Garages are often unused or inefficiently used space. Frank Cueva, owner of Central Pacific Construction, says, “Remodeling the garage is a great solution to overcrowding.” The signs that your garage may be ready for a creative makeover include:
- Resisting going into the garage because it’s so crowded.
- You can’t find your kid’s bike that you stored in there when she went away to college.
- The car doesn’t fit anymore.
- Thinking about building a studio or shop in the backyard.
- Would like some extra income, other than from a garage sale.
With some thought and planning, a garage can be turned into many things, including a place to park the car. One simple solution is to add more square footage to the garage by adding a room. Depending on zoning requirements, you may be able to add a room on one side, behind, or even on top of the garage.
Garages tend to be overlooked resources for creatively adding space. We keep thinking in terms of cleaning it out so the cars will fit. Rethinking how the garage can be used as a solution to clutter, parking the cars, is a creative solution.
How could you use the extra space?
An extra room can serve as a home office, shop, studio, recreation room, or a dedicated storage shed. “A small apartment is also a consideration,” adds the best Paso Robles contractor.
- Storage
- Recreation, shop, or studio
- An apartment
Storage
The reason for creating storage space in the garage is to create some organization for things that need to be stored out there. Whether you add a storage room or designate a specific area, organization is the key. Shelves, cabinets, overhead racks, lighting, ventilation, electricity, and rodent-proofing are the keys to a well-organized space.
Other amenities include:
- An exterior entrance that is large enough to drive the riding mower through.
- A half-bath for convenience.
- Windows or a skylight for natural light.
- Finished and painted walls.
Recreation, shop, or studio
Adding a recreation room or space to the garage is an excellent way to get out of the house and have some fun, without the hassle of going somewhere. A room with sliding doors to the backyard or a patio creates a versatile entertainment space.
The same concept can be applied to remodeling for a shop or a studio, and creating a dedicates space for carpentry, art, and more.
Amenities can include:
- A Utility sink with hot & cold water (or a half-bath).
- A small kitchen for a recreation room.
- Custom-designed storage.
- Electricity and as much natural light as possible.
- Finished walls, painted in favorite colors.
An apartment
Restrictions on Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADUs) began lifting in California in 2017. By 2020, detached ADUs were allowed on most properties. The laws have been continually updated since then, making it faster and easier to gain approval.
A garage apartment is considered a Junior ADU (JADU), and minimally includes independent living, sleeping, and cooking facilities, as long as the tenant has access to a bathroom in the main home. A permit is required, and the JADU must meet local building and zoning codes.
If you are considering a JADU for the garage, Central Pacific Construction is rated one of the best contractors in Paso Robles for ADUs, residential, and commercial projects. The Central Pacific team has been serving California’s Central Coast since 1997 and has a thorough understanding of zoning regulations, along with strong professional relationships with every community’s building department.
Making room for the car
Don’t lose sight of an important reason for remodeling the garage—making room for the car, or both cars. Working with Central Pacific Construction is a smart choice in many ways:
- Serving Central Coast communities since 1997.
- Familiar with local zoning regulations and professional relationships with code inspectors.
- Almost three decades of residential and commercial experience, including rental properties, remodels, restaurants, retail, industrial, kitchens and bathrooms, and swimming pool construction.
- An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
- Excellent local references.
Call (805) 471-4749 today!
