Does anybody have any experience or advise on building a garage? I am tired of not having one. We live in Midtown in an old home and I have put up one of those Sam's Club temporary carports for the 03, but I really would like to build a two car garage. I want it to be similar style as our bungalow home with the overhanging roof. I guess craftsman would be the style. I will have to have a slab poured and extended from the existing driveway, and it would take quite a bit of our small back yard, but I think I want to do this. If anybody knows any contractors or has any ideas I will listen. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I also know it won't come cheap. I just think it would be nice to have the two Miatas indoors out of the elements. Maybe I could just leave the top down all the time. I think I am dreaming now...
I dont know about down in Memphis but here in Ripley. To build a wooden garage 20x20 was a fortune. You seen my metal garage its 20x40 with a 12x20 room added with slabs was $6200 almost half the price of a 20x20 wooden one. Out here a metal one is the cheapest one to build.
Yes, I might wind up going metal for that reason. I'll have to price things out. I also don't mind doing some carpentry work myself if it saves some money. I had rather have wood to match the house better, but I am not opposed to metal. Originally I was thinking a metal carport, but lately I have been thinking more about a real garage. Maybe it's all the rain we have had, but I just think it would be nice to have a place to park, work on cars, and maybe get a little fancy with some old metal signs. I have an old 1940 coke machine that would look great in a garage.
I don't have the information you need, but if you need free labor, call me 
I had a great experience with Dave Trentledge at Neighborhood Pro Builders.
Dave & his brother built my Home Theater Room addition a few years ago.
While any type of building/remodeling is an ordeal, Dave was always great at listening, was always upfront, & always delivered on every promise.
His number is 901-233-3373. Tell him Andy & Gwen Allen said hey!
Do it! You'll never regret it. The first 3 houses I bought didn't have garages. Tools had to be stashed in a storage room or building along with the mower, yard tools, kids bikes, etc. Anytime I wanted to work on ANYTHING I had to first check the weather. Whenever something on one of the cars broke and I had to fix it in the driveway it was either 20 degrees or 95 degrees - or raining. My last two houses have had typical suburban 2 car garages...and I'll never buy another house without it unless I factor building one into the deal. Here's some advice....FWIW
Mine is 20' x 24'. That's probably as small as you want to go. It would be tight if I drove big SUVs but, with a Miata and an MG in there it's very adequate. I pull the cars in so that the rear bumper is just a foot or so inside the door. That leaves plenty of working room in front of the cars so I don't have to move them out anytime I want to work on something.
Matching it to your house is the best idea. Even if it costs more, it'll add more value to your house. A metal building might be fine in a more rural area but I wouldn't put up one in midtown. You don't have to go overboard matching the house perfectly if you're on a budget (and who isn't?). Using a similar style siding, the same roof pitch, a similar overhang and the same color paint is all you have to do.
Be sure to budget in wiring....for lights (and plenty of 'em), door opener, and outlets for tools. If you plan on a large compressor, welding equipment or AC you'll need the proper 220V service. If you think you might eventually want a lift, be sure to plan for it initially - either through higher ceilings all around...or by siting the lift to take advantage of a "cathedral" ceiling. Also think about security. Garages are good targets for crackheads. Man doors on the rear or big windows make it easier for them to get in....and get your stuff out.
You could always build the shell and save insulation, wallboard, etc., for later if you need to. Being creative on what you do inside can save a bunch of money too. I made inexpensive cabinets instead of buying pricey store-bought ones. I lit my garage with inexpensive light fixtures using CFLs instead of tube fixtures. Instead of a $1500 epoxy floor coating, I rolled on the same stuff used to coat concrete driveways - for under $50.
The best thing I ever did to mine was to add a Heat/AC window unit from Sears. I think it cost about $500-600. I did the wiring myself (the circuit panel was just a few feet away in the same wall) and installed it through a hole in the garage wall. You'd be amazed how much more stuff you can find to do in the garage when it doesn't matter if it's hot, cold or dark outside. Being able to spend a cold, rainy day inside the garage cleaning up the cars, working on a stained glass project or anything else is wonderful. Here's a pic....of mine. You might also want to browse through the forum at www.garagejournal.com - although catching a serious case of garage envy is a hazard. Some of those guys have garages worth WAY more than my house!
Dam I wish my garage was that clean & neat. lol
Our garage >
http://s462.photobucket.com/albums/qq348/MX5WTN/Our%20Garage/?albumview=slideshow
These are some great ideas! Thanks Joe, some of your ideas are exactly as I would like to do. I currently have a 12 x 16 shed in the back yard that I have wired myself, so I think I can handle the wiring and interior finishing work. I haven't thought about the 220v though. I think I'll need to include that. I also like the idea of the AC/heat unit. The photo of your garage looks great. As Don said it is very clean and neat. Mine will probably get junked up quick, but my dream is to have it looking as good as yours.
And thanks Flin for the offer for free labor, but I wouldn't pass around that you work for free or you will have all sorts of offers.
I have found these plans that I like. I have no idea of cost yet though.
http://www.behmdesign.net/garageplan578-124x24.aspx
And here's one with a small attic space.
http://www.behmdesign.net/garageplan577-2.aspx
Now I need to check that website out that Joe suggested.
Don't forget to get your permits....and be sure what your setback requirements are. I believe you not only have to be a certain distance from the property line both side and rear (probably 5' or 10')....but an unattached garage also has to be a certain distance from the house - 20' I believe, but it's been years since I checked on that. You'll also need to check for anything like utility easements on your property. You don't want to site the garage, have the slab poured and then find out it can't go there!!
Once the slab is poured, a few guys could frame a garage and get it enclosed in a weekend....
Yes, I will do it correctly and get permits this time. When I had the shed put up, they wanted to build it 5 feet from the property line, but I didn't pull a permit for that and I made them go closer (3 feet). However, I don't think I can get away with that with a two car garage. When getting the permits, they should let me know what the setback requirements are. Because of my previous dealings, I think it's 5 feet, but I will need to check further. If it's much more than that I may have to shelf the idea because my yard is not big enough for much fudge room. 20 feet from the house should not be a problem.
Really... a weekend? That's fast. It would be great if it could happen that quick. I guess getting the ground ready for the slab may take more time than anything. I have to fill in a backyard koi pond and cut down a tree before that will happen.
Framing the walls goes really quick using pre-cut studs....so can the roof framing especially if you use prefab trusses. Roof decking is also quick...siding can be as well, depending on what you use. The trick it to have enough help that you don't waste time climbing up and down ladders and running all over the place. Nail guns are a huge time saver!
Hey Flin does your new house have a garage? Maybe you need some free help fixing it up! I'll help if you need it.
Hey Flin does your new house have a garage? Maybe you need some free help fixing it up! I'll help if you need it.
-stevekmo
Yeah, it's got a regular size 2-car garage and a working area with work bench. I don't know what needs to be done to it now, but I got your words Thanks!
