How Much Does It Cost to Renovate or Convert a Garage in 2025?
This project can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $72,000, so take a look at what could affect this price and get a quote from a pro.
Garage conversions cost between $6,022 and $27,705 on average.
Factors influencing cost include the type of living space, materials, labor, and size of the garage.
Common expenses are insulation, drywall, flooring, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work.
Converting a garage can increase home value, provide additional living space, or offer passive income opportunities.
Hiring professional contractors is essential for a successful garage conversion project.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
If you're looking to add more living space to your home, converting your garage is a cost-effective solution. Most homeowners spend around $16,665 on a garage conversion, with typical costs ranging between $6,022 and $27,705. If you want to finish your garage while keeping it functional for storage and parking, the average cost is about $5,000.
Several factors can impact your overall garage conversion costs, including the type of room you’re turning the garage into, the size of the garage, and the plumbing and electrical needs. The price of contracted labor is also a significant cost factor; most contractors charge a flat fee between 10% and 20% of the final project cost.
Cost to Convert a Garage by Living Space Type
The cost to convert your garage varies widely based on the type of living space you're creating, ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 or more. Here's what you can expect for different types of garage conversions:
| Space | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Living Room | Around $7,500 |
| Bedroom | $12,000–$25,000 |
| Kitchen | $6,000+ |
| Apartment | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Office | $5,000+ |
| Utility Room | $6,000+ |
Living Room
Converting your garage into a cozy living room typically costs around $7,500. This is a great way to expand your home's living space for family time or entertaining guests. Keep in mind, you'll need at least one egress window for safety and code compliance. Major costs include installing insulation, drywall, flooring, and extending your HVAC system to keep the space comfortable year-round.
Bedroom
Transforming your garage into a bedroom is an excellent way to add extra space for a growing family or guests. A basic bedroom conversion costs around $12,000, while creating a primary suite with an attached bathroom can run up to $25,000. You'll need essentials like a window, insulation, drywall, trim, flooring, HVAC, lighting, and a closet.
If you're adding a bathroom, expect additional costs for plumbing, a second window, fixtures like a shower or tub, toilet, sink, faucets, cabinetry, tile, and finishing touches.
Office
Looking to create a dedicated workspace at home? Converting your garage into a home office is an affordable option, starting at around $5,000. You'll need basics like finished walls and ceiling, flooring, lighting, HVAC, and a window to make the space comfortable and functional.
Consider adding extra outlets for computers, printers, and charging stations, along with high-speed internet access. Planning for ample storage and organization will keep your workspace efficient. Take time to map out furniture and electronics placement to ensure your electrical setup meets your needs. If you need inspiration, a local interior designer can help you bring your vision to life.
Kitchen
Converting your garage into a kitchen starts at around $6,000, but costs can exceed $65,000 depending on your design choices, finishes, and appliances. You'll need to consider essentials like electrical wiring, plumbing, lighting, insulation, drywall, trim, and flooring.
This project may involve rerouting gas and water lines, installing drain lines for the sink and dishwasher, relocating appliances, and adding outlets for large appliances. Don't forget about ventilation requirements for the stove. Budget for cabinets, a pantry, countertops, and ample storage to make your new kitchen both beautiful and functional.
Check out our guide on the cost of new appliances when budgeting for your garage-to-kitchen remodel.
Apartment
Converting your garage into an apartment or guest suite is a fantastic way to create additional living space or generate rental income. This type of conversion typically costs between $20,000 and $50,000. You'll need to plan for a kitchen, bathroom, and a living area that can double as a bedroom.
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
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.
While the addition of plumbing adds to the cost, you can save by choosing cost-effective flooring and simple finishes for the walls and door.
Alternatively, if you're dreaming of a home gym, transforming your garage into a workout space typically costs around $6,000, not including gym equipment.
Conversion Cost Factors
Several factors influence the total cost of your garage conversion, including the type of room you're creating, the size of your garage, the materials you choose, and the labor involved. Understanding these factors will help you budget effectively for your project.
Size
Though it varies by project, a one-car garage (approximately 240 square feet) typically costs $6,000 to $18,000 to convert, while a two-car garage (approximately 440 square feet) conversion costs between $11,000 and $33,000.
Converting a one-car garage is more affordable than converting a two-car garage 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.
| Garage Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| One Car | $6,000–$18,000 |
| Two Car | $11,000–$33,000 |
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:
| Material | Cost |
|---|---|
| Insulation | $500–$2,000 |
| Drywall | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Windows | $500–$2,000 |
| Doors | $200–$1,000 |
| HVAC | $300–$5,000 |
| Electrical | $1,000–$3,000 |
Labor
Labor rates for garage conversions make up roughly 50% to 60% of the overall project cost. In the case of a garage conversion, this means labor costs will be approximately $8,200 to $10,000.
Get quotes from multiple garage remodeling contractors near you before moving forward with your project.
Electrical
Electrical work for a garage conversion costs between $1,000 and $3,000, which includes adding new outlets, light fixtures, and potentially upgrading the electrical panel.
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 $1,500 and $4,000 but may be higher for more complicated projects.
Permits
Permit costs vary based on the project and your location, but you can expect to pay between $300 and $1,000 for a garage conversion permit. 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
You may need to install a new HVAC unit or extend existing ductwork, depending on your home’s current system. Costs for each HVAC option are:
Portable Heater/AC: $300 – $1,000
Ductless Mini-Split: $1,500 – $4,000
Central HVAC: $3,000 – $5,000
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?
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Converting a garage is worth it because it can significantly increase your home's value while providing additional living space for your family or guests. Adding a bedroom or bathroom enhances your property's appeal to potential buyers, and creating a guest suite or apartment can even generate passive rental income while you still own the house.
A garage conversion can take between two and six weeks for the construction work, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Before construction begins, you need to secure the proper building permits and hire a contractor. Keep in mind that contractors are often in high demand and might schedule several weeks out. If your garage conversion is extensive or involves significant structural changes, the timeline could extend to eight weeks or more. For attached garages, the proximity to your living space may cause some disruption during construction.
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.
A garage conversion counts as living space when it meets certain criteria. The converted garage must be attached to your home and include permanent features like proper insulation, finished walls and ceilings, and adequate ventilation. It should be suitable for year-round living, with heating and cooling systems to maintain comfortable temperatures in all seasons. Meeting these standards allows the converted space to be included in your home's total square footage, potentially increasing its value.
In most cases, you do not need to hire an architect for a garage conversion. An experienced garage conversion contractor usually has the skills to help create your desired design and ensure the project meets building codes. However, if your conversion involves complex structural changes or a large-scale redesign, hiring an architect can be beneficial. An architect can provide detailed plans and oversee the design to maximize space and functionality, ensuring the conversion aligns with your vision and complies with all regulations.
- Kitchen - Remodel
- Attic - Remodel
- Bathroom - Remodel
- Second Story Addition - Build
- Basement - Remodel
- Major Renovation - Multiple Rooms
- Countertops Install
- Outdoor Kitchen-Build
- Guest House - Build
- Sunroom or Patio Enclosure - Build
- Major Home Repairs (General Contractor)
- Addition to Existing Structure - Build