Build room over garage is a good strategy if you want to add more value to your home without planning to spend much. It also provides an opportunity to get more living space without using part of the yard. However, it is not a decision that is freely made. Obviously, it is essential to take into account all the possible steps to start this dream project. In this article, we’ll talk about the benefits to add room over garage, as well as the planning and design considerations, structural requirements, safety codes, and the construction process.
Adding a Second Story Above the Garage to Increase Living Space
Our homes mirror who we are and how we feel. When we change our homes, we change our minds. You need a place that brings you happiness and ease, not stress. So, if your home doesn’t fulfill all your wants and needs, why not give it a makeover?
To build room over garage is a fantastic way to increase your home’s size without sacrificing backyard space. This not only gives you more freedom but also boosts your property’s value. If you have a garage, building a second story on top is a brilliant idea. It makes the most of the space you already have.
In short, building room on garage is a smart investment with many rewards. Read on to learn more about this popular home improvement project.
Build Room Over Garage
Sometimes a room addition is all you need to live comfortably. However, instead of starting from scratch, consider adding a room above your garage to save money. You’ve already got the foundation, so you won’t need to spend on digging and laying it. To build room over garage is faster, so you’ll save on labor and logistics too. This can significantly reduce your costs, leaving more for finishes and design.
Building bonus room over garage is practical because it’s already built and has space to expand. You can create any kind of room you want, even with an outside entrance.
If you are looking for more remodeling options, reach out to Reliable Brothers Remodeling. We are your home additions experts in Katy!
What About Adding a Room Above a Detached Garage?
To build room over garage can be even more fulfilling if it’s a detached garage. It’s more than possible; it’s a fantastic way to expand your living space. Unlike attached garages, detached ones offer more design flexibility. This space can be used in many ways:
Quiet Place
Need a quiet space? A second-story addition is perfect for a home studio, whether you’re a musician or podcaster. Or turn it into a workspace. Think office, photography studio, or even a tiny printing press.
Personal Retreat
Want a personal retreat? To build room over garage as a second-story sauna, private library, or extra bedroom could be just what you need.
Perfect for Renting
In need of some fast and easy cash? It is usually possible to realize significant revenues from renting out the space. You can apply the income to further refine your new addition. As for families with teenagers, it is better to turn it into an apartment of their own. It is also an effective approach to grant them freedom and teach them responsibility.
Tips for Building a Second Story Above the Garage
Building additional room to your house above your garage can be a dream come true, but it’s important to approach it with a bit of planning. Don’t let excitement blind you to the practicalities. Building permits and professional help are often must-haves. Here are some tips to avoid common pitfalls when it’s time to build room over garage.
Check the Structural Integrity
First, get your garage checked. A structural engineer will know if your garage can take the additional weight. The last thing you want to do is install a new floor only to find out it cannot handle the work required.
Learn Local Building Codes
Next, familiarize yourself with local building rules. Some neighborhoods have specific regulations about height restrictions and other factors. A quick check with the local authorities can save you a lot of headaches later on.
Maximizing the Value of an Addition
Design matters to build room over garage. Just doubling the height of your garage could be a bit boring. You can add pitches, balconies, or overhangs to give your new space the aesthetic satisfaction you are looking for. An architect can assist with this by coming up with more ideas.
Complement Your Home Style
Your new addition should complement the rest of your home. Think about using similar window types, shutters, or columns. If you want to experiment with a different style, be sure to consult with an architect to ensure it fits in with your neighborhood.
If you are looking for more help with these add on rooms to house, contact Reliable Brothers Remodeling. We can guide you in this complicated process to maximize your new addition value.
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The Benefits of Adding a Second Story Above Your Garage
To build room over garage has many advantages. Let’s break it down:
Expanding Above the Garage: A Wise Move
One big perk of adding a second story is that it’s a smart financial choice. Increasing the size of the living space can help make the home more appealing to purchasers and sell for more in areas where houses are commonly small.
Still, remember that it is important that the new area has to be functional. Buyers are much more willing to pay more for rooms that are ready to use. That’s why converting unused spaces, like a basement or garage, into something livable adds significant value. To build room over garage is also one of the most rewarding home projects in terms of return on investment. Not finishing the space could mean missing out on profit.
If you’re adding on just to boost your home’s value, go for a design that’s neutral and follows current trends, making it appealing to a wide range of buyers.
Keep Your Backyard Intact
If you build outward instead of upward, you’ll have to give up some outdoor space. But there is an exception to this. When you build room over garage, you can add more space to your house without taking up the lawn space. This way, you get more indoor space while remaining with the outdoor space in its natural form. It is a win-win situation. Maintaining your backyard’s appeal can enable you to get better value if you decide to sell.
Boosting Curb Appeal
What was once just a place for storing cars has now evolved to become an icon for houses. For instance, one of the most effective methods of increasing the resell value of your home is to replace your garage door. More and more homeowners are choosing to modernize their garages, whether by upgrading them or adding a second story.
If you build room over garage, your garage becomes more integrated with the rest of the house rather than standing out awkwardly. This can greatly enhance the appearance of your house. Therefore, do not hesitate to make the aesthetic of your two-story garage over the top. It is a renovation that should be given a thought!
Thus, as you can gather, adding small addition to house like this room above your garage can be a total game changer.
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Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition Above a Garage
While to build room over garage might appear the most logical and effective way to increase the usable area, it is rather problematic. Although it may indeed enhance curb appeal, a project of such kind has many problems.
Floor Alignment
Making sure the new floor lines up perfectly with the old second floor can be a bit of a headache. It’s not ideal to have a step up or down, as it looks kinda weird. We could try changing the wall heights, adding a little extra piece to the floor, or using a thicker base layer.
Exterior Appeal
Matching the new exterior to build room over garage with the existing home can be difficult, especially if materials are discontinued. Careful material selection is crucial to avoid drawing attention away from the main house.
Structural Integrity
Creating a sturdy floor system for long spans between garage walls is challenging. A stiff floor is essential to prevent bouncing and cracking.
Climate Control
Heating and cooling the new space efficiently are crucial. Traditional HVAC systems might be inadequate, necessitating additional solutions like mini-split systems or spray foam insulation.
While these challenges exist, a well-planned second-story garage addition can be a valuable investment in your home.
Transition Between Existing House and New Room Above a Garage
Creating a smooth transition from your current living space to build room over garage can be challenging. Sometimes, this project means giving up an existing bedroom or bathroom to make room for an entrance to the new bonus area. In other cases, the renovation is less disruptive and might only involve taking out a closet at the end of a hallway.
Plumbing Challenges
Expanding plumbing to a new laundry room or bathroom when you build room over garage can be quite difficult and affect other parts of your home. The location of your main sewer line can complicate things and, unfortunately, drive up the cost to build room addition. For instance, if the existing drain connection is in the center of the house, the crew might have to tear down drywall and remove framing, flooring, or even kitchen cabinets to link the new plumbing to the old system. However, sometimes it’s an easy fix with minimal disruption. If that’s the case for you, consider yourself fortunate!
If you need help navigating any of these challenges when you build room over garage, consider contacting Reliable Brothers Remodeling. Our team is well-experienced in creating top-notch room additions made just for you!
The Cost of Adding a Second Story Above the Garage
Now, after we discussed the benefits and challenges of this kind of back house room additions, it’s time to learn the costs! How much to build room above garage cost?
Similar to any home makeover, the answer is ‘It depends.’ It hinges on how complex the job is, the fancy materials you want, and how much tinkering with your existing home is needed.
Roughly speaking, the cost to add a room over garage is around $25,000 to $100,000. But that’s assuming things go smoothly. However, it’s safer to budget for more to avoid any surprises.
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How do I add a room to an existing garage?
After learning the basics of building room on garage, how does the process exactly go? Let’s get the gist of things in these simple steps about how to build room over garage:
The Big Picture
When constructing your perfect hideaway, it’s crucial to think about how the house from the outside looks. Most above garage addition plans, when well planned, can enhance the beauty of your home from the exterior. Just ensure that it will easily fit the existing structure you have in place ideally.
Structural Stability
First of all, ensure your home construction can withstand the additional weight load then proceed to the design. A structural engineer will give professional advice on the structure already put in place. In case your home requires strengthening, then addressing this early will go a long way in saving your money.
Safety First
Fire-resistant drywall and proper sealing of electrical conduits are essential for safety. Thus, these regulations, though may appear rather constraining, are in fact rather beneficial to your health.
Wall and Floor Foundations
When you build room over garage, proper insulation goes hand in hand with comfort as well as energy efficiency. Additional insulation can be added to achieve the best results possible. When it comes to the walls, drywall is preferred since it allows for the finish you desire. As for the floors, strengthen the joists for normal use and insulate them to decrease noise levels and temperature differences. Your choice of flooring—carpeted or hardwood—will influence noise levels and aesthetics.
Utilities and Plumbing
Adding amenities like a bathroom or laundry room requires careful planning of plumbing and electrical systems. Extending pipes and drains can be complex, potentially increasing costs. Insulate the pipes adequately to avoid the formation of ice on them. Your contractor can help you with planning electrical wiring according to the requirements of the room and the cost to add a room over garage.
Space Optimization
Although dreams can be unlimited, some realistic sense is needed. You should consider the size and shape of your garage to decide if it would be viable to build room over garage. A small garage may not allow for many bedrooms while a large one offers lots of room for creative design.
Access Points
Select an access point that fits into your needs as well as the interior of your room. Ladders are compact but are possibly not adequate for everyday usage. Staircases, whether straight or spiral, offer more convenient access but require more space. An exterior staircase can maximize interior space but might alter your home’s exterior aesthetic.
Are bonus rooms above the garage worth it?
A bonus room above the garage is an effective method of extending living space and thus the value of the house. However, you should also think about whether this is the best way to add an addition to a house, that you and your family should undertake. Consider how much you’ll be able to spend, how you live now, and how you want to live in the future.
Why you need a room added above the garage
To build room over garage is like building a new house on top of your old one. This way, you won’t have to mess with your yard, which can get expensive. It’s a blank canvas for you to expand your living space. It can be a new room to welcome a baby, create a hobby space, or give a family member a place to stay. Garages are usually big, so you have a lot of space to work with. You can customize it to fit your lifestyle.
Not only will you have more living space, but you’ll also gain extra storage. You might not need the whole garage for the new room. So, you could add hidden storage behind a wall or in a closet. You could even add a little bump on the roof to give you more headroom and storage space.
How does your current home design affect your options?
It might sound simple to build room over garage, but how will you get up there from the house? Do you need new stairs, or can you use the old ones?
Working with your new addition to fit your current home can be a bit troubling. However, all these needs is a little adjustment to handle and the right remodeling company to work with. You might just need to add a little to the estimated cost of adding a room to a house to get the perfect look you want.
Is it possible to build over a garage?
Whether you can build room over garage depends a lot on its original construction. If it was built at the same time as your house, especially in the last few decades, it probably has a strong foundation. Your local building department can provide blueprints detailing the foundation’s depth and type, as well as a certificate confirming the building’s completion.
If the garage was built by a private company or a warranty provider, it might be a little trickier to find the information. The best-case scenario is if the garage was part of the original house plan and has the same foundation as the rest of your home.
How much does it cost to build a bedroom on top of garage?
If you want to enjoy the value of additional bedroom when you build room over garage, be prepared to spend a bit more on plumbing and fixtures. The cost can vary depending on what you choose but expect to pay between $60,000 to $350,000
Remember, fancy additions like antique bathtubs or big walk-in showers will increase the cost to build extra bedroom. In case you need help with your second-story addition may it be to build bedroom over garage or something else, you can always contact Reliable Brothers Remodeling!
Call Us at: (832) 607-9159
What is a bedroom over a garage called?
In general, a room addition is called a flex space. Whether you choose to build room over garage or turn a basement into a space, a flex room is a versatile space that can be customized to suit your family’s needs. You might call it a loft, a family room, a bonus room, a study, or even an F.R.O.G. (Finished Room Over the Garage).
Contact Reliable Brothers Remodeling
Looking to add a garage bonus room, a separate dwelling unit, or revamp your space? Reliable Brothers Remodeling is your go-to team for custom remodeling solutions. We’re passionate about crafting beautiful, functional spaces using the finest materials and tried-and-true techniques.
Whether you’re in Katy, or beyond, our expertise means your project cost to build extra bedroom over a garage will be smooth sailing. Reach out today, and let’s talk about turning your vision into reality.
Enhance your outdoor living space with a covered porch addition from Reliable Brothers Remodeling.
Call Us at: (832) 607-9159
Conclusion
To wrap things up, you can build room over garage if the foundation and frame are still strong. It’s a great way to add space without taking up yard room. It’s also quiet, can look cool, and even increase your home’s value. Plus, it’s cheaper than building over a finished room. You might even make some extra cash by renting it out!
But there are some things to think about as the design inside and out needs to look good. Plus, you’ll need to make sure the new room is safe from fire, which can add to the cost.
To build room over garage is like building a whole new house. It’s a big project. Therefore, working with a trusted company is key. That’s where Reliable Brothers Remodeling comes in with quality and affordable services!