Nope. You need to keep your walls where they are. The kitchen is an appropriate size for the size of the home. And you do not need to lose garage space.

Hmm that seems so definite ha! The kitchen size is perfect but there’s no room for dining. Previous owners ate outside or in the lounge, but I have a little boy and would prefer to eat at a table for some ’family’ time.

The ‘garage‘ will actually be turned into a 3rd bedroom as it was previously used as storage room and old owners built carpark area seperate to the unit.

Structurally can it be done?

If you want to spend 250K on remaking a garage to actually come up to current residential building codes, and do all the structural alterations, and do a new kitchen? Because you really should be buying the bigger house that you want with that money instead. Taking away a garage LOSES you money. Unless you build a new one, and a new driveway to it. Add on another 70-90K.

Buy a different house. This isn’t your dream house. It‘s your starter house. You don’t do stupid expensive things to starter houses. They dont pay you back. You live in them, keep them clean and maintained, and move on in 2-5 years.

Little boy will grow up quickly. Can you remove what is along the garage wall?

Ok thanks for your input. Just checking if you are a builder or engineer? I have enough knowledge to know it wont cost that much but what I would like to find out, from someone who is a builder, without having to get someone to come out, is if it can be done.

The garage is already up to code and around this area, Miami QLD Australia, a 3rd bedroom actually adds more value than a garage, although as I mentioned, it already has another carpark area which is indercover. Again something that has been done by almost every duplex in this neighbourhood to increase their values. Thanks!

Hi tdemonti, would prefer to keep the area marked garage as a 3rd bedroom so wouldnt want to open up completely.

Your plan indicates that you can re-purpose that corner space in the garage, so I'm wondering if you have thought about moving the laundry into that corner, and then expanding the kitchen into the former laundry area. If you're going to add a bedroom into that garage space, and if you considered adding plumbing for the laundry into the garage, then you might also add a half-bath for added convenience and property value (if the neighborhood can carry the extra value).

Haha yes smiling! Sort of.. I have thought of actually halving the laundry and adding a small ensuite for that room.. coming from a small walk-in robe and yes it could carry more value 😉 But thats a bit easier and do-able than cutting walls or corners out 🥴 getting the impression anyway..

@Fiona Young I am not a professional but did sell real estate and that market is unpredictable. I'm not saying this is the case, but anyone with something to sell to you will make it very appealing. They go home at the end of the day. Consult with your municipal code official first. Be sure to not over-invest for your neighborhood.

Okey dokey thanks everyone

33 years of construction experience. You are not changing the very nature of that house without way more expense and trouble than you are thinking. Garages do NOT meet legal habitable space requirements. There is a lot of expensive work to make them meet legal habitable space requirements. Add in load bearing masonry walls? Youre tearing down half the house in order to rebuild it to how you want it. That never ends well. Either for your pocketbook, or the house.

Verbo, mate, I can guarantee this ‘garage‘ is fine. Not sure why half the house is being torn down but thanks!

I can probably be done cost effectively.

You may need to consult a structural engineer. It does not sound like a crazy plan to me; the only question is how difficult and expensive it will be. Speaking only for myself, I would do it if it's feasible.

You can surely do it. But maybe instead of blowing out the walls entirely, you can just have large openings that may reduce the structural complexity.

Moving the Laundry would certainly be nice to make that area the Dinette instead, and would work well with a Bedroom layout, however the water heater and possibly an electrical panel or some other utilities there may make moving the Laundry an expensive move with insufficient payback.

Thank you Joseph, Paul & Bry! That gives me a start to get some quotes i didnt want to waste anyones time if it couldnt be done

and thank you 3onthetree.. yes i am open to not banging the walls completely and leaving like a beam at the top to continue some structure strength .. wasnt sure if I would have to leave a pillar or something but will get some quotes.. thanks everyone!