Have
you been priced out of the crazy Los Angeles real estate market, but you crave
more space? Have you been planning your future and thinking you need an income
property or a granny flat for your aging parents? These are some of the issue’s
homeowners are dealing with these days,
BUT THERE IS GOOD NEWS
The
city of Los Angeles has recently relaxed the laws and regulations around
building ADUs.
An ADU is an accessory dwelling unit or additional dwelling unit built on your
property. The official names for granny flats, garage conversions, or home
additions separate from the main dwelling.
Whether
you want more space for your family or starting a business from home, one of
the easiest and most cost-efficient ways to do that is with a garage
conversion.
HERE ARE SOME GREAT
GARAGE CONVERSION IDEAS FOR YOUR LOS ANGELES PROPERTY.
● Convert your garage into a
dual-purpose pool house and guest house. This way, you will have an extra
bathroom and kitchen out by the pool and also a place for your weekend guests
away from the house. Great for when the kids come home from college. It will
keep your peace and sanity. It can become a rental or granny flat as your needs
shift. Well worth the investment.● Convert your garage into your
ultimate office space. Whether you’ve decided you are never going back to an
office again or it’s time to start your own business, make your vision a
reality with this cost-effective solution. In your retirement years, you can
repurpose it as your writer’s studio or for your artistic projects.
● Convert your garage into a home
theatre and family room. If you can’t imagine going back to your local movie
theatre, create your own. A big screen, surround sound, comfy reclining chairs,
and your own private stocked concession stand complete with a popcorn maker.
●
Some of the best garage conversion ideas I have seen are
adding creative living space to the overall home by taking down the garage and
building a two-story addition in its place. Some include an apartment and
additional living space or a soaring two-story open plan kitchen. If you can
dream it, your garage conversion
contractor in LA can build it.
You
will want to discuss your garage conversion ideas with a local architect who
can draw the plans for you and submit them to the city building department. It
is essential to get everything permitted for your safety and the future sale of
your property.
If
your garage conversion ideas include building an addition to your garage, there
are a few more things to consider. A single-story addition to the garage or a
second story built over the garage will require meeting different city
requirements. If the expansion is over 500 square feet, you may be required to
meet the low-impact development requirements. Your architect and your city
building department will be able to guide you.
While
waiting for the permits to come through, take your garage conversion ideas and
interview several Los Angeles general contractors. You want to hire someone
local. Make sure they are licensed and that they are active on the state
licensing board’s website. Make sure that they have up-to-date active insurance
and experience building ADUs in your community. This way, they are familiar
with all the regulations for your town. You can also check their online reviews
and ask for references.
Now
that your garage conversion ideas have been converted into your designer’s plan
and you have hired your licensed Los Angeles general contractor, it is time to
focus on the renovation details.
Before
your L.A. contractor can give you a final bid, you will need to make decisions
about electrical, lighting, plumbing, HVAC. These items are not part of the
plan submitted to the city building department.
FOR EXAMPLE:
● Your electrical needs- Where do you
want the light switches, outlets, and lighting fixtures? How many in total?
Where will the electrical panel be located, and what are your needs?
● Your plumbing needs- What type of
hot water heater? Are you going with the new tankless design, and will it be
gas or electric?
●
Your HVAC needs- do you want a whole HVAC system, or do you
want a small ‘ductless’ unit? The ductless unit will be less expensive but
cover a smaller area,
In
your original garage conversion ideas, I’m sure you included all the bells and
whistles, but then there is the reality of the budget. Here are some examples
of areas where you can decide that you want to invest or go for savings.
● How much do you want to invest in a
new driveway and landscaping?
● Will you invest extra for vaulted
ceilings?
● Is it critical to level a sloping
garage floor?
● Do you need to paint the exterior of
your garage conversion?
● Do you want to spend it on a bathtub
or just a shower?
●
Will your kitchen include prefab cabinets or custom?
Sometimes
you must decide to spend on issues that will not add visible value but are
essential structural items. For example, do you need a new roof, or do you
wait? Some things can’t be put off, like repairing termite damage or water
damage. Pay now or pay later? What are the best options?
The
more you can plan, the fewer surprises there will be for the budget and the
project timeline.
Consider
Structura Remodeling, the top Los Angeles Home Renovation Company. With more
than sixteen years of experience serving the Los Angeles Community. The Design
Team at Structura offers a free in-home budgeting and design consultation.
Their clients love their attention to detail, excellent artistry, and
professionalism. They deliver on time, on budget—great pricing, “0%” interest,
and “0” down.
