Call the right pro to light up your space
Your garage is more than just a place to store your vehicles—it can also be a workshop, gym, or home office. But like any living space, your garage needs electricity. So, who do you call to install power in your garage? Learn why a local garage remodeler is your best bet for this project.
Professional garage remodelers have the experience necessary to turn a barebones car storage space into a multi-purpose, usable area of your home.
This type of pro can transform your garage into a living space by installing plumbing, heating, and electricity. They can also add finishing touches like carpeting, built-in storage, or windows.
Even if you only use your garage for your vehicles, electrical power is essential since modern garage doors run on electricity. You'll also need electricity to power lights in the garage so you can see where you’re going.
Doing a DIY project to run power to your garage is not a good idea for most homeowners because it requires certain electrical skills and poses a safety risk. Reasons you should hire a pro for this job include:
Compliance: Most areas have specific requirements for an electrical system to be considered safe. If you don't know the requirements or install the electricity incorrectly, you may find it more challenging to sell your home later on, or you may end up having to face your local permitting and regulations board.
Safety: Faulty wiring and incorrectly set up power systems can lead to fires and other safety hazards. You could accidentally overload your system, leading to sparks and injury.
Quality: A professional garage remodeler or electrician will have the skill and experience to ensure a high-quality job. They will also have access to better quality wiring and parts than the average DIY-er.
The average cost to convert a garage into a living space with plumbing and an HVAC system is between $2,000 and $8,000. You can expect to spend considerably less if you DIY, but in this case, the lower cost may not be worth it.
Another person you can hire to finish your garage by installing power is an electrician. Going the electrician route can make sense if all you need to do is add power to the garage. They have the training and experience needed to safely connect your garage to the power grid. If you aren't converting your garage or only want to upgrade the electrical system, a local electrician can be the way to go.
How a garage remodeler installs power depends on whether your garage is attached or detached. The process is more complex if the structure is detached, as the electrician or remodeling company will need to dig a trench for cables, install a breaker box, and calculate the correct load.
The steps in the process are:
Selecting and installing a breaker box: The breaker box that's right for your garage depends on your electrical load needs and local regulations.
Contacting the utility company: Local utility companies must know about the project, especially if digging is involved. The utilities will identify the location of any pipes or gas lines below the surface.
Digging a trench: if your garage is detached, the electrician will need to run wires from the power lines to the structure. They may hire an excavation company to dig the trench for them.
Designing and installing the wiring: The last step before your garage has power is for the electrician or remodeling company to design the wiring layout, then install wires based on that design.
