Garage conversion (Raleigh: home, inspections, closing)

[Raleighite2018]

My carport is built like a pergola with a covered surface of about 650 sqft.

Planning to convert the carport into a garage so that the old garage which is attached/in the basement can become part home office part storage/basement extension.

Has anyone done something similar? Both carport and garages are considered auxiliary structures so if the carport was already permitted does enclosing it require a new permit?

Converting an existing attached garage into living space would require a permit I suppose as the square footage of living space of the dwelling changes. Tax impact?

Any other tips? Thank you

[MikeJaquish]

Yes, you should have permits and inspections to enclose your carport.

Concerns will include:
Egress.
Fire safety.
Ground fault protections on any electrical outlets.
Confirmation of structure, that it isn't compromised and that any additional structure is properly built.
Permits and inspections will expect some conformance to current code, so some updating will be necessary.

[don6170]

Originally Posted by MikeJaquish

Ground fault protections on any electrical outlets.

This should be an easy fix. Just swap out the outlet closest to the breaker panel for a GFCI outlet. All downstream outlets are now protected.

There will be a tax impact, due to increased value from the finished project.

[MikeJaquish]

Originally Posted by don6170

This should be an easy fix. Just swap out the outlet closest to the breaker panel for a GFCI outlet. All downstream outlets are now protected.

There will be a tax impact, due to increased value from the finished project.

Of course, when converting into a garage, since an electrician will be onsite anyway, I would expect the OP to add more outlets, which will all be GFCI. Maybe a new circuit.

[danielbmartin]

Originally Posted by Raleighite2018

Any other tips?

Consider a dedicated 220vac high-amp branch circuit for the garage to power an electric vehicle charging station. Some day you, or a subsequent owner, will want this.

Daniel B. Martin

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