How much does a garage renovation in new brunswick cost?

Garage renovations in New Brunswick typically run $5,000 to $75,000+, depending heavily on what you're actually doing to the space. The range is wide because "garage renovation" covers everything from a basic insulation and drywall job to a full conversion into living space with plumbing, heating, and electrical.

Here's how the costs break down by scope:

Basic finishing (insulation, drywall, paint, lighting): $5,000–$15,000. This is the most common garage upgrade in NB — adding insulation to walls and ceiling, drywalling, and running a few circuits for outlets and lighting. Given our winters regularly hitting -25°C or colder inland, proper insulation is non-negotiable if you want the space usable year-round.

Mid-range workshop or hobby space: $15,000–$35,000. Add a dedicated electrical panel or subpanel, upgraded lighting, a mini-split heat pump, epoxy floor coating, and built-in storage. A cold-climate heat pump is increasingly the go-to heating solution in NB garages — NB Power rebates may apply through their Total Home Energy Savings Program, so it's worth checking before you buy.

Full conversion to living space (in-law suite, home office, studio): $40,000–$75,000+. This is where costs climb fast. You're looking at meeting the National Building Code of Canada 2020 requirements (mandatory in NB as of May 1, 2025), which means proper egress windows, minimum 1.95m ceiling height, fire separation, interconnected smoke and CO alarms, and a dedicated heating system. If you're adding a bathroom, licensed plumbing and TIS permits are required. Electrical must be done by a licensed contractor with an NB Power wiring permit.

A few NB-specific things to keep in mind. If your garage is attached to your home and you're converting it to living space, your municipality or Regional Service Commission will require a building permit — budget $500–$2,000+ for the permit fee depending on scope. In Fredericton, contact Development Services at (506) 460-2020. In Moncton, reach Planning & Development at (506) 856-4375. Rural homeowners should contact their Regional Service Commission (RSC 11 for Capital Region rural, RSC 7 for Southeast NB, etc.).

If you're in an older home — particularly a 1970s–1990s build common in Riverview, Quispamsis, or New Maryland — check for asbestos in any existing drywall compound or pipe wrap before demo. Testing runs $300–$500 and is worth every penny.

One thing many homeowners overlook: if your garage has a concrete slab, test for radon before finishing the space. New Brunswick has some of the highest radon levels in Canada — about 1 in 4 homes exceed Health Canada's guideline. A long-term test kit costs $30–$50, and a sub-slab depressurization system runs $2,500–$5,000 if needed. Far cheaper to deal with before the walls go up.

For most garage finishing projects, a general contractor or skilled carpenter can handle the bulk of the work — but electrical, gas (if adding a gas heater), and plumbing must be done by licensed trades licensed through NB's Technical Inspection Services (TIS).

Browse licensed contractors in our directory to get quotes from local professionals: New Brunswick Construction Network