I recently consulted with a contractor who provided quotes for a garage conversion and for building a one-bedroom, one-bathroom accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on top of my garage. He quoted me $60k for the garage conversion and $80k for the ADU, saying it could go up to a maximum of $100k, which includes a kitchen and washer/dryer hookups. I was caught off guard by these numbers as I expected the costs to be much higher, especially since my garage is fairly old. Has anyone else gone through a similar project? What were your costs like? I'm considering whether to convert the garage or build on top. I'm also planning to have a family member live there, which brings up the question of whether this is a smart investment compared to putting down that money for a condo in expensive San Diego.
3 Answers
Those prices seem low to me considering you live in a high-cost area. Just to give you perspective, my own quotes for a similar project in Minnesota started at over $200k for something very basic without any finishes included. I recommend getting more quotes to see if those prices hold up.
This isn't a simple project. You really need to dig into the specifics of what you're getting for those quotes. Every detail matters, and if you sign a contract without fully understanding what you're agreeing to, it could lead to serious issues later on. Be bold and ask all the necessary questions, even the obvious ones; it's your money on the line!
Honestly, before you make a decision, I'd suggest getting at least two more quotes. Since no one else has seen the specifics of your project, it's hard for us to judge the accuracy of those numbers. Factors like the level of work, materials, and logistics can significantly change costs. It's like asking how a cookie tastes without actually tasting it! Get more opinions to get a broader picture.
Wow, I was surprised too! That's why I wanted to gauge a better range.