Did you know that almost 1 in 4 Americans say that their garage is too cluttered for them to park their car?

If your garage is fast becoming a storage unit/junk deposit zone, you're not alone. Most houses don't come with either a storage room or a shop area. This is why garages can quickly become makeshift spaces for storing things like tools and outdoor furniture.

Fortunately, with a little garage remodeling, you can change all of that. 

By undertaking a garage buildout, you can transform your garage space into an area that's highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.

However, remodeling projects can easily go south, eating unforeseen amounts of time and money. 

 

To avoid this, keep reading and find out everything you need to know to start your garage remodeling process like a pro. 

Determine What Your Needs Are

The very first step when carrying out a garage renovation is determining what your needs are. 

Most homeowners need one or more of the following things:

• More functional storage
• A shop area
• A mudroom-like area where kids can divest of dirty sports gear and store their items
• A more aesthetically pleasing space

These are some of the most common needs people have for a garage buildout. However, you might want to go a step further and incorporate extra uses into your garage area. For instance, maybe you want to plan in a crafting or sewing area, or a place for recording video, podcasts, or music?

Besides making your garage more functional, you might also need to make it more structurally sound. 

If your home is a relatively new build, then you probably won't have to start replacing doors, garage windows or even garage doors. However, if you're living in an older home, then you might need to have some renovation done on the doors, floor, ceiling, walls, or windows. 

Evaluate Your Space

Next up, start evaluating your space. One of the most important parts of garage remodeling is planning out your finished garage to a tee. 

Once you know what your needs are, inspect your garage and start planning out where different elements can go. For instance, if your garage has some additional space at the back, this might be where you'll be best off erecting a built-in storage unit. 

Or maybe you have a big window on one side that would cast great natural light on a worktop? Analyze your space and try to envision where different elements should go. 

Start Considering Storage Solutions

Whether you're starting off with a blank slate, or have some existing old storage cupboards to deal with—it can be very helpful to window shop storage and garage organization solutions. 

If you hire a contractor, they will probably have a number of helpful suggestions and solutions for you. However, getting an idea of what you want from the outset can simplify things for both you and your contractor. 

For instance, do you want a peg wall for tool storage? If so, jot this idea down on your list of needs. From here, your contractor can then suggest a variety of peg wall material options (such as wood, steel, etc) and colors. 

On the other hand, maybe you hate the look of pegboard? Maybe you want everything entirely concealed? Or perhaps you want open shelving that holds easily accessible lug boxes?

Hashing out these design details ahead of time can save a lot of back and forth when the day comes to get started on your garage transformation. 

Research Garage Design Inspo

Besides thinking about the different types of storage options you want, it's also a good idea to research some garage design inspo. 

One of the big reasons why so many homeowners desperately want garage remodeling done is because their garages look a mess. Not only can't they find anything, but they hate looking at their stuff sprawled out. 

Instead, they want to achieve a sleek, modern, clean, and tidy garage renovation. 

However, besides just wanting things looking slick and neat, you probably also have some personal tastes and preferences when it comes to the final aesthetic of your garage. 

For instance, while some peoples' hearts might skip a beat at the idea of bright red built-ins and a black-and-white checkered floor—maybe you'd rather opt for navy cabinets and a cool-toned gray floor color? 

To get a good idea of what you want, start by exploring garage remodel ideas on sites like Pinterest. From here you can even create a mood board that you can share with your contractor to get them on the same page. 

Find a Reliable Garage Remodeling Contractor

Once you have fleshed out what you want your finished garage to look like, it's time to find a reliable contractor to carry out your garage remodeling project. 

Although you can opt to DIY the project, this isn't always advisable. Unless you are a skilled carpenter and are adept at installing cabinetry, then carrying out your own garage renovation might be more headache than it's worth. 

According to survey results, 63% of people regret doing at least one of their DIY home improvement projects. What's more, an average of 33% of respondents had to call in a professional in the end. 

To find a reliable contractor, start by looking at online reviews and asking friends and family for recommendations.

Get Planning Permission

Once you've found a contractor you can trust to get the job done, the next step in completing garage remodeling is to gain planning permission.

Take note that some contractors will do most of the legwork for you, so make sure you check with your remodeler first as to what tasks you'll have to carry out around permits. 

Empty Out the Space

Last but not least, once you've organized all the details for your garage renovation, it's time to clear out the space. 

Once again, you might find that your contractor is willing to help with this part. However, clearing out your garage of your belongings can save you money, and it can also be a good opportunity to go through the items and donate or sell what you don't need. 

Are You About to Undertake Garage Remodeling?

Are you thinking about starting a garage remodeling project? If so, take some time to evaluate your specific needs and get ideas and inspiration. 

Once you know what you need it's time to find a reputable contractor. 

Are you located in Brevard County, FL? If so, we are here to help with your garage transformation! Simply contact us, to get a FREE QUOTE tell us your needs, we'll help you formulate the perfect design for your budget.