How much does it cost to make a room out of a garage?

Author: Fredrick Johnson  |  Last update: Friday, December 12, 2025

The average cost to convert a garage into a living space is $16,670, but can range between $6,022 and $27,739 based on size, materials, and location, among other factors.

How much will it cost to convert my garage into a room?

Converting a garage into a bedroom typically costs between $5,000 and $17,000. Smaller bedrooms with basic elements like a window, insulation, drywall, flooring, outlets and switches, HVAC, and a closet fall at the lower end of the price range.

Do you need planning permission to turn a garage into a room?

Planning permission is not usually required to convert your garage into additional living space for your home, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.

Is it legal to convert a garage into a room?

Since California has passed the new ADU laws this year, usable rooms like garage conversions can be used as a source of passive income. Even if you're only planning on converting the garage to an additional bedroom or home office, permits will be needed for residential construction.

How much would it cost to build a room over my garage?

### Summary Overall, a rough estimate for building a room over a garage can range from ** 100 to $200 per square foot. For a 400-square-foot room, this could range from $40000 to $80000. - **High-End Finishes**: $200 to $400 per square foot, which could bring the total to $80000 to $160000 for the same size. 2.

Garage Apartments & How Much They Cost

Can I build a room over my garage?

Building a room over the garage requires careful planning to ensure the structure can support the additional weight. Key points to consider: Load-Bearing Capacity: The garage ceiling must be able to handle the added load of a room above.

How to turn a garage into a room cheaply?

Typically, the cheapest type of garage conversion will just involve blocking up the garage doors and finishing out the walls, floors, and ceiling with insulation, drywall, carpet, or other flooring material. Think of a bonus room, family room, playroom, game room, or man cave.

Do I need a permit to turn my garage into a room?

Because a renovation can disrupt electricity, power, or water lines. The Los Angeles building code for garage conversions matters a lot in obtaining a permit. That's why you need to obtain a building permit from the local Department of Building and Safety office and speak with the code official stationed there.

Do you need planning permission to put a toilet and shower in a garage?

If you're converting a non-residential space, like a loft or garage, into a bathroom, planning permission might be required. This is because you're changing the use of the space, which could impact the overall property.

Is a utility room a habitable room?

Typically, habitable rooms provide the living accommodation of the dwelling. They include living room, dining room, study, home office, conservatory and bedrooms. They exclude the bathroom, WC, utility room, storeroom, circulation space and kitchen (unless it provides space for dining).

Does a garage conversion add value?

Generally, a well-designed garage conversion can increase your property value by 10%-20%. If you add a bedroom with an ensuite, this will typically see the property value increase the most. A home office or living area will see less increase, but could still be a good investment.

Do I need permission to brick up my garage door?

Generally speaking, planning permission is not needed to brick up a garage door if the work is internal and doesn't involve enlarging the house. However, if your home is listed, if you live in a conservation area, or you're converting the garage into a separate house, you will need planning permission.

Can I convert my garage into a room myself?

Alternatively, if you only have a small budget and are a skilled DIY-er, another option is to plan and build the garage conversion yourself. Just be aware that your work will be checked by a building control inspector and any work that doesn't comply with building regulations will have to be redone at your expense.

Is it cheaper to convert a garage or to build an addition?

Garage Conversion Costs are Generally Lower

Your overall cost depends on a lot of factors, including the materials you choose and your specific aims for the conversion, but generally speaking, a garage conversion will cost less than building a new freestanding ADU because some of the structure is already in place.

How can I enclose my garage without removing the door?

Build a Wall

The main reason why walls are often used to create enclosed spaces is that they provide privacy and security. The wall can be built out of any sturdy material, such as concrete, brick, or wood. Once the wall is erected, you can install hinges on the door so that it can open and close as necessary.

How long does a garage conversion take?

On average, a garage conversion takes as little as 4-6 weeks. Compare this to a loft conversion (8-10 weeks) or rear extension (10-14 weeks) and you can appreciate why homeowners love how quickly this project can be turned around.

Do I need a permit to drywall my garage?

You'll likely need a permit since this project may require soil grading to avoid drainage issues. Repairing your floor may be more cost-efficient than replacing it if grading is necessary. No permit may be required to hang drywall on exposed wooden wall studs in your garage.

What is the price to convert a garage into a room?

On average, a garage conversion costs between £18,000 and £28,300. Keep in mind that cost of labour is higher in London and the Southeast, sometimes by up to 20% on average.

How much does it cost to build a room in a garage?

The average cost to convert a garage into a living space is $16,670, but can range between $6,022 and $27,739 based on size, materials, and location, among other factors.

How to seal a garage door to make a room?

Weather-sealing a garage door usually involves a simple process of adding or replacing the bottom door seal and the weatherstripping on the stop molding along the sides and top of the door. It may also include adding thin weatherstripping between the door panels​ if you want to make the door as airtight as possible.

What is a bedroom over a garage called?

For instance, in some states, bonus rooms are also known as FROGs when they are located directly above the home's garage — hence the acronym, which stands (aptly) for “finished room over garage.” These rooms might be longer and narrower than a typical bedroom due to the shape of the garage below.

How much does it cost to build a bedroom over a garage?

As for having an extension built over a garage with an ensuite bedroom, a budget-friendly build would cost about £20,000 to £26,000 with the cost reaching an average of £27,000 to £33,000 for a mid-range project, or around £28,000 to £34,000 should you want a high-end extension with ensuite bedroom built over a garage.

Is it cheaper to build up or out?

In general, building up tends to be less costly than building out. When you factor in things like digging and pouring a new foundation, building out typically carries a higher price tag (though this isn't always true, and certainly depends on the size of the room and its purpose).

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