Have you talked with a contractor about the project?

What is the interior height of the attic? Were the joists built with the idea of being weight bearing?

It doesn't look steep enough, but you are taking the picture at an angle from down hill, so that could be deceiving. Can you measure the headroom above the garage? That should give you some indication of whether you can make a room up there. Measure to the highest part of the roof then subtract the height of the garage (to where the ceiling would be). Also measure the width and length of the garage.

Talk to a local architect.

Is there already a room up there? I see skylights in the roof?

Edit: you posted the photo at the same time I asked my question! Never seen a garage done like that. I can see why the GC suggested a full shed dormer on the front ... how to accomplish with what you have is way beyond my knowledge.

So there's only 5' between the top of the garage doors to the peak? And 12" of that is the header?

You will most likely have to remove the roof and its structure and add on from the top of the garage walls up.

I have seen where they have raised the roof and its structure from the first floor walls and set it to the side, and then built a second floor walls, then placed the removed first floor roof onto the new second floor walls. If you go that route, take videos for YouTube.

We have one on the back side

from inside the room

There is most likely a way to do this, but the question is cost-effectiveness. Would you be over-building the house and/or the neighborhood? Could you afford it?

Ya that only gives you 7' at the highest point. That won't work unless the room is only for small children.

"I’m just trying to get a quick visual before hiring an architect to draw it up."

I forgot to mention that the foundation would have to be checked to see if it could take the additional load.

Do you have room on the lot to expand the existing house on the ground floor? It might be much more cost effective than raising the roof over your garage.

Thanks everyone!! We would not be able to expand the main floor due to set backs - The only other option I can see is actually finishing the garage to be a living space and building a detached garage on the property. Thanks again!

Husband is right; a shed dormer facing the back yard might work best. but if you search the box above under Photos for the term "shed dormer" they're all on higher pitched roofs than yours. Maybe you need a ground floor addition instead.

If you're set on livable space above the garage, the pitch of your existing roof looks insufficient. The only other option, for what you want to do, is to remove the existing roof and reframe using pony walls and a new roof structure. The existing footings will need to be checked to see if they can support the live and dead loads of a second floor. Where will the stair to the second floor go and how will you access it from the first floor? Hint: more remodeling to the first floor may be likely. Is your electrical service sufficient for the additional load? How will you get the HVAC to the new area? Will there be a bathroom? If so, how will supply, and service and waste drains be handled? Hint: A second floor addition is more than carpentry and dry wall...

Good luck!

I would think that it would be more cost effective to move to a bigger house. Good luck.