30' x 30' garage

[midas]

Construction on my garage and addition is underway, but I am a concerned about the slab. The back of the garage will be attached to house, which the contractors put in a footer 42" below and stacked block on it...the floor joist will sit on top of the block for that room. The garage on the other hand, they did not put in footers 42" deep. They had dug out the sides , but I don't know if this is normal. The slab is 8" thick, fiberglass reinforced. Should I be concerned? Here are some pics on the progress.

 

[eeprete]

That'll be a nice size garage. GL with it all.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Really nice..... going to be great, am jealous...

Too late for all the advice you will be getting soon on here about hair vs. rebar, floating slab vs. monolithic, why 8 in. thick slab for a car garage, on and on. jmo

 

[midas]

I am in PA and I have a few co-workers saying that I should have footers. This build is going to give me an ulcer, its seems that things are changing on the fly. I was originally told it was going to be 4" slab with 8" where the lift is going to be and also footers with a couple rows of block. Then it changed to 6" slab with footers/block. Then I find out that they poured eight inches with no footers and are going to stick build on top of the slab.

 

[midas]

A month later, lots of rain limiting work.

The contractor order garage doors for me, but never went over the options with me. I just found out that he order Holmes garage doors 5200 series (10'x10'), which is 7/8" insulation and a R-4. I am kindof upset, because I really wanted a beefier door or insulation at least a R-6. Should I complain?

 

[Average_Joe]

Make sure they have PE stamped foundation plans. I don't like the rock foundation, but things are done differently up there. I would think the slab on grade would give you problems with frost heaving, but I know little about that, lol.

As for the garage doors, it sounds like you need to sit down with your builder and discuss the materials used to finish the project and possibly upgrade certain things. Hopefully you aren't past the point where you can cancel the garage door order.

 

[midas]

I thought the same thing, but apparently it passed inspection...not sure about the pe stamp. The garage door is already sitting at the store and the owner told me it was to late to change, but said he would work with me....although, he has yet to call me back. I am just wondering if I should spend the $400 more per door for a better r value.

 

[jwhcars]

Spend the money and get a high quality door. Now is the time to get the highest R value doors.

 

[msgross]

You need to go over ALL options with your contractor, his original quote will have specifics, anything you change will incur a higher cost. If they are insulated doors already then I would move ahead, as long as they are the right style and color. Not sure what you plan to do with the garage but they will always be the main source of heat loss IMHO

It's a garage not a living room...

 

[midas]

Well I was able to change the door to gold series instead of the silver...the guy will have to eat a 15% return fee, but from my calculations he added that to my change in door type.

The garage will be my new living room, that is why I did go with the better door

 

[yeldogt]

Looks good!

Can you explain the footing? Did they dig a trench and fill it with stone for a footing and then pour a 6" slab for the whole garage.... or is the slab thicker at those trenches?

Lots of one story garages ,, and houses for that matter were built on slabs in cold areas.

 

[msgross]

My contractor put a foundation around my patio even, If you have concern then call the inspector yourself... they are there to protect you anyways... he can quote the building code to put you at ease, or make the contractor fix it.

 

[nine4gmc]

I just moved in a house with a 30x30, congrats on your build, can't wait to see what you do with the place!

 

[midas]

So I was going to go in on the group by for the bendpak two post lift...until I noticed a crack spanning the width of the both pads. The crack is right where I wanted to put the lift. The damn contractor still hasn't cut the expansion joints in them yet! My guess that is why they cracked. Will this be detrimental to my plans?

 

[midas]

Well I finally got my drywall on the ceiling. now I want to put drywall on the walls but I want some kind of waterproof protection on the bottom half of the walls. any suggestions?