jaywill
Member
hi i'm a newbie here ...do anyone have pics of a shop that size so i can get a idea of the room ,ect, any info will b helpful
20 x24 shop planning
- Thread starter jaywill
- Start date
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Not big enough! You can never have too much, and 20x24 is just enough room to get a car in with tool boxes, work benches, etc. It just isn't big enough........ Aim higher!!!!!!!!!
Charles
Charles
sberry
Banned
Yup, takes about the same labor to build a big one as a little one. That is barely a one car parking garage.
ripsnortMN
Well-known member
I have a 20'x22' and it is wayyy to small! It was here before we bought the house. My parents have a 24'x26' and it feels so much bigger inside. Sometimes I wish there wasnt a garage here when we moved in. Because if there wasnt, I would have put up a 24'x32'. If you are on a budget then wait till you have more money and build a bigger one. Sometimes I get just pissed at the size of my garage.
bugdust
Well-known member
I have a 20x20 and I'm breaking out at the seams after only 2+ years. I work on VWs. I can really only work on one at a time. I keep two inside but move one out to work on the other. I store a lot of "junk" outside and my compressor is outside to save room. I have a 24"x10' workbench, an old fridge, a toolbox, two welders, a small torch cart, a 20 lb sandblaster, a couple shelves and some rubbermaid tubs around the perimeter. I can barely walk around the VWs. I keep my floor jack, stands, stool, etc under the workbench.
You can make a small shop work by going vertical with all your storage, putting the compressor outside (quieter, too) and just not letting junk pile up. I haven't figured out how to do that last one yet.
You can build a bigger shop in stages as your money becomes available. My next shop will be 30x40 or bigger and have twice as many outlets as I think I'll need.
You can make a small shop work by going vertical with all your storage, putting the compressor outside (quieter, too) and just not letting junk pile up. I haven't figured out how to do that last one yet.
You can build a bigger shop in stages as your money becomes available. My next shop will be 30x40 or bigger and have twice as many outlets as I think I'll need.
makgreens
Well-known member
ha i have a 18x20 garage......ive been in it 3 months and running out of space quickly and i dont even have my project car in there yet
i cant build any bigger so when the time comes to move out ill be looking for a house with some land....then ill build my garage to my specs...
i cant build any bigger so when the time comes to move out ill be looking for a house with some land....then ill build my garage to my specs...
ddawg16
Well-known member
Mine is 20x25.....it replaced an 18x20....I was able to claim the wasted space to the side and back. Total space 1040 sq ft...500 on the bottom...540 on top.
An older outside view....
Bottom floor.....before the stuffing begins.....about the only time it will ever be empty....
One view of upstairs....and it's already full with storage and my wifes art work.
While going two story allowed me to double the space....it also added to the cost....but not as much if I had kept it one story....in other words, to only additional cost was the actuall second floor....roof and foundation costs were about the same....
An older outside view....
Bottom floor.....before the stuffing begins.....about the only time it will ever be empty....
One view of upstairs....and it's already full with storage and my wifes art work.
While going two story allowed me to double the space....it also added to the cost....but not as much if I had kept it one story....in other words, to only additional cost was the actuall second floor....roof and foundation costs were about the same....
mikeyr
Well-known member
Here is a pic of a 22x24 being added onto my 20x20, eventually the back wall of the existing garage came down to make it a 20x40 (back half is 22 wide,front half 20 wide, length of both combined is 40ft.)
You can see the guy working on the forms for the slab, it sure looked SMALL and now that it is finished, it is SMALL.
You can see the guy working on the forms for the slab, it sure looked SMALL and now that it is finished, it is SMALL.
metal1313
Well-known member
sometimes i hate you guys who can build a big building on your property. im in a densely populated area(central nj aka nyc suburbs) and i actually have a large property for the area at 60x300. thanks to all the codes and **** i cant really build what i want. and since the yard is heavily landscaped that limits me too. but what really kills me is being in a historic district and having to deal with what comes with an old house. im gonna try to build a 14x28 with 10ft walls. i have to see if i even can build as high as i want.
that said it is very possible to get a ton done with a small space, my current garage is 10x20 and ive done so much in it. but it needs to be razed due to structual issues. find a size that works for you and your space. remember not to many people want a giant shop next door so ask around about it. and keep it lean, i have tons of ****, but thats what the basement and attic are for
that said it is very possible to get a ton done with a small space, my current garage is 10x20 and ive done so much in it. but it needs to be razed due to structual issues. find a size that works for you and your space. remember not to many people want a giant shop next door so ask around about it. and keep it lean, i have tons of ****, but thats what the basement and attic are for
dipper
Well-known member
I build 20x22 because of space constraints on my property. I did build a loft upstairs accessed by pulldown stairs for storage. I also have my compressor up there so it saves room on the main floor.
Everyone on here will tell you to build bigger (even if you said you were going to build 1000x2000 warehouse) ha ha.
You have to look at your budget and lot size and town codes and such. You may very well be limited as to what size you can put up.
I find 20x22 to be big enough for my full size chevy truck, tool boxes, workbench and kids toys. Bigger would be nicer but it just wasn't feasible in my situation.
Everyone on here will tell you to build bigger (even if you said you were going to build 1000x2000 warehouse) ha ha.
You have to look at your budget and lot size and town codes and such. You may very well be limited as to what size you can put up.
I find 20x22 to be big enough for my full size chevy truck, tool boxes, workbench and kids toys. Bigger would be nicer but it just wasn't feasible in my situation.
Chris Adams
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2007
- Messages
- 2,117
I have been using a 20x22 for more than 20 years. I keep two cars in it, drivers, not projects. So it’s been a nuisance because I have always had to hurry the jobs up to get cars in out of the weather.
I’m now building a 24x28, should get finale in a couple weeks, and will just use the 20x22 for two cars and a little storage.
My experience with the 20x22 is that it works, has room to park most vehicles (trucks, Cadillacs) over the years and with a LOT of organization you can get a lot of tools in with the cars. If I was willing to park all the cars in the yard it would have been enough for most projects.
You have to be VERY organized to use a smaller garage. The big garages I am in are usually very cluttered, often full of things from the house, or projects that should have been abandoned or finished years before.
I think the larger storage lets you get sloppy, but it makes for lots less rushing and less stress to wrap the jobs up.
On any garage, getting it deeper than 20 feet is essential if you ever park a truck or long car in there.
I would rather have deep than wide, up to about 24, then you can park most trucks and still walk around them.
I’m now building a 24x28, should get finale in a couple weeks, and will just use the 20x22 for two cars and a little storage.
My experience with the 20x22 is that it works, has room to park most vehicles (trucks, Cadillacs) over the years and with a LOT of organization you can get a lot of tools in with the cars. If I was willing to park all the cars in the yard it would have been enough for most projects.
You have to be VERY organized to use a smaller garage. The big garages I am in are usually very cluttered, often full of things from the house, or projects that should have been abandoned or finished years before.
I think the larger storage lets you get sloppy, but it makes for lots less rushing and less stress to wrap the jobs up.
On any garage, getting it deeper than 20 feet is essential if you ever park a truck or long car in there.
I would rather have deep than wide, up to about 24, then you can park most trucks and still walk around them.
Falcon67
Well-known member
Here's a view of my 20 x 24 - it has more stuff in it now and the fit is tighter yet.
I'll maybe be 28 x 24 at the end of next year, needs to be 28w x 30 really.
I'll maybe be 28 x 24 at the end of next year, needs to be 28w x 30 really.
Mine is 20x24 (measured inside) with a little nook for the sink. I wish it was twice as big, but I'm in the city. I only keep one car in it.
Having storage somewhere else helps a lot.
It gets messier when I'm actually working on a project in it:
(If you click on the link in my signature, you can see some of the things I did to allow five work surfaces to fit inside it.)
Having storage somewhere else helps a lot.
It gets messier when I'm actually working on a project in it:
(If you click on the link in my signature, you can see some of the things I did to allow five work surfaces to fit inside it.)
Last edited:
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
hi i'm a newbie here ...do anyone have pics of a shop that size so i can get a idea of the room ,ect, any info will b helpful
If possible go deeper than 24'. At least 28'. The extra 4' makes a world of difference. Most cars are smaller today, but if you ever have a project or a fullsize ride, you'll be grateful for the extra footage. I had a long cab extended cab fullsize truck and I could pull it in the garage which my working side is 22'x28', leave the back end close to the garage door and had room to pull my roll-a-round in front of it to work under the hood. In a 24' garage....no way. I'll post up a pic tonight of the 22x28 side.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
Build as big as you can afford.. the bigger the better honestly. I have a 24x24 that is full of ****, and 3 motorcycles and yard equipment, so I'm building a 30x30 attached to actually work on cars
rwhite692
Well-known member
I was limited by available space to 24x36 (24 wide x 36 deep). But as others have said, if you have the space, try to go bigger than the 20x24.
What's the depth/width for the 20x24?
Mine is 22'wx24'd...outside measurement so it's really 21x23 inside. Seems fine for me, have a sportscar and workbench/area on one side and a sedan on the other...along with a couple of motorcycles mixed in. All depends on what size cars you are putting in it.
It's not huge that's for sure, but it works for me...and was the largest I was able to build in my county.
However if you can go 24x24 it'll seem soooo much bigger.
Mine is 22'wx24'd...outside measurement so it's really 21x23 inside. Seems fine for me, have a sportscar and workbench/area on one side and a sedan on the other...along with a couple of motorcycles mixed in. All depends on what size cars you are putting in it.
It's not huge that's for sure, but it works for me...and was the largest I was able to build in my county.
However if you can go 24x24 it'll seem soooo much bigger.
vartz04
Well-known member
not very secure but it would work, also having a decent electric/air set up in that will be interesting.
Chris Adams is in the same boat I am. I have a 22 x 22 that typically has only one car in it (the wife's). But, that is because I have a rider JD mower, some kids toys, my motorcycle and "not in the house" clutter in it. If you keep it very organized you can get two average to large cars in it without much space for a work bench.
I also say it depends on what you are using it for. If this is a secondary garage/shop/single car toy shop, then the space might actually work well for you. The first garage would be a catch-all and the shop would stay relatively clean. However, if this is going to be your primary and only garage.... save your money and go big if you can.
I am in the process of building my second garage/shop. I was going to get a 20 x 20 this year and just slap it up because it was easy to pour a slab and meet the code. However, after considering what I might put in it, I decided to put it off till next year and get what I want. Just submitted my plans for a 24 x 30 to the building department today. Hopefully will have the foundation this year and the stick built up next spring or summer.
Good luck in your choice.
I also say it depends on what you are using it for. If this is a secondary garage/shop/single car toy shop, then the space might actually work well for you. The first garage would be a catch-all and the shop would stay relatively clean. However, if this is going to be your primary and only garage.... save your money and go big if you can.
I am in the process of building my second garage/shop. I was going to get a 20 x 20 this year and just slap it up because it was easy to pour a slab and meet the code. However, after considering what I might put in it, I decided to put it off till next year and get what I want. Just submitted my plans for a 24 x 30 to the building department today. Hopefully will have the foundation this year and the stick built up next spring or summer.
Good luck in your choice.
valiant100SM
Member
- Joined
- May 14, 2009
- Messages
- 13
20x22 is what I've got now, and now that we've priced new construction with the garage space I want, I'll likely be here for a while... so I've got to make the most of this space and will be watching this thread for hints.
My garage is far from ideal, but I think I can fit 3 cars in there with a lift... the upper car is a convertible, and with the top down I can fit the windshield between the rafters
I've got a 20x20 carport in front, so parking the daily drivers is OK. I just have to work around the yard equipment and sort out my shelving, work benches, and typical shop hardware.
So far, I don't have much to add, but hope to have more as I sort out what I can get away with in my limited space. Good luck!
Clair
My garage is far from ideal, but I think I can fit 3 cars in there with a lift... the upper car is a convertible, and with the top down I can fit the windshield between the rafters
I've got a 20x20 carport in front, so parking the daily drivers is OK. I just have to work around the yard equipment and sort out my shelving, work benches, and typical shop hardware.So far, I don't have much to add, but hope to have more as I sort out what I can get away with in my limited space. Good luck!
Clair