Adding second floor to RV garage. Questions

[zsmcelroy]

Guys-
First off, this if my first post on here. I have been lurking for awhile as I work towards my own shop. I have found a lot of great ideas and really enjoy all this forum. I am moving and have been looking for properties with shops for me to use. That said, I am looking at a house that has a large RV garage in the back yard. As I do not have and RV, or plan on getting one, I plan on turning it into my shop. I have not gotten exact measurements, but the real estate agent believes it is about 15 wide and 35 feet long, with a height of 16 to 20 feet.
I am wanting to break down the area into sections as I do woodworking and tinker with cars. My idea would be to leave a large section for an eventual lift for cars and a dedicated garage section at the front of the building, and wall in a separate area for woodworking. I am thinking this, combined with a vac system, will help keep sawdust off and out of car parts.
I have just started researching and am finding very little in terms of anyone doing this, but I was thinking of adding a second floor over the woodworking area. I am thinking of using this area as a man cave. I reached out to a buddy who lives in the area about ideas as he is a contractor but he is out of reach for the next week. Anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts?

 

[Fred.]

I am doing this to my garage. It is 18Wx60Lx18H with 2x6 studs/stucco exterior
I went to Building and Safety and did some inquiring.
Since the building is already built with just a 5 foot setback from the property line I'm ok.

If I had been adding a second floor, it would need 10 foot setback, I would need a variance, and I know my neighbor would fight it.
I'm Not allowed to build the stairs outside, they have to be built inside the building.

Welcome to GJ, put your location in your profile.

 

[HoosierMark]

You need to lay this out a little more. It sounds to me like you may think you have a lot more space then you do. If the building is 35 feet long and you want to leave a big space for a lift. You need to probably leave about 25 or even 30 feet from door for the lift. That would allow you to bring a car in and have say 5 feet from the front and back to move around it and raise it. That only leave 5-10 feet of loft. Open space can feel really large until you start placing things. What you could do is put some storage up high along the walls or at one end. My daily garage is 32 feet deep and there would be no room to put any type of room at one end. Oh yea don't forget the stairs they take up space also. And if you want a bathroom, etc, it all adds up. You might just have a workshop on the lower level and man cave above which would be doable. Good luck

 

[bczygan]

Guys-
First off, this if my first post on here. I have been lurking for awhile as I work towards my own shop. I have found a lot of great ideas and really enjoy all this forum. I am moving and have been looking for properties with shops for me to use. That said, I am looking at a house that has a large RV garage in the back yard. As I do not have and RV, or plan on getting one, I plan on turning it into my shop. I have not gotten exact measurements, but the real estate agent believes it is about 15 wide and 35 feet long, with a height of 16 to 20 feet.
I am wanting to break down the area into sections as I do woodworking and tinker with cars. My idea would be to leave a large section for an eventual lift for cars and a dedicated garage section at the front of the building, and wall in a separate area for woodworking. I am thinking this, combined with a vac system, will help keep sawdust off and out of car parts.
I have just started researching and am finding very little in terms of anyone doing this, but I was thinking of adding a second floor over the woodworking area. I am thinking of using this area as a man cave. I reached out to a buddy who lives in the area about ideas as he is a contractor but he is out of reach for the next week. Anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts?

To me, you only need a man cave, if you're not the man of the house.

Welcome to GJ, BTW.

Sounds like a fun project.

Post up some photos of the building and lot!

Bill

 

[dirttracker18]

You need to lay this out a little more. It sounds to me like you may think you have a lot more space then you do. If the building is 35 feet long and you want to leave a big space for a lift. You need to probably leave about 25 or even 30 feet from door for the lift. That would allow you to bring a car in and have say 5 feet from the front and back to move around it and raise it. That only leave 5-10 feet of loft. Open space can feel really large until you start placing things. What you could do is put some storage up high along the walls or at one end. My daily garage is 32 feet deep and there would be no room to put any type of room at one end. Oh yea don't forget the stairs they take up space also. And if you want a bathroom, etc, it all adds up. You might just have a workshop on the lower level and man cave above which would be doable. Good luck

I would echo the same thoughts. I am 36 deep and could not imagine trying to walk off a section at the back and still have ample room in the front.