#1 Garage Conversion Contractor Near Me

Q: Do I need a building permit to convert my garage in Portland or Beaverton?

Yes. Converting a garage from non-habitable storage into habitable living quarters legally requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits from the City of Portland BDS or City of Beaverton. PDX Remodeling drafts all plans and secures all permits on your behalf.

Q: How do you keep the converted garage warm in winter?

We install R-21 to R-30 insulation, thermal slab vapor barriers, and high-efficiency ductless mini-split heat pumps for year-round climate control.

Premier Garage Conversions Portland & Beaverton Contractor

When homeowners in Portland and Beaverton search for reliable garage conversions in Portland or a trusted garage ADU builder in Beaverton, they choose PDX Remodeling & Design. Converting an existing garage into habitable living space is the single most cost-effective way to add heated square footage to your property without sacrificing yard space.

As a licensed design-build general contractor (Oregon CCB #216654), we manage every phase: concrete slab moisture leveling, trenching water and sewer lines, 100A subpanel electrical upgrades, HVAC ductless mini-split installations, architectural drafting, and municipal permitting.

Popular Garage Conversion Transformations We Build

Whether you have a standard single-car attached garage in Beaverton or an oversized detached two-car garage in East Portland, we specialize in converting underutilized storage into functional, high-value living areas:

1. Self-Contained Rental ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units): Generate substantial monthly passive income. We build complete micro-apartments featuring full custom kitchens, compact laundry hookups, luxury bathroom remodels, and private exterior entrances. Explore our Portland ADU cost guide to see revenue potential.

2. Multi-Generational In-Law Living Suites: Provide aging parents or adult children with independence and dignity. We design zero-threshold entryways, accessible curbless walk-in showers, wide doorways, and private climate zones.

3. Soundproof Work-From-Home Creative Studios: Eliminate household distractions with dedicated executive home offices. We install specialized Rockwool acoustic insulation, sound-rated solid core doors, and high-speed data cabling.

4. Home Gyms, Pilates Studios & Wellness Retreats: Design your personal fitness club at home. We install commercial-grade shock-absorbent rubber flooring, reinforced ceiling beams for TRX/heavy bags, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and dedicated ventilation.

5. Entertainment Lounges & Game Havens: Complete with wet bars, beverage refrigerators, surround sound wiring, and custom cabinetry for movie nights and game days.

Oregon & Portland ADU Codes, Zoning & Permitting Guidelines

Converting a garage into legal living space requires strict compliance with Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) and municipal zoning standards. In Portland (Title 33) and Washington County, building codes require:

System Development Charge (SDC) Fee Waivers: In Portland, building a permitted ADU often qualifies for SDC fee exemptions, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in city fees.

Ceiling Height Minimums: Habitable living rooms require a minimum finished ceiling height of 7 feet. We specialize in creative beam framing and roof truss reinforcement to maximize vertical space.

Concrete Slab Thermal & Moisture Barrier: Existing garage slabs lack under-slab vapor barriers. We test slab relative humidity and apply liquid-applied epoxy vapor barriers and insulated subflooring before installing luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or hardwood.

Fire Separation Walls: Attached garage conversions require code-compliant 1-hour fire-rated drywall assemblies between the living quarters and any remaining vehicle storage or main house.

Independent Heating & Cooling: We install high-efficiency ductless mini-split heat pumps providing independent, zoned heating and air conditioning, qualifying for local energy rebates through the Energy Trust of Oregon.

2026 Portland & Beaverton Garage Conversion Cost Guide

Because converting an existing structure utilizes the existing foundation and roof framing, garage conversions cost 40% to 50% less than ground-up new home additions:

Project Scope	Estimated Cost Range	Typical Amenities Included
Basic Living Space / Studio	$50,000 – $75,000	Framing, drywall, slab vapor barrier, insulation, windows, LVP flooring, mini-split HVAC.
Full ADU with Bath & Kitchen	$80,000 – $135,000	Private bedroom, 3-piece bathroom, kitchenette, electrical 100A subpanel, plumbing trenching.
Detached Carriage House / ADU	$140,000 – $200,000+	Architectural roof redesign, exterior siding match, separate utility metering, luxury kitchen & bath.

Project Scope

Estimated Cost Range

Typical Amenities Included

Basic Living Space / Studio

$50,000 – $75,000

Framing, drywall, slab vapor barrier, insulation, windows, LVP flooring, mini-split HVAC.

Full ADU with Bath & Kitchen

$80,000 – $135,000

Private bedroom, 3-piece bathroom, kitchenette, electrical 100A subpanel, plumbing trenching.

Detached Carriage House / ADU

$140,000 – $200,000+

Architectural roof redesign, exterior siding match, separate utility metering, luxury kitchen & bath.

According to regional rental market data, a completed garage ADU in Portland or Beaverton rents for $1,400 to $1,900 per month, delivering rapid return on investment while boosting appraised home equity. View our recent work in our garage conversions project portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garage Conversions in Portland

Do I need a building permit to convert my garage in Portland or Beaverton?

Yes. Converting a garage from non-habitable storage/parking into habitable living quarters legally requires building, electrical, and plumbing permits from the City of Portland BDS or City of Beaverton. PDX Remodeling drafts all architectural plans and secures all permits on your behalf.

Do I have to replace the off-street parking space in Portland?

In most residential zones in the City of Portland, off-street parking mandates have been eliminated for ADU conversions. In Washington County and Beaverton, regulations depend on your specific zoning, and our team verifies parking requirements during your initial feasibility consultation.

How long does a garage conversion take to complete?

A standard garage conversion typically takes 6 to 10 weeks of active construction, while a complex detached ADU with full kitchen, bathroom, and exterior trenching takes approximately 10 to 14 weeks.

How do you keep the converted garage warm in winter?

We install R-21 to R-30 batt or rigid foam insulation in walls and ceilings, apply thermal vapor barriers over the concrete floor slab beneath high-density underlayment, and install high-efficiency ductless mini-split heat pumps for whisper-quiet year-round temperature control.

How much value does a garage conversion add to a home?

A legally permitted garage conversion or ADU adds significant appraised square footage to your home, typically generating an average 70% to 80% ROI upon resale in the Portland metro market, in addition to strong monthly rental income potential.

Our Home Addition Process | Step by Step

Contact our team

Contact our team and tell us about your project. You can include any details about your project or questions you may have. Feel free to either fill out the contact form or give us a call at 971-216-3854

Schedule a 1-Hour In Home Consultation

We will arrange a one-hour in-home consultation. This provides an excellent opportunity to discuss any details or information regarding your project. Following this consultation, we will be able to provide you with a pricing estimate for your project.

Design With The Team

We handle everything, from design to build. We will work closely with you to make sure we are bringing your vision to life. Your input is greatly appreciated during the design process.

We build it

After the design process, our team will then get to work on the building process. This can take various amounts of time depending on the project, but we will give you an estimated completion date based on the scope of work.

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