How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Garage?

Although many people use it as the catch-all of the house, the garage offers valuable storage and potential living space that can often be more effectively used with a remodel. Some people remodel the garage to turn it into an extra bedroom or living space, while others remodel it to make it more functional as a storage and workspace. Total cost depends on the size of the garage, age of the house, and the remodel purpose, but you can plan to spend an average of $6500 for a garage remodel with a common 600 square foot garage into a more functional space. Although it is possible to remodel a garage yourself, especially for smaller projects, hiring a professional contractor is always recommended.

Cost Breakdown

• Materials: The needed materials obviously depend on the nature of the work, but most projects will include:
  • Drywall ¹, which typically runs $1-$2 per square foot.
  • Uneven, scratched or cracked flooring can typically be leveled with about $500 of material, plus around $750 for a polyurethane coat.
  • Adding a crawl space or storage space above the garage will typically cost around $2 per square foot.
  • Rewiring the garage averages $3-$5 per square foot.
  • Paint will cost $30-$50 per gallon, depending on the brand and quality.
• Labor:
  • For flooring improvement and any structural reinforcements with the walls or ceiling, you'll need a carpenter, which averages $70 an hour.
  • Re-wiring and electrical issues will obviously require an electrician, who average $65-$85 per hour and can take a few days up to a week depending on the garage’s electrical issues.
  • Painting the finished room will run you $20-$35 per hour, but a small space should only require half a day of painting or less.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

• If you plan to add a new garage door, plan to spend another $500-$800 per single door and $200-$425 for a garage door opener.
• Although not all garages need the upgrade, adding insulation to the walls will cost you $0.75-$0.95 per square foot.
• Adding or updating cabinets and shelving can have a big impact on the space, and the cost can vary greatly. If you build your own cabinetry, plan to spend around $500 on materials. You can purchase installed cabinets at a variety of price points, ranging from $500 to $1800 depending on the size, quality, and materials.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Drywall: Type of plasterboard, commonly used to build walls and ceilings, composed of gypsum that is layered between sheets of heavy paper