Get matched with top pole barn builders in Riceville, IA

For a garage to count as living space—and towards your home’s total square footage—it needs to be attached to the rest of your home and have permanent finishings such as proper insulation, finished walls and ceilings, and adequate ventilation. It also needs to be livable at all times of the year, so it should be heated if it gets cold in the winter and cooled for hot summers.

Yes, a garage apartment is generally considered a valuable asset as long as the new structure has been legally built. It's important to weigh the cost to build a garage with an apartment against the cost to convert a garage to living space if you already have a garage.

Yes, you’ll need to get building permits from your local municipality to convert your garage to an ADU. You can get the work covered under a remodeling or general construction permit, which can include permission to run or extend utilities to the space to make it legal. If you also plan on renting the space, you’ll need to apply for a rental permit.

The smallest size a standard 2-car garage can be is 20 feet by 20 feet, so at these dimensions, you could reasonably expect to fit two cars inside. However, it’s going to be a tight fit, especially if you have larger SUVs or pickup trucks. For smaller cars, 20 x 20 should be plenty for parking and some space to maneuver around the cars. A larger garage size would be better to ensure you have room to open the doors and transport groceries or other items around the cars.