Extra garage space is a luxury that many homeowners dream of! What does the process of building an extra garage bay look like and how much can you expect to pay?
There are many reasons to add on to your garage including to fit another car, to add storage space, or to create a workspace or gym. You can build it yourself or hire a professional. Depending on what you choose, adding a third bay to your existing two-car garage will usually cost between $10,000 and $30,000 to complete.
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Why Should You Expand Your Garage
There are many benefits that come with a garage expansion. Adding an extra bay to your garage will give you more space that can be used in a variety of ways.
Car storage isn’t the only reason that a garage expansion could be a good idea for you. An added bay will also give you valuable storage space. You can add shelving units to keep any stored items that are currently cluttering up your home.
The extra garage space could also be turned into a practical workspace. Add a workbench to store all of your tools and create a space dedicated to projects. Alternatively, you can keep your exercise equipment here to create your own home gym.
Finally, added garage space is a great investment to make in your property. While the space from the garage won’t be added to your home’s square footage when selling, it is very valuable nonetheless. The added garage space can add curb appeal and increase the value of your home to potential buyers.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional
Adding on to your garage is considered an advanced DIY project. If you have a lot of experience with similar building projects, then you might consider taking on the project by yourself.
Doing it by yourself without hiring a professional can end up saving you quite a bit of money. You can expect to pay a professional between $20,000 and $30,000. When you do the project yourself, you can potentially save around $10,000 of these building costs.
However, while you are saving money, it will of course cost you more time and effort. Professionals can finish the project in as short as a few days or up to 2 weeks.
By yourself, depending on how much time you have daily to dedicate to the work, it usually takes a bit longer. You can expect to spend around a month or longer on the project when working alone.
How to Prepare
Before adding an extra bay to your garage it is important to properly prepare for the project and take some things into consideration.
First you will need to check your local zoning codes and be sure your plans are compliant. This step is especially important if you are not hiring a professional for the project. Make sure you get any required permits and inspections throughout the process.
You will also need to decide how much space you want to add to your garage. The minimum space you will need to fit an extra car is about 160 square feet. However if you would like some more space you could make the bay a bit roomier, up to around 360 square feet.
Before beginning the build, you should draw up detailed plans including exact measurements. This will be done with your contractor or architect if you are hiring a professional.
If you are taking on the project by yourself, do not skip this step! Make careful measurements of your existing garage and your property lines to have an exact plan in place.
What is the Process & Price of Expanding Your Garage
The first step in building a new section for your garage will be to expand the foundation. For a cement foundation, the price can range between $5-$35 per square foot. The average is around $7, so for an added space between 160 and 360 square feet you can expect this step to cost you around $1,120-$2,520.
After the foundation is completed, it will be time to build the garage. The price here varies quite a bit depending on the materials you plan to use. This can include the beams for the frame, siding or brick to match your home, roofing, and drywall.
Your new garage bay will also need a new garage door. This will make it easier to access if you plan to use it for another car and will also increase the curb appeal of your home. Depending on the type of door you want, it can cost you between $500-$1,500 on average.
Depending on the layout, you might also need to expand your driveway to allow access to the new garage bay. Adding on to your driveway can cost around $3-$12 per square foot. The price can vary a lot depending on how long your driveway is and if any other excavation is necessary. In total, you can expect to pay between $500-$2,500.
Final Thoughts
Adding another bay to your garage can cost you anywhere between $10,000-$30,000 and can be done by yourself or a professional depending on your skill level.
While it costs quite a bit of money, the process is usually only a few weeks at most and can add a lot of value to your home.
