Who builds garage apartments? Budget?

Question

Trying to price out contractors that build over existing detached garages. It’s hard to find. Ideally I just want the shell built and I can finish out the inside myself. I also hear that sometimes building a garage apartment over an existing detached garage may require additional stud shoring as well as underground structural piers. Does anyone have experience with garage apartment additions? What problems did you have? What was the final cost?

Lionel Mosby Jr · Answer

Thanks for that info! I've been wondering about the price for something like that as well.

Brian Nel · Answer

I have experience with this, PM me for details if you're looking in Houston.

You're correct regarding the conversion difficulties. Generally speaking if the garage was designed as one story it won't be as easy as slapping a second story on top. If you need to upgrade foundation/studs not to mention running new electrical, water, mechanicals those costs will far exceed the value of the existing garage shell.

A turnkey detached garage apartment 1 bed 1 bath can be done for $75k on the low end. $100k for nicer fit and finish.

Lamont Chen · Answer

@Bruce Hansen

For regular 1 story home conversions to 2 story.. the architect and structural engineer perhaps would need to assess if the foundation can supported the added weight for the additional.

Since you plan to do this for a detached garage I am thinking other factors you may to consider (besides zoning) would be electric, gas?, water, and sewage lines running to and from that detached unit.

Also what would your ROI be on this vs perhaps buying another property. I know you mentioned difficulties getting estimates but something to consider.