Basement Bedrooms or Garage Conversion?

Updated on September 10, 2010
C.M. asks from New Baden, IL
6 answers

I'm looking to the future (say in 2-3 years) and if the market stays the way it is, we'll have to add on more bedrooms instead of selling/buying another house. That being said, I've started looking into the cheapest options for adding on another bedroom or two. Ideally we'd just add on to the back of the house, however, if that is not in our budget, I am considering either putting 1-2 bedrooms in the basement or converting our 1 car garage into a large bedroom/playroom. Have any of you done this? I'd think remodeling our garage would be the cheapest because we'll need egress windows added in if we put bedrooms into the basement. I talked with a friend and he thinks each one could be done for about 5K (not adding in egress windows). I realize losing a garage is not the best option for resale, but we do have a detached 2.5 car garage/barn that we would use as a garage. If we do the renovation, we'd be sticking around for a long time so we may even add on another garage in the future. I just wanted to get opinions on which one you would do (kids will be ages 3/5 and potentially another baby on the way) when this happens. I'm hesitant to put two toddlers in the basement, but then also hesitant to get rid of our garage. Thoughts?

Right now we have two bedrooms - our master bedroom with a walk in closet and bathroom and our kids' room (they share it) but it's super small - like 10x10. Ideally I'd like to add on two more bedrooms so they could each have their own room and use the small room as a baby room and then possibly have the kids (if we have 3-4) share rooms.

Alittle more I should add - we live out in the country so not even sure there are a bunch of codes/zoning/type issues?! Also, the houses close to us are very different. There are a lot ranch brick houses like ours but then there are the traditional older farm houses and then again there are new construction.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Columbus on

We put a master suite in our basement a few years ago. We hired a company to do the egress window (not the contractor) and it was only about 2500. Once that was done, we re did our water proofing system, the basement was dry, but we were not going to spend the money if it might flood, that was 6000. Then, for 15,000, we put in the bedroom and bath. We were able to keep our garage and have a new bedroom. It was the best option for us, we kept our garage, and gained the bedroom. Doing some of the work by being your own contractor (hire the egress window, plumber, electrician, etc) and not letting the contractor take the mark up on those kinds of services will really save you money. Get all the permits and inspections, that way you can raise your property value.

M.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.F.

answers from New York on

I'm just a huge proponent of planning. Talk to a real estate agent in your area to find out what homes are in your area are like. How many bedrooms does the average home have? What are some of the more typical floor plans and layouts? You don't ever really want to do something to your house that will make it grander than the neighborhood. Doing that may make it difficult to sell when the times comes to sell it.

Talk to an architect and builder about the costs of having an addition but on your home. Then figure out how you will finance this dream of yours. Find out from your town zoning board or commission if you can build out on your current home or if you will need a variance to do so.

In the meantime and between time, converting a garage into a playroom is a fairly simple proposition but a garage can be a very cold place in the winter and hot in the summer. Converting a basement is feesible but you definitely want windows and a second way of escape and use materials that are floor friendly if possible. Basements flood, even the driest ones.

Personally I prefer the children to be on the same level as me or even higher up. The kids will be 3/5 but they will also become 13/15 and do you want them to have their own basement suite while you and hubby are on another floor?

Long story short, I would probably convert the basement and the garage. I'm all for more living space for the short term but plan and save for the future with the addition onto the house if possible. Dare to dream and make dreams reality. Don't doubt what you can do even in "this" market.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I would suggest checking w/ a real estate agent on this one. In my experience, even a 1 car garage would yield more money than not having one. I would suggest adding the bedrooms in the basement.

L.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

How many bedrooms do you have now? And you're looking to have rooms for you and hubby, and possibly 3 kids, so 4 bedrooms total?

Without more details, I'd probably go with the garage renovation, if it is big enough to allow you the space to convert it to what you'd need it for. It's on the same level and you have another space to use as a garage.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Something you may want to consider also - if you converted the basement, would your kids be willing to sleep there by themselves? I have two 8 year old boys. They go to our basement to play, but would never stay down there at night by themselves....at least not yet.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions