Considering Building New -- Suggestions?

[nolimits76]

Relocating for work, and think we are gonna build. Wife is busy planning her kitchen. I'm thinking about the garage.

Things I know:

- Will be on 1+ acres
- Will be wooded/treed
- For now, will have a 3 car garage attached
- Anticipate minimum 10' ceilings throughout house, giving me at least 10' in the garage. Some lots have slight roll to land, and might allow for 12'-16' tall ceilings, but I have to keep the elevation of the garage intact with the house so it don't look goofy.

Things I'm thinking:

- LED lighting so I can actually see. Fixture types? Thought about recessed can fixtures. Any idea on spacing and specific fixture styles? While I want to give myself some upgrades, I don't want to break the piggy bank.

- Will add a few extra circuits and install recepts about every 4' around perimeter. Keep height around 48-52" so they are above work benches.

- Pre-wire for my air compressor. Plan to plumb airlines during construction so I have connections around the garage. Never done this -- need some guidance/help.

- Liftmaster 8500 garage door openers. Not sure yet, but thinking I will have 1-18' door and 1-9' door. Maybe 3-9' doors.

- Want a heavy duty set of stairs for accessing the garage. Not the typical 225# flimsy **** pull down stairs they typically put in new builds.

- Will deck space above garage with 3/4" plywood for additional storage.

- I will build out/buy work benches, cabinets, shelving, etc. myself.

- Would like some heating/cooling in the garage, but not sure how feasible that will be with the budget. Living in OK, summers are miserable and winters can be nasty as well.

- Although we don't get a ton of snow or rain, I was thinking about some floor drains to get the moisture out.

I'm sure I'm forgetting things. Looking for suggestions/tips.

 

[Pop Alexandra]

Good luck! I'm currently renovating my apartment and it's anything but exciting.

 

[spudley]

Sounds great. On the garage doors, I have three 9' doors now but am designing another garage with one 18' and one 9'. I like the look of three doors vs two but 9' is a bit tight.

 

[jetnow1]

IF you ever want a lift, talk to your framing contractor, there are ways to raise the ceiling
depending on the house style. Prewire for at least one additional 220 circuit as well.
floor drains are not allowed here so cannot help you there. I built permanent stairs to
my attic space, best thing I could of done though you loose a little floor space.

 

[Texsun]

Here's another cool idea for the lift - recessed floor lights.

 

[Waterh20]

Any plans to install a lift? There's a few things you can do to plan for hiding hoses, bolstering foundation, etc.

Flooring is another area you can look into for a variety of reasons. Drains , a good floor, and indoor water hoses can help you wash your car inside the garage, etc .

 

[matt_i]

Imo good to consider an even longer term plan. If there's another relocation potentially 5-10 years out then you are probably building a really great shop for someone else. Usually its the 2nd owner who gets the best deal. I'm not trying to rain on the parade but its important to consider your investment and how to preserve it best. I also realize garages and the things that go in them don't follow 100% rational thought processes so........good luck on your move.

 

[kd3pc]

Good Luck,

I am with Matt, and have been both the first and the next owner...some how life gets in the way. A wise man once told me that you and your wife will build at least two houses before you get it right and if she stays through both builds - go for the "last one".

Building is painful, always over budget and will test every nerve, thought, and idea you have ever held about construction and building - and your relationship and family. It is personal, your house and so on. Find an architect and the best builder you can, any less will leave you with something - but not what works or that you wanted or thought you wanted.

Keep in mind that garages and out buildings seldom pay back (ROI) more than 10-15% no matter what you think they will, or their condition, or amenities ...

 

[Falcon67]

The tile and lights looks nice. Spill a little trans fluid and/or WD-40 on that surface and take a stroll.

 

[thool]

Regarding space above the garage, check with a structural engineer about loading up there. The 3/4" plywood is heavy to begin with, so unless your trusses are designed for that plus whatever you plan on storing up there, you may be in for some sag.

If you can swing it, I'd look at getting water piped to the garage. A 2 or 3 bay slop sink off CL, a hose reel, and a floor drain can come in handy for all kinds of cleaning tasks: paint cleanup, washing floor mats and rugs, soaking things, washing your car, etc.

I'd look at getting a good epoxy floor once your concrete has cured.

If you're on a slope, any chance of working a walkout basement into the plans?

Think ahead for mounting a electric cord reel and a compressed air reel. I have the HF 50 foot air hose reel and it is very handy.

 

[rburke65]

Start reading in the Garage Gallery and you'll get lots of ideas.

 

[rsanter]

On the back wall of the shop, have closets the entire width of the shop, on the outside.
Put the air compressor as well as storing lots of spare items there that don't need to be IN the shop. Wall space can become a premium and this will help with that.

I used to want lots of wall outlets, now I only use them for things that are kept plugged in. I have gone to retractable power cords. Best thing ever for things you just need to plug in tight now. Same with hose reels.

Sizer trusses, you may only have 10ft walls but you can gain that extra headroom with the right trusses

Run compressed air outside of the grange doors as well as on the side of the shop. Never know when you need to air up a trailer tire, or you might be parting out a junker....etc

Good exterior lighting at the garage doors, never know when you have a problem with a car and no space in the shop or you can't start it and need to do some work in the driveway.
Can also double as lighting for an outside event

Deep shop sink, ideally a heavy stainless one like used in commercial kitchens

Bob

 

[yeldogt]

It can be a full time job .. it's not cheaper.

Unless you are building something special .. find something already built.

 

[VintageOkieDriver]

New construction would have allowed me to have more of what I wanted instead of having builder upgrade and add over 500 square feet to house before closing
Never again!

 

[CraigStu]

- For now, will have a 3 car garage attached
- Anticipate minimum 10' ceilings throughout house, giving me at least 10' in the garage. Some lots have slight roll to land, and might allow for 12'-16' tall ceilings, but I have to keep the elevation of the garage intact with the house so it don't look goofy.
Build the house foundation 3-4 blocks above ground level. Have the garage done the same way except where the doors go. This essentually sinks the garage floor 3-4 blocks below the house floor. Build the garage walls exactly the same as the house walls. So you get an extra 2-3 feet of ceiling height in the garage compared to whatever you have in the house.
- Will deck space above garage with 3/4" plywood for additional storage.
Ceiling trusses are engineered either to just hold up the roof or for storage. The inspector will want to see the engineering drawings for your trusses. So, if you really want to use that space get the trusses properly engineered. If you want to just throw some Christmas decorations and aluminum lawn chairs up there, get regular trusses and put some 3/8 plywood up there yourself after the inspector has signed off.
- Will add a few extra circuits and install recepts about every 4' around perimeter. Keep height around 48-52" so they are above work benches.
That is what I did. Don't forget you need an outlet for each door opener.
Doors- I hate little doors. go w/ an 18 and a 9.
-Pre-wire for my air compressor. Plan to plumb airlines during construction so I have connections around the garage. Never done this -- need some guidance/help.
Put the compressor as far from the house as you can to keep noise in the garage. I would consider plumbing for air outlets later. For now get a hose reel and live w/ that. After you have stuff laid out, and have worked in the garage for 6 months, do surface mount piping for more air outlets.

 

[kbs2244]

For any new build I suggest an architect.
A good one will interview you and SWMBO with questions about your life you would have never thought would have anything to do with a house, but it will be where you live.
And he may even know something about shop layouts.
Many are DIY types