Want to add another living space to your home with a new apartment? Remodel your existing garage, and you will have plenty of new livable space at much less cost than building an apartment from scratch. Better still, converting your garage into an apartment will increase the value of your property, and even give you an added source of income if you decide to rent it out.
In terms of legal requirements, converting your garage into an apartment is actually a much simpler apartment remodel job compared to a construction project wherein you have to start from scratch. There isn’t as much paperwork to deal with, although you do need to apply for a building permit if you intend to install plumbing and electrical wiring in the new space.
One of the most important considerations is deciding what to do with the garage door. If you have the budget for it, the best course of action is obviously to convert the door into a wall or even a large picture window. If you want a lower cost option however, you can leave the garage door in place and simply cover it up with insulation and apply sealant around the edges.
You will probably want to repaint the floor of the garage, but before doing that, remember to determine the slope. Most garages are designed with a slight slope to maker it easier to drain water. Depending on the degree of the slope, you may need to level out the floor. As for the paint, the matte enamel variety would be ideal, as it will provide some necessary traction to what would otherwise be a slippery floor.
There are obviously a lot more steps in the garage-to-apartment remodel job, but this should give you a good start. Remember to plan for comfort as well as functionality, and your garage may just turn out to be one of the most comfortable spaces in your home.