Raising your garage roof without renovating the whole structure is a great way to get some extra garage space. Thus you could access more vertical space, park larger vehicles, and get extra attic space to store stuff.
But how much does it cost to raise a garage roof? Although it largely depends on the size and complexity of the garage, the cost per square ft. ranges between $5-$100. So, on average, it will cost around $15,000-$125,000 to increase your garage’s ceiling height. Some other factors that make the total cost vary are-materials and labor costs, structural modifications, inspection and permits, roof ventilation, disposal of materials, etc.
Give this article a good read to gather all the information that you might need to know.
Can You Raise Your Garage Roof?
Yes, it’s possible to increase the height of your garage by raising the roof of it. Most older garages have a typical ceiling height of 8’ whereas, the newer models come with a 9’ garage ceiling.
A lot of homeowners get tempted to get this extra space and end up raising their garage roof. But this process requires a lot of careful planning and construction. First, you’ll need to inspect if your garage foundation can support the load of the extension.
For example, you will have to add a 5/8 in (1.6 cm) layer of drywall along the wall and ceiling of the garage while extending the roof height. Also, depending on the city you live in, you might need to get a permit before you start the process.
In some areas, a permit is required to extend the garage height more than 2’. As increasing the height of a garage ceiling can be extremely expensive, prepare a detailed cost estimation to check whether it’s in your budget before starting the construction.
Some certain benefits of roof-raising are you get to have more overhead storage and can park larger vehicles like trucks, semi-cabs, or even boats. Having a taller garage will give you more versatility in storage.
With greater vertical space, you can install a lot more hooks, shelves, loft extensions, and other storage devices. This is a great way to access more vertical space without renovating the whole structure.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Raising Garage Roof
If you are thinking about increasing your garage roof height, some key factors will significantly affect the cost of the project. Among them, the most vital factors are the size, complexity of design, material and labor cost, and modification of the garage.
So, in this segment, I’ll briefly discuss these key factors.
Garage Size and Complexity
As the cost of raising a garage roof is estimated per sq. ft., your roof’s dimensions directly impact the project cost. Garage roofs with larger dimensions will require more material as opposed to smaller garage roofs.
Besides, most laborer or contractor tends to charge based on the sq. ft. of the project area. Raising the roof of a larger garage will take up more of their time, so you will end up paying them a large amount.
Complex design, roof accessibility, or anything that makes the roofer’s job difficult will also play a significant role in the total cost.
Other than these, depending on your area, you might need to pay an extra amount to get a permit from the local authority if you want to extend your garage height.
Materials and Labor Costs
The type and material of your garage roof play a significant role in the cost estimation of the project. If you have trussed roof frames instead of a conventional roof, your cost will reduce by a lot.
These prefabricated metal truss roofs are quite expensive and can cost up to $1,500 per 100 square feet. But, they are quite easy to remove and reinstall without needing to take the whole roof apart. This can significantly help to reduce the labor cost.
On the other hand, stick roofs consist of battens over rafters supported on under-purlins and struts. These frames are custom-made according to your building and are built on-site. During the roof-raising, they often need to be completely disassembled, which makes them more expensive.
Apart from roof types, the material of the room is also important for minimizing cost. Asphalt shingles are one of the best materials for this because of their lightweight and affordability.
Asphalt shingles cost only $120 to $400 per 100 square feet. Whereas Ceramic and Slate shingles cost between $300-$500 and $800-$1,000 per 100 square feet respectively.
On top of that, professional contractors or laborers charge $1.50-$3 per square foot in addition to material costs. For intricate roof design, this rate could go even higher. Sometimes they might even charge by the hour.
Besides all these, if you plan to hire a general contractor to supervise the entire project, it will add another 10%-20% to your total cost.
Structural Modifications
If you are planning to modify your garage roof according to your taste, think again. Adding chimneys or skylights on the garage roof can cost you quite a large amount. Roof trusses can also be modified to create more attic space.
However, it shouldn’t be done without the supervision of an expert structural engineer. So, as you can guess, the consultation fee of the engineer will also be added to your total cost of raising the garage roof.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Garage Roof?
As I mentioned earlier, the major portion of the cost of extending the height of a garage roof depends on its dimension. The cost of raising the roof of a small garage with the capacity of holding a single car will not be the same as a large garage.
The cost of raising a garage roof per square ft. ranges between $5-$100. Here, I’ll provide an estimated cost of different-sized garages.
Small Garage
The garages that can only hold only 1 car inside are referred to as a single-car garage or small garage. The minimum size of a single-car garage is 10 feet x 18 feet. But the accepted and standard size for a single-car garage is 240 sq. ft.
Providing this much space will reduce the risk of collision between your car and the garage walls and provide a smooth maneuvering experience. Depending on the size, the total cost of raising its roof can add up to $1,200-$24,000.
Medium Garage
Medium garages are those where you would be able to comfortably park two cars without any risk of collision. Any two-car garage has an area ranging from 400 sq. ft. (20×20) to 720 sq. ft (24×30). The smallest-sized garages have an average length of 20’.
But it can get easily congested and parking in such garages is a lot more difficult. So, to comfortably park cars without any risk of damage, the common practice is to provide at least a 24’ length for the garage.
The total roof-raising cost of such a garage might vary from $2,000-$72,000.
Large Garage
The rough estimate for 3-car garage dimensions should be at least 36 feet wide and 24-36 feet long. When it comes to square footage, it should be around 864-1296 sq. ft.
So, your total cost will range from $4,320-$129,600.
Step-by-Step Guide for Raising a Garage Roof
Now, I’ll be giving an easy step-by-step guide for raising a garage roof.
Assess the Current Roof Structure
Before starting this project, your first step must be to assess the current roof structure. Determine the type of roof, material used, and overall condition of the existing roof structure. Take note if you notice any damage on the framework that might need to be addressed.
After a thorough observation, determine the height of the roof that you want to achieve. Check the groundwork of the structure to figure out if the garage can withstand the extra load of the modified height. Ensure its structural stability.
Keep in mind that raising the roof too much may not be allowed by local building codes and may require additional permits. Lastly, reach out to a structural engineer, architect, or experienced contractor to take advice and discuss your plans and budget with them.
Develop a Plan
Next, with the help of a professional, create a detailed plan for the raised new roof. Factors such as the roof type, roof slope, existing roof structure, and roof material must be taken into consideration while developing the plan.
It should also include a detailed structural analysis of the existing roof, a list of necessary tools and materials, a budget for the project, and a timeline for the completion of the project. Also, take into account any additional permits or inspection costs.
Now that you have the plan set, gather the necessary materials and tools for the project. This may include lumber, roofing materials, fasteners, and other construction supplies, as well as specialized tools like a crane or hydraulic jacks to lift the roof.
After the final planning is done, be sure to obtain all the necessary permits and approval from your local authority. You must also strictly adhere to the building codes of your region.
Prepare the Garage for Construction
Before starting the construction process, clear out the working area. Remove everything inside the garage carefully. This may include removing any existing objects, furniture, and vehicles. Next, remove the current roof from its position.
Carefully remove the fasteners and roofing materials from their position, and disassemble the roof structure. Clear