Another newbie

[RandyWanger]

Hello, long time reader/admirer of The Garage Journal.

I've finally 'settled' back in the UK, purchased a house and now it's time to start on the garage before I can start on my classic race car project.

I'll be asking lots of questions soon...

Thanks.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hi and welcome aboard RandyWanger, ask away there is always some good advice from some of our learned members.

 

[softailgarage]

Welcome to The Garage from So. California. Where were you before the UK?

 

[rburke65]

Hello Randy and welcome from Ohio!

 

[furbyj1]

Welcome to the GJ!!

 

[drivesitfar]

Randy: you might want to go in your profile and put in your location so members will know what part of the world you live in when you are not on this thread asking questions. also click on Avitar and post a picture of anything you like such as the car project that you can change as you work on it or if you don't own it yet maybe your dog or favorite pictures as others have done.

welcome and you are in a very helpful place and getting better all the time.

 

[930dreamer]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[RandyWanger]

Profile edited, location added. Although not from here, it's easy and cheaper to commute into London from and house prices are relatively cheap too.

Previously, not too far, just over the channel in Chamonix, France.

This is what's currently on my land, obviously nothing is ever going in it and it'll be taken down soon (if it doesn't already fall down) and something more suitable for storing my car and bikes in will be built.

 

[drivesitfar]

Randy: i don't know the building codes in your area, but if we tear down a garage on the lot line and the new rules want a set back without the garage sitting there we have to build according to the new rules. just saying get your permits in hand before tearing your old garage down unless it is dangerous for you and your family.

so you commute from France to England to work daily?

cheers

 

[RandyWanger]

No no nooo, sorry, I've just moved to the UK from France.

I'm looking into a timber framed garage, is that a bad idea? Seems cheaper than block work/bricks. Building regs seem pretty relaxed here from what I can tell. Got a meeting with a builder this weekend to discuss garage + extension on the house.

 

[22george]

Find out what the garage is made of. My brother-in-law in Suffolk County England had an old garage like that one that had asbestos in it. He tore it down not knowing about the asbestos and ended up dying from mesothelioma. The authorities will come out and check it for you

 

[drivesitfar]

Randy: before you tear that old garage down make sure you have the permit to build the new one in hand. some planning departments sound pretty relaxed and then you turn your application and another person that does all the work might have a different idea.

what size are you making it? i can't say if wood or cement block is cheaper because you are in the UK. i can say i wouldn't put wood next to the ground like the guy did that built your garage. i'd have a small footing at least and my preference would be wood because easier to drill holes for wire and plumbing if you need any. i own a cement block home and i'm ok with it now, but that's after buying $1,000 of cement drill bits and tools so i can easily do the work now.

good luck and ask questions if you have any and we'll try to help or go on a few threads in Garage gallery and see what others have done. if you are not yet set on size maybe see what other members have in their garages that are different sizes so you can pick.

if you ask how big should i build it you'll almost always get two answers. one how much can you afford and that's how big or what is the maximum size your city will let you. these guys all want bigger garages even the guys with 40 x 120's. hell a guy with a 3 car and a 4 car detached garage shop was saying he wished he owned another guys shop just the other day here. no it wasn't me.