Two-Car Garage ADU Conversion: Your Outstanding Construction Project

Each person has a particular talent, which he either reveals at a certain moment or leaves in the shadows forever. We can say the same about such a part of living space as the existing garage. Among all types of accessory dwelling units, this configuration has the greatest flexibility and variability, with its help you can bring ADU dreams to life and fully experience high standards of living. However, many California homeowners leave the garage in the damp and dark, which is a completely unacceptable scenario.

If you do not consider yourself one of the similar property owners, then this big review for you. Today we will discuss in great detail all the advantages of garage conversion ADUs, answer all the questions about this project, present a step-by-step construction plan, and also reveal the garage conversion project cost.

Top-5 Garage Conversion ADU Questions

When the idea of transforming the garage into an ADU just appears in the minds of homeowners, a ton of questions immediately fall on them. Fortunately, most of these questions are typical, and we have the opportunity to answer the most relevant and exciting ones.

Garage conversion construction cost

If we do not take into account the junior accessory dwelling unit, which has the smallest area, the ADU garage conversion project has the most acceptable price tag despite the fact that it is a fairly large living space that accommodates two cars. If we turn to numbers, then we can say that this ADU project most often has a price tag in the range of $100000 – $150000, which is two times less than the construction of a detached unit, which has the same functionality as garage conversion. However, do not forget that construction costs may be higher if your garage is in poor condition, but more on that below.

Construction process timeline

As practice shows, the implementation of garage conversion projects in rare cases exceeds 10-12 months. However, this is a very vague answer, so it makes sense to add specifics. Firstly, if the existing structure of your garage is in bad condition and on the verge of destruction, then builders will have to spend a lot of time resolving this situation. Secondly, the construction process may slow down if there is mold, insects, or damage to the wiring/electrical panel. Thirdly, if you pick a non-professional contractor, negotiations with him can take a lot of time, as well as the implementation process. If your situation excludes these three scenarios, then creating a garage conversion ADU may take even less than eight months.

Garage’s foundation issue

We would like to pay special attention to the foundation of the future garage conversion project. The fact is that building codes are constantly changing, and the foundation configuration of your old garage may not meet modern standards. In this regard, there are three options. First, the foundation of your garage is in good condition and does not require renovation. Secondly, the foundation requires small adjustments in terms of strengthening weak parts or replacing plates. Third, the foundation is unusable, which means that the new unit will require separate investments in pouring a new foundation.

Garage conversion ADU & property taxes

The most unpleasant moment for any homeowner is the payment of property tax. The appearance of garage conversion does not increase the square footage of your property; however, what effect does this change have on the tax? Good news awaits you here, as there is no difference if we are talking about a detached garage conversion project or an attached garage conversion configuration; the tax on this part of the property is several times less than on any other ADU type. 

The secret of this lies in the fact that when assessing the tax amount, experts will take into account only the added value as a result of the construction work, while the basic garage design is already in the primary home tax.

2-Car Garage Conversion Exceptional Privileges

The most obvious advantage of the standard two-car garage conversion project is the ability to accommodate two vehicles under one roof at once, which is especially important for large families. However, homeowners have a greater interest in the issue of this project’s advantages that distinguish it from other ADUs and conversion projects.

If you decide to transform the existing garage into an ADU, then you will inevitably encounter the following privileges:

• Property value boost. New construction is always a big investment, which is very different from everyday spending on gasoline or groceries. This fact often stops homeowners from building or renovating plans, but the following two facts will help you change your mind. Firstly, additional square footage is a 100% guarantee of an increase in the entire property value by at least the amount of construction. Secondly, real estate is the only constant in the world of investments because the price of it is always rising.
• Rental income source. This factor is also in the category of financial advantages, and here it is enough to say that garage conversion ADU has the largest rental income potential. This livable space is a “golden section” since such a project is independent of the primary residence, but at the same time, the transition from room to room is possible without going outside. Such attached garages are always in demand among tenants, as they have all the necessary conditions from the “comfort plus” category.
• Extra storage space. It will not be a surprise for us if this aspect in the eyes of some property owners would have more value than the two previous factors combined. The problem of lack of storage area in the main single family home is a headache for many people, so the appearance of a technological and modern ADU garage conversion instantly solves this problem and makes the whole family happy.
• Guest house functions. Another inconvenience that the overwhelming percentage of homeowners have been living with for decades is the lack of sleeping areas at the time of guests’ arrival. On the one hand, meetings with friends or relatives are not so frequent, so it makes sense to wait out the inconvenience. On the other hand, such banal situations as a queue to the toilet or crowding can cause irritation. In this case, garage conversion ADU acts as your “Baywatch” because guests will definitely like this comfortable living space, and you will forget about all the inconveniences.
• Unique rooms. As we noted earlier, garage space is very flexible, but what exactly does this mean? Any builder will give you the answer to this question in two seconds, in particular, on the site of the old garage you can create any space that has no place in the main house. It can be a home theater, a gym, a design and art studio for your children, a modern home office and much more that you will not find in a standard house plan.

In addition, garage conversions can fulfill a very important social mission. If you have no guesses about this, then you may be surprised that this living space is ideal for accommodating aging parents who will enjoy the comfort and stay next to you. Thus, garage conversion ADU is a profitable project from all sides, whether it is a financial, household, or entertainment part of your life.

ADU Garage Conversion Construction Steps

The exclusivity of garage conversion ADUs manifests itself not only in their set of strengths or flexibility. The construction process of such projects also has a number of unusual characteristics.

Let’s take a closer look at all the stages of garage conversion implementation:

1. Garage’s potential assessment. Before you start discussing the garage conversion concept, you need to assess the scale of future changes. Situations can vary from the need to install one garage door to a complete replacement of the roof and load-bearing walls. This procedure will allow you to plan the next steps more effectively.
2. Analysis and registration of proper permits. This step is a symbiosis of theoretical and practical actions. First, you need to make sure that local laws do not prohibit the implementation of garage conversions. Then, together with your lawyer, you will study all the necessary rules, starting with the size of the property line and ending with fire safety measures. The final step at this stage is the direct registration of the building permit and payment of the permit fees.
3. Garage conversion plan development. After completing all the bureaucratic processes, you can proceed to think through the garage conversion functionality. It is important to take into account all the details, maximize the use of additional living space, and eliminate all potential weaknesses of the previous layout.
4. Natural light magnification. When building classic garages, the issue of equipping the room with windows is somewhere in the last positions. Often, there are either no windows in the garage, or you can find them under the ceiling. This is an unacceptable situation for a residential space, therefore, together with the architects, you will need to consider providing the space with sufficient light, e.g., by installing energy efficient windows.
5. Setting up life support systems. Regardless of whether your garage is independent of the main house or not, the issue of installing high-quality electrical wiring, ventilation and plumbing is critically important. Reliable life support systems mean not only the absence of problems in everyday life but also the safety of your family members. Moreover, it is a great help for using garage conversion as a rental unit.
6. Insulation of the new space. This item is a continuation of the theme with windows. There is practically no insulation in ordinary garages, because cars do not require it, which we can not say about a person who wants to feel warm and cozy every day.
7. Creating an interior. The most pleasant stage, during which you and the designer will create the interior concept of your new ADU. Here you will find all the opportunities to realize the creative potential of creating a space that will delight you every day with unique shades, colors and solutions.

Overall, if you want to convert your garage into a new, modern and technological space, then you cannot do without the help of professionals. Each of the above points is the area of responsibility of a certain master, e.g., a construction lawyer, designer or structural engineer. Only highly qualified professionals with many years of experience can ensure the reliability of structures on each square foot.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ

Why is it impossible to implement a garage conversion ADU project without a qualified lawyer?

Without the help of an experienced lawyer, you are highly likely to become the owner of an unpermitted ADU. When it comes to converting your garage to ADU, only a specialist can understand the nuances of the permitting process, tell you the difference between utility easement and encroachment permit, protect you from attacks by the local department, and ensure the legality of the project.

What privileges await me if I decide to transform the garage into an ADU format?

We can confidently say that all single-family homes are inferior in a set of strong qualities to this habitable dwelling unit. You can use a garage conversion for a comfortable reception of guests, as a home office for remote work, as an additional bedroom for an adult child, or as a storage area if you do not have enough space in the main house.

Can I construct a granny flat on top of the garage conversion?

The appearance of a guest suite in the one-bedroom ADU format with a full bathroom and a kitchen above garage conversion is the secret dream of many homeowners. Fortunately, no building codes will prohibit you from such extra living space equipment, but be ready for additional expenses, starting with materials and ending with a mini split HVAC system installation.

Is garage conversion a financially profitable investment?

Converting a garage into a functional space is the most profitable campaign you can plan. To make sure of this, it is enough to know two facts, namely, the appearance of garage conversion will give you a chance to generate rental income, as well as increase the value of the property by a decent percentage.