Builder recommendation, Atlanta GA area

[SLMike]

Howdy,

New here to GJ, from the Atlanta GA area (Marietta/N.Cobb) - I found you all while searching online for recommendations for a builder.

Been looking through the threads for a few days now - the garages are amazing - lots of inspiration and ideas.

I've "been talking about" having a detached garage (2 or 3 car) built at my place for years - and I'm hoping I'm close to finally starting the process.

I have not seen many recommendations while searching, and have noticed that there are not many postings here about it either.

At this point, I'm not fully decided on size/configuration/etc. The budget is limited, and price guestimates seem to vary quite a bit.
I have three versions in mind, and would chose based on further advice, and what the costs end up looking like.
No matter what, I know it will never be big enough, so I'm committed to be satisfied with whatever I end up being able to do.

Many people build their own, and have suggested that I should too - and I'd love to, but at this point my back (neck really) is no longer up to it.

I do plan to keep it simple, and do a lot of the finishing work myself to hopefully keep costs down.

Anyway - I've gathered a couple names, and one recommendation so far; have not made any calls yet.

If anyone here in the area recommends a good company or person for the build, I'd be grateful.

Thanks much,
Mike

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Welcome to GJ! I used to live in Marietta and have worked with a few builders and have friends there that are builders. If you want to provide names of who you are considering I can run them by my builder buddies for some additional input.

 

[Bluedodge]

...I've "been talking about" having a detached garage (2 or 3 car) built at my place for years - and I'm hoping I'm close to finally starting the process...

...At this point, I'm not fully decided on size/configuration/etc. The budget is limited, and price guestimates seem to vary quite a bit...

...I have three versions in mind, and would chose based on further advice, and what the costs end up looking like...

Be careful, Mike.

It sounds like you are in the VERY early stages.

Most builders / general contractors will pick up on this and either not submit a bid (a waste of their time) or submit a bogus bid. They may bid you a dirt cheap price, hoping you will call them in a few years when you are truly ready because they were the cheapest. Others may bid you a sky-high number now to get you off their back temporarily; while they may actually be a decent price & quality combination come crunch time.

Either way, if you bug them every few months with what normally would be deemed "easy questions", they will view this as time invested in your project and if they do eventually get your business, they will charge you a pinch extra.

You will only get "actual" quotes when you are ready to pull the trigger and have already gotten preliminary approvals from your local township and/or county.

 

[fourjeepin]

Welcome Mike! I think Blue gave good advise. Until you know EXACTLY what you want, don't ask for quotes. And if you are on the fence about 2 vs. 3, then 3 is the answer. They fill up fast between my daily, her daily, my old CJ, a trailer, kids bike & power wheels Jeep, oh and tools/workbench, both of mine are pretty full.

 

[SLMike]

Thanks guys - good advice.

Part of my message was perhaps historical and unnecessary - I am past the "someday I'll build" and am ready to move forward. But yes, I need to figure out what to build.

It seems then that I'm in a bit of a loop though - I don't know exactly what I want because I don't know what it will cost. But I can't find out what it will cost until I know exactly what I want....

I've got some friends in various areas of construction who I've heard "homeowner stories" from, so I think I can avoid some of those problems and not get "go-away" pricing, hopefully.

I'll keep digging around on the forum here to get ideas on the garage. Unfortunately, while I know that 'bigger is always better,' other realities will mean that I'll have to say "this is good enough" at some point.

What pricing info I can find on my own seems to vary wildly - where you live - 'dried-in only,' vs. 'nicer-than my house' - etc.

Will look for some threads and pricing info - I'm sure there are some basics to be learned, such as "does going taller cost less than going wider (more concrete)" or "how much more do attic trusses cost" and things like that. Then I can have a plan ready to submit for a quote.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[MDSPHOTO]

Yes, going taller costs less than going wider, to an extent.

 

[Fredro Starr]

Mike,

I am a bit in front of you WRT a garage build and understand your situation.

If you are interested I can provide you the name of the contractor I am using. They have been very patient and helpful as my vision for the project evolved. They should be able to provide a competitive price and help you realize your dream.

PM if interested.

Best of luck,

F*

 

[kf4zht]

I know of a good barn builder around Ball Ground, not sure if he does garages but he used to do houses.

In that area I would do careful research on what you can have and get a general plan before you talk to anyone. There isn't much of Cobb county left that isn't under some kind of building restrictions other than commercial.

 

[Samh]

I know of a good barn builder around Ball Ground, not sure if he does garages but he used to do houses.

In that area I would do careful research on what you can have and get a general plan before you talk to anyone. There isn't much of Cobb county left that isn't under some kind of building restrictions other than commercial.

^^This.

Being somewhere like Ball Ground, or Canton(Where I am at now) is a little easier when it comes to building outbuildings. The county is most likely going to drive the size you can have based on the lot you are on.

And from a quote perspective, when talking to contractors, maybe just ask for a ball park price/sq ft to help you decide what and how big you want to go.

 

[SLMike]

Thanks all - much appreciated. I'm sending a couple PMs regarding builder recommendations.

I've poked around the Cobb County websites looking for regulations info - looks like phone calls are in order.

Hopefully the eventual builder will be up to speed as well.

I'm on just over 3/4 acre - I suspect that cost (and non-loss of wife's garden space) will end up being the limiting factor on size, but we'll see.
I friend just wrote me and said I shouldn't go less than 32x40 with 4 cars AND the lift I'm considering. Of course he has more cars and more money than me....

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Want2race]

Interested in following this!
I'm in sandy springs and think I have my builder but another price wouldn't hurt.