Whether you are looking to house your in-laws, store an extra vehicle, or add a home office to your property, a garage expansion is a great option to consider. Increasing the size of your garage can be done in a number of ways, and the garage specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you explore the possibilities. An expansion can be done quickly, cost effectively, and can help add value to your home as well as functionality. When deciding whether to expand your existing garage or not, here are few things to consider.

What Is the Purpose of Your Expansion?

The first step in the garage expansion process is determining what the extra square footage will be used for. Are you looking to add living space to your home? Do you need extra storage? Or maybe you are considering adding a workshop to your home? Determine what the extra space will be used for, and go from there.

If extra living space is your goal, consider a FROG, which stands for a finished room over garage. This additional space could be used as a home gym, office, or extra space for guests. Or go a step further, and add a separate apartment above your garage. A new apartment above your garage could be used to accommodate guests, parents and grandparents, or independent teenagers and young adults. Looking for some extra income, or a way to offset the costs of your expansion? Consider adding a separate entrance to the apartment and rent the unit.

If more square footage for storage is needed, maybe for an extra vehicle, consider expanding outwards. If you have yard space available, you could knock out an exterior wall of your garage and expand. This expansion could accommodate new vehicles, or allow space for a workshop or home gym. When considering expanding outwards, try to plan for the future. Is your family growing? Might you need more room in the future? A garage specialist can help you map out your expansion so it can continue to meet your needs for years to come.

Consider Plumping and Electrical

Depending on the purpose of your expansion, you may need to rework some of the plumbing and electrical wiring in your garage, or have new work done. Adding a laundry room? Remember to factor in the plumbing when mapping out your expansion? Adding a workstation? Maybe some rewiring would be beneficial to allow for plenty of outlets where you need them. A garage professional can review your project with you to ensure your expansion will fit your needs.

Is Starting Fresh a Better Option?

If you are working with an older garage in need of repairs, it may be cheaper to demolish the structure and start fresh. A garage specialist can inspect your property and help you determine if expansion is a good option, or if a new garage may better suit your needs. Building a new garage gives you creative control over the aesthetic and functionality of the space.

Check with Your Local Government

Most communities have some type of regulation governing home and garage expansion. Both new construction and additions to existing properties must meet local, state, and national safety regulations. For example, in Downers Grove, home and garage additions require an approved building permit. Allow yourself time to complete the application process. Downers Grove officials say permits typically take 10 days to review, and the costs of the process depend on the type of expansion you are undertaking. Depending on your project, property inspections may be needed.

On a side note, remember to keep your neighbors in mind. If your expansion is going to be lengthy or noisy, consider notifying your neighbors in advance.

Work with a Professional

Most of us do not possess the skills or knowledge to complete a garage expansion successfully on our own. Injuries do happen, and it is also possible to mess up the expansion and have to redo your work. Instead of attempting the project on your own, call us at Blue Sky Builders, Inc.. We have years of experience with garage expansions, remodels, repairs, and construction, and are happy to assist you with your project. Check out some of our best work in our gallery, and call 630-852-8485 today to get started.

Potential homebuyers often put together a list of “must haves” to help them narrow down their search while looking for houses. These lists detail what a future homebuyer could not live without – things like a washing machine, a pool, a fireplace, or air conditioning. Everyone’s list is different, but most include one important thing: a garage. Is no garage a deal breaker for potential homebuyers? Will adding a garage increase your property value? What can you do to improve your existing garage to boost your property value? Here we discuss ways a garage can impact the sale of your home, and what you should know moving forward putting your home on the market.

Is No Garage A Deal Breaker?

Most modern home buyers demand parking, but do they need a covered attached or detached garage? In many cases, yes, but specialists say the answer depends on a number of factors including the neighborhood, value and size of the home, and the area’s climate. Homebuyers would likely pass up on a home without a garage in a neighborhood where most homes do have a garage. Additionally, homes in colder climates or in areas with frequent rain and snow may be tough to sell without a garage. Inexpensive homes may sell without a garage, especially because a new buyer can add a garage inexpensively, but most middle of the road to high end homes are expected to have at least a two car garage.

Will Adding A Garage Increase My Property Value?

In most cases, building an attached or detached garage on a property without an existing garage is a smart move. Some realtors say that homeowners investing in a garage could see a two to two and a half time return on investment. Others point out that a two-car garage, attached or detached, can add $30,000 to the value of a home, and a smaller, one car garage could add $15,000 or more in value.

The size of a garage can also impact selling price, as shown by a recent survey. The study, which compared single-family homes, shows that the as the number of parking spaces within a garage increases, so does the value of a home. For example, a home with a single car garage may go for $250,000, but a similar home with a three car garage could sell for nearly $300,000. Homeowners are encouraged to research their market or consult a real estate professional before deciding to build a garage on their property for resale purposes, but in most cases, specialists say the choice will increase value.

When building, realtors say there a number of factors to keep in mind. First, homebuyers tend to favor homes where the garage is tucked to the side of a house, as homes with garages facing the street tend to be less visually attractive. An electric door opener is also beneficial to install. Homeowners are also encouraged to build their garage with a little extra space for storage, as many potential buyers require storage space within the garage. Also, the exterior of the garage is important, and should match the existing exterior design of the home.

What Can Be Done to Improve My Existing Garage?

If your home already has a garage, there are a few steps you can take to ensure the space helps boost your property value. First, the garage should be cleaned and well organized. Four out of five realtors say that a unorganized, messy garage can have a negative impact on potential homebuyers. If the exterior needs work, consider new siding or a fresh paint job. Be sure that your garage matches the style of the rest of your home. Also, many realtors report that successful homeowners demonstrate to potential buyers how their garage is used for storing more than just vehicles. In fact, over 75 percent of realtors say the garage should be just as clean and organized as every other room in the home to increase value and likelihood of selling.

Whether you are looking to build a new garage or remodel, the experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. are here to help. Visit Blue Sky Builders, Inc. online to see samples of our work, and call 630-852-8485 to schedule a consultation with us to review your upcoming project. Let Blue Sky Builders, Inc. help you get the garage of your dreams.

So, you are about ready to sell your house. You have done everything possible – cleaned, organized, remodeled, repaired – to ensure you get the best offers on your home. There is one tricky area, however, that you do not have as much control over; your neighbors. While your neighbors crumbling garage across the street may not have bothered you, potential home buyers could be scared away. How do you stop the neighborhood eyesore from lowering your property value? While there is no single, simple solution to the problem, here are five potential tactics you can use to encourage your neighbor to tidy up their property.

Talk to Your Neighbor

This strategy may seem pretty basic, but you would be surprised how many people are simply unwilling to have a difficult conversation. While asking your neighbor to clean up their mess may be challenging, there are strategic ways to soften the blow. Try saying, “You know, the more my house sells for, the more your house will sell for if you ever decide to move.” Add another nice touch like a bottle of wine to show your neighborly spirit. If direct conversation is hard, send over a very polite note and a gift.

Do the Dirty Work Yourself

In many cases, the neighborhood eyesore is home to elderly individuals or those unable to properly clean. If your neighbor is unable to properly maintain their property, it may be time for you to step in and do it yourself.

Offering to help is not just for elderly neighbor situations. If you notice your neighbor’s home or garage in need of repairs, ask if you can help. As one home restoration specialist says “Most people would be surprised how much they can convince people to do when they offer to help do it.”

Get in Touch with Your HOA

If your neighborhood has a homeowners’ association (HOA), take advantage of it. One of the reasons HOAs exist is to help keep property values within the neighborhood from declining. You can always try more diplomatic methods first, but if it comes down to it, your HOA can help pressure your neighbor into maintaining their property. 
They may issue fines to any neighbor not in compliance, or in other cases, they may simply fix the issues and then bill the neighbor.

Call City Officials

If you have been in a long going battle with your neighbor, and all else has failed, it may be time to reach out to your local government. It may be a situation where your neighbor is actually in violation of local codes and can be forced to clean up. Your best bet is to do this well before putting your home on the market, as in many cases the city may give your neighbor 90 days to comply.

You may also discover that the rundown home is a bank-owned foreclosure. In this case, you can likely get in touch with the bank that owns the property and insist that they maintain it.

Let Your Garage Increase Your Property Value

Modern home buyers expect a lot when searching for a home, and one area in particular that they focus on is the garage. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our team of garage experts can help you ensure your garage is in tip-top shape and ready to sell. We offer creative garage design and remodeling that can boost your property value and provide interior touches like smart garage storage and lighting that will make potential buyers do a double take.Visit Blue Sky Builders, Inc. online or call 630-852-8485 to learn more about the services we provide today.

Even the most insulated garages can prove hazardous in the winter. From carbon monoxide, to frozen garage doors, the average household garage can quickly become dangerous if left unchecked and unmaintained during the winter. If you are hoping to keep yourself and your family safe for the remainder of the season, pay attention to these common cold weather garage safety concerns.

What Is Safe to Store In a Garage during the Winter?

Most Americans use their garage for multiple purposes, with one of the most common being household storage. The garage is a perfect place to store those odds and ends items that did not find a permanent home inside the house, but what items are risky to leave out in the garage during cold months?

• Paint: People commonly store cans of paint in their garage, but both summer and wintertime conditions can damage paint. Cold temperatures will cause your paint to not last as long, and paint cans stored on cement floors tend to run faster than cans placed on a shelf or another surface.
• Canned Food: Canned foods and other canned items like sodas can easily freeze in cold conditions, and should not be stored in garages that are not climate controlled. While frozen canned food can be thawed, the quality is diminished after freezing. Garage specialists also suggest avoiding storing food in garages due to the possibility of attracting rodents, which could lead to health issues.
• Electronic Items: Extreme cold can be damaging to household electronic items like televisions, computers, and DVD players.
• Refrigerators: When people replace a refrigerator within their home, they frequently send the old one to the garage. While having an extra fridge and freezer in your garage is great for storage, cold weather can cause issues. When temperatures outside become colder than the interior of your refrigerator or freezer, your appliance may stop working, and your goods may sour or thaw.
• Any Equipment with Water: If you have a power washer or another tool that uses water, use caution when storing them in the garage. Anything with water could freeze, meaning that your power washer could crack or burst.

Winter Garage Door Danger

Many people are surprised to learn that garage doors can quickly become problematic during the winter. Not only can they freeze to the ground, making opening and closing difficult, but cold temperatures can cause the screws, springs, and other metal parts found within your garage door to expand and contract. This can lead to your door failing to open or close properly, and can be a hazard to you and your family. Specialists say to combat this, be sure that all the parts within your garage door are lubricated, and that the area underneath your garage door is kept clear of snow and ice.

Carbon Monoxide Danger

Storing your vehicle in your garage, while beneficial during the wintertime, can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not followed. Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous toxic gas produced by engines found in cars and trucks. The gas is odorless and invisible, and the average car can produce a deadly amount of carbon monoxide in only a few short minutes. While starting your car in your garage may seem like a good idea, allowing carbon monoxide to build up in an enclosed space can lead to dizziness, flu like symptoms, immobility, and death. In fact, in under ten minutes the gas can reach fatal levels. Poison specialists say even with the garage door open, a car should not be left running within the space. Garage owners should instead start their vehicles and immediately get them outside. This way, the garage does not fill with the toxic gas, which can also easily seep inside a home.

While these are just a few potential dangers your garage could pose this winter, it is clear that proactive garage maintenance and repair can help reduce any danger to your family. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our garage specialists are available to inspect your garage and alert you of any dangers. We can also recommend when upgrades are needed, and have affordable options for remodeling and rebuilding. We also offer creative garage design and storage ideas to help you better use your space. Contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc. online or at 630-852-8485 to learn more about our services today.

It can happen to anybody. You pull up into your garage one evening, step out of your car, and reach for the light switch, only to discover that your overhead garage light has burned out. Even the tidiest of garages can be a bit creepy at night, and nobody wants to feel like they are trapped in a scene from a scary movie. Or, perhaps you are working on a project in your garage, but the dim fluorescent or incandescent lighting in your space is making completing the task difficult. If you are sick of dealing with lighting issues in your garage, consider switching to LED lighting. LED (light-emitting diodes) is one of today’s fastest growing lighting technologies, and also one of the most energy efficient options you can choose to install. LED lights are simple to use, will brighten any space, and have a much longer life span than other lighting options.

Energy Efficient

LED is a highly energy efficient technology, and many believe that widespread LED use in America could radically change the amount of energy consumed each year. Most residential LEDs are significantly more energy efficient compared to other options. In fact, products labeled with an ENERGY STAR rating use at least 75 percent less energy than typical light bulbs. For homeowners, switching to LED lights can mean savings on their energy bills. Most users report a drop in their monthly energy bill when they made the switch to LED lighting. On average, one traditional incandescent light bulb costs $4.80 per year to operate. Fluorescent bulbs tend to cost around $1.20 per year, but by far the cheapest option is LED, with each LED light typically costing only $1.00 per year.

They Last Longer

LED lighting lasts far longer than any other option, and in fact, many LED light fixtures come with the bulbs preinstalled. Your standard light bulb lasts for an average of 1,000 hours of usage, while fluorescent bulbs tend to last about 10,000 hours. LEDs typically last about 25,000 hours. LEDs are extremely beneficial for hard-to-reach places and outdoor lighting, where replacing bulbs can be even more of a struggle.

They Provide Better Light

For most households, the garage is used for a variety of purposes. If you use your garage as a work station, LED lighting options will better lighten up your space. LEDs put out even, consistent light that has a far reach and helps eliminate shadows. While LEDs may be small (they are typically about the size of a flake of pepper), they are much better at illuminating spaces when compared to other options.

Additionally, many homeowners have complained that CFL bulbs (fluorescent bulbs) take too long to reach their full brightness. LED lighting, on the other hand, starts up instantly and is immediately at full brightness. When compared side by side, LED bulbs were found to still be significantly brighter than fluorescent bulbs, even after the fluorescent bulbs had been given time to reach maximum brightness. LED users have also reported that the light that LED bulbs gives off is warmer than other lighting options, and looks more aesthetically pleasing.

How You Can Use LED Lights in the Garage

LED lighting can be used in a variety of ways, both inside and outside of your home and garage. LED bulbs are extremely bright, making them a great choice for exterior lighting. LED panel lights are also available, which are great for illuminating work spaces and can hang from your ceiling and light up your entire space.

If you need any help with your next garage project, or simply are looking for new ideas, speak with a knowledgeable member of the Blue Sky Builders, Inc. team today. Visit us online, or call 630-852-8485 to learn more about the services we provide.