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28x36 or 30x40 garage workshop

Which one would you choose on a tight budget?

  • Option#1 28x34

    Votes: 12 11.8%
  • Option#2 30x40

    Votes: 90 88.2%

  • Total voters
    102

msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
Hello, I've been lurking on here for awhile and figured I'd start a thread, gather some ideas and show some progress (once it starts).

I'd love to build 1,200 sq ft but building permits get involved above 1,000 sq ft in my township. I have to keep 15 ft off my property line and have 1 acre of land. Walls will be 10ft and I'd like to make room for a lift with scissor truss'.

Option #1 is to put the garage beside the house at a 90 degree angle to the current garage. Pro is that I can pull in and out easily plus be close to the house. Con is that it might be overbearing from the road and if I go too long it will make the back patio feel "odd". I also would go with vinyl siding since it would be right beside the house ($1200) Doors would be 10x8 on the gable end. Back 2/3rds would be scissor truss for lift but it would have to centered (the 2 squares in overhead pic show this).

Option #2 is to place the building at the back of my property, if this is done then I'd feel better about 1,200 sq ft. or I'd make it 24x40 to get more width. Doors would be 10x8 on the eave side. Pros it would keep it towards the back of the property so it's not as overbearing from the road. I could also go metal siding since it wouldn't be beside the house. Cons it would require a driveway ($5,000?) to be put in and i'd have to enter and exit through a gate in the fence (dogs).
Lift would be in right stall with scissor truss overhead.
 

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OP
M

msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
Option 1
 

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msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
Option 2
 

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msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
Buildings would probably cost the same to build I've already been quoted $16,500 for Option #2 in all metal. Option #1 would be cheaper except for the vinyl siding.
 
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msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
I'm waiting for an estimate on the driveway for option#2, that might bump it out of the budget. Plus it would require more permits and a storm water assessment from the township. Not sure what that costs or encompasses but it doesn't sound fun.
 
OP
M

msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
Option #3 is looking very doable... 26x38 in the option #2 spot... builder coming over Friday to check out the site...
 

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msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
due to new storm water management ordinance in my township my garage is now on hold until I get an assessment or they change the 1,000 sq ft limitation.

I'm moving forward with the addition and porch then we'll see what to do about the garage, there is a chance that the limitation could be bumped up to 5,000 sq ft thus I won't require more engineering costs... such a PITA...
 
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Bib Overalls

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
3,318
Location
Jonesboro, Arkansas
My shop is 30' x 40' and it is a comfortable space. I can not imagine being happy with less and really don't need more. When I built almost 15 years ago it was a financial stretch that I have never regretted. At the time, several builders told me that 30' x 40' was a sweet spot, the point where building labor and material costs produced an optimized square foot cost. I don't know if that is true or not but my experience seems to verify that. I say go bigger now if you can.
 

vonpahrkur

Active member
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
32
option 2, driveway can always be done in phases-when you build you might make a provision for a future lean-to or addition on the side or back. Also, if you haven't already-look into using trusses that would allow storage or an additional room upstairs-I have noticed many shops that have been built on here that have huge upper levels that are essentially dead space that could have easily had trusses that would allow for storage or another room above-also seen some great example on here where every possible square foot was utilized via trusses!
 
OP
M

msgross

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
331
Location
Central PA
planning on storage truss upstairs, they are spaced 4 ft apart so I can add floor supports and plywood for basic storage...

I can't do a lean-to out the back due to setback rules, otherwise it would be very nice for the camper to hide under there.

Cost for the 30x40 is $16,750 which is within budget, that's concrete and all... thanks for the advice
 

TT4

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Messages
6
Location
Monroe, NC
Cost for the 30x40 is $16,750 which is within budget, that's concrete and all... thanks for the advice

Is this quote for a steel building & who did you get to quote it? Been looking at both stick built & steel myself.
 

larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,885
Location
oregon
Been said many times here, location is important. If your in snow country then a gable end door is better. Snow country then #1 . Also important is what are you going to use the building for? A heated full time shop or a building that ends up cold storage for all the **** you can drag home from the neighborhood garage sales.

After heating a big building my second building I changed up a bit and went with a small heated area and larger unheated. It works for me and how I do things. How you do things and what you intend to do in the building should have a big part in your decisions.

lg
no neat sig line
 

rfc86

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 7, 2011
Messages
104
Location
Pennsylvania
Option 2 would be my pick. If you ever wanted to have a project car this would give you space. Not a lot of space but doable.
 

Glider_6969

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
22
Location
Southern Ontario
Option #2 is my pick, especially if it's within the budget. I like the look better,, and partial to that design as it is similar to what I am going to build.:beer:
 

JDishong

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
358
Location
Prosper, Texas
Couple of comments from my perspective:
1) I can't tell you how many times I have had to go from my main garage to the detached garage (forgot a gadget, a tool, you name it .. so glad my garage is up close to the house.
2) With the garage placed at the rear of your property, all of you wonderful neighbors get to watch everything your up to ... less privacy.
... both look nice though.
 
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