“We started with ‘just some insulation and drywall,’ but then found out the slab was freezing cold and had no vapor barrier.”
That’s the classic garage conversion surprise—what looks like a quick weekend job turns into a full-blown construction saga. I’ve seen folks get halfway through and realize they’re basically building a new room from scratch, just inside an old shell. The cold slab is a big one; I’ve had clients who thought a throw rug would do the trick, but unless you want to wear wool socks year-round, that rigid foam is a must.
Curious—did you run into any issues with ceiling height or egress windows? Sometimes garages are just a hair too low for code, or the city wants a window big enough to crawl out of. I’ve had to get creative with dropped ceilings and window wells more than once. Makes me wonder if attics are any easier, or just a different flavor of headache...
