Most Delco homes weren’t built with a home office, a guest room or a place for the Peloton. A lot of them do have a garage that holds a lawn mower, some bikes and fifteen years of boxes. Converting that space is usually the fastest, most affordable way to add a real room to your house without building out into the yard.
Cumming Construction is based in Havertown and has been remodeling homes across Delaware County since 1999. Owner Jonathan Cumming, a second-generation contractor, is involved in every project from the first walkthrough to the final inspection. PA HIC #PA046389.
Is Your Garage a Good Candidate?
Most are, but not every garage converts the same way. Before we talk design, we look at the things that decide your budget:
- The slab. Garage floors usually sit lower than the house and slope toward the door. We often raise the floor with sleepers or a new subfloor, so the room is level, dry and warm.
- Moisture. Older Delco garages, especially the tuck-under garages under Havertown and Drexel Hill colonials, can take on water. If that’s an issue, we fix it first, sometimes with a French drain, so you’re not finishing over a problem.
- The garage door opening. We frame it in and add a window or an exterior door so the outside of the house still looks intentional, not like a patched-over garage.
- Heat and cooling. Many existing systems can’t stretch to one more room. A ductless mini-split is often the cleanest fix, and we’ll tell you honestly if your current system can handle it.
- Zoning and parking. Some townships care about losing an off-street parking spot. We check that before you spend money on design.
What Delco Homeowners Turn Their Garages Into
Family Room or Den
A second living space so the kids have somewhere to go that isn’t the living room. We insulate, drywall, run electrical and finish it to match the rest of the house.
Bedroom or In-Law Suite
A good fit for aging parents, a college kid moving home, or guests. To count as a legal bedroom, the room needs proper ceiling height, light, ventilation and an egress window, and we build to that from the start. If you want a full suite, we can add a bathroom too. See our bathroom remodeling work.
Home Office
A detached or attached garage gets you real separation from the rest of the house. That means a door that closes, better sound control and a window that isn’t facing the kitchen.
Home Gym
Rubber flooring, ceiling height for overhead lifts, extra outlets and enough airflow that it’s usable in July.
Studio or Hobby Space
For music, art or woodworking. We plan the lighting, power and sound control around what you’ll actually do in there.
How a Garage Conversion Works With Us
- Walkthrough. We look at the slab, framing, door opening, electrical and HVAC, and talk through how you’ll use the room.
- Design and pricing. You get a layout and a written, itemized estimate. No vague allowances.
- Permits. We pull permits with your township and schedule every inspection.
- Build. Framing, insulation, electrical, plumbing if needed, HVAC, drywall and flooring, with the same crew from start to finish whenever we can.
- Finish and walkthrough. Trim, paint, lighting and a final walkthrough with you before we call it done.
Most garage conversions take 4 to 8 weeks of construction once permits are approved.
Why Homeowners Hire Cumming Construction
Local and owner-led. We’re in Havertown and have worked in these neighborhoods for over 25 years. We know the housing stock and the township inspectors.
Clear budgets. Our estimates are itemized, we stick to the contract and you hear about any change before it happens.
Respectful crews. On time, clean job sites and no surprises in your driveway.
Practically green. We’re a U.S. Green Building Council member and recycle over 70% of our construction and demolition debris. That includes the old drywall and framing that come out of a garage.
Garage Conversions Across Delaware County
Every Delco township has its own building department and permit process, and we work with them regularly:
- Haverford Township: Havertown, Ardmore (Delco side), Bryn Mawr (Delco side)
- Upper Darby Township: Drexel Hill, Upper Darby, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights
- Marple and Newtown Townships: Broomall, Newtown Square
- Springfield Township: Springfield, Morton
- Radnor Township: Wayne, Radnor, Villanova
- Media and surrounding areas: Media, Glenolden, Prospect Park, Folcroft
We also do garage conversions on the Main Line and in Philadelphia.
Other Ways to Add Space
If the garage isn’t the right fit, these might be: finishing your basement, finishing your attic, a home addition, or opening up walls to get more out of the space you already have.
Ready to Talk About Your Garage?
Call 610-519-0245 or request a consultation. We’ll come out, look at the space and tell you honestly what it would take.
Garage Conversion FAQs
How much does a garage conversion cost in Delaware County?
Most of the cost depends on four things: whether the slab needs to be raised or waterproofed, whether you’re adding plumbing, how you heat and cool the room, and the level of finish. A basic one-car conversion into an office or den typically runs [$X to $Y]. Bedrooms with egress windows or suites with a bathroom cost more. You’ll get an itemized estimate after the walkthrough.
Do I need a permit to convert my garage in Delaware County?
Yes. Converting a garage into living space changes how the space is used, so your township will require a building permit plus electrical, mechanical and sometimes plumbing permits. We pull the permits and handle the inspections.
Can a garage legally become a bedroom?
Yes, if it meets code for ceiling height, natural light, ventilation and emergency egress. We plan for that from the start so the room can be listed as a bedroom when you sell.
Will I lose value by giving up my garage?
In most Delco neighborhoods, finished living space adds more value than a one-car garage that’s used for storage. If you’re worried about parking or resale, we’ll talk it through honestly at the walkthrough.
How do you keep a converted garage warm in the winter?
We insulate the walls, ceiling and floor, frame in the door opening and add heat. That’s usually a ductless mini-split or an extension of your existing system if it has the capacity.
Can you convert a detached garage?
Yes. Detached garages make great offices, studios and guest spaces. Running utilities out to them is the main extra cost, and we’ll price that up front.
How long does a garage conversion take?
Usually 4 to 8 weeks of construction, plus permit approval time, which varies by township.