Koncept Garage, an Austin-based brand, builds customized garage transformations to maximize space, organization and prioritize client needs.
“You know, people think [of a] garage and they're like, ‘Oh, it's where you park your car and you put your Christmas tree,’” owner Jeff Julia said. “That's not the case anymore. It's literally the coolest room in the house.”
The backstory
Growing up, Julia always knew he wanted to be a business owner. He went on to study engineering in college, working on energy efficiency and construction projects.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked part time with his friend Rich Wiley on projects at his business, Garages Organized. After the pandemic, Julia took over the idea and created Koncept Garage.
What they offer
The business offers a garage conversion experience, where the team can transform the garage into a guest room, home gym, wellness space or gameroom.
“If you think of the traditional basement in the Northeast or up north, well, we don't have basements here, so the garage really serves as a Texas basement,” Julia said. “So it's the fun room of the house and the flex space.”
Koncept Garage also offers organizational services for clients who are seeking a more functional space. The Koncept team will help tenants decide what to keep, donate or discard and then take care of labeling and organizing belongings. Additionally, the brand offers customized garage cabinets, slatwall systems, bike racks and design services.
How it works
People who are interested in Koncept’s services can fill out an inquiry form on the business’ website including inspiration, budget and wants. Then, a team member will reach out to discuss further details about the timeline, followed by an in-person consultation and proposal.
The minimum budget that Koncept Garage typically works with is about $10,000, Julia said. For full-service projects such as home gyms or garage renovations, a typical budget falls within $25,000-$100,000
“So from the point somebody reaches out to us till the time we finish their job it's usually 90 days, which is way faster than a typical remodeler or home builder,” Julia said.
Why it matters
Koncept Garage focuses on space planning, interior design, industrial engineering and feng shui principles, Julia explained. The brand is equipped with an in-house designer, professional organizers, craftsmen and project managers.
“So, we make the spaces look amazing but also work for our clients,” Julia said. “That's what really makes us unique.”
Julia also crafted the business to be very intentional, as many homeowners have had difficulties working with contractors, including problems with “quality of work, communication and pricing accuracy,” he said.
One more thing
Julia noticed an uptick in clients requesting garage gym conversions, he said. The trend prompted him to launch Koncept Gyms over a year ago to focus on wellness rooms and home gyms that aren’t located in the garage.
“Convenience is really important,” Julia said. “And if you're designing a new home, you want that to serve your lifestyle. So we very much view ourselves as a lifestyle business.”
What’s next
To accommodate the business’ growth, Koncept Garage is expanding to a new warehouse in Dripping Springs next year, Julia explained. In the future, he hopes to add additional locations north of Austin, as the business is now working on projects in the Dallas area and beyond.
“The vision for the company is to be independent of a geography,” Julia said. “But it comes from having really good people [and] having a really good process.”
