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What's required to convert Baton Rouge garage to living area?
Reader Question: For someone to convert their garage to "living area" square footage, what all would be required to be done?

Baton Rouge Home Appraiser Answer:
In order for a garage to be converted into legal “living area”, the homeowner probably won’t like the answer or process. What I typically see is a half-way attempt at conversion with cheap indoor/outdoor carpet and window unit heat/air heatpump unit installed. Perhaps 70% of the enclosures I see ARE NOT living area.  And, several I see yearly that the REALTOR called "living area" is not living area.

Example of an enclosure with plywood ceiling (not up to building code)

The garage would need to be just like the main home, of same quality finish, well insulated, slab level and central heat/air upgraded to handle the additional 380sf to 400sf.
1.) Don’t proceed without a proper building permit, big mistake not to have a permit.  These homes didn't have permits for additions and converted areas were not "living area". 

2.) Raise slab to level of main home. This means you'll need to pour new concrete.
3.) Upgrade central unit to handle the extra 400sf living area (no window units and not portable units)
4.) Flooring quality needs to be equal to main ... more

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