Am I going to regret a 25’ width?

[Fess McGee]

First post.

A little context—getting ready to retire to the family farm after many years away. Project involves a new house and shop on about 10 acres. Have spent plenty of time on planning and budgeting for the house but more excited for the shop as I’ve never had one of my own.

We’ll have 3 vehicles—my truck, wife’s SUV and a third fun vehicle of some kind. House would have a decently-sized 2 car garage with a long driveway and plenty of room to park 2 cars inside and on a concrete approach, and on the gravel driveway, and on a gravel turn-around area. About a 1/8 mile away I have literally thousands of square feet of free storage at my parent’s place (farmers, so think large machine sheds) but would like to have all my stuff on my own spread.

There will be a large gravel drive and approach leading to the shop. The shop will have about a 15Wx25D overhang/porch area. This is where I’m planning on parking the fun vehicle. The shop will be 25x40 with a 25’ wide loft at the end (8-10’ deep). Tool benches will go underneath the loft. Not a ton of productivity will likely take place in this shop. It’s a place to have to myself, fart around, drink beer, burn **** in my burn barrel, and hang out with my dog. I’ll store my mower, UTV, all power equipment, tools, etc here. I’ll repair, work on stuff, and basically tinker around. I’m sure I’ll buy more toys. I’d like to park the third vehicle in there when weather gets bad but I’m not planning on it being in there much. The shop will have one horizontal machine shed-style slider door in the front. Width and height TBD still.

My question is, given all of this, is there any reason to believe a 25’ wide shop won’t be wide enough? I’m hoping to stick with that because number one, all my measuring and surveying (I’m right by a 250+ year old oak tree that I’m obviously trying to avoid and it’s a little tricky) used 25’ for the width and I really don’t want to re-do it and second, my current garage is such that it provides a good visual on how big this shop will be (looks big enough to me BTW).

I’m asking because I don’t see a lot of shops being talked about here that are only 25’ wide. Am I going to regret not having another, say 5’? Thanks.

 

[FJ 432]

I had to go with 23' wide because of an easement. After living with it for 13 years I wish I had more. 30' IMHO would be ideal.

 

[Zeke]

If you understand anything about the GJ it's that everyone will say go as big as you can. No one has regretted a big building and made it smaller. But, you have to be reasonable, that's all. If 5 more feet is a big deal, then it's a big deal. End of story. Perspective: 25' is 2 cars wide if you want to fully open the doors.

 

[u2slow]

Depends on how you need to use the side walls. Will shallow shelving be enough? Toolchests? Or countertop/workbench?

I have 20x37' interior (sqft restriction) and it was the best compromise for me. Its arranged double-deep with my workspace to one side. The 'tight' sidewall has my toolchests, and shelving above. Loft/mezzanine over the workspace.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Building new i would go at least 30' if you can, you'll be amazed at the difference. I have one 25' and one 30', the extra 5' makes a big difference to me. One thing I would think about, make it drive through, with a door at each end if you can.

 

[Rod N]

Can you get 3 cars wide with 25' and open the doors properly?

 

[NUTTSGT]

25'x40' for one vehicle ? yeah, should be plenty of room.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Can you get 3 cars wide with 25' and open the doors properly?

He never said he wanted to park three cars in it.

 

[PoorUB]

My question is, given all of this, is there any reason to believe a 25’ wide shop won’t be wide enough?

I have a 24x38, OH door on the 24 foot side, and it is doable, but if you want to park two full sized vehicles side by side there is not much room for anything else. I would prefer wider, but you use the cards you are dealt. f parking is not and issue, then it should be fine.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

He never said he wanted to park three cars in it.

I’d like to park the third vehicle in there when weather gets bad but I’m not planning on it being in there much.

Looks like he is planning on that at times.

FWIW 25" is way too narrow for three cars. Barely adequate for 2 cars and anything in the building as well. If you have any stuff on the sides it will get even narrower. If you can go bigger by all means do so. Even a few feet will be helpful for parking multiple vehicles in the garage/Shop.

 

[Walkers]

I ended up working professionally out of my 25x54. For a hobby shop it was great, to work out of and my own stuff and vehicles it is a little cramped.

 

[Fixr]

Make it as wide as you reasonably can. 25 is not wide enough for three vehicles unless the walls are bare and you maybe climb in and out of the vehicles through the windows. That said, do what you can and work around the limitations. You will always want more space until you get to the point where you just want to simplify your life.

 

[Zeke]

Make it as wide as you reasonably can. 25 is not wide enough for three vehicles unless the walls are bare and you maybe climb in and out of the vehicles through the windows. That said, do what you can and work around the limitations. You will always want more space until you get to the point where you just want to simplify your life.

Cars are 6 feet wide or less on average. Back one in and head the other and they take up NO more than 14' not considering door swing. Add 6 feet for DS and you have 20 which is typical of tract home garages. People do fine with 20 feet and a 16' door.

But parking 3 cars in a 25 ' wide space is gonna be tough with any garage door sizes and construction parameters that I know of. At least one would have to be on rollers. Or you just want to work harder at it than I do.

Typical 3 car garage has a 16' and an 8' door and a minimum of 6 feet ( 3 ea, 2 foot) of shear panels or strong walls which = 30 feet.

 

[steel 35]

I built 25' X 36' was told its Odd, build even 26' its cheaper less waste.
Couldn't; set back's and She wanted a little lawn for the dog.
20 years later 1 barely fit's

 

[Fess McGee]

Looks like he is planning on that at times.

FWIW 25" is way too narrow for three cars. Barely adequate for 2 cars and anything in the building as well. If you have any stuff on the sides it will get even narrower. If you can go bigger by all means do so. Even a few feet will be helpful for parking multiple vehicles in the garage/Shop.

OP here. Third car as in the car we own that isn't parked up at the house in that garage. At most, this shop will have 1 car parked in it and not planning on that being very often as I'm having a large overhang built on for that third car's primary parking spot.

 

[CombatNinja]

I don't understand having 10 acres but somehow you are restricted in size by this tree? Makes no sense. If you were in the city with onerous setbacks and a bunch of variances, I could see it. From the sound of things, you are planning quite a lot of different things in the shop and the gear to keep up with an acreage can take up a lot of room, quickly. Just build it right the first time. I would not build a shop for that kind of situation less than 30 feet wide. I like building in 8' increments so as not to have much waste. So I'd move it away from the tree nd do a 32'x40'. That way you can have all your shelving and cabinets along the sides and still have more or less 27' clear space. That 25' is gonna get real cozy real fast when you fill the shop with your stuff.

 

[Zeke]

Another thing to consider when we are talking about garages, not shops and barns, just in the 20 to 30 foot width, is whether that is overall or net inside dimension. 2 x 6 walls on a 20' OA garage won't even be 19 net. I'm usually thinking interior measurements but that's not how building plans work.

 

[Rc_Guy]

Looks like he is planning on that at times.

FWIW 25" is way too narrow for three cars. Barely adequate for 2 cars and anything in the building as well. If you have any stuff on the sides it will get even narrower. If you can go bigger by all means do so. Even a few feet will be helpful for parking multiple vehicles in the garage/Shop.

OP here. Third car as in the car we own that isn't parked up at the house in that garage. At most, this shop will have 1 car parked in it and not planning on that being very often as I'm having a large overhang built on for that third car's primary parking spot.

I car is all I assumed you were parking in the 25’ garage.

 

[Fess McGee]

I don't understand having 10 acres but somehow you are restricted in size by this tree? Makes no sense. If you were in the city with onerous setbacks and a bunch of variances, I could see it. From the sound of things, you are planning quite a lot of different things in the shop and the gear to keep up with an acreage can take up a lot of room, quickly. Just build it right the first time. I would not build a shop for that kind of situation less than 30 feet wide. I like building in 8' increments so as not to have much waste. So I'd move it away from the tree nd do a 32'x40'. That way you can have all your shelving and cabinets along the sides and still have more or less 27' clear space. That 25' is gonna get real cozy real fast when you fill the shop with your stuff.

All fair points but it does make some sense if you take into account that while this is a beautiful property with gentle slopes, not a ton of it is flat. Also, that part of it is in hay ground that I’m trying to avoid building on, that I don’t want this shop too far from the house, and that I’m on a budget because I’m building a house too, I am more limited than what 10 acres would otherwise suggest. You do make some good points though.

 

[fastfrank88]

Hi, I built a 40x64 and I wish it was 44x64. Those 4 feet does make a difference for me. In regard to the length 40 feet long is not enough to put two cars end to end with room for workbenches, storage and some room to work on the vehicles. It is cheaper to go longer than it is to go wider. I would look into a 28 to 30 foot width, you will always find stuff to fill it up. I wish you well what ever you choose.

 

[u2slow]

I am at nearly 38' deep inside and it works for most vehicles end-to-end. Workbenches and stuff are off to the sides.

Another thing to consider when we are talking about garages, not shops and barns, just in the 20 to 30 foot width, is whether that is overall or net inside dimension. 2 x 6 walls on a 20' OA garage won't even be 19 net. I'm usually thinking interior measurements but that's not how building plans work.

Very good point.

Interior dimensions were my bylaw constraint, and my building plans reflected that. Outside dimensions only mattered for the setbacks. Rounding off to 'less waste' increments doesnt matter when you need to build to the limit.

 

[finn]

The section of my shop that I do most of my work in has an outside footprint of 24x33, with 16’ ceilings. It has a two post lift, a rotisserie , a couple of welders, a plasma cutter, a 48” wide blast cabinet, two toolboxes, a HF five drawer cart, a Baker’s scaffold, and a 24”x6’ shelving rack.

There’s room for the side x side, just barely, but not the lawn tractor.

Fortunately, the lawn tractor, skid steer some supplies and tools, etc go in the enclosed lean to, and there’s a whole 32x 48 section for the boiler room, tool storage, compressor, etc.

Bottom line is that you might be able to make your plan work if you had someplace else to keep the side by side, mower, any additional yard tools, utilities, etc.

As is, you are short changing yourself on space, and it’s cheaper to add more now than later.

My 24’ is wide enough only because it’s a dedicated work space, segregated from “clutter“ like mowers and toys.

With that much acreage, consider a slightly different site, if you don’t want to destroy the tree. My own shop has a couple dozen mature oaks, so I empathize with you.

 

[67CarGuy]

I'd push to 28 ft at least, 30 or 32 ft if within the budget, and probably more than that if $$ and setbacks, etc., aren't an issue.

 

[BruceMc]

I started off planning on 32' width, ultimately went with 28', and regret that decision on a regular basis.

 

[Mike65]

Our garage/shop is 24' wide x 25' deep. I could not go deeper because there is a tree behind the shop that my wife did not want to cut down. I should have gone wider say 36' making it a 3-car wide shop. No regrets with the 24' wide although.

 

[nadogail]

My house and workshop are on a 25' wide city lot, the required setback from the property line is 3', as a consequence my workshop is 19' wide less the thickness of the walls.

Many of my neighbors quietly envy my workshop, I am grateful to have it.

 

[olytdi]

I appreciate your consideration of a 250 year-old tree. You've got to respect something like that and it's obviously irreplaceable. Must be huge!

 

[Fess McGee]

I appreciate your consideration of a 250 year-old tree. You've got to respect something like that and it's obviously irreplaceable. Must be huge!

It's massive. That 250 yrs is not a guess either. Had a buddy who's a horticulturalist look at it. Says it's at least 250. Pretty cool to think of all the things that sought shade under it over those years...not to mention, our 15 year old lab is buried under it so it ain't going anywhere.

 

[jkuro]

If you build close to your 250 year old tree you may kill it anyway. You may alter its ground water and starve it or flood it. With big trees it can take 5 to 7 years for this to happen. Good luck.

 

[mitusa]

As others have said.....if you're planning on storing lawnmowers and other stuff, I would widen it to 32'.

 

[cvairwerks]

25' wide is a hassle construction wise. A multiple of 4 makes things way easier and less wastage on materials.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I'd fight to keep that oak tree, doing whatever I could to get a wide enough building and not lose it. Does the bldg HAVE to go in that spot?

 

[racecougar]

I'm all for saving an old tree, but you're not talking about building this garage right under it, are you? I'd advise against it.

As far as building dims go, only you can make that call for yourself. Most of us would say "yes", we would regret building that small, but we're not you.

 

[bb29510]

your measurement need to be base on four feet, you paying for the material any way to cut it down and waste, so if you went 28 or 24, same amount of material you have to buy for 25 then cut it down and waste

 

[Old Moparz]

I agree with the others that mentioned the dimensions being in 4 foot increments is the way to go. It's easier when ordering materials & less waste. If you're concerned about not having enough space you might want to consider going with a taller building with a second floor or a ceiling that's high enough to build a loft inside later on if needed. If you don't want to go higher & you're going with trusses, there are ones called attic trusses that will give you additional space.

 

[Rc_Guy]

your measurement need to be base on four feet, you paying for the material any way to cut it down and waste, so if you went 28 or 24, same amount of material you have to buy for 25 then cut it down and waste

Other than plywood and Sheetrock what else is 4’?

 

[Old Moparz]

Other than plywood and Sheetrock what else is 4’?

The lengths of most dimensional lumber is based on 4' & trusses for a 25' building would probably be more expensive than a 24'.

 

[jjrbus]

I squeezed in my house to avoid cutting down a tree, the tree died after a couple years. Speaking of years after a few years a 200' wide shop would be too small LOL.

 

[NUTTSGT]

OP here. Third car as in the car we own that isn't parked up at the house in that garage. At most, this shop will have 1 car parked in it and not planning on that being very often as I'm having a large overhang built on for that third car's primary parking spot.

You do what you have to do to fit your budget and area that you have to work with.

However, if your $$ numbers include finishing out the space to a certain degree, I would suggest cutting back on some of that to make it slightly larger, like 28' wide, now rather than later. Finish the interior as you go.

 

[Steve W.]

My zoning restricted me to 750 square feet, basically a 25 x 30. Since that extra foot involved a bit of waste, I went with 24 x 30. Yeah, it's a bit smaller, but it's a motorcycle workshop and parking area, not for cars.