How much does it cost to convert a garage to a living space in Langley?

Converting a garage to living space in Langley typically costs $25,000 to $80,000, depending on the scope of work and finish level. The wide range reflects whether you're doing a basic conversion or creating a full secondary suite with kitchen and bathroom.

Basic conversion costs for turning a garage into a simple living space (bedroom, family room, or office) generally run $25,000 to $45,000. This includes insulation, drywall, flooring, electrical upgrades, heating, and basic finishes. You'll need to address the concrete slab (either polishing, overlaying, or installing subfloor systems), add proper insulation to walls and ceiling, and upgrade electrical service since most garages only have basic lighting circuits.

Full secondary suite conversions cost significantly more at $50,000 to $80,000+ because you're essentially building a complete living unit. This includes plumbing rough-in for kitchen and bathroom, which requires breaking into the concrete slab for drain lines, adding a separate electrical panel, installing a kitchen, full bathroom, proper egress windows, and meeting all BC Building Code requirements for habitable space. The bathroom alone typically adds $15,000 to $25,000 to the project cost.

How Langley differs include Township of Langley's secondary suite regulations, which allow one secondary suite per single-family home. You'll need building permits through the Township (604-534-3211), and the conversion must meet BCBC 2024 requirements including proper ceiling height (7'6" minimum), egress windows, fire separation, and interconnected smoke alarms. Langley's permit fees typically run $1,500 to $4,000 depending on project scope, which is generally lower than Vancouver's fees.

Key cost factors include the garage's current condition, ceiling height (many older garages are too low and require lowering the floor), foundation work if the slab needs modification, and HVAC installation. Adding a heat pump mini-split system typically costs $3,000 to $6,000. If your garage shares a wall with the house, you'll need proper fire-rated separation. Electrical upgrades often require a service panel upgrade if your home's current panel can't handle the additional load.

Professional requirements include licensed electricians for all electrical work (inspected by Technical Safety BC), licensed plumbers for any plumbing, and building permits are mandatory. Most contractors recommend budgeting an additional 10-15% contingency for unexpected issues like structural modifications or utility relocations. The project typically takes 4-8 weeks once permits are approved, with permit processing adding another 4-8 weeks in Langley.