7 Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating Your Garage

Your garage is probably the most wasted area in your home. Before now, it was likely doing nothing more than collecting dust bunnies, storing Christmas decorations you forgot you had, and maybe housing a car that barely fits between the piles of stuff you promised you’d organize ‘someday.’

But not today! Today, you’ve decided to remodel that wasted space and bring out its potential, and for all its worth, you’ve actually made a great decision.

However, while remodeling your garage is a great idea, there are many decisions to be made, some of which can lead to unnecessary costs in the long run.

To save you from spending more than you need to or from making mistakes that are hard or costly to undo, here are seven mistakes to avoid when updating your garage.

Trying to Remodel by Yourself

A recent survey by Zillow found that nearly 40% of homeowners regretted taking on a DIY project, and you could easily join this statistic if you don’t weigh your skill level.

Many owners think they can handle a garage makeover on their own. After all, it’s just a garage, right? This thinking can lead to big problems and even bigger costs down the road.

It costs around $14,200 on average to remodel a garage (and this figure can easily go up depending on what you’re doing). Imagine spending all that money only to realize that you missed an important safety rule or building code. No one wants that!

Not Planning Your Renovation Properly

According to Susan Yeley, creative director and owner of Susan Yeley Homes, many homeowners do not plan their renovations before jumping in.

In her words, “One major regret that happens is when homeowners do not approach their renovation holistically, they don’t plan financially or aesthetically for the rugs, window treatments, and furniture as early and with as much…” care as they should.

Sure, you want your garage to look amazing, but have you taken time to think about what you want from your renovation?

Consider how you’ll utilize the space. Do you want a workshop area? A place to park two cars? Storage for seasonal items? Draw out a clear plan and work with it.

Trying to Convert Your Garage to a Living Space

Turning your garage into a bedroom, office, or family room sounds like a great idea. You get more space in your home without building an addition. But this change can cause more problems than you might expect.

Garages are built differently from the rest of your house. They lack the proper heating, cooling, and airflow systems. The floors may not be warm enough for bare feet, and the walls may not be effective at keeping out noise or cold air.

There are also rules about what you can and can’t do with garage spaces. Your city might require special permits or inspections. Some areas don’t allow garage conversions at all. If you don’t follow these rules, you could get fined or have to change everything back.

Not Getting Proper Permits

Many owners think permits are just extra paperwork and cost money they don’t want to spend. But permits are there to make sure your work is safe and follows local building rules. If you skip this step, you could face big problems later.

When you sell your house, buyers may ask to see permits for any work that has been done. If you don’t have them, the sale could fall through. Some insurance companies won’t cover damage from work that was done without permits.

Spending on Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets look amazing and fit perfectly in your space. But they can cost a lot more money than you might expect. For most garage projects, there are better ways to spend your budget.

Ready-made cabinets from home improvement stores work just as well and cost much less. You can find them in many sizes and styles. Some stores even offer free design assistance to ensure you select the right pieces for your space.

If you want something that looks more custom, you can add your own touches to regular cabinets. Paint them a color you like, add new handles, or put up some trim around the edges. These small changes can make basic cabinets look more expensive.

Floor Coating

Coating your garage floor is different from just painting it. A good floor coating protects the concrete underneath and makes the surface easier to clean and maintain. However, many owners fail to understand the difference and end up disappointed with their results.

According to Cardinal Concrete Coatings, a reputable, family-owned concrete-coating company based in Phoenix–Scottsdale, Arizona, regular paint may look good at first, but it often chips and peels quickly in garage conditions, unlike polyurea and polyaspartic floor coatings.

Floor coatings have the capacity to withstand the weight of cars, temperature fluctuations, and chemical spills that are common in garages.

Using Cheap Materials

When working on a budget, it’s tempting to buy the cheapest materials available. But in a garage, cheap materials don’t hold up to the conditions and end up costing you more in the long run.

Garages face challenges that other parts of your house don’t. They deal with temperature changes, moisture, dust, and heavy use. Materials that work fine in a bedroom or kitchen might fail quickly in a garage environment.

This doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive options for everything. But do some research to find materials that are known to work well in garages. Sometimes spending a little more upfront can save you from having to replace things later.

Wrapping Up

As you plan your renovation, don’t hesitate to ask for help and conduct thorough research. Many companies offer free quotes, and some offer free consultations. So make use of these freebies to plan a makeover that will serve you well for many years to come.