If you’re a homeowner with a garage, you may look at it occasionally with a discerning eye. Through everyday use, your garage may become cluttered with the spare items you’ve stowed there. You may notice the walls and the windows are looking shabby. After looking at your garage carefully, you may decide it’s time to upgrade your garage.
Intelligent homeowners have found that a garage boost can bring many benefits. A finished garage upgrade has been shown to increase property values. In addition, an upgraded garage may also provide additional storage solutions or living space. Here are some things to consider when you’ve decided to do a garage renovation.
1. Research Some Different Companies to Remodel Your Garage
When planning a garage boost, you’ll first decide whether you’re skilled enough to do the job by yourself. If not, it might be best to research several remodeling services before choosing your contractor. You shouldn’t hire a contractor by random choice for such an important project. When researching, check to see if the remodeling companies have online reviews.
Before talking to the remodeling contractors, you should decide what type of garage renovations your family seeks. When you create your plan, include any ‘must have’ features, as well as everything you hope to include. Once you have completed your list, review your budget to estimate how much you can spend.
You’ll want to ask each prospective contractor some questions. Ask them to show you their licenses and certifications. They should have these readily available for you to review. The company should also offer to let you look at past examples of their work- so you can get ideas about the quality of their services.
2. Looking Into Some Companies That Remove Unwanted Trees
Sometimes, the garage boost you need will include the garage’s exterior and your surrounding yard. If you spruce up the outside of the garage, you’ll want to show it off to your neighbors and friends. If some dead trees or branches obscure the view of the remodeled garage, you’ll need to find a company that provides tree removal services. Before calling them, list which trees you’d like the company to evaluate or remove.
When you’re looking for a tree removal company, experts recommend you get three estimates before making a final decision. Ask each company for customer referrals and ask if you can speak directly with at least one past customer. It would be best to look online for reviews of all three companies.
Check for each company’s credentials, just as you did with the remodeling companies. Ask to see the company’s state and local licenses, as well as a contractor’s license for any person who will be coming to your home. Ask the company how long they’ve been in business. Add up all the pros and cons of the three firms and choose the one that seems best for your job.
3. Discuss Having Your Trees Trimmed
Sometimes, a tree that blocks the view of your completed garage boost doesn’t need to be removed. There are times the tree may only need to be trimmed. A tree surgeon (also called an arborist) can evaluate whether a tree can be saved by cutting or removing it.
An arborist can tell if the tree is too sick to save. They’ll be able to identify a dead tree right away. Sometimes, they’ll need to do some pruning (tree cutting) to take off damaged branches. Damaged branches often become a problem after a storm, when dislodged branches can be a danger or prevent the rest of the tree from growing.
4. Inquire About Your Insurance Status
While planning for your garage boost, and reviewing your finances, remember to check your home insurance policy to see how remodeling your garage impacts your insurance. It’s essential to read the details of your homeowners’ insurance to learn what your policy will cover.
You’ll want to know the details of coverage in the event your home or garage is damaged during the garage renovation. If you’re remodeling the garage by yourself or with friends, ensure you know what liability coverage your policy includes. If you have the renovation job done by a contractor, that company should have insurance to cover any unforeseen events.
If your garage renovation involves your garage door (due to a car hitting and damaging the door), your home and auto insurance may cover parts of those costs. Check with both insurance companies before deciding on a contractor for those repairs, as both companies will have questions about the details of the damage. You’ll also need to submit pictures of the damage. It would be helpful if you have a ‘before’ picture of the garage.
5. Find Reputable Roofers
As part of your garage boost, you may decide the garage roof needs to be replaced. A roof is a crucial part of any building. Covering your garage with an intact roof is a large component of the safety of that building. It’s even more important to replace your garage roof if you plan to use the garage as a spare room.
Remodeling the garage roof may allow you to add a loft to the garage. Be sure you check with your local housing authority to see if there are zoning laws affecting roof height. The height and pitch of your garage roof will influence the materials used in the remodeling process of your roof.
To ensure your garage roof is completed safely, you’ll want to choose carefully from the available roofing contractors. Some contractors who do garage remodeling may also be capable of remodeling the roof. If a contractor can incorporate these services into the renovation process, this may become the deciding factor in choosing them to do your remodeling job.
6. Search for Garage Door and Window Update Ideas
When looking at your garage during the planning stage of your garage boost, look at the windows and your garage door. These items may need to be replaced during the remodeling process. You may also decide that different windows or a new garage door style fit better with the new look your garage will soon have.
When you’re upgrading windows and doors along with your garage, you can decide whether repainting the existing garage doors or windowsills may be what you need to do. One trending idea for garage doors is using a wood overlay on the panels. A wood overlay gives the door a completely different appearance. If you like the look of wood but don’t want to add panels, you can achieve a similar effect by painting the doors with a wood stain.
If you’re remodeling the garage to create a spare bedroom, consider privacy windows for the garage. Another garage window idea to discover is to use colored film on the windows. You can create a pattern or make the windows into a rainbow.
7. Investigate New Window Prices
The cost of the new windows in your garage boost will depend on many factors. The size and quantity of your new windows will influence the price. The materials you’ll use, and the job’s complexity will also be a determining factor. The contractor will help you narrow down your options when price is a crucial issue.
Including your windows in the remodeling process will be something to discuss with your general contractor. A general remodeling contractor may or may not be experienced in window installation. However, even if they don’t work with garage windows, they may know a company they can recommend. They could also suggest the estimated costs for window replacement or repair.
With new windows costing anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars apiece, you’ll want to be sure they’re installed correctly. You may need to hire professional window contractors to ensure the quality and safety of your windows. Once your garage is sporting new windows along with its upgraded appearance, you’ll be able to enjoy the overall effect.
8. Compare Some Different Storage Ideas for Your Garage
One of the most common reasons for a garage boost is to provide customized storage spaces. While you’re still in the planning stage of your renovation project, there are many garage storage system ideas you can consider.
One common idea is to build shelves that will become an extension of your kitchen pantry. Expanded pantry storage is ideal for someone who enjoys doing canning or making homemade jam. Others may prefer to use the storage space for their tools or a workbench.
If you’re a hobbyist, you may need storage space for hobby supplies or to store and display finished creations to offer them for sale. Some people prefer to use their garage storage for seasonal use – like storing Christmas items and winter clothes during the summertime. During the colder months, the storage space can hold beach equipment, shorts, and bathing suits.
9. Always Have a Handy Person’s Phone Number
There are often local people who bill themselves as a ‘handyman.’ Whether you’re doing a garage boost or not, it’s always a good idea to have a phone number for a handyman or two – posted near your phone. Most handyman services can perform a range of jobs, including plumbing services. If they’re next to your phone, you’ll be able to call them quickly when a home project occurs.
When choosing a handyman service, people often rely on advice from friends and family. A personal referral is a good idea, as you can easily view some of the work done by a prospective handyman. You’ll also know you can trust them, since your friend or family member has already worked with them.
10. Upgrade Your Home in Small Stages
Although this article has dealt with doing a garage boost, a remodeled garage may inspire you to upgrade your home. While some people believe it’s best to do home remodeling as one comprehensive project, many experts recommend dividing the upgrade into stages. One of the best reasons to break it up is that only some homeowners can afford to renovate their entire home in one project. Doing the whole house at one time will likely mean you’ll have to pay for another place to live during the renovations.
When you remodel your home in stages, you can prioritize which of your rooms to do first. If you enjoy preparing great meals but can shower at your gym, you might create your upgraded kitchen first. Another good strategy may be remodeling your kids’ rooms while at summer camp or visiting Grandma. With a room-by-room upgrade, you can devote your time, money, and attention to each stage of the renovation.
11. Work With Garage Remodel Contractors
The contractors you hire for your garage boost will be responsible for the work done to renovate your garage. However, there’ll be things you can do and say to help the project go smoothly. Begin any project with a contractor by introducing yourself to them on the first day. Let them know when you expect them to begin and stop working.
Be sure you’re clear about your expectations about cleaning up and whether special recycling rules may be in use at your home. Let the contractors know if you will permit them to smoke on your property. If smoking is allowed, tell them if there are designated areas you prefer for them to use when they smoke.
12. Keep Communicating With Your Contractors
As you speak to them on the first day, point out an available water source the crew can use to wash their tools. Point out the electrical outlets located outside your home. During the day, your contractors will need to use the bathroom. If there’s a bathroom they can use in your home, let them know where it is and if they must use specific towels. As the project continues, you should maintain a daily dialog with the person in charge of the renovation.
Before you decide to upgrade your entire home, begin with your garage boost. Create a plan that fits your desires and your budget. Research local contractors and choose the ones you trust. Once your project is done, you can sit back and admire your upgraded garage before you extend your revisions to the rest of your home.