A Tale of Two Garages
Once upon a time, in the charming city of Aberdeen, there lived a couple – let’s call them Craig and Jess – who had a dilemma on their hands. Their growing family was bursting at the seams in their cozy 2-bedroom home, but the solution was right under their noses… or rather, right next to it.
Their attached garage, which they only used for storage, was a veritable goldmine of untapped potential. As Jess recounts, Craig had the brilliant idea to convert it into livable space. “When we bought the house, one of the first things Craig said was that we should turn the garage into living space. I brushed him off because it seemed like a really big job. And we had so many other projects to tackle. Once I found out I was pregnant and our two-bedroom house was going to feel pretty cramped, I opened up to the idea of converting the garage, which we only used for storage.”
And so began their garage conversion journey – a challenge that would test their skills, their patience, and ultimately, transform their home into a sanctuary tailored to their growing family’s needs. Little did they know, this was just the first chapter in their garage renovation saga.
A Garage Fit for a King (or a Bedroom and Bathroom)
The process of turning their garage into a cozy bedroom and spa-like bathroom was no small feat. As Jess recounts, “The entire project took 9 months from start to finish, taking into consideration he started when I was pregnant and VERY sick. And finished when we had a newborn, and Covid had just hit. It probably could have been done faster if not for those things.”
But Craig, armed with determination and a methodical approach, tackled the project head-on. First, he had to clear out the garage and find a new home for all their stored items. “We purchased a shed to put in our backyard to use for storage. A lot of people asked how we got rid of our garage. But the truth is we don’t have that much stuff. Whatever was in the garage we were able to put in the shed or our basement.”
With a blank canvas to work with, Craig got to work on building the foundation of their new living space – the subfloor. Using 2x10s and a main beam down the center, he carefully leveled the floor to seamlessly match the existing house. “Craig used a laser level, snapped a line and measured down, subtracting the thickness of the plywood and the flooring we planned to use. He was able to perfectly match the level of the new and existing floors as you can see below.”
Next, it was time to tackle the walls and ceiling. Craig removed the existing ceiling joists and collar ties, replacing them with three sturdy 2×10 beams to create a lofted, airy feel. He then framed the interior walls to divide the space into a bedroom, bathroom, and hallway, leaving room for the separate staircase to the basement.
With the structural work complete, it was time to bring in the experts. Craig scheduled the electrician and plumber to come and install the necessary wiring and plumbing for the new living space, including the shower, vanity sinks, and toilet. “The electricians came and installed the wiring for the ceiling lights and boxes for outlets and switches so Craig would be able to cut around them when doing sheet rock. The plumbers put the rough plumbing in for the shower drain, vanity sinks, and toilet plumbing.”
After the rough-ins were inspected and approved, Craig tackled the insulation, drywall, and finishing touches. He chose to use spray foam insulation for the bedroom ceiling, not only for its superior energy efficiency but also to save time and labor. “We had a company come to do spray foam insulation for the bedroom ceiling because it saved a ton of time and labor on our end. Spray foam insulation is also incredibly effective and can help with energy efficiency in your home. There are also various tax incentives available for spray foam insulation (check with your tax advisor).”
For the walls, Craig opted for a durable and odor-resistant solution – Venetian plaster. “Craig installed drywall on all interior walls insulated with fiberglass insulation. Then he taped all the seams and did a veneer coat with Venetian plaster. Which makes it more durable and helps with odors. Then he sanded all the walls.”
The ceiling was a unique touch, with Craig alternating 1×8 and 1×10 primed pine boards, which he then painted with a crisp, white ceiling paint. And to top it off, he installed a skylight in the bathroom, flooding the space with natural light.
The final touches included the installation of the shower, vanity, toilet, and flooring. Craig chose a hand-painted Fireclay Tile for the bathroom, using white grout to create a clean, spa-like aesthetic. For the bedroom and hallway, he opted for Sawyer Mason’s pre-finished Oak Bluffs flooring, a durable and easy-to-install option.
After months of hard work and meticulous attention to detail, Craig and Jess’ garage conversion was complete, transforming a once-neglected space into a beautifully functional and seamless addition to their home. As Jess reflects, “The garage conversion to a bedroom and bathroom was the biggest project we had ever taken on. It was the first project where we were creating our own space from the ground up and had to plan, coordinate, execute and learn how to do a lot of things we had not done before. That said, it was well worth the effort, not only because it added so much additional living space without adding actual square footage, but it increased the value of our house as well.”
From One Garage to Another
But the garage conversion story doesn’t end there. Inspired by the success of their first project, Craig and Jess set their sights on their Vermont home, which also happened to have a garage ripe for transformation.
As they share in their video series, the process of converting the Vermont garage into livable space was very similar to their Aberdeen experience. Once again, they faced the challenge of clearing out the garage, building a sturdy subfloor, and meticulously planning the layout to maximize the space.
But with the lessons learned from their first garage conversion project, Craig and Jess were able to approach this new challenge with a heightened sense of confidence and efficiency. As Jess notes, “Having gone through this project taught us a lot and has convinced us we can tackle a similar one in our Vermont house which has a very similar layout including a garage we hope to convert to living space. I’m excited to see what we can do to transform that space and turn it into something we love just as much as this house.”
The Garage Conversion Checklist
If you’re considering a garage conversion project of your own, here’s a quick checklist to get you started:
- Assess your needs and goals: Determine how you want to use the additional living space – is it a bedroom, bathroom, home office, or something else?
- Check local regulations: Familiarize yourself with the permits and building codes required in your area. This will help you plan your project accordingly.
- Create a detailed plan: Sketch out the layout, measure the space, and consider factors like electrical, plumbing, and structural requirements.
- Prepare the garage: Clear out any stored items and find a suitable location for them, such as a shed or basement.
- Tackle the subfloor: Ensure the foundation is solid and level, following local building codes.
- Insulate and frame: Add insulation and frame the walls and ceiling to create the desired layout.
- Bring in the experts: Schedule the electrician and plumber to handle the rough-ins for wiring, plumbing, and any other necessary infrastructure.
- Finish the details: Install drywall, trim, flooring, and any other finishing touches to create a seamless, livable space.
- Inspect and approve: Work closely with your local authorities to ensure your project meets all necessary inspections and approvals.
- Enjoy your new living space: With a little hard work and attention to detail, you can transform your underutilized garage into a valuable addition to your home.
The Garage Conversion Advantage
As Craig and Jess’ story has shown, converting a garage into livable space can be a game-changer for homeowners. Not only does it provide much-needed extra square footage without the added cost and hassle of a full-blown addition, but it can also significantly increase the value of your home.
As one homeowner on Reddit noted, “Depending on how long we stay here, we could add a garage on the front of the house after we convert our current one.” This flexible approach allows homeowners to adapt to their changing needs and maximize the potential of their property.
Furthermore, many local authorities are supportive of garage conversions, offering alternative building code standards and streamlined permitting processes to make the process more accessible for homeowners. By working closely with your local authorities, you can ensure your project is carried out safely and legally, without any roadblocks down the line.
So, if you’re like Craig and Jess, facing the challenge of a growing family or simply craving more living space, consider the untapped potential of your garage. With a little creativity, hard work, and the right guidance, you can transform that underutilized space into a cozy, functional, and valuable addition to your home.
And who knows, your garage conversion journey might just inspire your next big project, just as Craig and Jess’ experience in Aberdeen led them to take on their Vermont home. The possibilities are endless when you’re willing to think outside the (garage) box.
