Considering building it myself

[brendaninnh]

I wanted to build a garage this spring/early summer, but to have a builder build it, I would require a loan of some sort. After talking to various mortgage companies, the combination of raising interest rates and falling property values make this option unreasonable.

To build the garage I want, I've been quoted in the $25-30K range from various builders. I figure materials and concrete would cost slightly less than half that -- which is about what I've saved for the garage so far. So I'm considering building it myself, with the help of friends/family. Am I crazy?

I am not a builder, but know my way around a tool belt. I have a friend who is an umemployed builder who I could hire temporarily and would plan on taking about a week off work, and finishing the rest on nights/weekends.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has built their own garage -- how long it took, would you do it again, unexpected costs/problems, etc. Basically I'm giving myself a sanity check before I get into anything. Saving $15K by putting in a few months work is a huge plus, but not if it will come at the cost of my marriage, kids, etc.

The garage I want to build is 24x26, 12/12 pitch roof, attached to the house with a small (8x10) breezeway.

 

[1320stang]

No reason you can't be the contractor on it if necessary. I would hire out the concrete work.

You might have to hire out the electrical work if a licenced electritian is required. Same for plumbing if you have any.

Framing is easy, I'm assuming you'll match the house so if you're brick, you'll likely have to hire that out.

Roofing a 12 pitch will be fun.

 

[PAToyota]

Not something to be taken on lightly, but it can be done. I built my 1500 s.f. garage/workshop myself. Hired out the initial excavation and concrete work. Did everything else myself. Definitely get the code information that you need - not being aware is no excuse when the code official calls you on something.

 

[FarmerSid]

I built my 36X72 shop/barn last summer by myself. Had buddies in the heavy equipment business put in my driveway and dig my footings. I built the footings. Had another brick layer buddy lay the blocks on a weekend. I did all the framing including the gambrel style trusses. I hired some buddies in the business (at a huge reduction in price) to help me stand the trusses and help me sheet the roof. My dad and I sheeted the walls. During the whole process I had friends stop in and help for the day, morning or afternoon knowing full well that I like cold ones and would have lots to go around if they lent a hand. I paid cash for everything. Cash made a big difference in the price. Not only did I save tax but they lowered the price because I paid cash. I started the whole project as soon as it was dry enough to put the driveway in then never looked back. I would start as soon as the weather permits that way you have enough time to get things done before the weather gets nasty again. You never know where there will be delays. Also, it takes the fun out of it if you are rushed. I agree on contracting the concrete out. Prices varied quite a bit in my area but I said I was paying cash and wanted the pour on a saturday. They reduced the price by $20 per cubic meter with cash. Make sure your cement finisher has no commitments the day of your pour so they will stay as long as it takes to get the finish YOU want.

Cheers!

Sid

 

[428]

I built my 24 x 44 but I did hire some contractors here and there. Mine has a foundation so a little extra cost involved.
I marked it out, had it graded, put up batter boards, and hired someone to dig and pour the footings, found a brick mason willing to do the foundation on the side. I bought all the materials. Took longer but cheaper. Hired a carpenter the same way, he made walls during the day, we hung them when I got home from work. I ordered trusses, we raised them on a Saturday, then I took over all of it, putting OSB on sides and roof, I roofed and wired it. I also did the siding but hired out the soffet and gutters.
I also hired out the concrete work, that was a mistake as they did a poor job. Should have done that with friends to help.

It took about 4-5 months of hit and miss because of finding guys to work on the side but I built it for less than 10K, but that was about 12 years ago. Over time I sheetrocked, added heat and air and epoxied the floors, hired out the floors. Inside pics are before I moved everything back in from having the floors done.

To build it yourself I'd think with todays prices it could be done around 10-15K easy. Just decide on what you're comfortable doing and hire out the rest.

 

[twostory]

Yes you can do it yourself. Fortunately, I have my wife to help me.

Together we have done everything, except the slab pour. I paid a professional crew to do that, it looks good and I am happy with the slab.

We have been working on the project for exactly one year now. I have some roofing work left to do, then I can caulk and paint the entire building. I am in no hurry to paint right now, as Atlanta is green with pollen for the next few weeks.

I have saved alot of money doing all the work, but it does take alot of you time to do it. If you are already busy every weekend and can not work during the week before or after work, then your build will really take a long time. I work a few hours a day on the garage now, unless it is raining. Then we work one or both weekend days, all day. Note, our garage is 26x44, two stories high, with a 8/12 pitch.

My "unexpected events":

1) The BIGGEST problem I had was getting a permit. It took four (4) years and a lot of money to finally get my permit. I live an area that has special rules about impervious surface. I would talk to "planning & development" in your city /or/ county before you even plan anything. See what is allowed on your specific property.

I was at the point of moving, due to the crazy rules that my property happens to fall under. If my house were 1,300 ft south of my location, I would have had no restriction or hassles. Fortunately, a woodworking friend of my wife's helped solve the problem.

2) I would build the stem wall forms better than I did. I almost had a blow out pouring the stem wall.

3) Fill dirt is expensive, I used 8 dump truck, at $280 each. Gravel is also expensive, $420 a truck.

4) Due to the height, A two story structure is much more work to build than a one story. I have a set of pump jack, with 24ft and 32ft poles. They take alot of time to move around, but working off a 24 ft ladder is not efficent. I use ladders, but only for small thing. With my three pump jack, I can create a 30 ft x 2 ft work platform than I can put anywhere I need.

5) the hardiplank siding took a long time to install. I am glad it's done. Paying someone to install the hardiplank is pretty expensive.

6) roofing a 12/12, will require a lot of walk board holders, I own 16, you will need about that many.

7) always take your ladder down when you are finished for the day. Unless you have tied it to the building. Otherwise it can fall when a wind storm happens in the middle of the night. One of my ladders has a big dent in it from a wind storm knocking it down. Fortunately no cars were hit, and no windows were broken.

You can check out our project at our web site.

www (dot) gtcreations (dot) com/workshop/index (dot) html

put a period, where I said (dot)