Why Don't Builders Finish and Paint Inside the Garage?

Have you ever noticed that so many builders leave garage walls as bare studs or just with some rough looking drywall? I decided to find out why.

[sunseeker]

The titel says "Why don't they"! But zreo answer!

[drewsiph]

Was leaving your video just as unfinished and unsatisfying as your garage some sort of metaphor? Level 1 drywall and a level 1 video….

[davidperry]

My parent’s garage is painted and it’s not taxed as living space and it’s Texas. Same thing with my sister’s house.

[bradleyfeutz]

Code says it has to be drywalled and taped. Everything else is just an expense.

[QuantumOfSolace]

So what is the answer??? Why do they leave it unfinished??

[Roofless_Raxx]

I’m pretty sure my agent told me they do this so we can find the studs faster when mounting

[lucasthurloff]

It’s a finished room then some states tax you that for living space

[waynechantre]

I live in Texas and I don’t think it has any cost involved with taxes but when I bought my house 20 years ago one of the first things I did is got a 5 gallon can of flat grey paint with my Wagner sprayer and completely sprayed the garage in less than 30 minutes Still looks good 20 years later.

[rupe]

the building department considers this as finished, so going the next level (nice) is not going to change your taxes.

[Randall-bs]

Are you a politician? You didn't even answer the question that you, yourself posed. I've often wondered the exact same thing...why don't they ever finish the garage? maybe someday I'll see a video that will explain why

[jimpie]

Code, in my area (NW suburb of Chicago), all walls that mate inside walls, must be 5/8”. Ceiling in an attached garage must also have 5/8” drywall. All other walls studs are ok. I asked the builder to add drywall and insulation, he said no to the insulation and for $195 he would do the rest of the garage. Basically it was 2 walls 24’ x 10 1/2’ high and 50’ 3’ by doors. Because he would not insulate, I insulated and then used 1/2” x 4’ x 8’ plywood. This was 20 years ago and it cost me about $300.

[theguyofalltrades]

Exactly like mine. Building my workshop and painting now. Had to add a heater too

[inkstain]

We finish/texture and paint them in Oklahoma.

[idty]

they do it so you can know where to add shelves

[yolo_burrito]

I’ve seen one YouTuber that put in a super nice epoxy floor but never painted the walls in the garage.

[Wolfandoakmanor]

No reason other than a way for the builders to charge more. They MUST seal the garage from fumes into the house. This is why they simply tape and mud. If you want it finished completely smooth and painted…you’ll have to pay. There are no tax implications on whether or not the property has a finished (I.e., painted) garage. It’s already considered finished space.

[garysarnowski]

Some builders add a second operating garage door in the rear of the garage with a concrete slab that can act as a patio or car wash platform, depending on the house. design.

[ar]

My builder finished garages in unpainted T-111. Looks really nice.

[davidmettler]

All garages should be at least 28'x28 with a walk through door in front and back with a 10' ceiling. They try and make them 22'x22'. You can't even park a midsize car in the garage and get out of your vehicle.

[mrcryptozoic]

I can do a "garage quality" finish with customization (with electrical and rock) and save at least 50% on the job. So why would I pay a builder to do it?