How to Achieve a Functional Garage Makeover in Medford

Today’s featured project doesn’t involve creating a spa-like bathroom or gourmet kitchen. Instead, we’re focusing on one of the most underused areas of the family home: the garage. For most families, a garage provides covered parking and a place to store things like off-season holiday decorations or sports equipment.

However, as the family vehicle takes up most of the available floor space, the storage is limited to shelving or cabinets along the exterior walls.

Since this arrangement wasn’t serving the storage needs of this Medford homeowner, they contacted Bay State Remodeling for a free design consultation to achieve a functional garage makeover. After visiting the family home and considering several different factors, including.

• Existing garage construction
• Lot size
• Property lines
• Utility connections
• Storage needs for the family
• Construction schedule
• Budget

We determined that the existing concrete slab wouldn’t allow us to raise the roof and extend the walls to create a second floor on top of the existing structure. So, the best solution for this Medford family was to build a brand-new two-story garage.

You can find the project gallery here.

New Two-Story Garage in Medford, MA

The plans below show all the project details, which are minimal since the new wide open attic space will be used mainly for storage. There are no plumbing or HVAC connections, only a staircase, a few switches, plugs, and basic lighting.

The new garage provides 690 square feet of parking and storage, with the staircase tucked neatly into a corner. The exterior walls use 2×6 wood stud framing and R-25 insulation, while the floor and roof joists use 2×10 SPF-2 (Spruce-Pine-Fir with a #2 grade) and R-60 roof insulation.

Under the James Hardie Siding 6.25X12 CM; Color Navajo Beige, we installed ZIP System sheathing for superior moisture and draft protection. The new windows are double-hung Low-E7-N Argon units with colonial grilles. For roofing, the homeowner opted for Charcoal GAF Timberline HD Shingles.

As the homeowner’s needs change, the second-floor storage could easily be transformed into an office, an art studio, or a home gym. Now let’s look at the new construction process from start to finish.

Building a Two-Story Garage

The existing concrete slab and footer system weren’t designed or built to accommodate the weight of a new second story. So, we built a new reinforced concrete foundation rated at 3500 PSI.

After removing the old garage, we used foundation forms to create 48” deep retaining walls to support the new Medford garage.

Threaded rod anchors were installed into the wet concrete, which will mechanically connect the new framing to the new foundation.

With the concrete cured and the backfill material in place, we install the vapor barrier and reinforced steel mesh required by the building code.

This photo shows the new concrete slab being poured and finished. As you can see, only about 12” of the 48” high retaining walls are visible now.

Framing the new walls for the first and second floors.

With the walls and roof in place, it’s time to install the doors, windows, and exterior finishes.

The second-floor interior walls and ceiling are now finished and painted. The laminate flooring provides an economical but durable solution for the ample storage space, while the white baseboard adds some interest and contrast.

Here is some helpful information if you’re considering a renovation or remodeling project for your family home.

Why Choose Bay State Remodeling for Your Garage Renovation Needs

With over 15 years of successful remodeling projects, our attention to detail has won us numerous awards and accolades from industry leaders like Houzz, Angi, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

When you partner with Bay State Remodeling, you don’t need to hire an architect, engineer, or designer for your home remodeling project. Unlike other general contractors in the Medford area, we have an in-house design team that reduces project costs and timelines for our customers.

Why Investing in a Garage Makeover is a Wise Home Improvement

While the short-term goal for this homeowner was to add more storage space, a garage makeover could create the additional living space needed for:

• Guest bedrooms
• Home office
• Dedicated craft or hobby space
• Multi-Generational family lifestyle
• Gym/Exercise/Yoga activities
• Media room
• Music room
• Game room
• Library or Den
• Dedicated playroom for kids and their toys

Building an addition or a house will run between $200 and $400 per square foot, depending on the location, project size, and finishes. According to Redfin, this is a bargain compared to the median cost of homes around the Greater Boston Area, which ranges from $639 to $732 per square foot. Almost any home remodeling project, such as a gourmet kitchen, a luxury bathroom, or a garage makeover, can dramatically increase a home’s value and curb appeal.

Tips for Planning a Successful Garage Makeover Project

The first step is to create a list of what you love and hate about your current garage layout and design. Here are the most common issues.

• Storage
• Accessibility
• Lighting
• Windows
• Security

Next, create a must-have list of features and finishes for the garage makeover, based on how you plan to use the garage after the remodel is complete. For example, this project aimed to increase storage, so we built a new garage with a wide-open second floor.

Third, a firm budget and timeline for the project must be established, and this information must be shared with the contractor to help them prepare their project quotes.

You should also review their customer testimonials to see how the company has worked with other local homeowners like you.

If you’re considering a garage renovation, please visit our completed projects gallery for fresh ideas or inspiration. The Bay State Remodeling team is ready to help if you have questions about the design or remodeling process. Call us at 617-340-6418 or send us an email to start the conversation.