vary in cost too. Luxury vinyl can cost between $2 to $5 per square foot while engineered hardwood can run up to $16 per square foot. Plenty of effort goes into transporting all building materials, but some are much harder to move than others are.
Garage conversion projects can involve changing the type of garage door you have installed or switching to different materials. For example, switching from steel to wood doors can be an expensive yet worthwhile project for homeowners who want a warmer aesthetic for their property.
Upgrading your garage door openers is also worth considering if you’d like features such as IOS and Android integration and enhanced safety features. Openers use metal chains to reposition doors, which are durable and relatively cost-efficient.
Materials that might influence your garage conversion costs include:
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $7 per square foot |
| Glass | $1,000 per window |
| Engineered Hardwood | $16 per square foot |
| Insulation | $1 per square foot |
| Tiling | $13 per square foot |
| Source: Precision Garage Door Service | |
How To Choose Service Providers
Having the right contractors is essential to the success of any remodeling project. Lean on the following considerations while you’re shopping around for the right fit.
- Cost/budget: Have a budget in mind before reviewing service providers. Once you get in touch, ask whether they plan to bring on any subcontractors and what payment schedule would work best for you both.
- Experience: First-hand experience completing garage conversions is vital to the success of your project. Consider working with a well-known company that’s been in business since the late 1980s and has over 100 locations across the United States, such as Precision Garage Door Service™.
- Licensing: Before you sign any documents or exchange any money, ask the contractor whether they’re licensed to perform the task at hand.
- Insurance: All contractors must be covered by insurance.
Garage door replacement or repair
During your garage conversion project, you might decide to replace your current door for the following reasons:
- Your existing garage door is structurally damaged and poses a safety risk.
- Your current door is outdated and lacks convenient features such as an automatic opener.
- You feel that replacing your current door can increase your home’s resale value and aesthetic appeal.
- The door you presently have installed doesn’t have robust security features such as smart features and high-quality materials.
Garage door repair might also be a viable option if the previously mentioned points don’t apply to your situation. Repair is often more cost-effective than full-on replacement and can help you retain your home’s current aesthetic.
How To Save Money on Garage Conversion Costs
You can save money on your garage conversion project through practical planning. Here are some tips.
- Make a budget: Create a budget for your conversion project that factors in the categories discussed within this article
- Incentives: Look into energy efficiency incentives in your region, either from your utility company or local government.
- Hire reliable help: Working with reliable service providers can ensure the project is completed properly. You’ll reduce the likelihood of anything breaking down on you after the remodel is complete.
- Avoid fines: If your state requires permits before you can start building, make sure you get them. Working without those permits could result in costly fines.
Trust Precision Garage Door Service for Your Garage Door Needs
A garage conversion is a major project that can significantly increase your home's value, which will more than make up for the overall garage conversion cost. Before you start your project, reach out to your local Precision Garage Door Service professional for help with garage door replacement and repairs.
Our local teams have decades of experience in replacing and upgrading garage doors, and we can help you enhance your garage space for a smoother conversion experience.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property. Services should be performed by licensed and experienced professionals. Precision Garage Door Service is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact a Precision Garage Door Service professional for a custom, on-site assessment.
FAQ About Garage Door Conversions
Still have questions about garage conversion costs? Check out our answers to frequently asked questions below.
Is it cheaper to convert a garage or build an extension?
Garage conversions are almost always cheaper because all of the work happens internally. With an extension, you have to demolish walls and create a brand-new building from the ground up.
Is it worth converting a garage into a room?
A garage conversion can be worthwhile if you need extra space, want to potentially increase your home’s value, no longer plan to drive a car, or need to accommodate a friend or family member.
How much value does remodeling a garage add?
Successful garage conversions in the United States can result in a return on your investment of up to 85% of your home’s value. Garage door maintenance is also important to raising resale value, as a well-kept property is easier to sell than a home that desperately needs renovation.
How long does garage conversion take?
A garage conversion project can take between three and six weeks to fully complete, depending on the type of conversion.For example, converting your garage into a gym is much easier than converting into a kitchen.
Do I need a permit to convert my garage?
Yes, and permit costs vary from one location to another. The national average for a garage conversion permit fall between $1,200 and $2,000.
