How much does it cost to remodel a garage?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Remodeling your garage can bring utility and value to your life and home. Garages are used for many things besides car storage. They can be storage areas for sports equipment and tools, include work areas and home gyms, and expand your living space if you do not use it as a car garage.

Garage remodels come in all shapes and sizes, from cosmetic makeovers to full conversions. This leads to a wide range of associated costs. The national average cost range for a garage remodel is between $7,000 and $15,000, with most homeowners spending around $11,000 on a full 2-car garage remodel with new cabinet storage and floor coating. This project’s lowest cost is around $3,000 for a cosmetic update with floor and wall paint and shelving. The high cost for this project is approximately $40,000 for a garage conversion that turns the garage into a bedroom and bathroom suite.

Garage Remodeling Costs

Garage Renovation Cost by Type

Like any renovation or remodeling project, there are levels of work that impact the outcome, including costs. In the case of a garage renovation, this can include a partial remodel, such as a cosmetic update, a full remodel, and garage conversion. Each has its set of costs and options to consider.

Partial Garage Remodel

The average cost of a partial garage remodel averages $500 to $5,000. Partial remodels can take on many forms. It may focus on a specific thing, such as a new garage door, or be a cosmetic update of all surfaces like the floor and walls. Partial remodels make an older garage look better and can improve saleability. They do not change much in terms of the structure. This is a good option if your garage looks tired and rundown, and you want to give it a facelift.

Full Garage Remodel

A full garage remodel costs between $7,000 and $15,000 on average. This is the most common type of garage remodel for those who intend to use their garages for car storage. It usually involves a high-quality floor coating, custom cabinets and storage units, finished walls, ceiling, and new garage doors. The idea is to make the garage a functional, attractive, and easy to care for space. You can use the garage for more than just car storage, but it does not lower your home’s value the way that removing the garage to turn it into a living space does. Full garage remodels take on many looks and styles that meet a wide number of needs and homes.

Garage Conversion

Garage conversions have an average cost range of $20,000 to $75,000. Garage conversions make your car storage area into living space. This could mean a home office or workroom, bedroom, mudroom, living room, or even full apartment. Garage conversions have many pros and cons. They can expand your living space, particularly if you are not using it as a garage. They can be converted into nearly any room for any use, often for less than the cost for a full addition. However, if you plan on selling your home, converting your garage into a living space lowers your home’s value unless you add another garage on the property.

Cost to Remodel a Garage by Size

Full garage remodels are some of the most common types of garage renovations. This is the project you want to undertake if you plan to use your garage as a garage but also need it to have more utility. Full remodels include new flooring, finished walls and ceiling, custom storage solutions, and a new door so that it looks good inside and out.

The cost of a full garage remodel can be at least partially impacted by the space’s size. The larger the garage, the more room you have for storage or work areas. You also have more floor and wall space to cover and likely a larger garage door.

Partial Garage Remodel Cost by Type of Project

A partial garage remodel can take on many forms. It could be a simple cosmetic update, a new door, added storage, or other additions. While a full remodel may include several things at once, a partial remodel focuses on one area. This means that partial remodels vary and have a wide range of costs.

Soundproof a Garage

The average cost of garage soundproofing is between $250 and $3,500. Soundproofing can be done on different levels. Soundproofing materials can be added to the floors, walls, ceiling, and garage door or areas adjacent to the house. Acoustic materials also come in many forms, from PET tiles that can be applied anywhere to foam insulation that improves sound quality. For this reason, costs vary greatly. When deciding to soundproof, consider where you need the most sound absorption and focus on those areas to get the most out of the project.

Remote Control Garage Door

To have your garage door operate via remote control, the costs range from $300 to $940. You need a garage door opener that operates by remote control. There are several opener types and various remote systems. Each has costs for the opener and the installation. If you have an existing system that operates by remote control, you can purchase a replacement remote for between $15 and $90, depending on the system. Remote controls do not work universally, so ensure that the remote and system are compatible.

Insulate a Garage

The average cost to insulate a garage is between $400 and $1,000. Most garages are not insulated, so if you plan on using it for any reason other than car storage, insulating is generally a good idea. Your garage can be insulated in several ways, but ensuring you have insulation between the wall studs is a good first step. You can also choose to have an insulated door installed or to insulate beneath the exterior siding. The most common garage insulation is fiberglass batts, which are also the least expensive. You can use other materials, such as loose-fill if your walls have already been finished.

Add Windows to a Garage Door

The cost to add windows to a garage door averages $400 to $1,000. Window panels can usually be added to a standard garage door more easily than windows can be added to the garage walls. They are typically priced and installed by the panel. Most people add at least 4-6 panels of glass to their doors to maximize the light, but you can add fewer or more. The price is influenced by the door material and window glass type. Adding double-pane or specialty glass increases costs.

Garage Door Remodel

The cost of a garage door remodel is between $500 and $2,000 on average. Garage doors come in many sizes and styles. They can also be made of different materials. You can choose the opening style, whether it is insulated, and how it operates. Garage doors are typically priced by size and material. This means that you can have a wide range of costs for the same project.

Finish a Garage

The average cost to finish a garage is between $500 and $2,000. Finishing a garage comes in many forms. In most cases, it refers to giving the space finished walls and ceiling since many garages are left with unfinished cavity walls. Finishing can also give the floor a different finish than the plain concrete that many new garages have. In some cases, it could include a finished wall system, similar to those in basements. You may choose to finish the entire garage at once, or you can do sections at a time, leading to cost variation.

Car Lift for a Home Garage

The cost of adding a car lift to your garage averages $500 to $5,000. Car lifts are available in many forms. You can get a simple lift or something typically seen in a professional garage. If you frequently work on your car, having a high-quality lift in your garage can pay off in the long term. If you want a lift for occasional use, smaller models may be a better fit. Most lifts are designed to be stationary in the garage when not in use, so they can take up a lot of space.

Add a Ductless Air Conditioner to a Garage

The cost of adding a ductless air conditioner to a garage ranges from $700 to $3,000. Keep in mind that most garages are not insulated. If you plan on adding an AC, you may need a larger unit than normal, or you may find that you need to run it for longer periods to cool the garage. To remedy this, make sure you insulate before adding an AC. The air conditioner’s type and size vary based on your garage’s size and insulation.

Refinish a Garage Floor

The cost to refinish a garage floor averages $800 to $12,000. There are many ways to refinish a floor, from giving it a simple coat of floor paint to repairing significant issues before giving it a full epoxy coat or a decorative stain. The costs are reliant on two factors - the finish level you want and the floor’s condition. Garage floors in poor condition cost much more to refinish than a garage floor in good shape that has some surface staining. All types of garage floor refinishing have a range of options so that you can control your floor’s final appearance.

Exterior Makeover

Garage exterior makeovers cost between $1,200 and $6,000 on average. A makeover can be as simple as giving it a fresh coat of paint or as complex as adding new siding and a new door. You may also choose to add new trim, lights, or decorative hardware. This leads to a wide range of projects and costs. Your garage should coordinate with your home’s exterior, even if the garage is detached.

Storage

The cost of garage storage averages $1,500 to $3,000. Garage storage comes in both premade and custom variations, with the readymade typically costing less than anything custom. Storage can be anything from simple peg boards and hooks to custom-made workbenches with cabinetry. Most people use a combination, and you likely need more than one thing like shelves or cabinets to make the space work for you. Consider the space’s layout and what you plan to store before you start. Maximizing your storage increases the space’s utility.

Expand a Garage

The average cost to expand a garage ranges from $2,000 to $10,000. Garage expansions are major undertakings. They involve removing a wall and bumping the garage out or putting another story and roof on the garage. This can be costly, depending on how much you expand. Small bump-outs cost the least, while major expansions, which involve the garage’s framing and roofing, cost the most. It is important to consider the exterior’s appearance and how it coordinates with the garage and property when expanding.

Garage Floor Coating

The average cost of a garage floor coating is between $5,750 and $8,625 While there are many ways to seal or refinish a garage floor, a coating system is unique. This is a solid epoxy coat for the floor. It is the best option for garage floors, which tend to get a lot of use. A garage floor coating system protects your floor from future damage. It also helps transform its appearance for various looks, colors, and finishes. Garage floor coatings are often recommended as part of full and partial remodels.

Garage Conversion Cost by Type

When not using your garage for car storage, you can convert it into another space. This is true whether the garage is attached or detached and regardless of its size. Garage conversions have a wide range of costs. This is because garages may be “finished” or “unfinished” before the conversion, and many may not be insulated.

Conversions are often subject to local building codes and regulations. They require a permit, which costs an average of $300 to ​$1,500. They can also have a range of costs, depending on what you convert them into.

Convert a Garage Into a Utility Room

The cost to convert your garage into a utility room is between $3,000 and $8,000 on average. Most utility rooms are not finished, so this project’s costs can be lower than other conversions. Most of your expenses come from plumbing and wiring to the area. Most garages are not already plumbed and do not have the necessary drains for things like water heaters. So, all utilities must be rerouted to this space. If you want to finish the laundry area, your costs are higher.

Garage to Gym Conversion

The cost to convert a garage into a home gym averages $3,000 to $10,000. The costs range in part based on how comfortable you want the gym to be. If you need to add heating, cooling, or insulation, your costs are higher than if you only put down mats on the floor and add mirrors to the walls. Equipment costs also vary. Some home gym systems are very costly, while others are relatively inexpensive. Consider how you plan to use the space before converting it to make the most of your investment.

Convert a Garage Into a Mudroom

The average cost to convert a garage into a mudroom is between $7,000 and $12,000. Like the home gym, part of the costs come from how comfortable you want to be. Adding insulation, heating, or cooling increases your costs. In addition, the flooring type, cabinetry or storage, and garage finish impact prices. You must also decide if you want to remove the garage door and replace it with a standard entry door. This increases the project’s costs because it requires additional siding, exterior, and interior finish work.

Convert a Garage Into a Living Space

The cost to convert a garage into a living space ranges from $7,000 to $75,000. Garage living spaces can be interpreted in many ways. You can convert it to a playroom for kids, a bedroom, a kitchen, or a complete in-law apartment. Any addition of plumbing to the space increases the total cost. In addition, the HVAC system that you use, and whether you tie the heating system with the home or use a separate system, also impact the total price. Converting a space usually includes an exterior makeover to remove the garage door and give it the appearance of a living area, rather than a garage. All these factors impact the final costs.

Convert Garage to Office

The cost to convert a garage into a home office averages $10,000 to $20,000. The cost range includes variations in how you heat and cool the space. It also considers that some garages are finished, while others are unfinished. If the garage is insulated and has finished walls, it costs less to convert than an unfinished garage that also needs insulation. Garage doors can be hard to insulate, so you likely want to remove the door, including some exterior renovation. How you finish the office and the flooring and furnishing types also impact the cost.

Convert a Garage to a Bedroom

The average cost range to convert a garage to a bedroom is between $10,000 and $20,000. Like the home office conversion, the cost of a bedroom conversion is influenced by many things. These include the garage’s finish level, if it is insulated, and how you intend to heat and cool the bedroom. Adding a bathroom ensuite increases the project’s cost as well. How you finish the garage’s exterior also impacts the price. Most people remove the door to eliminate direct access to the bedroom from outside.

Convert a Garage Into a Bathroom

The average cost range to convert a garage into a bathroom ranges from $15,000 to $30,000. Anytime you need to run plumbing to the garage, your costs increase. You also must add an HVAC system and insulation to the area. Drilling through a concrete garage floor to put in a waste drain for a toilet installation can be very expensive. Bathrooms can also have a wide range of finishing costs. You have various fixtures and finishes to choose from, depending on the bathroom’s size and style.

Convert Garage Into Kitchen

The average cost to convert a garage into a kitchen is $20,000 to $40,000. Like the bathroom conversion, a kitchen requires plumbing. This automatically increases the conversion cost. You also need to add an HVAC system and insulation, and potentially a gas line. Cabinets, countertops, lighting, and flooring all have additional costs that contribute to the final cost. You also need to consider the conversion’s exterior work.

Garage Conversion to a Granny Flat

The average cost to convert a garage into a granny flat is between $50,000 and $75,000. A granny flat is an apartment housed on your property. It has its own entrance, heating system, kitchen, bathroom, and other amenities. It must have plumbing run, insulation, HVAC, and complete interior finish work. You also need to include an exterior makeover, which includes a separate entrance. If this is an attached garage, it is customary to close off the apartment from the rest of the home for privacy’s sake.

Convert a Garage Into an Apartment

The cost to convert a garage into an apartment averages $50,000 to $75,000. To be considered a separate apartment, the garage must have its own entrance, which is different from the house. It also needs a heating system, kitchen, and bathroom. You also need to fully insulate and finish the space. This usually includes an interior and exterior renovation. If this is an attached garage, it is customary to close off the apartment from the rest of the home for privacy.

Labor Costs to Remodel a Garage

Remodeling a garage often involves a lot of professionals. The type of professionals you need depends on the remodel plans. If your garage is being converted to a room, you need the services of many professionals, including plumbers, electricians, flooring installers, and maybe even a contractor.

IF you are expanding the size of your garage or altering the exterior, you need to involve siding and insulation installers and roofers. If you are looking for simple remodeling, such as adding shelving units or storage, you need to hire a carpenter or handyman to complete the job. Below you will see the various professionals involved in a garage remodel and the average hourly rate you can expect to pay for each.

Advantages of Remodeled Garages

Many benefits come from remodeling a garage. If you do not use your garage for vehicle storage, converting it to a living space provides additional space for recreation or relaxation. Renovating your garage provides better function if you add shelves or storage. This helps you keep your garage organized and looking clean.

If you add onto your garage, you will enjoy the extra space to protect some of your valuable home assets, such as boats, personal watercraft, vehicles, and even yard equipment. Larger garages add a significant amount of value to your home and improve your home’s curb appeal if the exterior has been redone.

While remodeling a garage can be costly, it is an upgrade that adds to the value of your home, so you have a good return when it comes time to sell.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Security Cameras

Garages can often be used to store expensive items, including cars. If you are concerned about your garage’s security, add security cameras to the exterior or interior. Security cameras cost between $400 and $800 to install. Adding them increases security and peace of mind.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Permits. You need a permit for most garage remodels. Only surface cosmetic updates do not need a permit. Speak to your contractor or town hall for more information.
• Home value. Remodeling your garage can improve your home’s value. However, garage conversions typically cause your home to lose value unless you add a new garage elsewhere.
• Building codes. Many building codes impact a garage remodel, particularly if you plan to use it for something other than car storage. This includes ensuring you have adequate egress, HVAC, and insulation. This is covered in the permit application.
• Floor paint. When refinishing a garage floor, keep in mind that while floor paint is inexpensive, it does not last long on garage floors. It tends to chip and leaves your floor in poor condition quickly. Solid epoxy systems are the most recommended for garage floors.
• Storage. Consider your future needs for the space when adding storage. It is always best to invest in flexible systems if your needs change over time.
• Return on investment. Remodeling your garage increases the value of your home. You can expect to get about an 80% return on your investment when remodeling your garage, depending on the project you choose.