Moving your remote work from the kitchen table to a dedicated home office can do wonders for your productivity. Unfortunately, many of us don’t have a spare room that we can turn into an office. What many people do have, however, is a garage filled with stuff that rarely gets used. Consider getting more use out of this space by turning your garage into a functional home office! Yes, you might have to get rid of some things or rent a storage unit, but you won’t regret it. Here are some tips to consider as you plan your dream office.
Estimate Your Conversion Costs
The first thing you need to do is establish a garage conversion budget. The last thing you want is to run out of money when your garage is half-finished! Need to build a garage? Some websites can help you estimate the cost to build a detached garage based on how big you want it to be. When it comes to internal improvements, your costs will depend on a number of factors, including how you intend to heat and cool the space. According to Happy DIY Home, it will cost between $10,000 to $20,000 to turn your garage into an insulated and fully finished home office.
Keep Track of Home Improvements
Converting a garage into a home office can add value to your home. Just make sure you record your improvements so you can quantify your home’s increase in value. If you know you’re going to sell your home eventually, make sure potential buyers will appreciate your garage improvements. Keep in mind that buyers in your market might want a garage they can park their cars in, particularly if all the other homes in your neighborhood have garages.
Consider the Legal Implications of Running a Home Business
Before you launch your home business in the garage, make sure you’ve covered all your legal bases. You might need to obtain certain permits and licenses before you can operate legally. This is also a good time to register your business and establish a legal entity. Structuring as an LLC works well for most home-based businesses. While operating as a sole proprietorship may be a bit cheaper, an LLC will protect you from personal liability so you won’t be on the hook for business-related debts or lawsuits. How do you start an LLC? With the help of an online formation service, filing your LLC formation paperwork is easy!
Invest in Lighting and Temperature Control
An unfinished garage is often dark and poorly insulated. If you don’t invest in upgrades to make the room more comfortable, you’ll have a hard time staying focused on your work. Natural lighting will go a long way. If it fits in your budget, consider adding some double-pane windows to your garage door. Heating and cooling your garage can get expensive. Budget Dumpster recommends installing better insulation and adding radiant floor heating to improve efficiency.
Tackle Your Tech Needs
Make sure your home office has all the tech you need to work productively. If you need to keep running into your house to print documents or download large files, you’ll never get anything done. You may have to add a few extra outlets to your garage when you’re finishing the walls. Be sure to check the internet speed in your garage as well. If you need faster internet for your work, consider running an ethernet cable through your home or installing a Wi-Fi range extender in the garage.
With a little renovation work and creativity, a garage can make an excellent home office. And on those beautiful days when you’d rather be outside, you can just roll up the garage door to let in the sunshine and fresh air! Get started on your garage office plans today!
Are you thinking about building a detached garage? Garage Cost Calculator can help you estimate the cost to build a freestanding garage on your property, as well as some tips to help you plan your project and save money. Check it out!