How to remove cement brick walls

Roxanna Medina MurilloHometalker - First, will the City allow you to convert this garage into a bedroom. (Permits)

Just put up cutting strips and hang your drywall. Why bother taking the wall down?

My first thought, outside of getting permits, if needed, is why are you taking down what is probably a load bearing wall? That's a major expense to run beams.

Running plumbing and drainage lines (see permits) to a new laundry room is also going to be another major expense.

Most cities have a set back whereby you can't build within a certain number of feet from the edge of your property. Will putting a garage out front be allowed?

I like your ideas, but I wonder if they are practical and will the garage out front ruin the design of the house? You also don't want to overbuild for the area. You will not get your money back when you sell.

The cinder block walls are exterior walls, you may not be able to remove them at all but I would do exactly what Papoose03 said. Put furring strips up and in between the strips put rigid insulation then drywall over top. Permits even through they are a hassle, they are also your friend!

You may find some ideas on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+remove+concrete+walls

don't know what part of the country you are in, but I'm thinking you should leave them there and go Santa Fe style.

This is not a DIY project (except finishing the existing bedroom walls and other finishing). The plumbing and sewage runs, bath/laundry and garage addition with roof, because it's structural, need a pro and a blueprint - which you'll probably be required to do just to get a permit to add on a garage. I would get all the planning/blueprint done in the beginning, even if you don't do it all at once. Get out the graph paper and draw what you want so an architect or general contractor can take it from there. They will know where to start and how to proceed. And tell them if it's a "this much now, rest later" so that can be planned. Know your budget. And tell them it's a few thousand less. In my limited experience, have an attorney that does construction contracts look over yours before you sign. It's worth the $100 or so - I lost more than that by not doing it.

A contractor will still have to have an architect either sign off on his drawing or do it for him. I had an addition experience where the contractor wanted $850 to have the plans drawn and signed off. An architect said he would do it for $500, so don't be afraid to talk to one! It will save you money and grief if you have the sketch of what you want instead of just trying to tell someone. Both can tell you what can and can't be done and/or offer better suggestions to save you money. The architect can tell you how to finish the outside so it looks good, and probably give you recommendations on local builders. Also maybe even more suggestions to save money. Based on your questions, I'd say that hiring a contractor is a must, but this job should be fairly easy for him/her. Show your plans to more than just one, talk and listen and get quotes. List all the things you want to DIY, like the painting or flooring, etc. Even finishing the bath and laundry - just have an expert get it to that point. Builders will usually come out and do some measuring, etc and give you a quote for no charge. Call more than one. This is just my opinion.

That's step 1, where you start. In my humble opinion!

Roxanna Medina MurilloEl Paso, TX - From the front of your house, you can frame this area in with 2x4's, siding and new Window and the same framing and siding for the rear with a door to your backyard. On the Brick wall you can use the existing door to the new bedroom. Since your garage is concrete you will have to plan a sub floor. The Kitchen widow can be removed and framed in. This work can be preformed by you. (D.I.Y.) The City may require architectural drawing

to grant you the permits.

Cheryl is 1000 percent correct! Sounds like the voice of experience talking there! I'll add - make sure your contractor is bonded and insured and require they show you the paperwork before you decide to go with them or hand over 1 red cent. Have them show your their portfolio and give you references. Check them out with the Better Business Bureau. There are honest contractors out there (theoretically at least), but there are a lot of shady ones as well, and they're usually the first ones to suggest shortcuts to "save you money", to say that they can get things done without "bothering" with permits the government wants just to make more money off you, etc. Never even think about doing business with one that suggests that because not only will you end up with an illegal addition that the next buyer for the home may be required to tear down to get an occupancy permit, you have little to no legal recourse if they mess up the project (which is likely) and you can face fines and be required to tear down your own addition if your municipality does a reassessment and sends an inspector on a drive around that gets you busted!

I had to temporarily give up plans for an attached garage because the original homeowners sited our home too close to our well to allow room to put a decent sized garage in a logical place without getting all sorts of special exemptions signed off by the state environmental agency. Ask me if I'm glad I checked, because if I hadn't they could have not only made me tear down my garage or move my well, they could have pulled our occupancy permit and forced us to move out until the problems were corrected!