"McQueen Construction was the type of company you are incredibly happy to do business with and support in the community. They are family owned and operated and take immense pride in their work. They go out of their way to make sure they understand what you want, make recommendations where they feel it makes sense to ensure you get what you want and are completely professional throughout the full process. I would highly recommend McQueen Construction to anyone looking for high quality, high levels of service and reasonable costs."
"Leo was very helpful and quick to respond. We’re happy with how our 2 bathrooms turned out. Project was completed within the time promised. Our only complaint is that the workers did not clean up very well. But overall, we’re satisfied and we’ll use them again."
"We had our deck rebuilt by The AI Construction, and we are extremely happy with the results. Angel and his team were friendly, hardworking, and kept the project moving from start to finish. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and the finished deck is sturdy, beautiful, and exactly what we wanted. If you’re looking for a reliable contractor for a deck project, I highly recommend Angel and his team!"
"I’ve worked with Mike and his team for years on all kinds of projects, and they’ve always been amazing to work with. The quality of their work is top-notch, they stay on budget, and everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Their design sense is excellent and they always manage to get things done right on time. I can’t recommend them enough, truly a reliable, talented, and easy-to-work-with crew."
"If you are looking for a knowledgeable, hardworking and trustworthy company, not to mention a kind, respectful, good communication and good person, Vitaliy owner of AVD Construction is who I highly recommend. Our project started as an owner build ADU garage conversion. We interviewed 3 subcontractors for each initial trade. Vitaliy was initially interviewed for framing, it was immediately evident that he was very knowledgeable about construction and codes. His pricing was fair and within other quotes, so we hired him. After a couple visits, and reviews of blueprints we discovered that Vitaliy was a general contractor. Since we were early on in our project, we would have him bid at each step, which we would choose him every time. As the project progressed Vitaliy would catch errors, by other trades and engineering. Most of these catches saved us time and money. There were times that he would fix some of these errors to help us out and save time. There is a specific example that comes to mind. Concrete sub had just poured their concrete, they took off the garage side door and our larger garage door wouldn't close. I was feeling very uneasy about having access to our garage and home from the street. Vitaliy pulled the door out of the pile of trash, cut it down to fit in opening, put hinges back on and wired garage door closed. I think he could see how happy and grateful I was, I remember saying "I think I'll be able to sleep tonight." Vitaliy said "treat other people's home like it's your own." That really stuck with me. Vitaliy made suggestions along the way, that made sense and often was overlooked by our novice eyes. He explained things, so that we could understand, he taught us so much. We are so grateful and lucky to have found him. We went on to hire AVD Contruction to frame, drywall, tape/mud walls, completely tile 2 bathrooms (floors and showers), Install 2 French doors, windows, all vents, stucco entire sides where new doors and windows were installed, plumb our kid's bathroom. Vitaliy was there for every inspection. Every job he took on, he and his workers were respectful, communicated each step of the way and they always treated our home like it was their own. If I had to do it again, I would have hired AVD Construction to do the whole project."
"Macc and his team did an excellent job on our deck installation project. Everything from helping us select the right materials, designing the layout, and completing the installation with quality and attention to detail. Everyone we interacted with was highly professional and left the work site clean. In addition to our decking project, Macc also subcontracted some really great concrete work for us which included a new driveway, front porch, and walkway, as well as some decorative stamped concrete in the backyard. This project went very smoothly and the end result met and exceeded all of our expectations. They also did some repairs to the exterior of our home/roof which included replacement of multiple facia boards at a reasonable price. Overall, we were very pleased with the quality of the work and the integrity and professionalism of Macc and his team, and we would hire them again for future projects. Highly recommended!"
"We are incredibly pleased with the ADU that United Services built at our home. Glenn and his entire team were professional and responsive from the planning stages through to the finished project. They coordinated the architectural design, building permits, and inspections, ensuring that everything proceeded smoothly. They built the ADU to perfectly match our house, using complementary exterior materials, roofing, flooring, and paint color palettes. The commitment and expertise that each team member and subcontractor applied to their work was greatly appreciated. We highly recommend United Services and would certainly hire them again for any future building projects."
"This company was very professional. Once they arrived the installation went very smoothly. We were very pleased with the result. We love the system that Don recommended. It did not disappoint. This company was available and truly helpful with any questions we had about our new system. The maintenance service they provide is on time and very efficient. One thing that was a standout for me was I did not know they had even been on my property. I have had other companies not clean up after themselves which was not the case with 2 plumbs up. I highly recommend this company."
Whether a garage or an extra room adds more value depends on several factors, including local market demand, location, and typical buyer preferences. Generally, added living space is highly desirable to most buyers, which can make an extra room more valuable than a traditional garage. The return on investment (ROI) often depends on the utility of the new space; for example, an additional bedroom is typically more valuable than a new living room, and converting a garage into a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom will likely add the most value. A well-designed extra room can also serve specific needs, such as a home office, guest room, or entertainment space. However, adding a garage may be more valuable in areas with limited street parking or harsh climates where protecting a vehicle is a priority.
For a garage to be included in a home's official square footage, it must qualify as livable space. This generally means it needs to be attached to the home and have permanent finishings like proper insulation, finished walls and ceilings, and adequate ventilation. To be considered livable year-round, it should also have heating and cooling. The specific legal requirements can vary by location, but if a garage is converted into a finished room meeting these criteria, it may be counted toward the total square footage.
There should not be any visible gaps between the garage door and frame. If the gap is big enough that you can either see daylight or feel a draft, this indicates a problem. Bring in a garage door professional to help you discover why the gap exists. A pro may also be able to offer suggestions for how to insulate a garage.
Wood, steel, fiberglass, and aluminum are among the top building materials for a garage. Wood is highly customizable, naturally insulative, and durable in mild climates but can be expensive. Steel is lightweight, low-maintenance, and cost-effective, but it’s susceptible to rust. Fiberglass is low-maintenance and doesn’t shrink or expand in changing temperatures, but it can become brittle and crack from prolonged high winds and sun exposure.
Unlike steel, aluminum isn’t susceptible to rust and is low-maintenance, but its ultra-light weight makes it less durable than some materials, and it’s susceptible to saltwater damage, making it a poor choice for coastal homes.
Costs depend on the size of the garage, material quality, and additional features like lighting or workbenches.
The Penryn, CA homeowners’ guide to garage services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Want to add value and living space to your home? Use this guide to figure out the cost to convert your garage into living space to see if it’s worth it.
For most homeowners, a garage needs to be big enough for more than parking a car. Use this guide to figure out the average garage size and how to build from there.
Weighing the options between an attached vs. detached garage? The choice is entirely personal, but we'll help you make the best decision for your property.
