26'W X 16' Deep Detached Garage Project

[SShink]

I've had a 24' X 24' garage built before, and got lots of ideas from this forum, but we moved and I lost the shop so decided to put together a plan to have Tuff Shed build a 26' wide X 16' deep detached garage (that's as deep as will fit on the city lot), and thought I'd run it by everyone to see if I'm missing anything.

The highlights:

• 12' Interior ceiling to be able to install a lift later
• Price includes the 8/12 pitch for storage and the floor decking
• A pull down ladder is included so that I don't have to put it in (I fell through the 11' ceiling in my past shop, and walked away when I shouldn't have... )
• 2 3X3' windows
• Windows on the service door and garage door to let in West and Southern lighting
• Hi lift garage door tracks to lift the door as close to the ceiling as possible to have the door open with a car on the lift

The downside is that with the limited depth option of 16' due to the setback's, I'll have to park the car in a tandem position, which is still o.k. since I'll have 10' to play with fore and aft.

I've attached the design and some pics of the driveway approach to get an idea of where it's going.

Am I missing anything?

The quote on the building is just over $20K, so wondering how that stacks up with the options I've listed from what you guys are seeing?

Otherwise, now that the financial office has approved the idea (the wife ), I'm about ready to put down the deposit and work permit fee downpayment and have Tuff Shed start the plans.

I welcome your feedback.

Thanks.

P.s. The '71 Chevelle in the pic is what will live in the cave.

 

[billwood437]

looks like you are making the best of the cramped quarters. you may have issues with a lift. you may have trouble lining the car up with a post landing in that door area. (if you were thinking of a 2 post lift)
keep the pics coming, oh if you have trouble fitting that Chevelle you can store it in my garage..

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[SShink]

looks like you are making the best of the cramped quarters. you may have issues with a lift. you may have trouble lining the car up with a post landing in that door area. (if you were thinking of a 2 post lift)
keep the pics coming, oh if you have trouble fitting that Chevelle you can store it in my garage..

Thanks Bill. Yeah, I was thinking 2 post lift, but thought it might have to be angled a little. That's when I start thinking I don't need the 12' inside ceiling height and could save quite a lot by going 8' ceiling, but would probably regret it later.

Those that know me will understand if it's not this Chevelle, it will be a different one in 2 years or less, which is my history of buying and working on them until I get it to where I like it and get bored. lol

 

[billwood437]

you may want to look at some of the small portable lift that slide under or drive over. they lift approx. 40-48" so you would only need the 8' ceiling and with the $$ you save the lift would almost be free... They do limit some work under the center of the car though. tradeoffs everywhere.. good luck.

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[SShink]

I took a few pics of the back yard marked off with flags to get an idea where the building will go.

And yes... the big oak tree is going to have to go. It's a shame as we like the trees, but it's smack dab in the middle of where I need to turn the corner to get into the garage.

 

[SShink]

Put down the deposit today so the plans will be generated for review by the city!

No feedback from anyone on the forum? I guess I have it all figured out. lol

 

[jtotheizzo]

I am just seeing this for the first time today. I have no real input other than to commiserate. I too am cramming a building on my lot just to get a 2 post lift. What I can comment on was that I too was being quoted north of 20k and I just couldn't see the added value in that building over a metal one.

I am having a 14X25 metal building put in for a third of what I was being quoted for stick built\pole barn. We just dropped the tree that was at the corner of our building earlier this week.

As far as placing the lift everything that I have looked at wants to be at least 13' from the nearest obstruction. I would say you will need to put it at an angle for sure. I am putting my door in the end of the building and I think I will still barely have room. You may be ok with the chevelle on the lift but if you ever want to put anything bigger on it you may be in trouble.

With that said if you are anything like me you will find a way to make the cramped space work if it means having a lift.

 

[SShink]

I am having a 14X25 metal building put in for a third of what I was being quoted for stick built\pole barn. We just dropped the tree that was at the corner of our building earlier this week.


With that said if you are anything like me you will find a way to make the cramped space work if it means having a lift.

Thanks for the comments.

I'd consider a metal building, but I don't think the city would approve it since I'm in the city limits.

And... our daughter's boyfriend asked me for her hand in marriage this past weekend, so looks like I need to downsize the project to divert some funds for a future wedding.

So went out last night and remeasured, and can fit a 14' wide x 18' deep one car garage into the budget. No 12' ceiling, but will still have the storage rafters and flooring. I had to readjust my 'wants' vs. 'needs' to at least be able to have a place to park the Chevelle and have some room to work on it. It'll be a little tight on the depth, but I can make it work. The quote should come in about $10K less than the original design, which is where I need to be. Sometimes life is about compromises...

 

[vavet]

18 foot depth is tight.What will the actual inside dimension be?

BTW, nice grass. I wish I could get thick green grass like that.

 

[SShink]

18 foot depth is tight.What will the actual inside dimension be?

BTW, nice grass. I wish I could get thick green grass like that.

Yeah, I measured the car in the current garage, and I'll have about 2' in front of it so it's tight for anything other than parking. If I pull the engine or do anything like that I'll have to back it out a bit, but I plan on having a work bench to the side with 4' on either side of the car (it's 6' wide) so that should work o.k.

Thanks on the grass. We've had a lot of rain, and that backyard is actually thinner than the front yard. lol

 

[jtotheizzo]

Thanks for the comments.

I'd consider a metal building, but I don't think the city would approve it since I'm in the city limits.

And... our daughter's boyfriend asked me for her hand in marriage this past weekend, so looks like I need to downsize the project to divert some funds for a future wedding.

So went out last night and remeasured, and can fit a 14' wide x 18' deep one car garage into the budget. No 12' ceiling, but will still have the storage rafters and flooring. I had to readjust my 'wants' vs. 'needs' to at least be able to have a place to park the Chevelle and have some room to work on it. It'll be a little tight on the depth, but I can make it work. The quote should come in about $10K less than the original design, which is where I need to be. Sometimes life is about compromises...

Congrats on the impending wedding. I am assuming that you granted your blessing since you are talking of downsizing.

I too am in the city limits and I didn't think the city would allow me to do anything like this on my property. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to the city and asked. While I have no real dog in this fight when it comes to what type of building I would say you should perhaps look into them and what you may be allowed to do. I can tell you from researching this extensively for months that in the size you are looking at a metal building will probably save you a ton of money. Since they don't have traditional trusses you may also find that you can get away with a little shorter building.

If looks are your concern I will say that you can finish the metal "carport" in T-111 just like Tuff Shed will, and you can put a high lift garage door on it. I think that you may find (like I did) that in this size there just is no comparison cost wise. Also you may see if a pole barn type building may work for you my quote was about $10k less than Tuff Shed's garage.

I wouldn't give up quite yet. I think there may be a scenario where you can have your cake and eat it too (pun completely intended).

 

[SShink]

Congrats on the impending wedding. I am assuming that you granted your blessing since you are talking of downsizing.

I too am in the city limits and I didn't think the city would allow me to do anything like this on my property. I was pleasantly surprised when I went to the city and asked. While I have no real dog in this fight when it comes to what type of building I would say you should perhaps look into them and what you may be allowed to do. I can tell you from researching this extensively for months that in the size you are looking at a metal building will probably save you a ton of money. Since they don't have traditional trusses you may also find that you can get away with a little shorter building.

If looks are your concern I will say that you can finish the metal "carport" in T-111 just like Tuff Shed will, and you can put a high lift garage door on it. I think that you may find (like I did) that in this size there just is no comparison cost wise. Also you may see if a pole barn type building may work for you my quote was about $10k less than Tuff Shed's garage.

I wouldn't give up quite yet. I think there may be a scenario where you can have your cake and eat it too (pun completely intended).

Thanks again. Yes, I've given the engagement 'approval' which isn't an easy thing for a Dad to let go... but he's a good young man.

I've put a call into the city codes department, so will see if they allow metal buildings.

Did you have a particular metal bldg. manufacturer that you went with or recommend?

 

[jtotheizzo]

This is where it gets complicated. Unfortunately I think you may find like I did that there really are only a handful of manufacturers and LOTS of dealers. In the end I happened to drive by a metal carport a couple miles from my house and I stopped to talk to the owner. The dealer that they recommend has been fantastic. I may recommend you do the same. What is interesting is now that I am getting one I see them all over. I think it's like when you buy or are looking for a certain car suddenly everyone has one.

Before that, I had gone through 3 others. Two were not local and one was, each of them couldn't seem to really answer all of my questions. The price for saving all of this money though is that I am applying for all my own permits and dealing with the city and what not. So far they have been pretty decent to deal with and by the time I would have paid someone to do it I had already talked to the city enough about the project that it seemed like sort of a waste to pay someone to do so.

I am still waiting on my permits, ground work and the building to be erected so who knows, I may change my opinion on this but right now saving $20k has been worth the hassle.

Versatube is an online dealer that specialized in DIY metal buildings. They at least have some fun toys on their website to play with. Even though I am pretty mechanically inclined (heck I have even helped build houses and garages) I really didn't want to have to deal with building it myself so I chose another company. The company I went with is Coast to Coast carports. Again I have no real review of them at this time because we are just getting started.

What I learned about the industry is the biggest issue is scheduling. I have seen lots of complaints about reschedules, delays, etc. Most of the times the installers are great but the office at the manufacturer can be a pain. For me I have more time than money right now so I plan to just deal with it.

Do your research, know what you want and just press on.

Let me know if you have any other questions about it. I can tell you I really hemmed and hawed on this decision and I do worry about the fear of regret on it still as it seems to good to be true. I am very particular and I research the hell out of everything. Through it all I just can't see the extra value in stick built or pole framed over what I went with. Had the prices been closer I would have probably gone stick built just for looks but after seeing some of these in person and looking around to me it was just better to save the money.