Building Garage Home - Looking for Last Minute Input

[jonwrong]

As the title says, I am meeting with engineers/designers and general contractors now to build my dream home. I closed on my land last October and am looking to get through permitting in the next two months. I knew I wanted a very large garage since college and have put off owning a home for some time because I could not find the space I wanted. Where I live, land is very limited if you want to be close to downtown where I work. The commute is brutal otherwise. Anyway, I digress.

I knew I wanted a 5 car garage with room for a two post chassis lift. I also decided to go with a four post lift in one bay for extra car storage. In the pic, that is going to be the deep bay. The main garage will have 10 foot ceilings to keep the entire house (almost all living space on the second floor) from being very tall. My calculations suggest that is plenty to store two sports cars. The two post lift is in the bay off the side and will be 12 foot 8 inches (matched block construction). I drew a one bedroom apartment setup for reference. I plan on having a guest bedroom and extra space that could become a place for the parents later in life.

Basically, does anyone think I have anything too tight? I have tried to leave room for cars and wall shelving/work benches. Also, I am trying to figure out how to set the two post lift so that it will work asymmetrically for cars and symmetrically for my Tundra. Any recommendations on slab thickness, location of control joints, etc.? Thanks! I drew these plans as a starting point. Links to other threads are welcome.

Dimensions

42 x 24 feet - width x depth of entire three car garage portion
16 x 20 feet - width x depth of one car deep set bay
22 x 25 feet - width x depth of side facing shop

 

[jack stand]

Does your lot size allow for you living space @ ground level? This would be much more convienient for you and especially for your folks later on. This also might simplify other concerns with building over a shop, ie. fire/building codes, insurance, noise & smoke issues as well as allowing maybe 12' ceilings througout the shop leaving complete flexability for your floor plan / lift location(s). I have built 2 "dream" shops and find it VERY hard to make decisions as to the use of the space. It allways just works out a little different than you planned.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Your a bachelor. Right?

 

[DIC]

I had plans to build an apartment over a garage, Had it all planned but backed out. Ten years latter my knees are glad I did.

 

[brownsgolf]

I would suggest going deeper than 24' on the 3 bay garage, if you get a full size truck or SUV in there that's not going to leave much room, and even with a midsize car it doesn't leave a whole lot of room to work in the front of the car.

 

[jonwrong]

Thanks for the posts. To answers some of the questions. First, there is no way I could afford (in the next ten years) the amount of land needed to build a large garage and home on one level (all geographically close to downtown). Second, I guess I should have posted the upper level floor plan, so people don't think it's a five car garage with one bedroom. That is meant to be an apartment or guest area, etc. I planned on sketching out some additional living quarters and adding the in-slab plumbing and electrical in case I do need to sell. It would be easily convertible to extra living space.

I have designed in an elevator shaft for retrofit in the future if I have knee problems. I am 29, though, so I do not think that will be a problem for some time. I would rather have more money for cars and projects than to spend it all on the home. Honestly, where I live, I do not think there will be a problem with resell.

 

[rburke65]

Where you live there won't be a problem to resell.........where might that area be? Where is the land limited....where you live? Where is 'close to downtown' where you work? A little deeper in the garage....28'. You will be thankful for that extra 4'. No closet in the bedroom? Good luck!

 

[jonwrong]

Where you live there won't be a problem to resell.........where might that area be? Where is the land limited....where you live? Where is 'close to downtown' where you work? A little deeper in the garage....28'. You will be thankful for that extra 4'. No closet in the bedroom? Good luck!

I updated my profile. I live in Orlando, FL. I work downtown, and for anyone that knows, you try to avoid the main highway (I-4) at all costs. Land is very scarce and tight in the vicinity, so this is my only real option. These are not final drawings. They are a rough sketch before going to my designer.

 

[Kels]

I only see one level of the drawing am I missing something?

 

[Tamper84]

If I can offer something here, would it be feasible to add a second door to get out in the garage? Instead of going through the bathroom? It would be nice to have a bathroom acessable spot out there, but idk if I would want that as a main entry from the house to the garage..

 

[72Anthony]

You may have trouble getting someone to loan you money for such an unconventional project. Banks are aren't as likely to finance something that is a typical for the neighborhood, such as a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage.

I would change the stair configuration: right now, to travel from the second floor to the first floor living space, you need to travel through the garage. I'm sure the building inspector will have an issue with that.