10 things I have learnt from building a garage

[Enad308]

Here is a few things that I have learnt along the way:

1. Framing is very important
I framed around existing poles which were different width, when it came to plastering I discovered that not everything was perfectly in line causing me headaches to get it right

2. The right drill attachments
Using cheap or wrong size can chew the screws and extra time to replace the screws and bits, also costing more to buy new bits

3. The right tools
You don't need top of the range but if you are going to be using it a fair bit pony up and get a reputable brand. Also the right tools for the job, an impact driver above a drill for example is gold, getting a nail gun rather than hammering, proper cutting wheels etc

4. You realise how lazy your mates can be
I can easily say that none of my mates can do anything by hand, but painting, lifting etc doesn't require to much skill

5. Plastering *****
Enough said

6. Plan thoroughly
Use apps, draw or whatever to know what it will look like. Measure large items like workbenches and draw to scale

7. Measure twice cut once
You hear it, don't get lazy and actually do it

8. Research
Use resources from online or someone you know who has done it before to give you tips

9. Have a list of things in order
Plan it through in your head and do it in order so you don't build something and realise you should have done something before that

10. Be realistic about your budget
Really think about what you will need and write it down and add it up. If you are tight on funds take the time to find the best price.

Anyone else got things they have learnt?

 

[James-W]

I would suggest that when you do something for the first time, try to enlist the help of someone who has done it before, who knows exactly how to do it, and is willing to help you.

 

[rburke65]

I learned that you can not read enough on this subject. I think I planned my shop for 7...8 years before I hired my excavator to start the build. Kept a large 3 ring binder with dividers on the different areas of the build. I cut out articles and taped the paper for the binder. Read...read....read.

 

[SALIV8]

It's never big enough

 

[MushCreek]

I learned while building my house that weather is unpredictable at best. Plan on experiencing the hottest, coldest, wettest, windiest, snowiest weather your area has ever seen. Don't worry; all of this will settle right down once the exterior is done.

 

[gtae07]

I learned while building my house that weather is unpredictable at best. Plan on experiencing the hottest, coldest, wettest, windiest, snowiest weather your area has ever seen. Don't worry; all of this will settle right down once the exterior is done.

Ain't this the truth. I found the way to guarantee rainy weekends was to start a construction project. The rain let up as soon as I was dried in.

Other things I learned:

All of your friends who say they'll help you before you start will suddenly find themselves too busy or needing to change their plans once you come asking for that help.

Having one competent helper makes for a four-fold increase in productivity over working by yourself.

Talk to the inspectors and find out exactly what they're looking for instead of reading the city's inspection guide literally. Things I interpreted as requiring an engineer's stamp because of the wording in the guide actually didn't need them; I could have saved some time and done some things differently if I had asked beforehand (like use attic trusses or a single wide rollup door).

Don't order all your lumber at once; I had to scrap a few pieces that sat in the weather too long.

If you're renting a skid-steer, get one with tracks, especially if it's just rained for three days straight. Using one with wheels will tear the ground up even more and make your job a lot harder because you'll bog down.

If you get a bug/spider bite, don't wait till it's dark purple and festering to seek medical attention.

When getting concrete poured, make sure you have somewhere for the excess (from cleaning out the truck/pump) to go so the crew doesn't just leave lumps of concrete sitting there for you to bust up later.

Once you're done excavating, go ahead and smooth out the landscaping and get some sod/seed down early. Don't let the rest of the area get all lumpy and weed-covered while you finish the project; it just makes the eventual cleanup harder.

Drink lots of water and some gatorade, and take an occasional break inside, when working in the heat. You'll feel better at the end of the day.

Pickaxes are not made for prying stuff out of the ground; that's how you break the handles.

Hold on to your receipts, and make sure you actually need all the things you're buying. I probably bought a couple hundred dollars' worth of hardware (hurricane clips and straps, insulation supports, etc.) and lumber that I wound up not actually needing, but couldn't return because I tossed the receipts.


At least in my case, I have learned a whole lot about construction from my build. But next time, I'm just paying someone to do it. It hasn't been worth the time, frustration, and marital discord. I would have rather spent more time at work and spent a little more money, and saved myself months of time and several arguments. Many people say the same about the airplane project I'm building the shop for, but at least the airplane is usually a relaxing activity for me, the wife doesn't mind me working on it, and there aren't generally deadlines.

 

[lotsoftools]

"It takes longer than it takes." I learned that one in the military, and it applies to building too. If you think it will take a month to build, plan for 6 weeks or more just in case.

 

[SteveeP]

I learned how much I missed my Dad.
He would have been right there by my side helping as much possible (in many ways I guess he actually was).
I learned how much he taught me, and apparently how much I listened. The entire build went pretty smooth, and a little scary at how true everything was.
Thanks Dad...

 

[yaidunno]

Good thread with some great advise.

If your good at budgeting, you'll be 10-15% over. If your not so good, you'll be 15% or more. It's just the nature of the beast. There are always little unexpected items that come up.

Spend a little extra on building materials. I just returned $2300 worth of tin for my ceiling to Menards because it was utter ****, literally unusable. I'm now delayed 2.5 weeks. Not worth the $300 savings in the least.

As mentioned, get good hardware, and good drivers for said hardware. Makes a world of difference.

Plan, plan, plan. Everything from wire runs, to screw patterns in tin (if applicable), plan it all out. Think it through, draw it up, repeat. You can't over plan.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Don't "trust" the contractor to do what you requested. You have to either do it yourself or double check or in some cases watch them do it.

I did most of my own work but had contractors do the main frame and they put the stairs in the wrong place. And the contractor that did the excavation had his "helper" tamp the floor in layers, allegedly, but I later found out, after the floor was poured and cracked that it was never tamped.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

Wow, great advice so far, I'm bookmarking this to see what come next. Perfect timing for me!



JBP


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[38Chevy454]

Drywall should come with an age warning, for 30 years of age or less. Especially for overhead ceiling work.

 

[gtae07]

"It takes longer than it takes." I learned that one in the military, and it applies to building too. If you think it will take a month to build, plan for 6 weeks or more just in case.

Or 4 months becomes 10

If your good at budgeting, you'll be 10-15% over. If your not so good, you'll be 15% or more. It's just the nature of the beast. There are always little unexpected items that come up.

I was bad at budgeting... probably went 40-50% over. But that also includes contracting out roofing, siding, and drywall, which I hadn't planned to do originally but saved me a bunch of time and was (or is, since the drywall is in progress) definitely worth it.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Drywall should come with an age warning, for 30 years of age or less. Especially for overhead ceiling work.

Well I did my drywall with the help of two friends. So the caveat to this would be plenty of help and equipment if you are going to hang it yourself.

I have 11 foot ceilings in the garage with 5/8 on the ceiling and one wall. Plus there is a vaulted ceiling upstairs with even higher ceilings. Two of us, aged 40 and 45 at the time, tried to hang the first 5/8 sheet on the ceiling in the garage and pretty quickly learned we weren't going to last long doing that. We hung exactly one sheet and decided we needed a sheet rock lift. You can hang them by yourself with one of those if your patient.

Another thing I learned is to get some estimates from contractors for things like sheet rock and insulation, which I also did myself. You may find that you will save nothing and sometimes even spend more doing it yourself. In some cases they get the materials far cheaper than you can because they buy in volume and end up doing the job faster and cheaper than you can do it. Or at least for a cost that doesn't make doing it yourself make sense.

 

[ddawg16]

The last 10% takes 90% of the time.

It costs more than you expect

Shortcuts are not shortcuts

There is always more dirt and mess than you expect.

It's never big enough

And I should have banged someone's wife.

 

[Enad308]

I learned how much I missed my Dad.
He would have been right there by my side helping as much possible (in many ways I guess he actually was).
I learned how much he taught me, and apparently how much I listened. The entire build went pretty smooth, and a little scary at how true everything was.
Thanks Dad...

Agreed, even as a kid I was helping do something and learning lessons as you go along. My father is still with us but a plane flight away. I do always call him with questions, he helped put up a few boards when I first started. Value every moment is a good lesson.

 

[uncletater]

"If you're renting a skid-steer, get one with tracks, especially if it's just rained for three days straight. Using one with wheels will tear the ground up even more and make your job a lot harder because you'll bog down."

My experience is renting is fun but hiring this out. It will look better and take a third of the time. May even come out cheaper. It is always nicer to sit in a lawn chair and watch someone else get banged around in a skid steer while you enjoy a nice cold one.

 

[aknawful]

#4. you learn who your real friends are! I guess I don't have too many. Can't wait till it's their turn or they need to borrow another tool......

 

[aknawful]

I learned how much I missed my Dad.
He would have been right there by my side helping as much possible (in many ways I guess he actually was).
I learned how much he taught me, and apparently how much I listened. The entire build went pretty smooth, and a little scary at how true everything was.
Thanks Dad...

Nice garage! How big? Looks similar to mine. My father is 66 and was of basically no help. He had no interest in helping either....

 

[SteveeP]

Thanks...36X26.

 

[mr57]

One thing I learned from my garage, is DO NOT, under any circumstances put anything in the damn garage until it is finished inside. It is far easier to run wiring and do the finishing when there aren't cars, totes and other **** that you have to juggle around and move out of the way.

 

[bygasper]

Drywall, finishing, painting is an under 35-year-old task.

If it hurts immediately after you did it, it will likely hurt like hell tomorrow. Applies to all aspects of life.

Don't wait on final grading. Water is the enemy.

Burry the downspouts...all of them...for a long way.

A catwalk and pull down stairs for attic access will keep subs happier and is well worth the $.

There is one good contractor out there for every five who will do crappy work or screw you. Ask questions, ask more questions, watch them, take notes, have an ongoing list of corrections needed.

Beer and pizza can defuse a tense situation.

It is your $. Get what you want.

If there is a problem, a major one, stand firm until a resolution is reached. 1/3 of my concrete had fiber that sticks out of the cement versus lays down. I didn't pay 1/3 of my concrete material cost.

 

[larry_g]

If you remove trees and root balls then you have to pack the material back into the hole. It will still shrink and crack your concrete.

Looking back I would also pay to have the building erected.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[MushCreek]

How a guy in his 60's does a 5/8th's drywall ceiling- alone.

 

[ddawg16]

Mush....Really good idea....

But I didn't have an engine lift when I did mine....so I made a t-frame...and did it alone....and in my 50's.

For the house...I bought a drywall lift off CL for $125. Sold it 2 years later for $100

I used it for 'other tasks' as well.

Like lifting a 300 lb PSL beam

 

[38Chevy454]

How a guy in his 60's does a 5/8th's drywall ceiling- alone.

That does not work for 12 ft high ceilings. I rented a scissor lift and had a friend helping, but getting the drywall up is only part of the job. Now tape and mud and sand. All of this is not easy for over 30 years old, per my orig post.

Putting OSB on the walls was relatively easy, and did this by myself. I also painted it all myself, just rolled it on.

I found it was less cost to just hire the insulation done than I could even purchase the materials and do it myself.

 

[LifeLongWNYer]

One thing I learned from my garage, is DO NOT, under any circumstances put anything in the damn garage until it is finished inside.

MAN, O, man, ain't THAT the truth?!?! I started a family room in the late '90's. When it was closed in, but before any insulation or walls, my wife wanted to know is she could put "a few things in one corner."

Well, it is not well into 2015, the family room is full of wife's, and now kids "stuff" and it still isn't finished. So sad.



JBP



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[Enad308]

another lesson: don't buy cheap paint, no matter how good the deal

 

[egnorant]

Here is a few things that I have learnt along the way:

9. Have a list of things in order
Plan it through in your head and do it in order so you don't build something and realise you should have done something before that

10. Be realistic about your budget
Really think about what you will need and write it down and add it up. If you are tight on funds take the time to find the best price.

Anyone else got things they have learnt?

Amend number 9 to "plan it through "on paper"! With all the aspects of setting up a garage/shop you will find many times you realize that you cannot proceed on job "A" until tomorrow so you look at the list and find something you can do. You allotted the time so use it to move forward...or stop and go watch "Dancing with the Stars"...your choice.

Bruce

 

[James E]

11. You can never have enough outlets.
12. If the idea for adding something crosses your mind, don't talk yourself out of it. You WILL eventually want it (applies to bathroom, 240V outlets, lighting, etc.). The farther along you get without adding that thing, the harder it is to add it later.
13. You can never have enough outlets.

 

[Aquamoose]

If everything is going according to plan, you messed up. There isn't a shop that is ever perfect. Ever.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bluebolt]

I had my 30 x 40 all steel building built about 11 years ago. Here's my 10 things I have learned.

1. Do more research and get more opinions. I was not a member of GJ then, wish I was!

2. Spend more time and money on your foundation. Use somebody local you may be surprised at the difference in the characteristics of the ground compared to someone used to doing it 40 miles away. DON'T rely on the fiberglass fill, rebar is your friend! My foundation has rebar in the footers but none in the center 4" think area, just fiberglass. After a bad drought in 2011 I have lots of settling, uneven floors and cracks.

3. On a good note don't be afraid to tackle something new. In my small town for an outbuilding an electrical work permit/inspection was not required at the time. A professional company installed the 200 amp breaker box. I bought an electrical/wiring book, some specialty tools and proceeded to run rigid metal conduit through the whole shop and pull the wires. Then a car club friend who is a professional electrician came over and helped me make all the final connections. He was impressed by my conduit work for a first timer. I also had the lights on two separate circuits and the 20 amp outlets as well. That way I can turn off a section of lights or outlets at the breaker box for electrical work and still have outlet power and light. PS I did learn always use 3/4" conduit, some places I ran 1/2" and then when adding new circuits at a later date didn't have enough room for the additional wires.

4. When planning your doors think about the sun and the seasons. My big doors are on the north side so on the apron in front of the doors I get full sun in the summer when I don't want it and little sun in the winter when I do want it.

5. If you don't have gutters don't put your doors on the low sides, put them on the ends so the dew is not dripping on your concrete apron all the time turning it green.

6. Think about water management from the roof and where it will go. If I did it again I would use a single slope roof with the low side near the ditch.

7. If you have an apron in front of your doors think about the size. My apron is 20 x 40', if I did I again it would be 25' x 44'. 5 feet farther away from the doors because when I have a larger vehicle parked there there's no room to work on front or back and 4 feet wider so I would already have a sidewalk to the side entry door.

8. If I could do it again I would have it as close to the road as possible and the doors on the other side so people couldn't see in and the city would stop coming after me about "junk" cars.

9. If I did it again I would have had a central I beam put in that I could put a trolley and hoist on. It would have been easy at the time.

10. With my 12' tall sidewall I have horizontal purlins at 6'. If doing it over again I would have at least one more set of horizontal purlins. Probably at 8' below the top ceiling purlin and 4' below. Would have made it easier to hang pegboard and other wall coverings and electrical.

I am sure there is more!

 

[coljar]

One thing I learned from my garage, is DO NOT, under any circumstances put anything in the damn garage until it is finished inside. It is far easier to run wiring and do the finishing when there aren't cars, totes and other **** that you have to juggle around and move out of the way.

Yep. I've got tired of moving things out of my way when I start working on another area of the garage.

Don't be in a hurry with the interior once you have the basic garage enclosed and weather tight. You will change your mind about many things even right down to small details such as receptacle placement.

 

[pmiranda]

Bluebolt:
3. Another thing folks new to electrical get wrong is box fill... too many wires in a small junction box. Leave room for new circuits/fixtures.
4. I need to find a program to calculate shade from a building design. Autocad can do it... I wonder if Draftsight can?
10. The rule of 4's... If you can make your dimensions multiples of 4 feet, you'll save on how many cuts you have to make.

Good stuff!

 

[bluebolt]

Bluebolt:
3. Another thing folks new to electrical get wrong is box fill... too many wires in a small junction box. Leave room for new circuits/fixtures.
4. I need to find a program to calculate shade from a building design. Autocad can do it... I wonder if Draftsight can?
10. The rule of 4's... If you can make your dimensions multiples of 4 feet, you'll save on how many cuts you have to make.

Good stuff!

Yup another thing I learned always use the larger junction boxes!

 

[lksdrinker]

multiple everything by 2.5 to include the money you think you'll spend, the time you think you'll need to complete the job, the number of people really needed to do the work, and how much pain you'll be in at day's end. This is now my mantra for just about any project/undertaking in my life!

 

[nadogail]

You will find there are three choices for almost every problem.

They are: Good, Fast, or Cheap. You may select any TWO.

 

[PECVD2]

If your job is on schedule and all is going well the inspector will be unavailable until next week.
If you are behind and cramming to get stuff done the inspector will be pulling into your driveway.
Never fails especially if you are acting as your own GC and not regularly bringing doughnuts into their office.

 

[SliderJack]

How a guy in his 60's does a 5/8th's drywall ceiling- alone.

This is awesome. I think my engine hoist is my best tool! I swear I've used that for tons of stuff. Got of CL for cheap too. Glad to see I can use it for garage work!

 

[MushCreek]

I measured mine, and it will lift a panel a little over 11'. When I do my shop, I'm just going to get a longer telescoping piece so I can reach the 12' 4" ceiling.