A garage addition is one of the best ways to boost your living space’s area, aesthetics, and most importantly, its value. This can be very beneficial, especially if you’re planning to put the house on sale or rental in the near future. But whatever your purpose for constructing such property extension, the work requires proper planning since it’s not something that can be done overnight.
Furthermore, you must consider many things to guarantee a smooth and successful building project. Here are some of them:
Building permits
Building a garage will typically require you to obtain a building permit from your local area, considering it’ll be an official property area extension. Make sure to ask your municipality about the required permits and codes, whether your purpose for the construction is for personal use or you’re remodeling to prepare it for the rental market.
If you’ve bought the home and renovating it for rental purposes, you might also want to check with your local municipalities about the registration requirements. You might also consider consulting an expert on investment property capital allowances, which can be useful when your start renting out the house. Doing all this will help you avoid problems with the local municipality and save money in the future.
Purpose
Considering your local zoning laws, assess the purpose behind your new garage construction. Think about what you want for such an extension or what will be most useful for future renters in case you’re placing it on the market soon for rent. Apart from using it for a car park, you can opt to use it as an additional workout room, storage space, an office, or a workshop. Determine which one will make the house more attractive and functional.
Size
After knowing how you’re going to utilize the new garage, it’s time to plan the size. An average single garage is typically about 10×20 feet inside, while a double one can measure about 18×20 feet. If you’re unsure about sizing your garage, consult an expert builder. They might conduct a physical test to determine the right size for the structure. Consider the space for additional things like workbenches or storage solutions. For such requirements, it is typically advisable to up the size to about two feet in each direction where you plan to have those additional features.
Type
Another thing to think of is the type of garage you’re going for: detached or attached. There are pros and cons to both. For instance, a detached garage is easier to design, is perfect for a workshop setup, and can be constructed much larger. The downside is that such a construction will require more building materials and you’ll need to walk to it during harsh weather.
An attached garage, on the other hand, is more accessible, is easily convertible into habitable space, and there’s no need for extra utility services such as extension cords for electricity. On the flip side, it has greater security risks and is not great for setting up a workshop.
Ventilation
Installing a ventilation system is beneficial for many reasons. For one, it can help minimize health risks in case things like paint, which can create toxic fumes, will be stored in the garage. During the winter season, you can conveniently warm your car’s engine inside the garage with no problem.
Assess the proper ventilation and airflow for the new garage. One without proper ventilation is most likely to trap harmful toxins such as carbon monoxide released by cars, posing safety risks to inhabitants.
Storage space
While garages are usually made just to park our vehicles, many want additional storage space around the house. If you are planning to do that as well, you need to make a plan for storage solutions. What kind of items will you be storing? Sporting equipment? Toys? Lawn and garden equipment? Determine this will help you assess the shelves or cabinets you’ll be building. Do you have the floor space for a cabinet? Or you’ll be using your wall space for hanging shelves?
Whether you need additional storage in your home or want to gain some rental revenue, these factors are essential. Hire extra hands to get the work done the right way. After all, you can’t afford to fail this big home improvement project, especially if you’re on a limited budget. Plan well!
