Fully Furnished Garages?

Question

I've seen garages fully furnished with paintings, couch, and a mini kitchen and flowers just like a living room. I'm talking about lavish, though, not cheesy.
My Q is is this safe--meaning do rats, or spiders come in a garage still even though the walls are painted, the roof is covered, and all that? Just wondering because isn't a garage still a garage? Your thoughts, please.

Also do you have a fully furnished garage with someone living in it?

Answer 1

Having a fully furnished garage is almost as safe and reasonable as any other part of your home. If you take the proper steps to obtain permits, do the work in a quality way...it's not much different than, say, a bedroom in your house. The structure of a garage is typically built with the same safety codes as the rest of the home. So, really, you're simply finishing an unfinished room.

I can't stress enough though that you should get permits...especially if you plan to have someone live in it or want to rent it out.

Oh....one other note...make sure to properly insulate the area before sheet rocking as well because once you put up the walls, there's not turning back.

Good Luck!
The Coach

Answer 2

Your question is easily answered yes, but only if done right. There is no reason why a garage couldn't be converted into a room, unless of course code prohibits this. Do you live in a sub division with any covenants and restrictions? If so, your home owners' association may also restrict this. Will this be a permanent change? You will need to hire a general contractor. If you clean thoroughly prior to the remodel, and plug up any holes (especially aroung the garage door, the garage is at no higher risk of rodent/insect invasion as any other room, unless they are already in the garage. Additionally, I live in Florida, where no room goes without air conditioning. Without air conditioning, I would run a high risk of mold problems. This is a major health concern. You do not want any water coming into the garage. Typically, garage floors are lower than your house floor. If you live in a flood zone, this room could be the first to flood. If you do not hire a contractor, and let's say a fire occurs due to faulty workmanship, your insurance company may not reimburse you. I am just a home owner, not a contractor. Consult a contractor!

Answer 3

You must be thinking about a "garage apartment"... as in an apartment above a garage.
Retrofitting a garage is kind of expensive... it has to be sealed off, insulated and drywalled to become a living space... otherwise you are going to be dealing with roaches, spiders and mice crawling all over you at night.