When people are looking to take on a home improvement project, many are concerned about their return on investment (ROI).Do you want to invest in new windows, a bathroom remodel, or a kitchen project? Which one will add the most value to your home? Believe it or not, according to a report by The Journal of Light Construction, getting a new garage door returns more value than any of those other projects.But that is not why I remodeled my garage.
In fact, when I did, I left the old garage door in place.What I discovered during my garage remodel project is that the ROI doesn’t really come from the potential increase in your home's value.Instead, it has completely transformed how I work on my cars, tackle DIY projects, and spend my free time.
The payoff is measured in hours saved, frustrations avoided, and projects that finally get finished.I dreaded doing routine maintenance tasks, like seasonal tire swaps, in my old garage.Working on a cracked, dirty, and cold floor isn’t something I enjoyed, so I opted for an epoxy floor during my garage remodel.
I find the epoxy floor is easier to clean than concrete, plus it gives the entire garage a finished appearance once I’m done with a project.And even though my dealer will swap tires for me, I have to make an appointment, drive over there, and fork over $250 to have them do the work.From intimidating to achievable A better workspace gives you the confidence to learn Close With my garage clean and organized, I am much more motivated to work on my cars at home and even tackle projects that are somewhat outside my comfort zone.
For example, I just got a quote from a dealership to replace the spark plugs on my 2024 Porsche Spyder RS.It was $2,000.For six spark plugs.
They are not solid gold.But this is sometimes the cost of having a car you enjoy driving, like a Porsche.This is an example of a job I would never have considered doing myself in my old garage, but now that my garage remodel is complete, I have the confidence to try.
A couple of the spark plugs will be difficult to reach but not impossible.It is absolutely a job that a shade tree mechanic can do on their own or with the help of a friend, which I have someone in mind to ask.All told, I spent about $10,000 remodeling my garage, but it won’t take too many $2,000 spark plug changes to pay for the entire thing.
But saving money is only part of the equation.Sure, the financial benefits will almost certainly continue to grow as every maintenance item I perform myself saves labor costs.Related 6 things to consider before an expensive car repair You don't have to be a master mechanic to advocate for your vehicle and your finances.
Posts By Carl Anthony The best return can't be measured in dollars Building memories, not just cars Close However, what I really take away from my garage remodel is that every project I learn to complete makes the next one easier.To me, the dollar savings is not where the real value comes from.It's measured in Saturdays spent working on cars instead of sitting in a dealership waiting room.
It's measured in the satisfaction that comes from completing a repair yourself.It's measured by the confidence that comes from learning a new skill rather than writing another check.Even if I never fully recover the cost of the garage remodel, I will still consider it a worthwhile investment.
On a warm summer night, if I am working on my car in the garage, I grab a cold beer from the minifridge and take a sip while I watch the Phillies game on the television.At that moment, I am not thinking about the money I spent to remodel my garage or even the money I can save by working on my cars myself.Instead, I am thinking about how fortunate I am to be able to do this and how proud I am of the garage (and how the heck did Aaron Nola just give up another home run?).
Related I drove a 500-horsepower Porsche Cayman, and it beat a GT4 RS where it matters I also got tired of being eaten alive by Corvettes at Watkins Glen! Posts 2 By Joe Kucinski The garage remodel pays dividends every single day Will the remodel add value when I eventually sell my home? Maybe.It’s entirely possible it will, especially if the next potential buyer is a gearhead.But I am not thinking about that now.
Instead, I’m enjoying that my wife now actually likes to spend time in the garage with me.She will sit out there and talk with me as I work on the cars.In the old garage before the remodel, she would rarely do that.
Now we can chat, share a few laughs, and make a couple of memories.For me, that's the real return on investment, not the number an appraiser might assign to my house.If you're a car enthusiast considering a garage remodel, don't ask how much value it will add to your home.
Ask how much value it will add to your life.I have a feeling the answer will surprise you.I have found that a garage remodel is more than a standard home renovation.
It is a hobby remodel, or at least it has been for me.At the end of the day, my garage remodel created a space that encourages me to learn, build, maintain, and enjoy my cars more fully.
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