Services
Garage Builds & Conversions
Detached garage builds and existing garage conversions — slab, framing, electrical, insulation, drywall, and door installs. Convert into a guest suite, gym, office, or workshop, or build fresh from a clean pad. Permitted, code-compliant, and tied into your existing utilities.
Pricing varies by site. Final scope, materials, and access influence the all-in number — we'll quote your specific project after a quick conversation.
About our garage builds & conversions work
Detached garage builds and existing garage conversions across San Antonio. New-build detached garages start with a clean pad — site grading, 4" reinforced slab on grade with thickened perimeter beam, 2x4 or 2x6 framing depending on insulation spec, roof framing with proper bracing, and overhead door installation. Conversions take an existing attached or detached garage and turn it into conditioned living space — guest suite, gym, home office, workshop, or rental unit. Conversions require careful slab evaluation (existing garage slabs are typically uninsulated and lack vapor barrier), wall framing inside the existing shell for insulation depth, MEP extension from the main house, and HVAC capacity review. Both build types are permitted through the City of San Antonio and follow current IRC requirements — egress windows for sleeping spaces, separation walls where required, and proper electrical load calculations. Garage conversions also require zoning verification — some neighborhoods restrict converting required parking, and ADU-style conversions trigger additional review. We handle the zoning research, permit pull, MEP coordination, and final inspections start to finish.
What's included
- Slab work — new pour or evaluation and prep of existing slab
- 2x4 or 2x6 framing, OSB sheathing, house wrap, and roofing
- Overhead door installation — insulated steel or wood-clad
- Electrical sub-panel, lighting, outlets, and HVAC rough-in
- Insulation — R-13 to R-21 walls, R-38 attic for conditioned space
- Drywall, paint, flooring, and trim for converted space
- City of San Antonio permit, zoning review, and final inspection
- Utility tie-in — water, sewer, gas where applicable for conversions
Materials & techniques
Detached garage slabs are 4" minimum with #4 rebar on 18" centers and a thickened 12" perimeter beam — heavier than a typical patio slab to carry vehicle load and wall framing. Framing is 2x4 for unconditioned storage garages, 2x6 for conditioned conversions or workshops. Overhead doors are insulated steel sectional in R-12 to R-18 — uninsulated doors waste HVAC capacity in conditioned spaces. For conversions, existing slabs get a moisture test before flooring — older slabs often lack vapor barrier and need a self-leveling moisture mitigation coat before LVP or engineered wood goes down. Egress windows for sleeping rooms meet IRC minimum 5.7 sq ft openable.
How the project runs
- 1
Scope and zoning review
Determine new-build vs conversion, verify zoning allowance for accessory structures or converted parking, and confirm setbacks against the plat. Identify utility tie-in points and MEP capacity.
- 2
Design and permit
Drawings for slab, framing, MEP, and elevations. Stamped where required by jurisdiction. Submit to City of San Antonio for permit.
- 3
Slab and framing
For new builds — site prep, form work, rebar, and 4" slab pour with perimeter beam. For conversions — slab moisture test and prep. Framing, sheathing, and dry-in follow.
- 4
MEP and finish
Electrical sub-panel, lighting, outlets, HVAC for conditioned spaces. Insulation, drywall, paint, flooring, and trim. Overhead door install for garages, exterior door and egress windows for conversions.
- 5
Final inspection and CO
City inspections through framing, MEP, and final. Certificate of Occupancy issued for conversions to conditioned living space.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my garage into a bedroom or ADU?
Often yes, but it depends on zoning and required parking. Some San Antonio neighborhoods require a minimum number of off-street spaces, so converting a 2-car garage may require adding a driveway pad to replace the lost parking. ADU-style conversions with kitchen and bath trigger additional review.
Do I need a permit for a detached garage?
Yes. Any structure over 200 sq ft in San Antonio requires a building permit, and detached garages typically require setback verification, foundation engineering for the slab, and electrical permits for the sub-panel.
How long does a detached garage build take?
Typical 2-car detached garage — 8-12 weeks from permit issuance, including slab cure time, framing, roofing, electrical, door install, and final inspection. Conditioned workshops with MEP and finish-out run 12-16 weeks.
What's the difference between a carport and a garage?
Carports are open-sided covered structures — no walls, no door, no permit-heavy foundation in most cases. Garages are fully enclosed with overhead doors, require a thicker slab with perimeter beam, and need full framing and roofing. Carports are roughly 40-60% of garage cost per square foot.
Can I add a sub-panel without upgrading my main panel?
Depends on existing main panel capacity. We pull a load calc against your current panel. Most 200A services can handle a 60-100A garage sub-panel, but older 100A or 150A panels may need an upgrade first.
Why hire us for garage builds & conversions
In-house crew
Design, build, irrigation, and maintenance all run under one roof — no subbing out, no juggling vendors. You get one project manager from sketch through final walk-through.
San Antonio specialists
Built for South-Central Texas — heavy clay, caliche, long dry summers, and flash rain. Our designs and installs are tuned to what survives and looks good locally.
Clear pricing
No surprise line items. We size the work after a quick conversation or site visit and issue a written quote with materials and labor broken out so you can compare apples to apples.
