Lots of homeowners with unfinished garages have started converting these spaces into things like home offices or gyms. Even if you aren’t interested in a full conversion, there are plenty of reasons why you should look into updating the unfinished walls and cement floor of your garage. Simply finishing your garage wall’s interior by adding drywall and paint can be enough to drastically change the space.
In this post, we’re going to give you reasons why you should finish your unfinished garage. We’ll also talk about costs and the added personal and financial value that comes from finishing your garage. Read on to find out more.
Why Do Builders Leave Garages Unfinished?
When garages were first built, they were simply meant to store cars, which are designed to face changing temperatures. Builders don’t finish garages because they simply don’t have to. Plus, people use their garages for a variety of different things, so builders prefer to leave it to the homeowner to finish their garage if they want to.
6 Reasons to Finish Your Unfinished Garage
Even though builders leave a garage unfinished, it doesn’t mean that you should do the same. Here are 6 great reasons to finish your unfinished garage:
- Your garage will look better.
- More energy efficiency.
- Increased resale value of your home.
- Improved airflow and overall cleanliness in your garage.
- Lower utility costs.
- Reinforced fire safety and structural strength.
Is it Worth Finishing the Garage?
To determine if it’s worth it to finish your garage, you need to see how much it’s going to cost you and what you’re looking for in refinishing your garage. If you’re interested in finishing your garage for the aesthetics and nothing else, go for it. The personal value it will give you will be well worth it.
If you’re only interested in finishing your garage to add value to your home, you should figure out how much it’s going to cost you and how much value it will add to your home. The added home value can vary depending on where you are and the other houses in your area.
How Much Value Will Finishing My Garage Add?
The personal value of finishing a garage will come in the form of a cleaner and more pleasant-looking space for you to use. Concretely, the added monetary value depends on where you live and what your neighbor’s homes are like. Generally, finishing a garage won’t add a specific number to your resale value. However, a finished garage could be the thing that sways home buyers from buying another house to buying yours.
How Much Does It Cost to Finish an Unfinished Garage?
The cost of finishing an unfinished garage can vary greatly depending on the materials you use and the size of your garage. Finishing with just drywall can cost anywhere from $150 if you do it yourself to upwards of $500 with a contractor. For paint and flooring, factor in another $300 to $800 for each. If you’re looking to replace your garage door, that can add another $500 to $2,700 depending on whether you choose a manual or automatic door.
Keeping Your Finished Garage Cool
If you do decide to finish your garage, the next thing you should look into is keeping it cool and maintaining airflow through the use of vents and fans. At Cool My Garage, we offer highly rated garage cooling fans, as well as garage insulation kits and ventilation systems. Check out our online shop today to find out more and make the most out of your garage.