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What is the state of your garage today? Is it a two-car space with barely enough room for one car? Or is completely overflowing with boxes, sports gear, and lawn equipment to the point you can barely squeeze a motorbike into the chaos?
If so, it may be time to seriously consider a garage renovation, which is widely considered one of the top renovation projects for homeowners in 2017. These updates make the space more enjoyable and appealing to prospective buyers.
The New York Times describes garage makeovers as the “Final Frontier in Home Renovations.” Following updates to kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, homeowners are focusing on garages as an untapped opportunity to expand their home’s living space.
Realtor.com says upgrades to garages, like a simple garage door replacement, is one of the top renovations that could pay off for your home this year.
Stunning garage renovation options
Garage renovations can be as simple or extravagant as desired. If you’re simply looking to make your garage more organized, your project could fall into the $2,000 to $5,000 range. On the hand, if you’re truly looking to expand it into a living space that blends seamlessly with the rest of your home, it could cost as much $20,000 or more.
A finished garage can boost the value of your home and attract buyers, depending on the current value of homes in your neighborhood.
Here are several garage renovation goals worth considering:
Make room for two (or three) cars. You may simply want to organize your garage so that it performs the function for which it was built: to contain vehicles. In this case, you need to take an inventory of its contents and decide which are worth holding onto.
Do the hard work to downsize. Check out tips from The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up if you need some extra motivation. For everything else that remains, consult a specialist to help you with options for clearing the space and storing the contents effectively. Vertical shelving, for example, is a good solution for tools, bikes and lawn equipment.
Extend your living space. If you like to have friends and family over to hang out, you may consider using your garage as an extension of your home. This could be a great project to take on, especially if you already park your cars outside. Living space expansion typically involves downsizing–just don’t work at cross-purposes and rent a storage unit for unused items.
Garage door renovation will likely involve sourcing for insulation, drywall, heating, flooring, furnishings and a garage door replacement to complement the upgraded interior.
Expand your garage. Perhaps you want it all: capacity for another vehicle, motorbike, and workstation. An expansion project gives you the opportunity to rethink the space and add extra touches that can be transformative, like an epoxy floor. Just make sure you are ready for a functional change. It would be a shame to invest in a beautiful expansion project only to clutter it.
Technology upgrades. The Internet of Things (IoT) has ushered in a new level of automated convenience. More than likely you already have a keypad attached to your garage. You can now program the garage to open automatically with an IoT device when your car pulls up. Security cameras and other technology devices can be installed in the garage and monitored virtually as well.
A garage door professional can explain a variety of options available for homeowners–it’s definitely worth a conversation to learn more about maximizing the use of underused space and expanding your home.
Contact us today to discuss your garage expansion.