Moving, going to need to build a garage

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CultClassik

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Well, packing up and moving to a new (very old) house. Nice 3 spot car port but no garage. Looking to have some estimates done and would like to get the thing built sooner rather than later so I'm not working on the car outside in the winter (it's Texas winter, but cold enough if you're outdoors for hours!).

Probably looking to do a large 2 car garage style shop, tall enough for a 2 post lift.

I know nothing about this stuff, what should I be looking for, asking for etc when getting bids. I know I'll be wanting electric including 220 for the welder, eventually I'll get a real compressor too.

Just wanting to get a list of must haves so I don't go "damn I should have done such and such" after it's too late!
 
Balance your budget against your wants.

If I were doing it, I would consider what material to build with, in your climate condensation might be an issue. For example, a tin roof as opposed to wood/shingles etc.

Heat? Air conditioning? Bathroom/shower maybe? Lighting would be one item at the top of the list for me, type of lighting for good light and cost effective.

Lots of electrical outlets all around.
 
Make it as big as your budget will allow - way easier to add things (like 220, more outlets) later, than it is to add more square footage.
 
Balance your budget against your wants.

If I were doing it, I would consider what material to build with, in your climate condensation might be an issue. For example, a tin roof as opposed to wood/shingles etc.

Heat? Air conditioning? Bathroom/shower maybe? Lighting would be one item at the top of the list for me, type of lighting for good light and cost effective.

Lots of electrical outlets all around.

Make it as big as your budget will allow - way easier to add things (like 220, more outlets) later, than it is to add more square footage.


Both of these have good suggestions. I would also say shop around extensively for the materials. I'm looking for one now myself, and I can say this, the complete, easy kits often cost more than just buying the materials individually. Example, I'm looking at a kit now from one, 24 by 32 ft and it's list price is 5976.96. Well, I added it up individually, I can design and build my own, for 3967.36

Also, in terms of concrete, get the strongest PSI tensile strength rating you can in your area. Especially if you're gonna add a lift.
 
building it yourself?? go to supplier and tell him you are the contractor for this garage and want a " contractor's price"on materials...
 
I'll make it plenty big don't worry about that! :)

I doubt I will ever do HVAC on it, but probably will do the insulated slab and use a portable heater like I do in the garage when it gets cold.

As far as what I do myself, I will do as much as I am confident doing to keep costs down. From what I've seen, 20-30k to have someone build a garage. That's a lot of money on top of the house being substantially more than what I'm in, so what ever I can do to reduce the total price I will definitely do.
 
if you are a veteran ask for you 10% discount at either Lowe's or Home Depot. Others also give the discount if you ask.
 
Hydronic. That's my dream to lay on a warm floor when working under a car.p
Call the local roof truss maker and see if they have anything that wasn't picked up and is a deal. My friend picked some up for a cottage that were 24"s bigger than original plan but got them for the price of lumber and a 2' bigger cottage.
Shop for garage doors as the price around me seems to have a wide variance. I picked up a beautiful 16' insulated steel door off kijiji that cost me the time to remove it .
Underground wiring with a breaker in the house. Then when you forget to turnout the lights you can cut the power rather than wander out to the shop. O
Tin inside and out'e'
 
You could look into those steel pre-fabricated ones..........
 
You are in just about the same boat as me. And want just about the same thing as me.

First off, I have a two acre yard. But I would think this would apply to anybody wanting to run a lift, GOOD Mig welder, and a large compressor. I am figuring about three to four grand for the welder and compressor BTW.

I am installing a separate utility pole for the electric in the shop. A separate 200 amp breaker at the service. For me it is a lot cheaper than running wire from my house to the shop.

Another thing is a good slab, then I am going to either seal it with paint or go high falutin' and put those plastic tiles down. In any case, my old shop had a concrete floor that had ridges and bumps and hills and canyons. And it sucks big time with a creaper.

Another thing is installing piping in the walls to have a few different locations for compressed air. Keep hoses from running on the floor, and its really not too expensive. I have heard PVC will work, but I think I am gonna go with something a little more durable.

Texas eh? I live in southwest Louisiana. Honestly I much prefer working under a pole barn in the summer than inside a shop. I am seriously thinking about having a "carport" of some sorts so I can move my car outside to work on it during the hotter months.

These are just some ideas. Good look. Suscribed.
 
I checked with the building inspector while in the planning stage for recommendations and to stay legal, which he pointed out some things like rough in for water and sewer, electric in the concrete even though I didn't put in sewer also rough in electric in the concrete and go with the largest conduit you can for your service entrance. I also had concrete pilings poured where the lift sits. just my .02
 
Get multiple quotes for materials.

If you are not going to build it yourself contact a prominent licensed builder in your area. If you are going to do alot of the work yourself still contact him and ask him who the best subs are in your area.

Contacting the truss co about trusses that were never delivered is a great idea too.

The metal building kits are very easy.

I always liked a pad on the outside of the building to build a compressor closet, keeps the noise down.

Oh, call before you dig.
 
All good info :) thank you everyone.

Trying to start getting all of this figured out so I can start asap. With the costs I'm guessing on, I may have the slab done, then see about talking someone in to helping me do framing, then seeing about a roof, siding..I can do the interior insulation and walls at least. I can run electric inside, air lines, all those goodies.

I am a veteran, I was wondering if using the 10% at Lowes or HD would be cheaper than a lumber yard, guess I'll find out when I get some plans together and start calling around!
 
check out my new shop build which I will bump to the top. It may give you some ideas about trusses to make room for lift
 
I just moved to a new house myself, and I'm in the process of a building my first free standing garage. Its going to be a three car 32 foot by 24 foot and it will have 12 foot high walls. It is costing me $26,000 to build and oddly enough construction just started yesterday. Yipppppeeeee
 

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I hired an architect to help me with my shop. It didn't cost very much money and it saved me money in the long run. The architect knew the codes, knew the contractors and knew how to get the building permits all lined up. The contractors were very responsive when an architect called them for quotes, not so much when some random guy (me) called them.

My advice is heated floors if you're going to work in the winters and fully insulate it. Also, think about resale value when you build it. Build something that will appeal to other buyers not just yourself.
 

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I hired an architect to help me with my shop. It didn't cost very much money and it saved me money in the long run. The architect knew the codes, knew the contractors and knew how to get the building permits all lined up. The contractors were very responsive when an architect called them for quotes, not so much when some random guy (me) called them.

My advice is heated floors if you're going to work in the winters and fully insulate it. Also, think about resale value when you build it. Build something that will appeal to other buyers not just yourself.

Did you tell the architect he was supposed to design a garage? I hate to tell you, but you got hosed on that deal because he built an airplane hangar.

Jeez that's huge.
 
Just saw this and wanted to add my thoughts.... Built mine in 2008...40x30... Two, 10'wide x15'high roll up doors.. Can pull my mh inside... Can't close the door but still have most of it inside...Rollup doors are self storing.. You don't lose any height inside... Put in all the fluorescent lights in you can get. Split them on more than one switch... That way you only have to light where you are working... seal the floor with a good epoxy... Spills or leaks will wipe up very easily... You being in Texas might want to re-think no air.... I put a five ton system in mine and it's the second best thing I did... The first best was my lift... I'm getting too old to work on a creeper and under jack stands... Especially during the summer heat and humidity... With the air just knocking the temps down ten or fifteen degrees and the humidity down twenty or thirty percent can make working in the garage fun again... Add the lift and even at 64 it's fun again!!!! Build it as large as you can... I would love to have mine 40 x 60.... Bit too late now. I thought mine would be way more than enough.... But I have to make do........
 
It doesn't matter how big you build it... It won't be big enough.
 
Metal roofs are noisy!! Most of the "package" garages have cannonball doors, and overhead doors are an upcost! As are more windows! Do ALL of the work before you move anything in, it will be much easier than moving everything back out!!
 
See, now I'm glad I asked. Roll up door is a must, I hadn't even thought about that with the lift!

I've seen some good ones on garage journal!

I'm thinking I will end up having the slab poured, framing it up myself, paying to have the trusses/roofing done. Not sure about siding yet if I can do that or not. I can finish out the interior. I'm pretty sure I can bring the cost down quite a bit like this.

If I can get the structure in place for under 20k, I can live with that.
 
See, now I'm glad I asked. Roll up door is a must, I hadn't even thought about that with the lift!

I've seen some good ones on garage journal!

I'm thinking I will end up having the slab poured, framing it up myself, paying to have the trusses/roofing done. Not sure about siding yet if I can do that or not. I can finish out the interior. I'm pretty sure I can bring the cost down quite a bit like this.

If I can get the structure in place for under 20k, I can live with that.

Check out Craigs list also for doors, and lifts some amazing deals there.
 
If I can get the structure in place for under 20k, I can live with that.

I was just quoted 19,800 on a 30 x 48, that included 3 overhead doors and one man door.

Windows would be extra, and of course the concrete would be extra.
 
I am in the process of building a 2-car garage that is 26'x32'. It has 9' wide by 8' tall standard garage doors. It is a basic package that came from 84 Lumber. It is pretty simple with just some basic electric for now. Focused my money on the building and basic power. Plus I added a 25' x 8' deep lean-to on the back of the garage and asphalt extension to my driveway. It is pretty close to being done, so I will post up some pictures soon. Total cost including concrete, framing package and contractor to build it, lean-to, basic electric service and about a 28' x 30' wide section of asphalt cost me just shy of $25,000.
 
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