Tag: garage conversion

Do you have a wonderful little space above your garage in Los Angeles that could make an exceptional accessory dwelling unit? You’re in luck! The California state government recently relaxed the formerly strict laws about creating an accessory dwelling unit above a garage. If you don’t currently have a finished space that can be converted to an ADU above your garage in Los Angeles, you can certainly create one. It’s a great idea to take advantage of the unused space and enjoy the revenue from another income stream or expand your living area to include the benefits an ADU can bring.

Why an ADU Over Your Garage is a Good Idea?

A garage space is fantastic for your vehicles and extra storage options, but what about the space above? As space is at such a premium in Los Angeles and southern California, it makes sense to build up. A garage with an ADU above that contains a bedroom, living space, kitchen, and bathroom can bring in nice rental income from either long-term or short-term tenants. In addition, the ADU adds square footage to your property, which can boost your property value.

But there’s also the bonus of having an extra space you can use for family or friends. As multi-generational households become more common, an ADU above the garage can provide the additional dwelling area and privacy necessary to ensure harmony in the home. If you already have space for everyone but that leaves privacy, and quiet time at a premium, you can use that newly-finished space as a home art studio or recording space, a workout area, an office, or a cozy getaway.

If you ever choose to sell the home, the ADU can be pretty appealing to potential buyers; Forbes reports that many homeowners are willing to pay more for homes that have a garage with an ADU above, as it provides them with flexibility in using the space for whatever they might want – a home gym, an office, or just an excellent place for grandma to visit.

If you are planning to use your ADU to generate rental income from tenants, get up to speed with the rules set forth by the City of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Housing Department offers in-depth information on renting out accessory dwelling units. Make sure you can stay compliant with the rules before you make the decision to turn your ADU above the garage in Los Angeles into a money-making rental property.

Digging Into the Finances: ADU Above the Garage Costs

Building an ADU over the garage in Los Angeles means adding an additional story over the existing space, which qualifies as significant construction.

Regardless of the work required, the costs of an ADU above your garage can vary widely depending on the contractor you choose to work on the property. Those costs also depend upon the following:

  • Any refinishing required for the exterior of the building
  • The materials you choose for the ADU
  • Aligning the ADU above an attached garage with the second floor of the home
  • Reinforcing the garage foundation to accommodate the added weight
  • Reconfiguring or installing utilities
  • Adding a new roof and interior and/or exterior stairs
  • The age of the house and how much work must be done to bring it up to modern code
  • The overall design: for instance, an outdoor staircase might cost less than an indoor one

So what are the ballpark figures? The average cost of detached new construction above a garage runs from $260,000 and up, depending on design and size. That’s assuming approximately 400 square feet of a two-car garage plus a 400 square foot ADU above, including the stairway.

That might seem like a lot of money, but keep in mind that you can create additional income with that space, which can eventually offset the costs of your investment. When it comes time to sell the property, a well-constructed ADU can increase your selling price.

Building an ADU Above the Garage in Los Angeles

When you start to consider building an ADU, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with all the things you’ll need to do from the start of the project to the completed space. Breaking it down into small, manageable steps is the key to getting the job done without compromising your sanity.

1.Start with ADU Concept Design

Begin by asking yourself some fundamental questions about how you intend to use the ADU. Are you looking for income by making your ADU a short-term or long-term rental property? Do you want a cozy home office or gym? Is this intended to be a getaway space for you or the whole family, perhaps a game room or a den dedicated to watching sports or movies? Will the ADU eventually become a home recording studio? Or will you be creating the space for a family member, such as a mother-in-law suite?

Once you know your intention for the space, you can move on to creating the Concept Design. You could hire MDM Custom Remodeling Inc. to create the Architectural Concept Design, which will include the floor plan, interior, and exterior view design, 3D rendering, and 360 degrees panoramas with a virtual walk-through. This lets you experience walking through your finished ADU project virtually before you invest even one dollar in construction or blueprints. This Concept Design Service by MDM Custom Remodeling Inc. includes searching city and county records to verify what the local zoning and building code allow in your area. This Concept Design also includes an accurate budget plan, which provides you with an accurate cost of the project before you commit to the high cost of construction. Your contractor will use these guidelines to build the ADU to the proper specifications.

2. Clear the Plans with the City of Los Angeles

The ADU Concept Design you get from MDM Custom Remodeling Inc. will comply with the regulations for Los Angeles. This will be the foundation of the complete set of blueprints MDM Custom Remodeling Inc. will create for you to ensure the project is approved by the city. The plans must be officially approved by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. This step is vitally important to ensure that you are in compliance with all the laws and regulations. After approval, you can start the process of applying for a construction permit.

3. Consider the Funding

There are numerous options for financing an ADU, including your current cash on hand, a loan or line of credit based on your home equity, a renovation or construction loan, a cash-out refinance of your home, and more. Take your time in choosing the right option before you move into the construction of your ADU.

4. Get a Reliable Contractor

When hiring a contractor, look for one that has significant experience in building ADUs, especially those that are built over a garage in Los Angeles. Not only does seasoned contractor understand what it takes to build a safe ADU over your garage, but they also know their way around the permit process and the new regulations and rules regarding accessory dwelling units in Los Angeles and southern California.

5. Be Involved in Selecting Finishing Materials

While construction of your new ADU is in progress, you’ll need to select the finishing materials you’d like to install. This can include windows, doors, roofing materials, interior, and exterior finishing, plumbing and electrical fixtures, AC system, tiles, flooring, paint colors, and more. Use your contractor’s help to get these materials at discount prices to save money.

6. Finishing Tips

Select colors to paint the space in a way that not only makes it look bigger but makes it more appealing to potential tenants. Grey and white have dominated the painting space in recent years, but now the colors that get attention are light-intensity earth tones, blues, and, yes, the ever-present greys. Choose those for your wall and look for furniture that complements them.

7. Cast Your Eye Toward Potential Storage

Make furniture work double-duty by opting for smart storage solutions, such as ottomans that open to create space for blankets and drawers hidden away underneath the bed. Just as you built upward with your ADU over the garage, consider going up with storage – tall armoires, high cabinets, and even racks dropped a foot or so below the ceiling can be great to tuck away small items and keep the rooms looking light and airy.

8. Timing

Make sure you can trust your contractor to commit to the completion date. Check the contractor’s background with previous customers who had a project of a similar size to yours. Ask those customers how long it took to complete their project. Did the contractor complete the work right on time or even ahead of schedule?

When you choose to build your ADU over the garage at your Los Angeles home, the keys to success include good planning, a smart architect, following all the rules and regulations set forth by the state and local governments concerning ADUs, and finding the right contractor for the job. It might seem like a lot to handle, but the end result is worth doing the right way.

We have got this question from many of our clients who live in West LA, California. Honestly, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) boost the value of your home more than any other home improvement project. And if you are asking yourself, “Can I get a great amount from ADU remodeling in West Los Angeles CA?” we are here with the answer for you!

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How Much Does ADU Remodeling Add Value to Your Home?

This answer is a little bit complicated! The value of your home depends on the overall size of the ADU you are about to get. Also, not every ADU can add equal value to your home.  

We have listed three different ADU types here according to the property value you can get. Such as:

Detached ADU

You may also know this as Granny Flat, which remains separate from the main home and offers the best value once the construction is over. Of course, the reason is not hard to see! A detached ADU allows you extra square footage with a liveable option that includes the overall property value to determine how much it’s worth.

For instance, while adding a granny flat of 1,000 sq ft for having a new livable space on your premises, the average cost may be around $500 per square foot in West LA. So, a detached ADU boosts your property value by $5,00,000.

Attached ADU

Suppose you add an ADU in your backyard attached to your existing home. This attached ADU is the second valuable type of remodeling. As this building is adjacent to your main home, you can expect less privacy than a detached ADU. On the other hand, the current size of your home expands by 50% only by adding an attached ADU to the existing home. Hence, the overall property value is less than the detached one for a less square footage increase.

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Garage Conversion

It’s best when you don’t have extra space on your property to add a detached or attached ADU. You can convert the current unused garage space into a livable space. Of course, it increases the property value of your home, but that may be less than a detached and attached ADU for losing the use of a garage for its actual purpose. Yet, it affects the property value a little!

Was it helpful? Let us know! If you need a complete ADU and home remodeling, we will guide you throughout the project and get it done successfully. Stay connected!

Are you seeking a way out to have an extra bedroom without spending on a full-scale addition? You can look over our ADU projects for car garage conversion into 1 bedroom! If we assume that you have unused space for a two-car garage, it will add nearly 600 square feet, which is sufficient to create a cozy bedroom. And the good news is that you don’t have to break your bank in this addition!

How Much Does a Car Garage Conversion Into 1 Bedroom Cost?

Converting your garage into a bedroom requires less investment because the foundation is already there. Using the existing structure, including walls, roof, and floor, you have to spend half the costs of a new room addition. Of course, you will need proper planning for a 2 garage conversion into 1 bedroom, and we are here to help you throughout the process, from design to execution.

Now, the overall costs of the garage conversion into one bedroom depend on the features you want to add here. Still, if we count the average, you may have to spend up to more or less $50,000 to transform a two-car garage. And if you want to include a bathroom plan there in your bedroom, add a little more, around $17,000 to $26,000. 

What Does the Two-car Garage Conversion Into Bedroom Involve?

Different garage conversion projects we have handled so far. From that experience, we can say that it can take nearly two months. After all, the project includes so much, like:

  • Floor height raised for insulation
  • Ceiling and wall insulation
  • Heating and cooling installation, like a mini-split system (ductless)
  • Open floor plan by knocking down the partition between the garage and home
  • Garage door replacement into insulated stud walls
  • Electrical upgrades 
  • Window and door additions

In fact, if you want to make your garage look like it was always a bedroom, we recommend eliminating the garage door openings and other evidence. Also, change the rooftop designs into something trendy, like dormer windows, while adding more windows than a bedroom has.

How to Set Up the Garage Space Into a Cozy Bedroom

While converting the car garage into your private space, a bedroom you have longed for days, pay attention to the setup before the project kicks off. For example:

  • Layered tray ceiling
  • Separate space for relaxation
  • Soundproof walls
  • Fibre optic lighting

So, are you ready for garage conversion ADU and transforming the space into a bedroom? Let us know! Stay in touch!

While having an unused garage, converting it into usable space can be the best thing to increase your square footage or utilize excess room instead of wasting it. And when it comes to the kitchen, the garage is large enough to turn it into a stunning cooking space. Of course, you may have started looking into different home improvement magazines or Pinterest for garage conversion kitchen ideas. But a few things you need to do before that, and we are here to tell you what!

What to Keep in Mind for Garage Conversion Into a Kitchen

Of course, while turning your old garage into a cooking space, you can save dollars for the foundation and walls as everything you have already. However, we, MDM Custom Remodeling Inc, suggest taking a little time and doing the following to ensure a successful garage conversion kitchen. Such as:

Explain about the old kitchen

Before the project kicks off, make sure you sit with our builders and remodeling contractors over a coffee to share about your old cooking space. It will help them ideate what type of design you expect for a new one.

For example, suppose you have an old-fashioned home. And yet, the kitchen is here just like a small extension at the back of the house with old appliances and dark wall tiles, which make the room more cramped and dark. Hence, you may be looking forward this time to an open kitchen with an abundance of natural light access.

Have a clear idea of the new room!

Do you like a modern-style kitchen with clean decor or some contemporary style to have a timeless layout? If you love cooking but have no time to organize it often, you would love a design that can help you leave the cooking space as clutter-free as possible.

In that case, you should have great storage in the kitchen to keep the essentials. So, have a clear idea of which type of layout you exactly desire to make the room functional and stylish.

Talk about your favorite feature!

Be open with us and unfold your secret desire about the feature you want to include in the garage conversion kitchen. For instance, it can be folding doors on the entire wall that opens to the garden or knocking down the wall between the old kitchen and garage (if adjacent) and creating a family cooking space with dining.

Need more ideas? Look over our previous garage conversion kitchen projects on Yelp! Stay connected!

Picture this: You have just discovered that you need some extra lying space at home. But as you are on the edge of your budget, you can afford to buy a new one. In that case, an ADU garage conversion may be the best alternative to look for to increase extra square footage while staying within your budgetary boundary.

But do you know how much an ADU can cost? If NO, you may find today’s blog quite relatable and helpful. Let us guide you regarding this!

How Much Do You Need to Pay for an ADU Garage Conversion?

Well, having Accessory Dwelling Units by converting your garage is a great idea to have sufficient space to create a guest room or separate bedroom. But before you sit with us, MDM Custom Remodeling Inc, to design your ADU, we suggest taking a deeper insight into its specifications, like attached or detached ADU garage conversion and its overall expenses. Let’s get into it:

ADU conversion of existing garage:

Three different ADU types are available, Attached ADU, Detached ADU, and Garage conversion. For the first two, you need new construction while you require nothing but a renovation on the existing garage you have. 

That’s why ADU garage conversion comes most affordable among all, especially while having easy access to its sewer system, and the position of the garage is at the front of your premise. All we need is to reframe the ceiling, add wall insulation, and do electrical upgrades.

Hence, you can estimate the construction costs for a good-quality garage conversion around $100,000 – $120,000. In the budget, you can expect the outlay for pre-construction expenses somewhere between $15,000 to $19,000. Make sure you get all your construction documents and plan approved and permitted. Or you can let our remodeling contractors handle this. The papers should include:

  • Architectural site plan and floor plan
  • Energy calculation
  • Electrical plan and wiring
  • Engineering plans for ceiling framing, roof, and walls

So, have you found the information helpful? Leave your feedback on Yelp and let us know if you want an ADU garage conversion. You can look over our previous projects to idea an ADU garage conversion design, like what you can add or not. Stay connected!

Are you looking forward to converting your garage? If yes, garage conversions are one of the easiest and budget-friendly ways to add value and extra living space to your property. General contractors are always available if you want to add an ADU or garage conversion in your backyard.

A simple garage has more potential to enhance your home. With little effort and imagination, turn your cold and sober place into a peaceful and welcoming area…or not! The final result will depend on your wishes; the options are limitless.

What Does It Take For A Garage Conversion Into A Living Area?

Most garage conversion ideas involve quality designs and regular involvement to turn functional living spaces. You must have built your garage for house cars. But, with relatively long and narrow spaces, you can turn it into a habitable living space.

Whatever the reason is, MDM Custom Remodeling INC will help you remodel the garage according to your requirements. 

Ideas For Garage Conversion In 2022

You will get some quality ADU conversion ideas below:

1. Garage converted into a family play zone

You can hire our home remodeling contractors to convert your garage into a family play area. Kids are always full of energy, and why not utilize that energy in something valuable? Who knows, maybe they will gradually develop an interest in sports!

Climbing monkey bars, gym mats, swings, ropes are the perfect playground ideas, don’t you think?

2. Convert your garage into a guest house

As a homeowner, you always have to stay prepared for surprise visits! Do you have a friend living outside the town? Where will they sleep if they come to see you? Therefore, turn your garage into a cozy guest house.

3. Use the converted garage for your hobbies

Do you want to make space to enjoy your hobbies? Create a dedicated zone in your converted garage. You can include:

  • home cinema
  • games room
  • man cave
  • library/reading room
  • craft/hobby workshop, and more.

“Having a dedicated space for your hobbies means that you can kit out the room as required without impacting on your existing layout.” – says the professional room remodeling contractor.

For further information, you can check our other social media pages or view our 2 Car Garage Conversion into 1 Bedroom ADU project on Yelp. Was this helpful? Do you want to work with us? Then stop waiting and contact us now!

It’s just a wait of a couple of days, and 2022 will be here! Of course, this one is the most wonderful festive season when the closed ones, like parents, drop in your home to give you SURPRISE! Then, don’t you think you should prepare a place for them to sleep once they arrive? You have left with no extra space except for your garage. Is that possible? Actually, yes, it is if you turn your old ADU garage into a guest room. And we are here to tell you how to convert that so quickly, just in two days!

How to Convert Old ADU Garage Into a Guest Room

Honestly, there’s no time to renovate your unused garage space. But Here are some smart tips to convert your unused garage space into a guest room:

Clean and declutter:

Start with sweeping your garage floor and mop it after that! Then, turn your heads towards the corners where the spiders are staring at you from the cobs. Clean those all and call our designers and builders to install ceiling storage and wall shelves to make the place livable! We serve the areas in and surrounding Los Angeles.

Paint the garage:

While running out of time and looking for a temporary solution, hang curtains around the garage instead of a new door installation because it’s a matter of time and dollars. Or you can install wallpapers to cover the dull walls of your garage and once you have done with that, install insulation for temperature control. You can watch our videos on Youtube for more ideas!

Cover the windows and floor

Maybe your garage floor is not tiled, and the windows are broken. Then, don’t think twice about covering those. Pick the curtains and block the window to avoid the inside view, while a patterned rug carpet can add elegance to the floor.  For more ideas and customers’ feedback, you can check on Yelp. Stay in touch!

Maybe you have never thought of it, but a garage conversion is a best and most affordable alternative to add square footage to your existing space! You need not spend a dollar for foundation, roof, and walls because all are in their place already. In fact, if you need some ideas, look over our projects on garage conversions on Yelp for that! You can find some garage images attached to the home that means the entrance is also there.

What to consider for garage conversions

Before you consult our ADU designers to convert your garage space into a new kitchen space or a living room, understand the possibilities of garage conversions! And we suggest doing that with an assessment. Such as: 

Garage door

While talking about single or double garage conversions into a small cooking space or an entire guest room (one bedroom, one bathroom, one kitchen, one laundry room, one closet, and one dining/living room), start with the entrance! Most homeowners find this question concerning, “What Should I do with the garage door?”

Once you have removed the door, the best thing you can do is create a new wall with a bay window or install a new patio door. Also, you can make an entire new entryway if having no budget limit!

Loss of storage and parking

Admit it or not, but when the garage is no use to keep the car, you fill it with unwanted or rarely used items. Now, if you have decided to make a garage conversion, store those stuff in the attic, basement, or sell them. But if you have a car but converting the garage space is essential for extra space, build a new carport. 

And if you have enough space on the premises, go for a new garage and covert the old one! On Instagram, you can follow us for such ideas!

Plumbing, Flooring, and wiring

  • First, expect additional electric usage and higher utility bills for the newly converted garage space.
  • Adding new plumbing lines or extending those is another considerable expense. 
  • The garage floor level is generally low than other room’s floors. Extra outlay to level the floor and protect the wall from moisture!

We hope our guidance proves to be useful for you! If you are interested, let us know! We, MDM Custom Remodeling Inc, offer well-planned garage conversions where the rooms blend seamlessly with your existing home design. Stay in touch for more ideas!

Maybe you have no idea, but utilizing the unused garage space is on the craze for homeowners running out of the space! A car garage conversion into the bedroom not only increases the square footage for living space but adds around $65,000 to the home without the hassle of a planning permit! And even if it needs, our designers and contractors can handle that like a breeze!

What to Know about Car Garage Conversion into Bedroom

Yes, you have to hit your wallet a little bit to turn your garage into a stunning master bedroom! But before you start, learn the following:

How much to spend for the conversion

At MDM Custom Remodeling Inc, we offer projects on two garage conversions (400 square feet) into one bedroom, including kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, closet, and living space. The overall expenses will be around $35,000, depending on your customized demands and layout choices.

Single garage conversion or double?

Most homeowners remain overwhelmed to make this decision whether they should convert the single standard garage or double. The former one comes on average 150 square feet maximum! This one is too tiny for a bedroom while left with minimum space to open doors! 

But if you own a home with double garage space, partly garage conversion into the bedroom is not a bad idea, though. You can leave here a few square feet to park your bike if required!

When to go for garage conversion into bedroom

Two signs are there when you should and not! For instance:

  • If the parking for two-car families is zoned in your location, don’t convert your garage space. Instead, think of a second story for bedroom addition!
  • When plenty of space on the road for parking, converting the garage into a bedroom makes sense!

Also, if you need design ideas for garage conversion into a bedroom, follow us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook now!

No matter if you need to make your pocket a little bit full, need privacy, or reserve your guests for a few more days, having additional room is a MUST! Do you have the same wish? Then, add an ADU (Accessories Dwelling Unit) in your backyard if you have enough space there! 

Accessories Dwelling Unit can offer you a great space to relax or having fun with your family and friend. On the contrary, you can rent it out and boost your monthly income! Options are plenty, and the choice is up to you!

How to utilize the space by adding ADU in your backyard

An ADU can fit any space in the backyard, depending on your needs. On the 0ther hand, you can keep it detached and separated from the primary home while getting extra square footage.

In fact, even if you have a small space, you can build a functional ADU with our space-saving ideas! Here’s HOW you can utilize the space:

Guesthouse

Do you love to spend your weekend or summer holidays with your friend and family? If so, an ADU can allow you to have a great entertaining space in your backyard to host such small parties! From 3D design and construction to plumbing and electrical- we will get you all covered!

Creating the rental unit

Adding the ADU to your backyard can be a great way to have supplemental income for homeowners. You can give this space in rent and utilize it as a flexible housing solution as well.

Having a multi-purpose room!

If you have looked over our clients’ reviews on Yelp, you may find most people asking for ideas to utilize their backyard space for multi-purpose use. And yes, with an ADU addition, you can get that so!

It not only adds beauty to your premises but meets your space requirements for any purpose! For instance, you can use this space to create a workshop, home office, or gym to keep you fit every day!

Granny flat

It’s a great idea to keep your elderly parents near you on their last days! Building an ADU in your backyard can give you that opportunity while providing your parents or relatives with their own living space. They will be just a step away from your home in the same lot!

So, which one will you prefer to add to your backyard? That doesn’t matter! But you can count on us for any of our services for Greater Los Angeles. Stay in touch to learn more!