A nice small shop or a bare bones large shop?

[ilikedirt]

3 years in this house and it's finally time to get a garage/shop built. I'm on a 1ac lot in Northern VA and along with budget restrictions I also have square footage restrictions.

My house is 1102sqft and my existing shed is 256sqft. Which according to local accessory structure ordinances leaves me with a max shop size of 846sqft. Also, in my county any structure that is above 600sqft requires 24" footers (12" footers for under 600sqft)

By the way it's looking, if I go the smaller route, i'll save a bit of money where I can afford to insulate and throw a mini split in to make it comfortable in there. I'll also be able to order 12' tall walls so I can install a lift.

If I go as large as I can i'll already be slightly over budget. Note...yes I have a lot of "stuff" but this building will mainly be used as a work space as I don't have the dire need to garage multiple vehicles.

What do you guys think?

 

[stingry]

Definitely go large. You can add the nice to have stuff later as budget allows but can’t build it bigger if you go the smaller route!

 

[kbeefy]

Build as big as you can. I have a 950' shop and oversized 2 car heated garage, my next place is getting a 2400' shop.

 

[Garett]

Definitely go large. You can add the nice to have stuff later as budget allows but can’t build it bigger if you go the smaller route!

sums it up

 

[dnschmidt]

Is this a trick question?

 

[Prospecter]

I have a 24x30 - Car bay on one side and woodshop on the other. If I had it to do over, I would maybe go 26 wide to accommodate a slightly larger car bay, and possibly up to 36 long for workbench space in front of a vehicle. My shop is easy to heat, and not too pricey.

 

[Jlbc212]

A shop, a place you intend to do a lot of work, needs to be comfortable and affordable. Presently electricity for a/c and fuel for heat are not too expensive, but I wouldn't put a great deal of hope in conditions in staying that way. The bigger the shop, the more expensive it is to maintain. Don't forget property taxes too. Contrary to what you may read on the Garage Journal bigger isn't always better. Women will tell you that too.

 

[southalabama]

I guess we’ve met different women

Go big.

 

[kbs2244]

in spite of the "go big" advice, I went with a 20 x 24 shop
my age and existing inventory now has a lot to say as to the size of my projects.
so this was adequate.

do some real analysis of your needs.

 

[readhead]

Find out from the building department if you can add on to a smaller building later. If that is a possibility I would build small now and add later when the budget allows.

What type of construction are you considering? Wood, steel, CMU or? That may influence your size decision.

 

[NUTTSGT]

sums it up

Id agree on this as well. The other issue to consider is a possible change in local code. You may not be allowed to add on later.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I have 440 square feet and have never wished I had more space. Everyone I know with a big shop wishes they had more. I'm not sure what that means, for you. But take it as a data point. Maybe I need more gear?

 

[rayra]

yeah, but Jack you successfully made a silk purse out of a sow's ear, turning a mid-century back of the lot tiny car barn into something very useful and necessarily compact. And fortunately Porsches are smallish.

The OP on the other hand has a mostly blank slate. There are some constraints but there's a wide range of size options. Now is the only time he can add more space. I say he should take that opportunity to double or triple his space. He doesn't have to go maximum, but he doesn't have to hold small, either.

 

[loganb]

I'm going to go against the grain as well and say smaller and finished. But it raises some questions:

House is 1100 sq ft...thats pretty small, especially on a 1 acre lot. So it makes me question about the resale value here as a house (vs a lot for a new build). Also makes me wonder about timeline for OP to be in the house as again, there is nothing wrong with a 1100 sq ft house, its just the size for many peoples first house...or one of their last.

Lift seems to be desired down the road....going larger sq ft sounds like that would eat up the money to go taller.. likely permanently removing the lift as an option. Smaller footprint allows taller walls for the lift, if in the future more sq footage is desired it can be added....more headroom is expensive to add with even less resale value

Building smaller now leaves money for finishing, allowing the "Quality" in "QST". No insulation, no heat...stringing extension cords out...makes shop time less enjoyable to me

If its designed and positioned in such a way to allow future additions, when that space is needed and money/city ordinances allow the expansion could be done. If adding onto the house in the future could be viable(structural, functionally and financially feasible), see if you could layout the garage to max out allowable space if the house was a couple bedrooms larger.

Either way, I would debate putting the money into the deeper footers either way. Crappy foundations ****...not saying that deeper guarantees quality but it really helps limit shifting.




Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jkeyser14]

My vote is for smaller but more comfortable. Having a finished, heated & cooled garage has been amazing. I love every second out there.

 

[ZRX61]

You could build a 600sq ft shop & then almost double the size of your current shed... & you build them close enough to each other to put a *car port* deal between them.. You *could* get a 1000sq ft shop out of this...

 

[Zmann]

go big
my new to me detached 2000 sf shop shrunk around me in 1.5 years lol
had to do a 300 sf mezzanine to gain some more room and getting ready to put a cover on the back so I can move non essentials out

and this house has it's own 3+ car attached garage so no family cars play into the shrinkage

 

[mepstein]

I'm sticking with small. 22x24 but putting the money I save into buying the tools and equipment I want. Lift, mini split, big compressor, etc. Storage will be in another building.

 

[crewchief888]

i

do some real analysis of your needs.

my plan was to demo the existing 19X22 garage that came with the house and build bigger.

i found out i can build anything i want to in the space i already have. i did put up an 8X10 shed 4 years ago for yard type stuff.

i do all my woodworking in the basement, also have my reloading room & guns down there as well.

i'm done with anymore large projects.

 

[vavet]

I built a 24x32 detached garage (768 sq ft). This is my workshop. DD parking, lawn mowers, bicycles and general house stuff goes in the 24x30 attached garage. I think of the attached garage as a garage and shed combined.
My detached garage is plenty big. Having it this size keeps me in check from accumulating too much ****. I was also able to insulate, drywall, paint, and add a mini split to make it comfy year round. You couldn’t take away my mini split even if you doubled the square footage.



Here are my regrets for my detached garage build.
I wish I would’ve oriented the building differently. I would’ve made it 32 wide and 24 deep with overhead doors on the 32 foot side, unlike how I have it now.
I would’ve included the insulation and drywall in the original build instead of moving into the space and then backtracking to do all that.
For my budget, I could’ve had about 26x26 with an upstairs. This would’ve given me more square footage, but I decided it wouldn’t be as useful. I’m glad I made the decision I did.

Does the budget get any better if you delay for 12 months? I’d rather wait and get what you want, max space with all the comforts than to build today and compromise,

 

[joe_padavano]

No one ever said "I wish my shop were smaller".

 

[npp]

A shop can never be too large.

 

[Robby321]

Do this. Build a bench and put NOTING on it. Wait a week and ya need another bench as filled up! Get my drift. Go big or go home

 

[ilikedirt]

A shop, a place you intend to do a lot of work, needs to be comfortable and affordable. Presently electricity for a/c and fuel for heat are not too expensive, but I wouldn't put a great deal of hope in conditions in staying that way. The bigger the shop, the more expensive it is to maintain. Don't forget property taxes too. Contrary to what you may read on the Garage Journal bigger isn't always better. Women will tell you that too.

Not to mention I think I would be more productive and motivated. Working on #57 crushed in the elements is neither of those things. lol

Find out from the building department if you can add on to a smaller building later. If that is a possibility I would build small now and add later when the budget allows.

What type of construction are you considering? Wood, steel, CMU or? That may influence your size decision.

From what i've found out, one or any number of buildings you wish can add up to the square footage of the primary structure on the property.

I can always buy another shed for storage and throw it out back behind the garage

I have 440 square feet and have never wished I had more space. Everyone I know with a big shop wishes they had more. I'm not sure what that means, for you. But take it as a data point. Maybe I need more gear?

I've seen many pics of your setup..inspiring for a small shop!

I'm going to go against the grain as well and say smaller and finished. But it raises some questions:

House is 1100 sq ft...thats pretty small, especially on a 1 acre lot. So it makes me question about the resale value here as a house (vs a lot for a new build). Also makes me wonder about timeline for OP to be in the house as again, there is nothing wrong with a 1100 sq ft house, its just the size for many peoples first house...or one of their last.

Lift seems to be desired down the road....going larger sq ft sounds like that would eat up the money to go taller.. likely permanently removing the lift as an option. Smaller footprint allows taller walls for the lift, if in the future more sq footage is desired it can be added....more headroom is expensive to add with even less resale value

Building smaller now leaves money for finishing, allowing the "Quality" in "QST". No insulation, no heat...stringing extension cords out...makes shop time less enjoyable to me

If its designed and positioned in such a way to allow future additions, when that space is needed and money/city ordinances allow the expansion could be done. If adding onto the house in the future could be viable(structural, functionally and financially feasible), see if you could layout the garage to max out allowable space if the house was a couple bedrooms larger.

Either way, I would debate putting the money into the deeper footers either way. Crappy foundations ****...not saying that deeper guarantees quality but it really helps limit shifting.




Sent from The Garage Journal mobile app

Well when we were looking to buy, this house came up and it checked off every box for us except for having an existing garage. Wife said we can stay here longer if we build one. Lift is definitely wanted...Ideally I want to do electrical, insulate, cover walla with OSB, install lift and epoxy (maybe) floor before I start moving tools in.

I'm sticking with small. 22x24 but putting the money I save into buying the tools and equipment I want. Lift, mini split, big compressor, etc. Storage will be in another building.

Pretty much what I was thinking. I can live without a compressor for a bit but when I do i'm going to put it in a little covered outhouse behind the shop so it wont take up real estate.

 

[TractorJeff]

Why do you need a "Big" compressor if 80% of your Tools are battery operated and not air operated?
I notice more and more guys are going Battery powered for their tools.
Just throwing it out there!

 

[mepstein]

Why do you need a "Big" compressor if 80% of your Tools are battery operated and not air operated?
I notice more and more guys are going Battery powered for their tools.
Just throwing it out there!

Blast cabinet and painting. The blasting needs lots of air.

I may be in the minority these days but I'm very happy with shop tools that plug in to the wall. Even when I use them around the yard, I'd rather use a long cord than deal with batteries.

 

[ssdave]

No one ever said "I wish my shop were smaller".

A shop can never be too large.

I've downsized a couple of times, and am firmly in the belief now that a smaller, totally finished and nice shop is infinitely better than a larger, unfinished and less usable one.

A reasonably sized shop designed to meet most of your minimum needs that isn't hot in the summer, isn't cold in the winter, is well lighted, has all finished surfaces, has nice cabinetry and benches, has full electrical throughout, has air if you want that, has water and a bathroom if you want that, is so much more usable than a huge unfinished space that you can fill full of junk.

I found that I could fit into a much smaller space, have it more economical, and have it more useful by:

1) Throw away, give away, and sell all the stuff stored "for someday". Owning, cleaning, and maintaining space to store wood scraps, metal remnants, old car parts, etc is an inefficient, expensive, and time consuming way to save a few dollars occasionally. Just buy what you need, when you need it.
2) Get rid of duplicate and extra tools.
3) Build good workbenches, and don't use them for horizontal storage.
4) Buy good, roomy toolboxes and use them to organize the tools you choose to keep.
5) Decide what you want and like to do, and prioritize your space to those things. You don't have to maintain space for things you do only every few years.
6) Rent tools that are once every few years use, or buy them for the job, resell them when done, and buy again when you need. Particularly things like drywall lift, tile saw, concrete saw, table saw, etc.
7) Don't get trapped into thinking you need everything a commercial garage has. You do know that you can pay $15 and have someone else mount and balance a tire for you, and you don't have to give up 75 sf of your shop to a tire machine, right? There's a lot of other tools like that, too.

I have not regretted in any way having a smaller shop, heated, comfortable, well lighted, well furnished, and totally finished. I don't miss a bigger, less finished, harder to take care of shop at all.

 

[imjustdave]

3 years in this house and it's finally time to get a garage/shop built. I'm on a 1ac lot in Northern VA and along with budget restrictions I also have square footage restrictions.

My house is 1102sqft and my existing shed is 256sqft. Which according to local accessory structure ordinances leaves me with a max shop size of 846sqft. Also, in my county any structure that is above 600sqft requires 24" footers (12" footers for under 600sqft)

By the way it's looking, if I go the smaller route, i'll save a bit of money where I can afford to insulate and throw a mini split in to make it comfortable in there. I'll also be able to order 12' tall walls so I can install a lift.

If I go as large as I can i'll already be slightly over budget. Note...yes I have a lot of "stuff" but this building will mainly be used as a work space as I don't have the dire need to garage multiple vehicles.

What do you guys think?

Is that dimension based on if its a ADU Aux dwelling unit? VS garage? My city has strict size limits for ADU but not garage-shop. AKA is it a sleeping area or not.

I'm just thinking your on an acer and your home is 1,200 at most and your limited to 846 SQ feet? WTF you have almost 40,000 SQ feet of empty land.
That's like 7 homes where I live.

What if the garage was part of the home? Can you main home be enlarged by adding a garage.

 

[imjustdave]

I guess the Q comes down to... What do you want to do in the garage.
35 X 31 isn't bad size if you took down your current shed and built a big one.

or 25X 32 as it stands but lay it out that really isn't very big. My pickup is 21 long and 8.5 wide. buy the time you get the lift in ETC tool box .. your full.

I might be crazy in my plans for a shop but look at 40X50 minimum, just getting out of the rain, having a place to work as needed without bumping into stuff.

I would talk to your planning department and see your options, because you have a small home and seriously big lot to me limited so much.

 

[twistedstang]

I went with a smallish 30x24. I chose block stem wall, 2x6 construction, and quality windows over a larger pole building or metal building.

At this point in life I want quality stuff over quantity of stuff.

 

[OptionalStop]

Lots of really good advice here so far. My vote would be to go as big as you can, but leave enough room in the budget for a finished, heated building with lots of detail on insulation. I finished my first "real" shop this past summer and running a heated floor. It's amazing. I've been used to going into the garage, firing my kerosene heater, waiting and working with holes in the wall and around doors. I would go smaller and make it comfortable for working in. High walls are to your advantage for storage, think of it as extra square footage.

 

[acer66]

just make sure you put an apartment on top specially since the house is so small.

 

[labonbjones]

I agree with the general consensus to build as large as you can afford and over time finish it out. You'll save in the long run vs adding onto it.

The only caveat is this: How long are you planning on living at this location? Is this your dream home or will you only be here for 3-5 years?

 

[kmacht]

Dont go big, go up. I had that same 600 squate foot limit at my old house. It only applied to the footprint of the building. I built a garage with 10' walls and a gembrel roof. The extra height from the roof let me put in a 2nd fllor at the 9' height mark and essentially doubled my square footage.

 

[jives]

I'm in the small camp -- sort of. Make it big enough to suit your needs and reasonable future needs. Make it small enough to afford to finish. Make it adaptable for future changes. Make it fit in with the rest of house an neighborhood, that is, not some big ugly industrial box.

We could have made our garage bigger, but decide other features we more important. We added a cupola, a porch, more windows, and better overhead doors. Even though two of my sons have taken over my space and we are now cramped, I couldn't be happier with the decision. They will eventually leave!

If you don't finish it now, you may never. Ask me how I know. But, it should be expandable, such as solid footings.

The idea of a second floor for future use may be the wisest suggestion. If an office or apartment rental can go there, it could be worth it's weight in gold. You will just need to make sure that there are sufficient capabilities for water, waste, and up to code regarding habitability.

 

[geologist]

My current build is 384 square feet (16'x24'), but it has a 9/12 loft with 2' sidewalls over better than 2/3rds of the space, giving almost double the square feet. This solved 2 problems:

Problem the 1st: Now the wife has plenty of room for storage without encroaching on my shop space.

Problem the 2nd: I'm not going to say I have all the space I'd like, but I have adequate room to assemble or disassemble a hotrod.

 

[nadogail]

Happy is the man who is content with what he has.

 

[theoldwizard1]

A lot of it depends on what kind of project you like to do and somewhat to the climate in your area.

If you like to do woodworking and have a table saw is the max size going to be big enough for a full sized "cabinet" saw or would you be better off using a contractor saw, and a couple of extra stands to break down 4x8 stock outside ?

Same with automotive. Would it be big enough to pull a car into or would you be better off having a concrete apron on front ?

Personally, I would go small. Your house is not large and an "oversized" shop might be a negative when it comes time to sell. If you do go small, make it a bit taller (full 8' studs) and make sure you have overhead storage. Storage of tools/equipment is key to making a small workspace usable. Also important is flexibility. Maybe a bench (with built in storage) on large locking caster. Move it around depending on the project.

 

[finn]

One question: is the shop size limited because it is calculated based on the size of the house? Would adding some square footage to the house allow a larger access building?

If so, look into expanding the house first, then do the shop in a couple of years as finances allow.

Time flies, and a larger /expanded house is a better long term investment than a shop.

 

[twistedstang]

A shop can never be too large.

Until you have to heat it, cool it, tile the floor,......