Make Money From Turning Your Garage Into A Granny Flat
Published By Brittnay Sharer
Date: 04/20/2020
Guess what? You can! How you ask, a garage conversion. What is a garage conversion? It is the process of changing your one or two-car garage into a small space be it a man cave or apartment. Though the only way to make money off a garage conversion in Los Angeles is to make it into a small apartment.
Is it legal to do a granny flat from my garage?
In California, it is legal to do a garage conversion with the proper licenses and permits from your city building planner. With recent changes to the ADU laws, it is much easier to get approved and to get your permits for your garage conversion. The process is relatively simple and you, as the homeowner has little to do after picking a contractor and securing the permits for the work, and we can even assist you in that!
Click here to see our 2 bedroom ADU blueprints
You say relatively simple but really what does that mean?
I say simply because there is a process but for many of the steps you, the homeowner, are not doing any of the work because you have entrusted us to the project. Your part becomes more of a watching. And relatively because you will have to do some paperwork and make some decisions. Below I will outline some of the processes and things to expect to occur during a garage conversion.
What to expect when planning to convert your garage into a granny flat:
- Planning- This phase consists of you deciding to take on the project and selecting a company to work with.
- Layout and Design- At this step, you and the contractor you picked now will decide on how to proceed with your conversion. You will decide on the square footage, layout, and basic inside design. The contractor will make a blueprint so that the documents can be sent to the city planner to receive the necessary permits.
- Permit Phase- Once you submit your blueprint to the city planner, it can take up to 120 days to receive your approval depending on your city and how their process works. Once approval has been given and date and permit set you to move on to the big phase, construction!
- Construction Phase- This is the phase where it all comes together. Permits are approved and now your garage conversion can really begin. All the decisions you made, in the beginning, are now coming to life. This phase can take roughly 12 weeks though it can change depending on the amount of work, any issues that may arise, weather or like what we are unfortunately experiencing now-a dangerous virus. In this phase you have no work, just sitting back and watching and if you plan on renting out the conversion may be preparing for renters.
- Finished! Well, we made it, you made it. All the paperwork is done, and construction is finished, that empty garage you had is now a beautiful space, most likely an apartment. If you have decided to rent this might be the time that you have your renters move in, or maybe a family member that is looking to be closer. Whatever the use it is now completely yours!
A few things worth noting when deciding to rent your granny flat:
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Adding built-in items, like storage areas, a table or breakfast nook, bookshelves, not only make the space look nice but also provides more space.
- Using nicer materials, like wood flooring, marble or tiles, backsplash in the kitchen and bathroom area, and recessed lighting make it look a lot more costly than you will spend. And by doing it at the beginning rather than upgrading later will save you as you can bundle it in your construction.
- Add a nice closet to the bedroom area, everyone appreciates having a closet and your tenant will be thankful.
These things are often overlooked during the planning phase but need to be considered, not only are you saving time and money but having it all done at one time, rather than wait a year or two before upgrading it also makes the area much nicer and less like it was a garage. You can also rent it higher as you are providing a more upgraded unit with more privacy than if it was in a building.