There are many advantages to having a garage. For one, they offer you a protected area for your property. You reduce the risk of vandalism, theft, or damage from inclement weather when you have a garage to store personal belongings in. When you keep it well-maintained, a garage is able to add value to your life.
But there could come a time when your garage no longer does what you need it to do. In this case, you would hire home builders in Texas to improve the functionality of the space, according to your interests and needs. Through this transformation, you can make it a more desirable feature. So, what can you expect during this experience?
Attached vs. Detached Garages
Attached garages are built as part of your main house structure. Although limited in design, this type of garage is convenient and accessible. An attached garage is also advantageous from a budget perspective because it shares a foundation and walls with your home. Detached garages, on the other hand, are located some distance away from your house and can be customized to match its design. They offer greater privacy and more space for storage, but are ultimately more expensive. Despite their different benefits, both attached and detached garages have the potential to increase your home’s resale value.
Go into Your Garage Redesign with a Purpose
You want to be able to maximize the potential of your property. Without sharing a clearly defined purpose with home builders in Texas for what you want out of a particular room, you put it at risk of not fully meeting your needs. This includes your garage. You may be planning to use it for more than just storing cars or items that you can no longer fit in your house. If you are hoping to use it as a home gym, for instance, be upfront about that with your contractor. The purpose of your garage space will determine its layout and what storage solutions are necessary. There won’t be any hang-ups on impractical features.
Builders Will Look into Zoning and Permits
There are specific regulations that govern what can be done with a residential property. Home builders in Texas should be highly knowledgeable about what laws impact you during a remodeling project. Once again, this goes back to a room’s purpose. Zoning laws may prohibit the conversion of your garage into a separate living space. By ignoring these laws, you could face the consequence of having to undo the work that has been done. Similarly, it is a problem if your garage remodel doesn’t meet quality standards. Permits are critical in this regard because they ensure that all work is in compliance with local building codes.
Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash
Safety Should Always be Considered
When regulatory requirements are met, your property is protected from future costly repairs. It is highly recommended not to tackle substantial garage remodeling on your own. While you are welcome to execute some DIY home improvements like painting or adding shelves, bigger projects are better left to the professionals. This includes anything dealing with structural and electrical changes. By getting the help of home builders in Texas, you eliminate the potential for hazards in your garage. There will be no improperly installed garage doors or exposed wires to worry about. This especially makes an impact on your peace of mind if you are using your garage as a playroom for your children.
If you live in Austin, Texas, you can get your residential permits through the City of Austin website.
Hire Professionals to Handle Plumbing
Let’s say you have decided to convert your garage into a guest room. You may find it beneficial for that guest room to come with its own bathroom. In this case, you would need to update the plumbing to include features like a toilet, sink, and even potentially a shower. Home builders in Texas understand that this is a big job. It requires a plumbing expert to run new pipes that connect with your house’s existing plumbing system. Because professional plumbers have the training and equipment to allow them to work safely with water and gas lines, they reduce the risk of accidents. A poorly installed plumbing system could cause damage to your property, so don’t take the risk of doing plumbing work yourself.
Comfort Equals Increased Usability
You want your garage to be comfortable. This is true whether it is being used in the traditional sense or as a more liveable space. For this reason, home builders in Texas recommend making greater room for storage. One way to achieve this is through the addition of trusses. These provide vertical space to install overhead storage systems, such as racks or shelves. They are designed to support a significant amount of weight so that larger items are easy to put away. Because storage trusses are customizable according to your needs, your builder can design them with various heights and spans to offer more versatility.
Deck Out the Garage with Decorative Details
During your garage remodeling, take it up another level by transforming it into a functional and stylish part of your house. Home builders in Texas can help make the space a major selling point by installing attractive cabinets, decorative windows, and appropriate lighting. But beyond that, you want to make your garage feel like an extension of your home with personalization. If your garage is being used as a workspace, that personal touch is going to improve your mood and make you more productive. So, choose furniture, wall art, area rugs, and low-maintenance plants that can really make the space your own.