How Much Does It Cost to Renovate or Convert a Garage?

Cost to Convert a Garage by Living Space Type

A total garage conversion can range from $5,000 to $30,000 or more, depending on the type of living space you create. The table below demonstrates average garage conversion costs by room, including materials and labor.

Living Room

Turning your garage into a living room (also called a family room) can average anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on whether you need to add a window or door. By law, your family room needs at least one window big enough to use as an emergency exit (called an egress window). Installing insulation, drywall, flooring, and HVAC make up the rest of the major costs of this type of project.

Bedroom

The cost of a bedroom or primary suite depends on your choices but can range from $10,000 to $15,000 for a bedroom/bathroom combo. At a minimum, you need at least one window, insulation, drywall, trim, flooring, heat and air, lighting, and a closet. With no bathroom, costs may be closer to the price of a living room.

If you add the primary bath, factor in additional costs for:

• Plumbing

• A second window

• Insulation

• Drywall 

• Flooring

• Lighting

• A shower and/or tub 

• A toilet

• A sink

• Faucets

• Cabinetry

• Tile

• Finishes

Dreaming of a steam shower or a garden tub? You’ll pay an additional $2,650 to $6,050 in costs for a steam shower.

Office

Converting a garage into a home office costs at least $5,000, making it one of the more affordable options when it comes to converting your garage into a living space. Like a bedroom, a home office needs all the basic amenities, such as finished walls and ceiling, flooring, and lights. It also needs HVAC and a window.

This room may also require additional outlets to connect computers, printers, and charging stations. You'll need internet access and a high-speed connection, as well as lots of storage and organization options. Map out where you’ll place the furniture and electronics to make sure your electrical plan addresses how you will use the space. Find a local interior designer if you need help envisioning the space.

Kitchen

Turning a garage into a kitchen costs at least $6,000, but kitchen remodels can cost more than $65,000 depending on the design, finishes, and appliances you select. At a minimum, factor in the basics, such as electrical wiring, plumbing, lighting, insulation, drywall, trim, and flooring.

This job could require rerouting gas and water lines, providing drain lines for the sink and dishwasher, relocating the washer and dryer, and adding outlets powerful enough to run large appliances. Your contractor must address ventilation requirements for the stove, which can increase the cost. You’ll need to budget for functional items such as cabinets, a pantry, countertops, and other work or storage spaces as well.

Check out our guide on the cost of new appliances when budgeting for your garage-to-kitchen remodel.

Apartment 

An apartment is easily the most expensive candidate for a garage conversion, costing $15,000 to $30,000 but easily exceeding $80,000 depending on the quality of the kitchen and bathroom. When converting a garage into an apartment or guest house, you’ll need to budget for a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living space that can also function as a bedroom, at a minimum.

Work can entail jackhammering concrete to run plumbing and sewer lines, adding a gas line or a 220 outlet for the stove, installing a water heater, and addressing ventilation over the stove and in the bathroom. Don't forget to add the cost of an exterior door to your budget, which can provide an attractive private entrance to your new space.

Whether it’s a guest suite or a true rental property, you may have to deal with more zoning laws and permit requirements than you would need for a typical garage conversion.

Utility Room

On the flip side, one of the easier and more affordable garage conversions is a utility room. Budget at least $6,000 for appliances, a utility sink, and space for sorting, folding, and hanging laundry. 

This conversion will cost a bit more due to the addition of plumbing, but you can save elsewhere by going with lower-quality flooring and a bare-bones design for the walls and door.

Even more affordable options for your garage conversion include a mudroom or a gym because you can often skip design aesthetics in favor of affordable functionality. Costs for these conversions can be as low as $3,000.

Conversion Cost Factors

While the room you are converting your garage into will have the greatest impact on total garage conversion prices, you’ll also need to factor in the size of the garage, the materials needed, and the amount of labor required. Here’s a full list of garage conversion cost factors.

Size

Though it varies by project, a one-car garage typically costs $5,725 to $24,000 to convert, while a two-car garage conversion costs between $21,000 and $30,000.

Converting a one-car garage (12’x20’ on average) is more affordable than converting a two-car garage (22x20’ on average) because of the smaller size. However, a two-car garage isn’t inherently double the cost. For example, a kitchen remodel only needs one set of appliances, no matter the size; in this case, the cost doesn’t double just because the size of the space doubles.

Location

Location can affect overall conversion costs. Specifically, an attached garage will be more affordable to convert, as it will be easier to connect drain lines and ductwork. Insulation costs may be cheaper for an attached garage as well because the garage already shares at least one wall with the home.

Materials

The materials for your garage conversion will vary by project, but most garage conversions require the following materials:

Labor

Labor rates for garage conversions make up roughly 10% to 20% of the overall project cost. In our national average for a garage conversion ($14,850), the labor cost is roughly $1,500 to $3,000.

Get quotes from multiple garage remodeling contractors near you before moving forward with your project.

Electrical 

Electrical costs for a garage conversion can vary; most attached garages and some detached garages are likely already wired, which keeps costs low.

Here are some electrical costs to consider for your conversion:

• Electrical outlet installation costs: $125–$300.

• Light fixture installation costs: $150–$925.

• Ceiling fan installation costs: $150–$350.

Plumbing

If your garage remodel includes a bathroom or a kitchen, you will need to hire a plumber. Plumbing costs for a garage conversion average between $375 and $1,900 but may be higher for more complicated projects.

Permits

Building permits cost $450 to $2,250, but permits for a garage conversion range from $1,200 to $1,500. When you hire a garage contractor, they might be able to walk you through the necessary permits for your project if you’re unsure.

Air Conditioning and Heating

Adding ducts and vents costs $475 to $2,100. If your home already has central air and heating, the cost just involves connecting the new ductwork to the system.

If the garage is detached or operating as an apartment unit, it might make more sense to explore mini-split AC installation costs, ranging from $2,000 to $14,000.

Cost to Finish a Garage

The cost to finish a garage (i.e., keep its primary use as car storage) is often less than the cost of a remodel, coming in at an average of about $5,000. Finishes should factor high on your list of materials before you begin your garage conversion.

The answers to the following questions will go far in determining your budget. Low-end finishes will save you big bucks at the time of renovation, but high-end finishes will help recoup your ROI when it comes time to sell.

• Will you use tile or vinyl flooring?

• Will countertops be composite or granite?

• Drywall or paneling?

• Wood cabinetry, veneer, or aluminum?

FAQs

Is converting a garage worth it? 

Well done garage conversions can increase the value of your home. Having an additional bedroom and bathroom can drive up property value when it comes time to sell, and a separate guest suite or apartment space is attractive to potential investors—and can provide you passive income while you still own the house.

How long can garage conversion take?

The actual construction work for a garage conversion can take two to six weeks. Before construction can begin, however, you need to get the proper building permits and hire a contractor. Contractors are in high demand and may schedule several weeks out.

How can I make my garage livable? 

To make your garage livable, at a minimum, you need to insulate the walls, add in legally required egress windows, install flooring, put up drywall, and add in air conditioning and heating. If you intend to use the space as a bedroom, office, bathroom, or kitchen, you will need to consider additional electrical and plumbing needs.