How Much Does It Cost To Add A Kitchen To Your Garage?

As housing prices continue to rise, so does homeowners' desire to take advantage of every last square foot, which is why experts can build quite the case for adding an accessory dwelling unit to your backyard. But if your lot doesn't have the room for an extra casita or mother-in-law apartment, there's another spot you could park those additional living quarters. "With the recent push toward creating more affordable housing," Daniel Shurinov, founding principal of architecture and design firm Bureau Namas, explained in an exclusive interview with House Digest, "many homeowners are considering converting an existing garage into an ADU or independent living space that can provide rental income or accommodate family members."

Admittedly, converting a garage into an apartment is quite the sizable undertaking, with one key part requiring quite a bit of dough. "One of the most significant expenses in these conversions is adding a kitchen," noted Shurinov, "which is required for a fully independent dwelling unit." Even if you're not looking to create a whole apartment, but rather just adding square footage to your living space, whipping up a cook space doesn't come cheap. "Depending on the size, finishes, and complexity of the work," said Shurinov, "homeowners can expect to spend roughly $30,000 on the low end and $40,000 to $50,000 or more on the high end for a complete kitchen installation."

Cooking up an entire kitchen from scratch doesn't come cheap. Ultimately, the budget will depend largely on the sort of ingredients that you choose. "Cabinetry and appliances are typically the largest expenses, particularly when homeowners opt for custom millwork or premium brands," Shurinov explained. In other words, expect to pay up for features such as hand-crafted rift-sawn white oak cabinets or a top-of-the-line Viking range.

Even if you don't opt for the sort of kitchen upgrades that are worth their lofty price tag, you can expect to shell out for some essentials. Having a fully functioning kitchen means figuring out the utilities necessary for a sink, several major appliances, and, potentially, a dishwasher. "Plumbing can also become surprisingly costly, especially when a new drain line must be installed beneath the existing garage slab to accommodate the kitchen sink," detailed Shurinov. "Electrical upgrades and permit requirements can further increase the overall cost." Bottom line, the cost can vary widely depending on the scope of the project and your taste in decor. Shurinov said, "Ultimately, the complexity of the existing structure and the desired level of finishes determine where the budget lands."

Converting a garage into a kitchen with appliances, plumbing, and cabinetry is a complex recipe. So, this is one project when even the most experienced DIY-types might want to outsource to an expert. "Adding a kitchen to a garage involves plumbing, electrical work, cabinetry, and multiple code and permitting requirements that require careful coordination," Shurinov explained.

And while he understands the temptation to try to save cash by tackling parts of the project yourself, "The potential cost of mistakes and delays often outweighs any savings," said Shurinov. "Working with experienced professionals from the outset typically results in a smoother process and a better long-term investment." That's not to say you won't be taking on some key tasks. In fact, Shurinov stressed the importance of doing your homework and figuring out exactly how you'd like the space to look and function before any demolition begins.

"One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is beginning construction without fully developing the design and understanding the cost implications of every finish and fixture," he explained. "Too often, decisions made during construction result in change orders, delays, and unexpected expenses." Which is why he believes it's important to do the prep work with the help of an architect and designer. As Shurinov put it, "A thoughtful design process that coordinates cabinetry, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, and finishes before construction begins provides much greater cost certainty."