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Adding a room above garage

Posted on 1/16/20 at 7:40 am
Posted by SATNIGHTS
Red Stick
Member since Jan 2008
2269 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 7:40 am
I built my house 3 years ago and have regretted not adding a room above my garage. What kind of costs would I be looking at to build say a 10x20 room? It would add around $160 sqft to the value.
Posted by jbgleason
Bailed out of BTR to God's Country
Member since Mar 2012
19491 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:03 am to
You think a bonus room over the garage is going to add $32k to your house value? This better be a million dollar house.
Posted by gmrkr5
NC
Member since Jul 2009
14963 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:06 am to
quote:

It would add around $160 sqft to the value.


no it wont
Posted by soccerfüt
Location: A Series of Tubes
Member since May 2013
69893 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:09 am to
$3.50 per sq arpent.
Posted by Black n Gold
Member since Feb 2009
15575 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:12 am to
I looked into doing the same thing on my home. Add it if you really need the space for your children. Don't add to increase the value of your home bc you'll never see that money again.
Posted by spslayto
Member since Feb 2004
20903 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:17 am to
quote:

I looked into doing the same thing on my home. Add it if you really need the space for your children.


I need more room for my kids, but it may be cost prohibitive. There are many factors, including the access point (stairs), adding dormers, etc. I haven't had a contractor come look at it, but have thought about it too.
Posted by Black n Gold
Member since Feb 2009
15575 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:21 am to
I decided against it after I realized I would most likely have to install a spiral staircase in my garage to gain access. Traditional stairs starting in my house would eat up too much sq footage on both the first and second levels.
Posted by spslayto
Member since Feb 2004
20903 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:27 am to
quote:

I decided against it after I realized I would most likely have to install a spiral staircase in my garage to gain access. Traditional stairs starting in my house would eat up too much sq footage on both the first and second levels.


Did you ever get a quote on the cost?
Posted by HBomb
Dallas
Member since May 2012
263 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:35 am to
I added a garage apartment(full bath as well), with outside stairs/entry, when I did an addition to the main floor. Depending on finishes, I'd expect you to pay 30-50K.
Posted by PCRammer
1725 Slough Avenue in Scranton, PA
Member since Jan 2014
1618 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:40 am to
Is your garage detached? IF so you might be able to get a separate address for it and build it out as an apartment by adding a bathroom, kitchen, everything to live. That's the only way to get any real ROI...being able to market the house with an income rental included.
Posted by Sunset Strip
Member since Jan 2020
299 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:43 am to
quote:

I built my house 3 years ago and have regretted not adding a room above my garage. What kind of costs would I be looking at to build say a 10x20 room? It would add around $160 sqft to the value.

Kick out that Millennial and save the money.
Posted by PCRammer
1725 Slough Avenue in Scranton, PA
Member since Jan 2014
1618 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 8:49 am to
Do you already have the right kind of truss? If its detached do you have 220 run out to the garage already? These are potential huge costs depending on the limited info provided.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
17804 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 9:36 am to
quote:

build it out as an apartment by adding a bathroom, kitchen, everything to live.



He wants to add a 10 ft. x 20 ft. room, not an apartment.

To the OP, not enough information supplied. What is the intended use of this room?

If just a man-cave situation, I'd at least want a wet bar so plumbing is on the table. Heating and cooling will come into play with needing either gas or enough electricity to carry A/C and heat duties.

Your ceiling joists for the garage are probably no more than 2 x 6 and not substantial enough to simply add another floor, so they'd have to be sized up to accommodate the load.

What type finish are you looking at, plain painted sheetrock, simple flooring, basic type trims? You'll need access with stairs, so spiral, interior or exterior staircase are your options and each present their own challenges. If interior access, both spiral and regular staircases take away floor space in the garage. If exterior, you're exposed to the weather going up and down unless you cover them and that's more $$$$.
Posted by MikeBRLA
Baton Rouge
Member since Jun 2005
16879 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 10:17 am to
quote:

Your ceiling joists for the garage are probably no more than 2 x 6 and not substantial enough to simply add another floor, so they'd have to be sized up to accommodate the load.


Yeah, if your house wasn’t initially built with this bonus room in mind you are looking at MAJOR structural changes in order to support the additional weight. As mentioned earlier you will need a staircase as well which takes up a lot of square footage. Also, it will have to have a window for egress in case of a fire. Many other things as well to meet code.
Posted by 4WHLN
Drinking at the Cottage Inn
Member since Mar 2013
7609 posts
Posted on 1/16/20 at 11:18 am to
Need more info but basically what will take place on a project like this is the following-

Roof over garage will have to come off.
New 16" floor trusses installed at existing top plate of garage. Truss sizes depend on spanning distance of existing garage.
New flooring and walls built in along with new roof to tie into existing roof.
1 dormer allowing 15 sqft of window open space for egress along with stairs from the inside of your house. (conditioned space)
New electrical to tie in to existing panel service
Depending on your current mechanical setup, a zone system can run the new addition. If not, a separate unit will need to be installed for the addition.

Posted by Rize
Spring Texas
Member since Sep 2011
17277 posts
Posted on 1/17/20 at 12:49 am to
I’m building a house in Baton Rouge that’s 2750 Sqft down with 1000 sqft upstairs above my garage with a bathroom. I chose not to finish the upstairs but have it roughed in for when I’m ready for my man cave. I’m not an expert but there’s no way that extra 1000 feet won’t add 75k to the price of my house when it’s done.
Posted by 4WHLN
Drinking at the Cottage Inn
Member since Mar 2013
7609 posts
Posted on 1/17/20 at 7:34 am to
quote:

I chose not to finish the upstairs but have it roughed in for when I’m ready for my man cave.


Have you priced this with your contractor? It will be much cheaper to finish it out now while building.
Posted by Supermoto Tiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2010
10311 posts
Posted on 1/23/20 at 10:59 am to
quote:

I chose not to finish the upstairs but have it roughed in for when I’m ready for my man cave.

If the garage is attached to the home, you will need to have a 1 hour rated ceiling (5/8 gyp Type X) in the garage since there will be living area above it...even if the man cave is listed as "Future Living Area".
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