Homeowners often face situations in which they might require more space at home. With a garage, however, they often find themselves in luck. Garages are amongst the most underutilized spaces in homes, and with a carefully planned garage conversion, you can turn yours into an additional dwelling unit (ADU).
However, like the rest of your house, your garage must also be accounted for during a power outage. With a solar-powered generator like a Jackery Solar Generator, you can ensure that your garage has a reliable power backup option to run most of your appliances without hassle.
Key Takeaways
- Converting a garage is a popular way of increasing your home’s square footage.
- If done correctly, it can increase your home’s value in the long run.
- You’ll have to ensure the conversion aligns with all your local regulations.
- The cost of converting your garage will depend on what you want to do. Another key factor is the quality and cost of your chosen materials.
- A Jackery Solar Generator is a reliable power backup for your garage and home.
Should I Convert My Garage?
You’ll have to consider the benefits and drawbacks of a garage conversion when deciding if you should go ahead. These are listed below for your reference:
Pros of Converting Your Garage
- Converting your garage gives you additional space without building an additional structure from the ground up.
- Creating extra living space in your garage will leave your garden or lawn unaffected.
- In many cases, converting a garage can increase your home’s value, as several people will appreciate the additional living space.
- If your garage is detached from your home, the noise from the construction is less likely to disturb you within your home.
- Some garage conversions don’t require planning permissions and are also appreciated by planners.
Cons of Converting Your Garage
- If you primarily use your garage as a storage space, converting it into a living space will result in you losing storage space.
- Converting a garage may be a bad idea if you know you’ll need it at some point for more storage or to park a vehicle.
- Garage floors are often sloped and will require some fixing.
- Some garages will also require structural reinforcement before being converted into proper living spaces.
How Much Value Does a Garage Conversion Add?
The approach to garage conversions has changed with time. With a shortage in the housing market and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to people spending a lot more time at home, converting a garage into a living space, a study, or an office has become rather common.
If done right, a garage conversion will also increase your home’s floor area, which could also increase its value. However, deciding to convert your garage will depend on various factors, such as the need for extra space, whether you have a driveway to park your car in or even your area’s price ceiling.
Check if Your Garage is Suitable for Conversion
Before you convert your garage, you must check if it’s suitable for these changes based on its structure. Here are a few things:
- Check if you can replace your existing rolling door with patio doors.
- Check whether your current HVAC system will support another room. If it does, you can keep your costs low. However, if it doesn’t, you’ll have to spend money on an independent system for your garage.
- Adding a plumbing line is often the most expensive part of a garage conversion. As a result, you’ll have to decide if your garage will have a kitchenette or a bathroom attached to it.
- Will you have adequate parking or storage space after the conversion?
Costs of Garage Conversion
Converting a garage into a comfortable living space involves various elements. The whole process could cost between $6,000 and $27,500. The cost will depend on factors like your garage’s size, what you intend to convert it into, the quality of the materials you choose, and whether you’re extending any plumbing lines to it.
The table below breaks down these costs to help you decide how much you’ll need to spend on the whole project.
Garage Conversion |
Costs |
Cabinets and Storage |
$1,000 - $3,700 |
Drywall |
$800 - $5,000 |
Ducts and Vents |
$400 - $600 |
Ductless AC |
$2,000 - $15,000 |
Garage Door Replacement |
$400 - $3,500+ |
Plumbing (per fixture) |
$450 - $1,800 |
Raising or Leveling Garage Floor |
$300 - $5,400 |
Soundproofing |
$2,800 - $17,000 |
Permit Fees |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
Insulation |
$1 - $3 per square foot |
Flooring Installation |
$2 - $23 per square foot |
Painting |
$1 - $3 per square foot |
These costs are a ballpark. The specific costs of your garage conversion will depend on a range of factors, including the cost of materials and labor in your area.
Additionally, the cost of converting a garage will vary from one state to another. The table below gives you a rough idea of how much this would cost in several different states.
State |
Costs |
Florida |
$15,000 - $16,000 |
Washington |
$18,000 - $19,000 |
Texas |
$14,000 - $15,000 |
Minnesota |
$14,000 - $15,000 |
New York |
$19,000 - $20,000 |
Colorado |
$16,000 - $17,000 |
Factors to Consider for Garage Conversion
If you plan on converting your garage, there are a few important things you’ll have to consider. These are described below.
Parking Space
The first thing to consider is whether or not your garage conversion will affect your parking space. If regulations allow you to park your car in your driveway or on the street, you can convert your garage into a living space.
Appearance of the Garage After Conversion
You’ll also have to anticipate your garage's appearance after it’s converted. For example, if you don’t have enough storage space in your house and you use your garage to store knick knacks, you’ll have to think of an alternative storage location for your possessions. Similarly, you’ll also have to consider what your home will look like from the outside and whether you’re okay with your garage looking like a living space.
Space Available
The space available in your garage will also determine what you can use it for once it's converted. If you have a small single-car garage, you can convert it into a study or a home office. If it’s bigger, you can add a kitchenette or a bathroom.
Investment Worthy
A garage conversion will cost a lot of money, so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth the resources spent on it. You should also account for the cost of finding alternative storage solutions.
Consent or Building Permits
You’ll have to check whether a garage conversion will not violate any building codes or local ordinances. These ordinances and regulations govern the ceiling height, the number of outlets, the number of entrances and exits, and so on.
Additionally, these regulations may also require you to have a certain amount of covered parking, which in turn affects your decision to convert your garage.
How to Prepare for Garage Conversion?
To prepare for converting your garage, you'll need to do three key things, which are described below in detail.
Planning Permissions
The first step is to inquire if your conversion requires planning permissions. Converting an existing structure into a living space is referred to as Permitted Development, and sometimes, if there are no structural changes involved, it doesn't require any permissions. However, it’s always safest to confirm with your local planning authority to ensure you get all the necessary permissions before you start the conversion.
Building Regulations
Building regulations are specific rules that concern the following aspects:
- Structural Integrity of the Building: The building must be structurally sound and safe.
- Insulation: Good insulation helps maintain a building’s thermal efficiency and primarily lowers your heating and cooling costs.
- Ventilation: Ventilation is important to create a fresh and healthy environment with adequate breeze flowing through the interiors.
- Fire Safety: The building or garage must have fire safety measures, such as fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, in accordance with local regulations.
- Electrics and Plumbing: Any electrical and plumbing work you do must meet national quality standards.
What Kind of Room Can You Convert Your Garage To?
When you plan a garage conversion, you have several options that you can convert it to. However, these will depend on your needs. Here are a few options:
- Office/Study: If you have any remote employees at home, a garage can be a good place to design a home office.
- Children’s Playroom: If you have children, the garage can make for an ideal and safe playroom for your kids.
- Bedroom: You can convert your garage into a bedroom if you need to accommodate another family member or need space to host guests.
- Home Gym: If you’re a fitness enthusiast, a gym can perfectly use a converted garage.
- Living Room: Lastly, you can also convert your garage into a calm and relaxing living room where you can unwind with your family.
You can look for garage conversion ideas online to see what you’d like your space to look like.
How to Convert a Garage
Once you’ve prepared for your garage conversion, you'll have to start the process. There are several steps in this, which are described below.
Design and Layout
The first step is to create a design for your garage. You can hire an interior designer or do so yourself. If you’re doing this project yourself, the first step is to measure the space to know how much room you have to work with.
Then, with the measurements written down and a decision on what you plan on converting your garage into, start designing its layout. Consider the following elements:
- Spaces where windows will be installed to let in natural light and allow for ventilation.
- Depending on whether the garage is attached to the rest of your house, design the door and where it'll be installed.
- If the garage is part of the same structure, the floor should be at the same level as the house.
- Design the space for people of all abilities, and keep in mind the key purpose of the space.
Foundations and Structure
The foundation of your garage must be strong enough to bear the weight of a new wall in place of the existing garage door. Check if the foundation is thick enough. If it isn’t, you’ll have to find a one-meter footing and fill it with concrete or add concrete linen to the ground below the side walls.
Insulation
The right thermal insulation and safety are key aspects of your garage conversion. Check the roof and add the right insulation based on the climatic conditions of your area. Your garage should have the same level of insulation as the rest of the house to ensure it’s just as comfortable.
Choose a good Damp Floor Membrane (DFM) for the garage floor, as garage floors typically lack insulation. If the garage floor is lower than the rest of the house, you can choose a suspended timber floor with about 150 mm of space to add insulation.
If the garage has a pitched roof, you’ll have to use two layers of Glass Fiber Quilt with 50 mm of space between them. A flat roof, on the other hand, will do well with one layer of durable PUR insulation board.
Electricity
If you’re turning your garage into a dedicated living space, you’ll need to account for electricity and heating. One solution is to install a (Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) of 20 amperes. On the other hand, if you’re extending lines from the rest of the house, you should ask your electrician to check their capacity before you do so.
A house with older wires and boards might require an upgraded system, which would cost more. You’ll also have to connect the garage to the HVAC system to ensure it can be heated and cooled. Jackery Solar Generators are a versatile and reliable solution you can consider to ensure you have electricity at all times.
Plumbing
If you want to find the water and waste lines from your house, you’ll have to employ a plumber. The greater the distance between the garage and the rest of your home, the longer the lines will be. As a result, they will also cost more.
Ventilation from Doors and Windows
Ventilation is important in any living space, including a garage. The best way to ensure this is by using doors and windows. You can replace your existing garage door with a better one, create a brick wall, and make room for windows on either side.
If your garage faces the street, you’ll need permission from the building authorities to replace the door. To keep the house cool, you can install windows and trickle vents, and the latter can go in the frames of the door and the windows to ensure optimal background ventilation.
If your garage has a bathroom or a kitchen (both of which produce moisture), you’ll also need to install an Extractor Unit to divert the moist air outside and keep the woodwork from getting damaged inside.
Decorations and Final Touches
The last step is to decorate and personalize your new garage and give it a few final touches. You can do this based on your taste and what kind of mood you want to create in the new space.
![how to convert a garage](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0970/9262/files/how_to_convert_a_garage.png?v=1721112744)
Jackery Solar Generators for Garage
Jackery is among the most reputed manufacturers of portable power stations, solar generators, and solar panels. The Jackery Solar Generators combine the Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. When you place the solar panels under direct sunlight, they absorb the sun’s rays and convert solar energy into DC electricity. This is then passed through the pure sine wave inverter to convert it to AC electricity.
When you convert your garage into a living space, you’ll have to ensure it has a backup power supply for any emergency or during a power outage. You can fold the solar panels and also roll the portable power station with its wheels. As a result, you can carry this solar generator with you if you’re going camping or even off the grid.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is an expandable solar generator with a decent capacity. It can run most household appliances. The solar panels can be folded, and the portable power station can be carried around so it can be used indoors and outdoors. Additionally, with its expandable capacity, you can add a battery pack along with extra solar panels if you ever need to, depending on your needs in the future.
Appliances Running Time:
- Smartphone (29W) = 59.8H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 3.3H
- Heater (1800W) = 54 minutes
- Laptop (70W) = 24.8H
- Coffee Maker (550W) = 3.1H
Customer Review:
“This electricity collection and storage system is impressive. Such a small box can hold 2000 watts of electricity. The 200-watt solar panels are simple to set up and adjust for maximum solar collection. Using the smartphone app, I can monitor the system as it is charging.” - Jack.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
Like the previous model, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is an expandable solar generator with double the capacity. One of the benefits of this solar generator is that you can charge 99% of household or outdoor appliances. The foldable solar panels and the portable nature of the power station make this ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
Appliances Running Time:
- Smartphone (29W) = 119.7H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 6.6H
- Heater (1800W) = 1.9H
- Laptop (70W) = 49.6H
- Coffee Maker (550W) = 6.3H
Customer Review:
“Very good quality, the battery lasts a very long time. Very easy to move around with the built-in tires. Love the upgradeability. The best solar generator I have ever had.” - Marc
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a large-capacity solar generator with enough juice to run most household appliances. It’s the ideal solution for reliable power backup for your garage and home.
The whole system is portable, so you can carry it while camping or overlanding or pack it into your bug-out vehicle if you need to evacuate during an emergency. It charges via solar charging and a wall charger, adding to its versatility.
Appliances Running Time:
- Smartphone (29W) = 88.6H
- Refrigerator (520W) = 4.9H
- Heater (1800W) = 1.4H
- Laptop (70W) = 36.7H
- Coffee Maker (550W) = 4.6H
Customer Review:
“I have a Jackery Explorer 1500 and 3000 Pro. Both are great generators. The 3000 Pro is a beast. Both are well-made and work great. I now have 6 panels that I can use at the same time to quickly charge the 3000 Pro. Good warranties. Buy with confidence.” - Dustin.
Garage Conversion Ideas
If you’ve decided to convert your garage, you have no shortage of ideas to choose from. This section lists some of the best garage conversion ideas you can refer to.
Convert Your Garage Into a Home Office
If you primarily work from home, you’re likely to need a dedicated workspace or a home office. Your garage can be the perfect place to design this, as it’ll give you a sense of calm and privacy.
Convert Your Garage Into a Family Annexe
Your garage can also be a great space to create a family annex. Whether it’s for an older member or someone younger who’s yet to step foot into the housing market themselves, there are plenty of ways to make this happen. You can design a kitchenette, bathroom, bed, and even a bookshelf in it. You can also mount a TV on the wall opposite the bed.
Convert Your Garage Into an Extra Bedroom
If you don’t have the space for a comprehensive family annex, you can turn your garage into a simple bedroom. With a bed and some other basic furniture, you can make it comfortable for a family member.
Convert Your Garage Into a Music or Art Studio
Your garage can also be a space to explore and hone your artistic pursuits. A music or art studio is a good option, and you can also combine it with a small home office with a hideaway bed, a desk, and a chair.
Convert Your Garage Into a Gym or a Family Fitness Studio
A garage is also a great place to create a gym or a mini fitness studio for your family. Depending on the size of the garage, you can add as much equipment as you feel you’ll need while ensuring there’s adequate space to move around between all of them.
Garage Conversion FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for my garage?
The size of the solar generator you need for your garage will depend on how big it is and how many appliances you need to run. For example, if you're using the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro to run your refrigerator (520W) and your smartphone (29W), you can calculate the working hours as follows:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliance = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 549W = 4.6H
Note: The 0.85 is the power conversion factor multiplied by the battery capacity to account for power loss when charging the appliances.
Do I need planning permission to convert my garage?
If you’re converting your garage, you will likely need planning permission from your local building authority. However, this will vary depending on your location, as some cities, like Los Angeles, require permits for such construction.
What’s the cheapest way to convert a garage?
The cheapest way to convert a garage is to use materials like simple drywall and other cheaper alternatives to solid wood, appliances, and so on. The higher the quality of your materials, the more expensive your conversion will be.
Does converting a garage add value?
A good garage conversion can most certainly increase your home’s value. A bedroom with an en-suite bathroom is most likely to add an increase to your home’s value.
Can I turn my garage into a livable space?
You can convert your garage into a livable space provided you adhere to building code requirements. However, the ease of the process will depend on several variables.
Conclusion
If you have the budget for it, a garage conversion gives you several opportunities to turn an under-utilized space into one that serves a specific purpose. You can turn it into a family annex, a bedroom, an art or music studio, or even a proper home office.
However, besides the design, it’s also important for your garage to have a backup power supply, especially if it’s a fully functional living space. Jackery Solar Generators are a reputed backup power supply option you can consider for your garage and your home. You can use them permanently at home or even take them with you when you go outdoors.
Do you plan on purchasing a backup power supply for your garage conversion? If yes, what options are you currently considering? Let us know in the comments!
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