You might not immediately think of the garage when considering ways to increase your home’s value, whether you plan to sell soon or not. Aesthetics often take a back seat to function in garages because that’s what most people use them for: storing and working on stuff. However, a finished garage is one option if you want to stand out from the competition and impress potential buyers. However, does a finished garage really increase the value of your home? How you answer this question is conditional on your goals and the type of customer you hope to court.
Your dirty, dusty, unfinished garage stands in stark contrast to the rest of the house, giving the impression that the construction crew left it as a dumping ground for unwanted debris.
Assistance. Is. Required.
However, if you plan on selling your home, would it be worthwhile to fully finish the garage so that it looks like the rest of the house?
While real estate experts may tell you that a clean, well-organized garage will wow buyers, the truth is that you probably won’t see much return on investment unless you sell to a car enthusiast who wants a dedicated space for their toys.
In this article, we’ll answer some of the most often asked issues concerning finished vs. converted garages, as well as discuss several alternative garage projects that can increase your home’s value just as much, if not more, than a full refinish.
If you’re looking to purchase or sell a property, you know that the details matter. The right fixtures and fittings can sway even the most hesitant buyer to put pen to paper. Did you know that a finished garage can increase the market value of your home by as much as 10 percent? This is in addition to the effect that updating rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, painting, and great staging can have.
When guests arrive at a vacation rental, they anticipate the standard of the other rooms to be high, but they are pleasantly surprised to find a finished garage that may be used as additional living or workspace. One of Ontario’s largest home builders claims that a finished garage can provide as much extra income as an extra bedroom.
The trick to making that extra space feel like a welcoming addition is to treat it like a real room by installing lighting, polished flooring, weatherproofing, and practical storage. If you want them to leave thinking, “That garage may function nicely as a rec room, playroom, gym, etc.” you need to get the ideas rolling in their heads.
Here are some simple suggestions for transforming your garage into an extra room in your house.
What Is a Finished Garage?
The garage often takes a back seat to more glamorous spaces in the house. An unfinished garage is much like any other garage; there is clutter everywhere, the walls and ceiling are unfinished, and there are few amenities. A finished garage has the same clean, put-together aesthetic and ample open space as any other room in the house. For those who enjoy tinkering with cars or doing DIY tasks around the house, finishing the garage might be a great addition.
How a Finished Garage Impacts Appraisal Value
If you’re only looking to boost your home’s resale value, you might be better off putting your money into something other than a finished garage. That’s a bit of a downer, but it doesn’t convey the whole tale. Although a finished garage may not add much to the home’s appraised worth, it might be a deciding factor for buyers.
The “Wow Factor” of a Finished Garage
Even though a finished garage might not increase the home’s worth according to an appraiser, it can be a major selling point for potential buyers. It can give your property an edge over the competition and is sure to be a selling point for anyone looking to do some remodelling. This is where the true worth of renovating your garage lies, yet it will only attract the correct buyer because of its subjectivity.
Considering the Cost of a Finished Garage
In comparison to other rooms, finishing the garage won’t break the bank, but it will still cost money. To complete a garage typically costs roughly $10,000, making it a costly endeavour. It’s up to the buyer (and the buyer’s subjective evaluations) as to whether or not the investment was worthwhile.
Why Finishing Is Better Than Converting
Instead of removing the garage door and starting again, finish the renovations and use the space for what it was intended. Even if you finish off a garage, it won’t feel any different than any other room in the house, while a converted garage merely becomes another space.
A Middle Ground for Your Garage
There is a happy medium between completing the garage and putting your house on the market. To give your garage a new, appealing look without spending any money, clean it completely, organise it properly, and solve any obvious maintenance issues.
Cover the Concrete
Putting in new flooring is a worthwhile renovation. Get rid of the cold, hard concrete and replace it with a surface more suitable to the atmosphere you want to create. The same laminates, wood, tiles, and even carpets that you would use in the rest of your house are available for your garage if you don’t plan on bringing cars inside. But if you want your flooring to last and be suitable for vehicles, you should have a coating like Rhino Floortex Coating. A clean, long-lasting, and aesthetically beautiful coating is applied over the dusty, crumbling concrete below.
Cover the Walls
If you decide to turn your garage into a living area, it doesn’t seem like the best place to keep golf equipment, much less a big screen TV and visitors, given the exposed insulation and wooden beams. A significant improvement in the quality of life in a space can be achieved by changing the walls to include new drywall, insulation, and a decorative finish like paint or paper. A home in Canada with a heated (or at the very least well-insulated) garage would be appealing to many homebuyers.
Storage Alternatives
Before they even start browsing, many customers desire a large closet. Installing space-saving storage cabinets, floating shelving, and hooks will help individuals organise their to-do list more effectively than using labelled boxes on the floor.
Declare the Area
Create appealing and useful storage places to help buyers envision how their garage might appear and operate. Create a dedicated workspace by utilising a vacant niche or wall space. Installing a workstation and a pegboard to hang tools can help you turn it into a usable workspace. By giving your handyman a designated place, you can eliminate any uncertainty about where they can do their duties. Make sure you have lots of ambient lighting because it is also very crucial.
Map out an Entertainment Zone
In the same way that a workbench would pique the interest of a buyer, a functional entertainment area would do the same. You can go all out with a TV, surround sound, and comfortable seats for the big game, or you can spruce it up with some old couches and a table. Use your imagination, but make sure it’s practical, adaptable, and appealing to a wide audience.
Say Goodbye to Dull Concrete Floors
Grey concrete floors are the coldest, least welcoming surface imaginable. It’s a simple solution, thankfully. Epoxy flooring is advantageous in many ways, including its speed and ease of installation.
The benefits of an epoxy floor for a garage go far beyond the addition of colour. Epoxy flooring is not only low maintenance and resistant to oil and chemical spills, but it is also easy to clean. To ensure a long-lasting warranty and a beautiful, integrated finish that increases your home’s value, it’s best to have this done by a professional. The concrete garage floor is protected from damage caused by dirt, dust, and other corrosive elements by professional flooring treatments.
With a finished garage floor, you can add a variety of decorative elements, such as moulding of varying complexity, board and batten, or matched trim.
Embrace a Color Palette
The same logic that prevents you from leaving bare drywall in your living room also applies to your garage. Choosing a colour that stands out will make your garage the envy of the neighbourhood. This includes the flooring, the storage solutions, and the vehicle.
You may add colour to more than just the walls. Adding colourful cabinets is a great way to personalise your space and make it reflect your style. Garages are typically used as a blank canvas for homeowners to express themselves through the addition of artwork and unique floor colours and patterns. Show some spirit for the team! Put some decals on it or other memorabilia and hang it in the garage to show it off.
Improving your lighting is an excellent method to draw attention to the existing colour. You want the opposite of the message sent by a garage that is poorly illuminated.
Get Creative with Extra Space
If you’re wondering “what extra space?” it’s because garage storage solutions are our forte. Once your garage is neat and tidy, you can use the extra space for anything from a home office to a game room. The impression of more space is created, which is a major plus in the current business climate.
Space’s potential can also be displayed by designating a specific area for activities other than storage or vehicle parking. You can set up a home gym, office, art studio, or even a pantry.
Take Control of the Temperature
There’s no doubt about it; your garage is a major part of your house. Do you get that sense? Naturally, you won’t pay as much care to your garage as it requires if it has to endure the cold of winter. Further, a workbench in a hot garage is unnecessary.
By controlling the temperature, you can park your car in the garage all year round. In this way, the square footage of your garage can be put to good use.
No one wants to be uncomfortable while upgrading, and as a result, temperature is a major deterrent to finding garage renovation motivation; if you can’t permanently instal heating or cooling, think about some temporary choices.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your garage comfortable in the winter and summer, we’ve identified some excellent solutions for you.
Smaller Tasks To Clean Out Your Garage
Some of these smaller-scale fixes can enhance your garage’s appearance and use without calling for a complete refinish, which might be an option if you’ve already determined that a complete refinish is out of the question.
Change your outdated garage door.
Get that garage door that is too heavy for an electric opener removed and replaced to maximise your return on investment (ROI).
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, upgrading a high-end garage door can generate a return of 97.5%.
A new garage door may cost you $300 to $1500, depending on its size and style, and installation may add another $500 to $800.
Use stain-resistant epoxy to resurface discoloured concrete.
A completed garage may appeal to a small but sizable segment of the market of consumers who are willing to pay more. Install an epoxy floor in your finished garage to endure everyday foot and vehicle activity if you want to draw purchasers in that market.
According to McKee, “many purchasers would not pay a dime over list price for a finished garage unless the buyer is a car guy or someone particularly worried about the garage.”
The right buyer may be willing to pay an additional $10,000 despite the fact that a finished garage with epoxy flooring may not add any actual value.
While there are several materials available for garage floors, epoxy is typically chosen because of its contemporary style, affordable price, and simple installation.
Epoxy resin and hardener combine to create a solid, plastic-like surface that is resistant to oil stains and does not flake like paint when heated by rubber tyres rolling over asphalt.
The average price to have an epoxy coating professionally applied to your garage floor ranges from $1,422 to $2,949. If you’re ready to do the job yourself, a decent kit for a garage can be bought for under $100. However, it requires more work than simply applying a coat of paint and calling it finished.
Various methods for installing epoxy flooring exist, depending on the technology you choose. However, the majority require multiple actions to be completed. Because they give homeowners more options for the colour scheme of the finished floor, flake epoxy kits are frequently utilised in garages.
Add shelving or cabinets for storage.
Some garages might only require a quick cleaning and organisation session. However, it will be far more challenging to accomplish that if you don’t have any storage space.
An efficient garage storage solution doesn’t need to be complex or expensive.
For as low as $40, aluminium or plastic garage shelving units are available. Plastic garage cabinets are an economical choice for storing and hiding junk, with prices ranging from $70 to $250.
Adding storage to your garage won’t even add that much to the cost if you’re renovating your kitchen cabinets before selling your house.
By removing a few cabinets and a piece of countertop, you can quickly turn the garage into a useful workspace.
Finish those walls after installing energy-saving insulation.
Houses are typically thought to be weatherproof, but most unfinished garages aren’t.
If you live somewhere with extreme weather, such as a cold winter or a hot summer, you might want to insulate your garage, especially if it has features like a workbench that tempt you to stay there for extended periods of time.
A professional garage insulation job typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000 to complete. (based on the sort of insulation you have).
On the other hand, this is a project that can be completed on one’s own with the right tools and the information gained from watching instructional videos on insulation installation on YouTube. Fiberglass insulation can insulate an entire garage for roughly $400–$800.
Connect heat and air conditioning to your garage.
Thanks to insulation, garages can only be comfortably heated or cooled for a short period of time. The only way to control the temperature in your finished garage is to add heating and cooling.
You might just need to extend the ducts from your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to get conditioned air into your freshly insulated garage.
Depending on how close the ventilation shafts are currently to the garage, it may cost as little as $400 or as much as $2,000 to extend the ventilation out to your attached garage.
With a single, less than $500 window air conditioner, you can heat and cool a detached garage.
It’s unlikely that investing time and money into finishing an unfinished garage or organising the contents of one that is already built will increase the value of your house.
However, if you manage to locate the ideal buyer, the finished garage can be what makes you choose which offer to accept.
Does finishing or converting a garage raise the value of a home?
While it may be tempting to turn your garage into useful living space by removing the garage door, it’s vital to remember that doing so may reduce the value of your home. Before they could sell their properties, several homeowners had to turn the area back into a functional garage. If the garage is done, the value of the house won’t go down, but it also won’t probably go up. Finishing the garage could influence a buyer’s decision, differentiating your property from the competition, or it might just be a “nice to have,” causing the buyer to focus on other aspects of the house.
Conclusion
A finished garage is one option if you want to stand out from the competition and impress potential buyers. Alternative projects can increase your home’s value just as much, if not more, than a full refinish. One of Ontario’s largest home builders claims that a finished garage can provide as much extra income as an extra bedroom. A finished garage has the same clean, put-together aesthetic and open space as any other room in the house. A finished garage typically costs roughly $10,000, making it a costly endeavour.
It’s up to the buyer (and the buyer’s subjective evaluations) as to whether or not the investment was worthwhile. There is a happy medium between completing the garage and putting your house on the market. To give your garage a new, appealing look without spending any money, clean it completely and organise it properly. Even if you finish off a garage, it won’t feel any different than any other room in the house. Garages are typically used as a blank canvas for homeowners to express themselves through the addition of artwork and unique floor colours.
Epoxy flooring is advantageous in many ways, including its speed and ease of installation. Choosing a colour that stands out will make your garage the envy of the neighbourhood. Garage storage solutions are our forte. Once your garage is neat and tidy, you can use the extra space for anything from a home office to a game room. Modifications such as epoxy flooring can enhance your garage’s appearance and use without calling for a complete refinish.
Epoxy is chosen because of its contemporary style and affordable price, and simple installation. The average price to have epoxy coating professionally applied to your garage floor ranges from $1,422 to $2,949. Add shelving or cabinets for storage; prices range from $70 to $250 for plastic garage cabinets. A professional garage insulation job typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000. Fiberglass insulation can insulate an entire garage for roughly $400–$800. With a single, less than $500 window air conditioner, you can heat and cool a detached garage.
Content Summary
- You might not immediately think of the garage when considering ways to increase your home’s value, whether you plan to sell soon or not.
- However, a finished garage is one option if you want to stand out from the competition and impress potential buyers.
- However, does a finished garage really increase the value of your home?
- However, if you plan on selling your home, would it be worthwhile to fully finish the garage so that it looks like the rest of the house?While real estate experts may tell you that a clean, well-organized garage will wow buyers, the truth is that you probably won’t see much return on investment unless you sell to a car enthusiast who wants a dedicated space for their toys.
- In this article, we’ll answer some of the most often asked issues concerning finished vs. converted garages, as well as discuss several alternative garage projects that can increase your home’s value just as much, if not more, than a full refinish.
- Did you know that a finished garage can increase the market value of your home by as much as 10 percent?
- One of Ontario’s largest home builders claims that a finished garage can provide as much extra income as an extra bedroom.
- The trick to making that extra space feel like a welcoming addition is to treat it like a real room by installing lighting, polished flooring, weatherproofing, and practical storage.
- Here are some simple suggestions for transforming your garage into an extra room in your house.
- What Is a Finished Garage?The garage often takes a back seat to more glamorous spaces in the house.
- A finished garage has the same clean, put-together aesthetic and ample open space as any other room in the house.
- Although a finished garage may not add much to the home’s appraised worth, it might be a deciding factor for buyers.
- The “Wow Factor” of a Finished GarageEven though a finished garage might not increase the home’s worth according to an appraiser, it can be a major selling point for potential buyers.
- Considering the Cost of a Finished GarageIn comparison to other rooms, finishing the garage won’t break the bank, but it will still cost money.
- To complete a garage typically costs roughly $10,000, making it a costly endeavour.
- It’s up to the buyer (and the buyer’s subjective evaluations) as to whether or not the investment was worthwhile.
- Instead of removing the garage door and starting again, finish the renovations and use the space for what it was intended.
- A Middle Ground for Your GarageThere is a happy medium between completing the garage and putting your house on the market.
- Cover the ConcretePutting in new flooring is a worthwhile renovation.
- Cover the WallsIf you decide to turn your garage into a living area, it doesn’t seem like the best place to keep golf equipment, much less a big screen TV and visitors, given the exposed insulation and wooden beams.
- A significant improvement in the quality of life in a space can be achieved by changing the walls to include new drywall, insulation, and a decorative finish like paint or paper.
- Create a dedicated workspace by utilising a vacant niche or wall space.
- Installing a workstation and a pegboard to hang tools can help you turn it into a usable workspace.
- Map out an Entertainment ZoneIn the same way that a workbench would pique the interest of a buyer, a functional entertainment area would do the same.
- The benefits of an epoxy floor for a garage go far beyond the addition of colour.
- The concrete garage floor is protected from damage caused by dirt, dust, and other corrosive elements by professional flooring treatments.
- Choosing a colour that stands out will make your garage the envy of the neighbourhood.
- This includes the flooring, the storage solutions, and the vehicle.
- You may add colour to more than just the walls.
- Adding colourful cabinets is a great way to personalise your space and make it reflect your style.
- You want the opposite of the message sent by a garage that is poorly illuminated.
- If you’re wondering “what extra space?”
- it’s because garage storage solutions are our forte.
- Once your garage is neat and tidy, you can use the extra space for anything from a home office to a game room.
- Take Control of the TemperatureThere’s no doubt about it; your garage is a major part of your house.
- By controlling the temperature, you can park your car in the garage all year round.
- In this way, the square footage of your garage can be put to good use.
- If you’re looking for ways to keep your garage comfortable in the winter and summer, we’ve identified some excellent solutions for you.
- Smaller Tasks To Clean Out Your GarageSome of these smaller-scale fixes can enhance your garage’s appearance and use without calling for a complete refinish, which might be an option if you’ve already determined that a complete refinish is out of the question.
- Change your outdated garage door.
- Get that garage door that is too heavy for an electric opener removed and replaced to maximise your return on investment (ROI).According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report, upgrading a high-end garage door can generate a return of 97.5%.A new garage door may cost you $300 to $1500, depending on its size and style, and installation may add another $500 to $800.Use stain-resistant epoxy to resurface discoloured concrete.
- “The right buyer may be willing to pay an additional $10,000 despite the fact that a finished garage with epoxy flooring may not add any actual value.
- The average price to have an epoxy coating professionally applied to your garage floor ranges from $1,422 to $2,949.
- If you’re ready to do the job yourself, a decent kit for a garage can be bought for under $100.
- Various methods for installing epoxy flooring exist, depending on the technology you choose.
- Because they give homeowners more options for the colour scheme of the finished floor, flake epoxy kits are frequently utilised in garages.
- Add shelving or cabinets for storage.
- However, it will be far more challenging to accomplish that if you don’t have any storage space.
- An efficient garage storage solution doesn’t need to be complex or expensive.
- Finish those walls after installing energy-saving insulation.
- A professional garage insulation job typically costs between $1,000 and $2,000 to complete. (
- Fiberglass insulation can insulate an entire garage for roughly $400–$800.Connect heat and air conditioning to your garage.
- The only way to control the temperature in your finished garage is to add heating and cooling.
- It’s unlikely that investing time and money into finishing an unfinished garage or organising the contents of one that is already built will increase the value of your house.
- However, if you manage to locate the ideal buyer, the finished garage can be what makes you choose which offer to accept.
- Does finishing or converting a garage raise the value of a home?While it may be tempting to turn your garage into useful living space by removing the garage door, it’s vital to remember that doing so may reduce the value of your home.
- If the garage is done, the value of the house won’t go down, but it also won’t probably go up.
- Finishing the garage could influence a buyer’s decision, differentiating your property from the competition, or it might just be a “nice to have,” causing the buyer to focus on other aspects of the house.
FAQ About Garage Renovation
How can I keep the elements out of my wooden storage shed?
If you seal your garage in this fashion, no insects will be able to enter the wood to eat it. Your wooden garage will be well-protected by the paint. In order to prevent termite infestation, a water sealant can be used to keep out water and moisture.
Garages are often constructed from what kind of wood?
If you’re building a wooden garage, cedar is the best wood to choose. Cedar is one of the most durable woods available due to its inherent resistance to decay, rot, and dampness.
When compared to other materials, how long do wooden garage doors last?
While the exact lifespan of a garage door can vary widely depending on a number of factors, most doors should last between 15 and 30 years. The lifespan of your garage door will be affected by the material and manufacturer you select. Your garage door’s lifespan is also affected by factors such as climate, setting, usage, and maintenance routine.
How about letting wood season in the garage?
Dry, seasoned wood can be kept in the basement or garage indefinitely. Simply said, seasoning is the time spent waiting for the wood to dry out. For a proper completion, you may need to allocate between six months and two years. It’s hung up to dry until it reaches a moisture content of 15% to 20%.
What to use on my garage door, which is made of wood?
To get the greatest results while painting a garage door, choose a latex paint. If you want to hide any imperfections in the garage door’s surface, you shouldn’t use an oil-based paint. Always cover any windows with tape before starting to paint a room with windows.