DIY Garage Build

[novascroller]

So i have plans to build a 22x26' garage with a loft. Back in August our contractor put the heated slab in place but unfortunately things didn't work out with him and I've decided to give building it myself a try. I consider myself reasonably handy with tools but i've never taken a project of this size on by myself so i'm intimidated to get the framing started. I don't even know where to begin. We had good plans made up and i've contacted a few places to get a quote for materials but have heard nothing back from them yet. Are there any good youtube videos that i can start watching while i wait for quotes or should i do up a material list myself??? is there anyone here that could give me some advice and guidance through this process??

thanks,
graham

 

[matt_i]

Good plans should have the specifics. I know that's a big generalization, but you can spend some time studying up that's going to really help down the road. Are you left with a concrete slab + footings and cast-in anchor studs for your walls?

If you want to look at a lot of pictures I can give you my DIY build for some ideas.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319602

I'm not sure if the astronomical framing lumber prices in the US are carrying over to Canada (??) NS = Nova Scotia (P?)

 

[Bolson32]

Built my own this summer as well(almost done anyway).

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=458663

Framing is pretty easy, watch some youtube videos and you'll figure it out. Garages are pretty simple but I've done some minor framing before. In hindsight, I probably would've hired out the framing, sheathing, wrapping and roofing and just done siding and probably painted it myself. That would've saved me considerable amounts of time but in the end I'm glad I did it. Probably my first and last

 

[Don1357]

Built my own this summer as well(almost done anyway).

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=458663

Framing is pretty easy, watch some youtube videos and you'll figure it out. Garages are pretty simple but I've done some minor framing before. In hindsight, I probably would've hired out the framing, sheathing, wrapping and roofing and just done siding and probably painted it myself. That would've saved me considerable amounts of time but in the end I'm glad I did it. Probably my first and last

I did my roofing, 24x36 with a 10/12 slope. the guy I called wanted $5,600 in labor alone... I only fell off the roof once; I wasn't that knowledgeable on roofing but I do know rope, from spelunking and the Army.

 

[Bolson32]

I did my roofing, 24x36 with a 10/12 slope. the guy I called wanted $5,600 in labor alone... I only fell off the roof once; I wasn't that knowledgeable on roofing but I do know rope, from spelunking and the Army.

I did hire out the roof sheathing and roofing on my 16x32, but only 5/12. It was like $1300 which was super fair. I didn't want to fall off at all

 

[Kaizen]

If you have the money hire framers and you can follow behind doing siding and roofing. If you use zip system it will be waterproof for 6 mo while you do it.
I built mine in a few years. But I studied before and planned.
A few good videos on YouTube. One is a woman and a guy building a garage. Like 1980s video quality. Lots of basics there.
Also a bunch from an old framer that pounds nails in one hit. Sorry you will have to search them out.
You really need to know a bunch so you don’t make mistakes.


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[ace10]

Is the construction subject to building codes and inspections?

 

[bdbecker]

While I haven't watched a lot of his framing videos, The Essential Craftsman channel on YouTube is a wealth of information.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=framing+essential+craftsman

 

[Bolson32]

A few good videos on YouTube. One is a woman and a guy building a garage. Like 1980s video quality. Lots of basics there.
Also a bunch from an old framer that pounds nails in one hit. Sorry you will have to search them out.

Lolol, I've seen both of these videos. The old framer is great.

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[Kaizen]

Lolol, I've seen both of these videos. The old framer is great.

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My daughter saw me watching him and says if you are doing that at that age you’re going in a home. No way I could keep up with him.


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[nadogail]

Be prepared to spend more time and money than you planned on.

In return you will get serious bragging rights.

 

[Glemon]

I have done this twice, once a 14' x 17' extension off my existing garage, and more recently a 40' x 20' attached. Plan it all out, but take a step at a time so it is not overwhelming. Framing--don't forget to use treated lumber for the base boards like I did the first time. Keep measuring to make sure things are straight and square. The farther you go down the road with something off the harder it is to correct.

Be prepared for things to take longer than you expect. Get a helper when you can, relative, neighbor, will work for food guy (just kidding) as you can work a lot faster with somebody to help hold in place, grabs tool when your hands are full, move big things etc.

You also don't have to buy everything at once. Even if you try you will end up forgetting something and have to go back many times. I am getting old and going to the lumberyard to buy stuff was kind of a break anyway. May be worth your while to have trusses made, will save you a lot of time over building rafters. Make sure your walls are straight before attaching the trusses, easy to mess this up (ask me how I know).

You may notice the seasons changing in the pictures. Yeah, I started in the fall of 2018 and finished in the summer of 2019, partly because we had to custom order brick to match the house and they closed the brick shop in December, but mostly because it just took that long.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Nice job! Can't wait to see the inside pics.

 

[captain14]

Glemon,

I’d like to see some of the inside photos too. The exterior shots look good.

 

[Falcon67]

Lots of threads in the Garage Gallery showing framing work - including mine. Good place to review. Most are just big dog houses LOL.

I did all mine, including decking and roofing. 5/12, 6/12 pitch shouldn't be much of an issue if you're careful. More than that you're very likely going to want a harness and safety equipment.

Based on what I'm hearing - not been in HD or Lowes in a while - this is likely the worst time to buy framing lumber. Guy just yesterday said he paid $5+ for a regular 2x4x96. That's nuts.

 

[toolmiser]

Is framing really that expensive? If you don't have the skillset, is now the time to learn it? Can you save other ways on the costs, such as covering cleanup, demolition (as long as it doesn't hold up the contractor, landscaping after it's done? Ask the contractor if there are some ways to cut costs without effecting quality.

 

[ace10]

...
Based on what I'm hearing - not been in HD or Lowes in a while - this is likely the worst time to buy framing lumber. Guy just yesterday said he paid $5+ for a regular 2x4x96. That's nuts.

2X4X8 is $6 currently in my area. And 2X6X8 is $10.

 

[Bolson32]

Is framing really that expensive? If you don't have the skillset, is now the time to learn it? Can you save other ways on the costs, such as covering cleanup, demolition (as long as it doesn't hold up the contractor, landscaping after it's done? Ask the contractor if there are some ways to cut costs without effecting quality.

I don't think framing labor is that cost prohibitive, no. I mostly just wanted to do it and, frankly it's pretty easy and fun. With that said, in hindsight I'm just over 3 months in and close to finished. I ran out of steam at times and would've been done a month earlier if I'd hired the framing and roofing.

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[Cobra5150]

This should give some ideas

https://imgur.com/gallery/FQwST

 

[DJF3]

Lumber and plywood costs are through the roof, however in reality they are a small fraction of the total cost. So yes, it's two or three times more than what is was, but it's now 10% of the total cost instead of 8%. I'm just making those numbers up as an example. I don't know what the actual percentage is. But I think you get the point.

 

[jetnow1]

Lumber and plywood costs are through the roof, however in reality they are a small fraction of the total cost. So yes, it's two or three times more than what is was, but it's now 10% of the total cost instead of 8%. I'm just making those numbers up as an example. I don't know what the actual percentage is. But I think you get the point.

If you are building it yourself the increase in lumber costs is much more as a percentage. Lumber is up to record highs, availability is spotty especially for pressure treated. I build my garage about 3 years ago, the price of lumber has
more than doubled since then.

I built an addition for my mother two years ago, there was a 50% difference between lumber quotes. Make sure you give each one the same list to bid on
and you will be amazed at how different they can be.

 

[CraigStu]

Our SIL just got his 24x30 dried in this week. Lumber is double price and any type of plywood or treated wood may be more than that. There are tons of things you need to know so I would research and learn now and maybe build in the spring. There are regs for;
-how many bolts, and what sizes tie the wall bottom plate to the concrete,
-that bottom plate must be treated,
-there needs to be a layer of a specific plastic between that plate and the concrete.
-type of nails to be used for framing, how many per joint, how they should be coated for going into that treated bottom plate.
-his has only 2 ft of wall between the garage doors and front corners of the building so the garage door header must extend all the way to the corner
It has been a fun experience helping him but all of the above I didn't know so I am glad he did.

 

[firebirdparts]

Framing is too fun to pay somebody else to do it. Seriously.

 

[bad_idea]

I framed mine. It was a good time. Standing 12' 2x6 walls was entertaining.

Larry Haun is the man. Check out his videos on the youtubes:

 

[JamesW84]

I don't think framing labor is that cost prohibitive, no. I mostly just wanted to do it and, frankly it's pretty easy and fun. With that said, in hindsight I'm just over 3 months in and close to finished.

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Easy and fun depends on height also. I did 18' walls and let me tell you...with 2 guys it was exciting, but not easy or fun. 3 years since I started dirt work. 2 years today since the concrete was poured. I'm beginning to install the last bit of siding on the front - but I've had help from my brother for the big stuff and done probably 75% of it myself (32x64 w/ 18 ft walls and 20 x 64 lean to).

Be sure and brace your walls well (especially if they're tall) - and go near the top, not mid wall. Anchor bolts epoxied in holes drilled after the pour is easier; I had J bolts put in the foundation and marks that I laid out for them - they were either not straight, too low or somthing and then matching the bottom plate up was a major PITA (even if they were all perfect). I put more in w/ a rotary drill (harbor freight) and epoxied those in.

I'd say I honestly have at least 2000 of my hours in mine plus probably 500+ from my brother. And cost...yeah I wanted to be about $15,000 less than what I'm ending up at and I didn't even use the more expensive siding on the front I wanted (4 sq at $400 sq). I did however do more concrete than planned, so that was probably an extra $5000 alone.