Tell us about your project
What makes garage conversions more complex than they look
Garages are built as unconditioned, uninsulated spaces. Making one genuinely livable — not just technically enclosed — requires addressing the thermal envelope, floor level, heating and cooling, and often the garage door opening. Each of these has cost and permit implications.
California ADU rules changed everything
California's 2020 ADU law (and subsequent updates) prohibits local agencies from denying compliant ADU applications and has dramatically simplified garage conversion approvals. If you are in California, you likely have more rights than you realise. A permit is still required, but the process is faster and local opposition has been largely removed.
The garage door opening
How you handle the former garage door opening significantly affects cost and appearance. Options range from a simple framed wall with a window (cheapest) to a custom architectural glass panel system (most expensive). The choice also affects how much natural light the new space receives.
Floor level and insulation
Garage floors are designed to drain — they slope and sit on an uninsulated concrete slab. For a comfortable living space, the floor typically needs a sleeper system, insulation, and a finished floor on top, which reduces ceiling height by 3–6 inches. In garages with marginal ceiling height, this matters.