5 Steps to Take When Adding a Second Floor to Your Garage

Looking into a home expansion project? Consider adding a second floor to your garage! There isn’t a homeowner around who isn’t at least a little desperate for some extra space. Maybe you’re looking for a playroom for the kids decked out with their favorite toys; perhaps you’re in the market for a classic man cave with a trampoline chair, a mini-fridge well-stocked with craft brews, and a lava lamp; or you’re just anxious for a little bit of storage so that you can finally de-clutter the linen closets and clean out the attic.

You shouldn’t have to move into a new house or throw out your favorite belongings just to get a modicum of additional multipurpose space, and thankfully, you don’t have to do so!

Add a second level to your garage!

No matter the look or feel of your garage expansion project, you’ll be thankful for this new annex and all the supplemental space it will provide.

• It’s easier, simpler, and more affordable than relocating altogether. No need to opt for a stressful, complex life change when a renovation can do the trick.
• You can actually add value to your home with this expansion, as future buyers will be impressed with the versatility.
• The new space doesn’t just have to be for you and your family. If you put some work into making it an independent living space, you can rent it out to guests and tourists through a third-party rental app or service. You can also use it as a guest house for loved ones in town that visit.

For even more information on the utility of a garage expansion, check out the 6 reasons to add a studio apartment on top of your existing garage.

Before you take your first steps toward executing this vision, make sure you read through these 5 tips that will take your garage expansion project to the next level.

Step 1 – Read the Rulebook

Though we all wish we could take the easy way out when it comes to personal home renovation projects, we are all subject to the jurisdiction of our local governments, legalese, and all. Make sure to call or email a representative of your township, borough, or district to confirm that you are following all of the necessary rules and regulations as you embark upon the expansion process.

These rules and regulations can include presenting the proper permits, observing the boundaries between you and your neighbors, and adhering to potential limits on height. Each township abides by a distinct set of rules, so it is worthwhile to confirm that you are operating within your rights as a homeowner under the jurisdiction of your township.

Here’s a helpful infographic for some more information, published in Michael McDermott's article on CRD Design Build:

Step 2 – Get into the Weeds

What is the median price point for houses in your neighborhood? How much can you expect to get out of the investment that you put in? Can you project the appreciative value of your home with and without this expansion?

When you’re ready to take on this project, you want to make sure that you’re consulting with the experts. Seek out professionals with industry expertise before taking any actionable steps so that you don’t get yourself in too deep without the proper supplemental knowledge.

Schedule an appointment with your bank’s credit specialist to hash out the details.

Questions for your credit specialist:

• Will the bank and the mortgage program permit this expenditure?
• What monthly or annual costs will this entail?
• How many years, if any, will it take for the property to appreciate in value?

Questions for yourself:

• How much time and effort are you willing to sink into the project? Will it spill into your work hours, or will it fit exclusively into your leisure hours?
• Will your neighborhood be amenable to your renovation, both in terms of logistics and general neighborhood value?
• Will the renovation require you to temporarily move to a hotel or a friend’s house, or can the construction occur without impacting your ability to live in your home?

As stated on Fixr.com, adding a second level above your garage can cost anywhere from $300-$500 per square foot.

Step 3 – Imagine the Possibilities

Now we’ve come to the fun part!

Try to imagine all of the things that you could do with this extra space. A room for you and your spouse to try out yoga or order equipment for a home gym? A meditation room to get a nice respite and enjoy some peace and quiet? A luxurious home theater to watch movies on a big screen and munch on popcorn?

With all the effort you’ll have put into this project, you want your room to serve as the multipurpose space of your dreams. Make sure that you design it to your exact specifications, for whatever purpose you choose. This is your opportunity to be creative!

Here are 5 notes to consider as you put pen to paper:

1. Will your garage be attached or detached from your house?

If your garage is attached to your house, you can consider whether or not you want a private entryway that is only accessible through your garage.

If your garage is detached from your house, your decision can be as simple as choosing between an indoor or an outdoor staircase. An outdoor staircase will be a great choice for a guest suite or an independent bedroom, as it can create the feeling of autonomy from the lower level. An indoor staircase will be perfect for a storage area or a home office, as it will feel inherently connected to the lower level of the garage.

2. How will you manage electricity, gas, and plumbing?

Suppose your new expansion will include a bathroom, a sink, or any other purchase that will necessitate a connection with the plumbing system of your house. In that case, you will have to schedule an appointment and consultation with a professional plumber to examine your existing plumbing and ventilation and assess if it is adequate as-is for your annex.

If you're going to be installing a setup requiring access to electricity, such as a TV room or a home improvement project studio, you should share these plans with your designer. They will confirm the efficacy of your electrical system, all within your pre-determined budget.

Whatever manner in which you will be utilizing your space, always consult with a professional before attempting any aspect of the renovation process.

3. How will your space grow and change?

If you have children, it is worthwhile to think about your space's longevity should they grow up and move out of the house. Will you still be able to use your multifunctional space if you have designed it as a playroom for children of a certain age?

Don't trap yourself into one specific function for your space if those who use it will only need it for a short time. If you can, give yourself the freedom to customize your room as it ages.

4. How will your space look to guests, passersby, and future buyers?

This is where the services of a designer will come in handy. While you might have strong ideas for the aesthetic design of your expansion, you want to make certain that it will appeal to future buyers. It should add value to your property over time. To ensure that this is the case, consult with a designer to create an exterior that will match your existing property perfectly and complement it with unique, eye-catching features that can class up the surface without breaking the bank.

5. How will your roof look?

The shape and size of the roof of your space will be crucial for both the exterior and interior design of the annex. On the exterior, you want the roof to be flanked by slopes, rooflines, and dormers to mitigate the potentially “boxy” appearance that can flatten the look of your property. As for the interior, a sloped roof can possibly limit the flexibility of your space, but it can also present new opportunities for creative setups. Speak with your designer to see what can be accommodated within the vertical room of your expansion.

Step 4 – Materialize Your Vision

Vision boards have caught on as a distinct trend in recent years, and for a good reason! The rise of Pinterest has turned a whole generation of otherwise design-minded homeowners into full-on amateur DIYers with refined senses. Take part in this trend by designing a virtual or physical vision board rich with images of your design possibilities and your favorite architectural features and accents. A professional can evaluate and help you bring to life.

Whether you have a preference for looks as specific as Scandinavian features, cottage décor, rustic charm, or aqua blue touches, you can drag and drop those ambiances into your vision board and collaborate with a designer to highlight them in your new space.

Refine your design sense by taking trips to your favorite local establishments with unique architecture or browsing through your favorite aspirational design websites, like Better Homes & Gardens’ 25 solutions for unusual spaces.

From the kitchen cabinets' handles to the polish of the chrome sink to the size of the plasma screen TV, each detail is worth weighing, and every addition is worth evaluating.

Step 5 – The Final Touch

Now that you’ve planned out the look, feel, and experiential value of your expansion project, it’s time to consider your garage door.

From the exterior view of your new expansion project, the garage door will be one of the most central features to the eyes of guests and passersby. This means that you should consider all of the possibilities and approaches to the redesign of your 4th wall. Whether this means a retooling of your door’s R-value, a reevaluation of its efficiency, or a new look with sleek windows and creative veneers, your garage and its entrance can draw the eye and improve the quality of the interior.

Ready for your garage door replacement?

Email or call your local garage door expert for information on how to jump-start the process. Our team of professionals will take on any and all projects with a unique dedication and commitment.

Ready to take your next steps?

Reach out to the team at Mclaughlin Roof Trusses Ltd., and we’ll get back to you with a quotation.

Call 506-375-4105 for consultations, quotes, and advice from a professional!

We would love to hear about all the details of your renovation and redesign projects.

Check out this user-friendly application!

Test out our Design Centre to see how your garage door would look with a variety of available designs by simply inputting a photo of your door. Browse our gallery for even more design possibilities.