Garage conversion specialists in the Waikato

Your garage could be the most underused room in your house. Converting it can give you more living space without building out or losing any of your section. Refresh Renovations® Waikato designs and manages garage conversions across Hamilton, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and the wider Waikato, from the first sketch through to the final coat of paint.

What can you turn your garage into?

• An extra bedroom or guest room
• A home office or studio
• A living, media or rumpus room
• A teen retreat or guest suite with its own bathroom
• Part of a larger renovation that opens the garage into the main house

We handle single and double garage conversions, including the design, consents, demolition, construction, plumbing and electrical, garage door replacement, and painting and finishing.

How much does a garage conversion cost in the Waikato?

Based on garage conversions Refresh® has completed, turning a garage into a habitable living space typically starts at around $150,000*. Your final cost will depend on:

• The size of the space and what you want it to become
• Whether you're adding a bathroom or kitchenette
• Council consent requirements
• The condition of the existing slab, walls and roof
• Site access and the materials and finishes you choose

For a cost estimate based on your ideas, book a free consultation with your local specialist.

Things to consider before converting your garage

Consent. Turning a garage into a habitable room needs building consent and has to meet the Building Code. We manage the process with your council, whether that's Hamilton City, Waipā or Waikato District.

Natural light. Swapping the garage door for windows, a glazed wall or bifold doors makes the biggest difference to how the room feels. Skylights help in deeper garages.

Warmth and moisture. Garages aren't built to be lived in. Insulation, linings and moisture protection all need upgrading, and the floor often needs levelling or raising to match the rest of the house.

Parking and storage. Think about where the car, bikes and garden gear will go once the garage becomes a room.

Self-contained spaces. If you want a kitchen as well, the space may count as a minor dwelling, which comes with its own planning rules. We'll check this early so there are no surprises.

How our design and build process works

One local consultant looks after your project from start to finish, handling design, feasibility, consents, costings, scheduling and project management. You can follow progress and message your project manager any time through the Refresh Renovations® Customer Portal.

1. Initial consultation: we visit your home, look at the garage and talk through your ideas and budget.
2. Scoping and feasibility: we check what's possible on your property and what consents you'll need.
3. Detailed planning and costing: you get full plans and a fixed, itemised price before any work starts.
4. Build stage: our trades complete the work while your project manager keeps everything on track.
5. Project completion: we do a final walkthrough with you and hand over your new space.

Ready to talk about your garage?

Book a free consultation with your local Waikato renovation specialist, or call us on 0800 00 45 44.