What NOT to Do During a Garage Remodel

Don’t Skip a Cost/Benefit Analysis

Garage remodels are expensive, costing an average of $13,000. But it’s a mistake to assume that any modifications you make will translate into an increase in home value.

Remodeling Magazine found that home renovation projects in general averaged a 66 percent return on investment (ROI) in 2020. The financial return on your garage, specifically, will largely depend on whether you incorporate features that most homebuyers desire.

The top two investments that pay off: Multipurpose functionality, such as additional living space, a workshop or a gym; and a new garage door, which enhances curb appeal. The latter has the potential to net you a 94.5 percent ROI.

Note: Don’t forgetting to factor in the cost of building permits for any electrical, plumbing, ventilation, heating and cooling, or framing modifications you make. The necessary permits are especially important if you’re planning to create living space, especially if you are making any structural changes to the load-bearing exterior walls.

Work done to the wall between an attached garage and the main home may also require a permit because this shared wall (sometimes called a “firewall” or “fire separation wall”) is designed to prevent a garage fire from spreading to the rest of the home. The cost of garage remodel permits will vary by location, but average between $1,200 and $1,500.

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