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building a garage apartment cost

by Prof. Deshaun Kovacek PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

For an average 400 square foot garage, an apartment costs between $60,000 and $70,000 to add fully finished. Your return of investment could improve if you build a detached garage with a loft above it and use it as a rental unit.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to build a garage with an apartment?

When a contractor is used, the average cost to build a garage with an apartment is around $45-$55 per square foot for the garage area, and about $100 per square foot for the apartment area. When a contractor is used, the average 600 square foot garage with an apartment costs about $70,000-$90,000.

How to much does it cost to build a garage?

Ways to save money:

  • Be your own general contractor and save 20% right away. It does take a lot of time, but it was worth the savings for me. ...
  • Get ‘labor only’ bids and buy the materials yourself. ...
  • Use a 5% cash back credit card like Chase or Discover. ...
  • Rent the tools you need at Home Depot or buy used on craigslist.
  • Do (at least some) of the labor yourself. ...

How much to build a small garage?

  • Can show examples of similar work they have done
  • Been in business for at least five years
  • Have the necessary certifications or licenses
  • Are insured and bonded
  • Offer warranties on materials and labor
  • Are A/A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau
  • Have good reviews on HomeGuide and Google

How to estimate garage building costs?

Material Cost to Add a Garage

  • Cinder Block Garage Cost. A cinder block garage costs anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000+ but varies based on your location and its size.
  • Brick Garage Cost. Brick garages might cost $100 per foot or more. ...
  • Brick Veneered Garages Cost. ...
  • Cost to Stick Build a Wood Garage. ...
  • Metal Garages. ...

Is building a garage apartment a good investment?

According to the data provided by Remodeling magazine, building a new garage has an ROI of approximately 64.8%. This return-on-investment is one of the best you'll find when it comes to additions to your home.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a garage?

When you dig into the overall price of the garage, you will find that it is more expensive to build a garage for the first automobile. A two-car garage costs less than twice as much as a one-car garage, and adding a third bay is even less expensive.

How much does it cost to build a small room in a garage?

The cost of converting a garage into a living space will vary depending on the size of the garage, what you want to turn the garage into, and what materials you use to complete the project. The low end will be around $5,700, and the high end will be around $22,600.

How much does it cost to build a studio on top of a garage?

The latter issue is the main stumbling block homeowners face. After all, the average cost of building a room above a garage is $200,000. Compare that $200,000 figure to the $90,000-$120,000 cost of a garage conversion.

Does a garage add value to a house?

How much value does a garage add? Research carried out recently suggests that a garage can add between 5% – 10% to the value of your home. But that's just for a single garage, a double garage could increase its value by up to 20%!

How much does it cost to build a 24 by 30 garage?

2-Car Garage CostCost24 by 24 feet$30,00024 by 30 feet (tandem)$31,200*Costs calculated using $52 per square foot average and rounded to the nearest $100Apr 19, 2022

How much does it cost to build a 2 car detached garage with apartment?

Garage With Apartment Cost For an average 400 square foot garage, an apartment costs between $60,000 and $70,000 to add fully finished. Your return of investment could improve if you build a detached garage with a loft above it and use it as a rental unit.

Can I convert my garage into a living space?

As long as you obey building code requirements, you can create any type of living space with your garage remodel. Depending on the zoning of your home, you may hit more hurdles when attempting to build an independent living space, such as an apartment, than you will when converting your garage into a single room.

What does it cost to convert a garage into living space?

Experts agree that the costs for converting a garage can range from $8,000 to $25,000 or more. Major variables include plumbing and electrical work. Plumbing can quickly become a big expense, depending on what you plan to do in your living space.

Do you need planning permission to turn a garage into a room?

Planning permission is not usually required to convert your garage into additional living space for your home, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.

Can you put a bedroom over a garage?

Bedrooms directly above the garage is safe. Noise from the garage work may disrupt the homeowner in the morning, but there's no risk of having a bedroom over the garage. On top of saving space, having a bedroom directly above the garage is private and separate from the main part of the house.

How much does it cost to add a second story over a garage?

A basic 2nd story addition between 300-400 square feet costs between $275k-$350k.

How much does it cost to build a garage with living quarters?

The cost to build an apartment above your garage starts at about $100 per square foot. A living space complete with a full kitchen, bathroom and pr...

Is it cheaper to build a garage or buy a kit?

Buying a garage kit will cost less than building a custom garage if it means you’re doing all the labor. Simple kits generally cost less than $10,0...

Do garages add value to a home?

Homeowners see as much as a 65% return on their investment (ROI) after building a garage. It’s an attractive feature that puts home buyers at ease....

How much does it cost to build a garage?

The national average cost to build a garage is $24,000. Garage costs depend on its siding material, foundation and finishes, like electricity and garage door style. A single-car, detached garage kit starts at around $7,250 while an attached three-car garage with a loft can cost $50,000.

How much does it cost to add a garage to a house?

Attaching a garage to your home costs an average of $26,000. However, you could pay anything from $10,000 to $43,000 depending on how many cars you’d like to accommodate and whether it includes livable space.

Why do garages cost the most?

Garages that accommodate three or more cars cost the most because they require the most square footage. They are great for families with multiple vehicles ranging from economical cars to recreational vehicles.

Do you need an electrician for a detached garage?

Hire an electrician if you’re adding or updating electrical to your detached garage to accommodate automatic garage door openers, lighting or a security system.

Can you park a car side by side in a multi car garage?

Depending on your lot size and how you plan to access your cars, you can choose to park side-by-side or front-to-back, also called tandem.

Is a secure garage a good investment?

Building a well-constructed, secure garage can be a good investment for your home. You’re likely to increase your ROI by adding livable square footage as your household grows or to accommodate guests or tenets. Single- or two-car garages are most common.

How much does it cost to build a garage?

The average cost to build a garage is $35 to $60 per square foot. The cost to build a 1-car garage is between $7,500 to $14,200, a 2-car garage costs $19,600 and $28,200, and a 3-car garage ranges from $28,200 to $42,700. Depending on many factors, homeowners can expect to see about an 80% return on their investment in relation to home value.

How much does a 2 car garage cost?

The most common 2-car garage dimensions fall in the 400–576 SF range which costs between $19,600 and $28,200, while a 3-car garage will measure 576 to 864 SF and cost about $28,200 to $42,300.

How much does it cost to install a garage door?

Garage door installation costs $550 to $1,800, with most homeowners spending between $1,000, depending on the style, size, and quality you choose. Installing a single car garage door could cost as little as $550. This price includes the doors, labor, tracks, and materials.

How much does it cost to finish a garage ceiling?

For finishing out the garage ceiling, material options include cork, wood (veneer), drywall, gypsum, plastic tile, or Styrofoam tiles at the cost of $1.80 to $10/SF. To maintain any energy efficiency garnered by your choice of materials for the walls, you will have to finish out the ceiling to help insulate the garage. If you only plan on parking the car in the garage and don’t plan on spending any time in there, or you live somewhere that has a perfect temperature year round, then this might not be a consideration for your project.

What is the average size of a one car garage?

The most common sizes for a one-car garage are 12’ x 24’ and 14’ x 28’. One car garages are becoming less and less popular with only 6% of Americans choosing this size. On the other hand, 63% of homes in the US have a 2-car garage.

How much does a concrete block wall cost?

Concrete block walls cost $15 to $30 per square foot. Concrete block, or CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit), structures are gaining popularity because of the advantages structures built with blocks possess: being airtight, energy efficient, structurally sound, and not susceptible to termites or mold.

How much does vinyl siding cost?

At $4 to $6.70/SF, vinyl siding is the cheapest of the options available to finish out the exterior of your garage, but that only works if it fits the style for the rest of your home. Here are the price ranges for the most common siding options.

Fees and Taxes

Some people build think that it does not require any permissions to build an external building in your land, but it is not how it works. Many jobs required in this work would need the work of licensed professionals.

Prep-Work

One of the very first and most crucial factors to consider while building a garage apartment is the location of the property. Before starting any construction work, a land survey is required. When the survey is done, the contractor will have a better understanding of the site, and he can begin the work.

Size

Generally, the cost to build a garage with an apartment will be dependent on your needs and the space available in the property where the garage is being built. If you have just one SUV Car, then the recommended size of the garage is 12’x22′, for two SUVs is 20’x20′ and for three, the size is 32’x22′.

Construction Costs

It would help if you decided whether the apartment garage is going to be attached or separate from the house yours. You also have to choose the materials you want to use in the garage apartment construction.

Interior

Just building a garage with an apartment is not enough for anyone who is going to live there. For the people going to live there, the interior design of the apartment has different importance. Generally, people design their homes on their own.

Wiring and Lights

Making any decision about electricity and lightning will depend on what is the purpose of the garage and where it will be situated. If you are going to use this garage as an option to keep your car safe from elements, then you must go to consulting an electrician about any of the electrical installations and problems.

Labor

To build a garage, you will need some laborers, and for this, you must hire a labor contractor. A contractor will be able to consult your plans with you, and then he will hire and schedule those necessary specialists to do the works that need to get done. The labor cost is going to depend on the state you are residing in.

Is Adding a Room Above The Garage Right For You?

Adding a second story to a garage is no easy task. The difficulties stem from creating a stable, expansive living space over an accessory building that was never intended to have an extra living space on top. Before you start fantasizing about an extra bedroom over the garage, here are some pros and cons to consider.

How Much Does it Cost to Add a Room Above a Garage?

To build a room over a garage is a massive project. Despite the advantages, most homeowners find a project of this magnitude to be too complex and too costly. The latter issue is the main stumbling block homeowners face. After all, the average cost of building a room above a garage is $200,000.

Alternatives to Garage ADUs

Most people look into second-story addition over garage costs because they need extra living space. If the costs are far too prohibitive, as they are for most homeowners, there are alternatives. Relaxed laws on ADUs across California provide more affordable options for enhancing your existing available living space.

How to Finance an ADU

ADUs more than repay their investment in terms of personal comfort, extra living space, and the prospect of generating a second income. Initial financing is a question many homeowners have on their minds. Obviously, cash savings are the simplest way of obtaining the outlay needed to get your project off the ground.

Conclusion

Adding a room above a garage costs an excessive amount of money, which is why many people choose more affordable, simpler ADUs. At United Dwelling, we don’t add living space above garages, but we do specialize in building beautiful backyard homes.

How much does it cost to put an apartment over a garage?

Cost to Build an Apartment Over a Garage You can expect to pay around $300 or more per square foot to build an apartment over a garage. For an apartment above a 24 by 24 foot two-car garage, you can expect to pay about $175,000 or more. Your choice of fixtures can greatly affect the cost.

Is it cheaper to build or buy a garage?

A one-car garage kit will set you back between $3,500 and $6,000 in cost to build the garage depending on the materials used (steel construction kits are usually cheaper ), whereas a two-car option starts from $5,000 in cost to build the garage. With a custom garage, you have a lot more to pay for.

Is it cheaper to build a detached garage?

It is generally cheaper to build an attached garage than it is to build a detached garage. A detached garage requires the construction of four complete walls and will use more materials in the process.

Should I build a garage apartment?

A detached garage apartment is beneficial because it’s more secure. If someone breaks into it, they won’t have easy access to the main dwelling, and vice versa. When it comes to security and safety, a detached garage can also be less of a fire risk because it’s separate from the main house on the property.

Is it cheaper to add a second story or build out?

When building new construction, building up with a two- story home is cheaper than building out. When remodeling, building out with a one- story addition is cheaper than adding a second story to an existing dwelling.

How much does it cost to build a garage with room above?

If opting for an attached garage with living space above, with electrical wiring, plumbing, and bathroom, expect the cost to range between $180 and $210 per square foot for the upper room alone. This will bring the total cost for an attached one car garage with a room above to between $60,000 and $65,000.

What is the cheapest type of garage to build?

Metal garage cost is the most economical of all the garages, the metal garages are built on site and only come without a floor. Wood garage cost comes in 2nd place from a price the are modular garages and are delivered to your location fully assembled and are made with or without a floor.

9 Budget-Friendly Garage Apartment Design Ideas

You'll find quite the wide price range when looking at garage conversion plans, varying anywhere from $5,700 to $22,600. We recommend always building your budget from the ground up—starting with necessary and unavoidable fees.

1. Opt for an Open Floor Plan

The easiest way to keep costs low on your garage apartment is to stick to as open a floor plan as possible. Studio apartments can contain the same amenities as a one or two-bedroom without the additional walls. Keeping the kitchen, bedroom, and dining area connected also allows more light to filter through the space.

2. Position the Rooms Properly

Expect to pay about $1,100 to add plumbing to your garage and $3,000 for a full bathroom. In most cases, the new plumbing will attach to the existing system in your main house. So, if you add the garage kitchen and bathroom plumbing to the wall closest to your home, you'll likely spend less on materials and labor to bridge the gap.

3. Work with Existing Electrics

Here's some good news: Most garages already come with basic electrical wiring. Work with an electrician to add simple overhead lighting and properly placed outlets for necessary appliances.

4. Get Creative with Storage

Don't have enough room to add a closet and a pantry? The modern style encourages simplistic storage options such as built-in shelves and exterior kitchen racks. Premade built-in bookshelves can cost as low as $1,270, with materials and labor included.

5. Consider Cost-Friendly Floors

While you can opt for an industrial-chic look with low-cost polished concrete floors, you may not get the cozy vibe that you're going for. Still, there are plenty of budget-friendly flooring options that can tip the scales of your overall garage budget. For example, consider:

6. Know Your Wall Materials

If you do opt to add a wall, you have your pick of the following main materials:

A Small Apartment in a Shed

If you love Tiny Living, this Small Apartment Shed will make your mouth water! The inside featured a bathroom, kitchen with an apartment-sized fridge, a sitting area, and a beautiful loft area for sleeping. It was created for a small living space that had a touch of modern class.

A Bed and Breakfast in a Shed

When Susan of Yorktown, VA bought this two-story shed, her plan was a Bed and Breakfast in the second floor. This Two Story Barn Shed sports a lot of space on the second floor. It features a wide-open area that could serve as a small suite for an Air BnB Guest House and would not cost a lot to get into operation.

A Beach House Home in a Shed

Your next Beach House could be a Prefab Shed or Garage that serves as a living space. Tom R needed more sleeping space next to his Beach House in Moon, VA. He bought a Two Story Workshop Shed from our manufacturing facility in Lancaster, PA, and then he set about to finish the interior himself.

A Modular Building Apartment

This is an amazing piece of work inside a modular double-wide garage from Sheds Unlimited. The customer bought the double-wide building and finished the interior for a lovely home-sweet-home. Notices the extra windows above the bed bringing in plenty of light into this beautiful space.

A Car Garage with a Man Cave

In The City of Brotherly Love, you’ll find this two-story garage where Don has created his own Garage Man Cave. A place to store and play with his toy train collection and a second floor that is big enough for an apartment, serving as his Man Cave. See another two-story garage which Rebecca turned into a business space.

Two Car Garage with Apartment Space

Honestly, we’re not sure what Steve O from Ipswich MA was planning to do with his two-car garage building, but taking a look at the photos, it would make a lovely 2 car garage with apartment space. The large dormers and the very nice sized windows would make a lovely place for a small backyard apartment or Bed and Breakfast.

Legacy Garage with Apartment Space and Deck

This Legacy Two Story Garage with Apartment space might look a bit plain, but the deck coming from the second floor gives Randy easy access to the loft/attic area.

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