My husband and I are considering buying a house, but it has a garage that was added later without an entrance from the house. There's a good location on the far end of the den for a door, though we don't plan to use this den as living space. We're worried about the cost, as we're already near our budget limit, and we also want to replace the old wooden garage doors with steel ones and add a motor. The house is made of brick, and we're likely going to hire a contractor for the demolition work. We're a bit unsure about any electrical wiring that might run through the wall, but since it's not near plumbing sources like kitchens or bathrooms, we doubt that will be an issue. We'd appreciate any advice you can offer!
4 Answers
This project shouldn’t be too complicated. If the garage wall has brick, you'll need to cut through that for the door frame. The good news is that it's an easy job for a contractor. You might encounter some electrical wiring, but that's usually manageable to reroute. Just be aware of any heating systems in your den since that might add complexity. You should also look into installing a fire-rated door, which is pretty standard and available at home improvement stores.
Adding a door definitely sounds like a smart way to enhance your home's value, especially for bad weather. I recommend consulting an architect to help design it; they might have insights that could prevent issues with your den layout.
This door addition appears manageable, though working with brick is the trickiest part. You’ll want to use a grinder with a diamond blade for cutting. Also, don’t forget to install a lintel above the door for support. Remember, building codes typically require that the garage floor be lower than your house floor to prevent exhaust gases from seeping into your living space.
I’d estimate the cost for this project to be between $2,000 and $5,000. That includes demo, framing the doorway, rerouting any electrical, and installing the new door, plus drywall repair and trim work. Prices can vary, but that’s a rough ballpark based on what I've seen discussed.