Detached Garage - is it worth it?

[Garage 22]

Hello,

We just built a new home on a small acreage and unfortunately have realized that our attached 2 car garage is too small in terms of depth, its only 22'. All of our neighbours have garages that are at least 26' deep. We live in western Canada where everyone drives huge pickups and have many out door toys to store and associated equipment. We were wondering if adding a detached garage in the backyard would off set this and would help in the future in terms of re selling or are we just stuck with hoping that someone might just look pass this point and purchase our home anyway?

Thanks

 

[1949 caddyman]

If you do it for your self then by all means do the build. But if you are looking mainly for resale I dont think it makes financal sence to put up a detached building.

 

[richtersrodz]

I spent $13K on my detached (13x 21, one car building and driveway), and then had to do a lot of work to it myself, to finish it out. They say that they don't add resale value. In our case, it helped sell our 1930 home, because four of my neighbors, didn't even have a garage. But in your case, don't do it for the resale. Just know in advance, what you put into it, you probably won't get out of it. (Mine didn't include electric for that price either)

 

[Fastback]

I for one would never do a project in a garage that's attached to my house for safety reasons, so I would say build it if you plan on working on anything.

 

[regguy1]

I built a detatched garage a couple years after we bought the house, no regrets.

Check it out here:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140674

 

[Steevo]

There are two reasons to do upgrades that affect the future sale of a property.
1. To raise the value of the property
2. To make your property more desirable than one without the upgrade

You will never recover the cost of a second garage when you sell the house later, so don't even consider reason #1.

If there are a fair number of buyers in your region that desire separate garages/shops, then having one makes your property more desirable to them than one without it.

Being more desirable will make it easier to sell if/when you do market it.

I built one. I like it. I spent way more for it than it adds in value to the property.

 

[Rodhotz]

There are two reasons to do upgrades that affect the future sale of a property.
1. To raise the value of the property
2. To make your property more desirable than one without the upgrade

You will never recover the cost of a second garage when you sell the house later, so don't even consider reason #1.

If there are a fair number of buyers in your region that desire separate garages/shops, then having one makes your property more desirable to them than one without it.

Being more desirable will make it easier to sell if/when you do market it.

I built one. I like it. I spent way more for it than it adds in value to the property.

Steevo,
right on the money again!
We just got moved into the new house after looking for over 6 months. I caught this house the day it hit the market, made the offer and later that day it was in escrow! This House has an attached 2 car, a detached 26x60 garage and a detached 32x40 workshop. Both shops were built within the past 2 years. The old house had a 26x38 attached and 2 40" shipping containers out back and still i ran out of room. I would recommend the buildings as i do not think you will regret them.

 

[Crazy68Dart]

I am mulling this over right now as well. I believe they can have the potential to make a property less desirable. It all depends on the buyer.

You are talking maintenance costs, security concerns, footprint on lot, etc. Not to mention any impact on taxes, zoning (say if a potential buyer has dreams to build something of their own), and just general like or dislike for a hobby that might make use of the space.

If we do a garage it is going to look like it was built at the same time as the main residence.

We have a three car attached, and I am getting quotes for a 28x36 detached right now. Might be a lot of garage for most people, so could be a turn off.

Is your property in a desirable location to start with? That makes a big difference.

 

[djkeev]

Don't fill your yard with a Garage!

If you have space to have a decent sized yard AND a garage, go ahead. If not, deal with what you have already, maybe push out the existing garage wall six feet?

Almost no one want a house and a garage but zero yard!

Dave

 

[hockey88fan]

Well I can let you know exactly the affect it had on our property value in real numbers. My house was professionally appraised 3 years ago before our detached garage for a refi, and was just re-appraised on Monday by the same company (same guy even).
The only variable (and it's a big one) is what type of pressure the market has put on the value of the property, the two appraisels are 3 years apart. I'll post results as soon as I get them.

 

[Matt M PA]

I'd agree that it depends what your plans are. If you plan to stay a long time...build the garage. If this house is temporary...hold off.

We built a 32x26 detached, and have a 19x19 attached. Our lot and house did not allow us to build an attached garage. At least here in PA, it's much easier to build a detached..much less in regulations, etc.

 

[vartz04]

You said it in your first post, lots of people have pickup trucks. Well my extended cab 6-1/2' bed truck is 19'6" long, that means it will fit in your attached garage.

If you want to have space for toys id build a big shed, like 12x20 or something like that. put the lawn stuff and the toys in there. it can also be used as a small work area.

Won't cost a ton and won't eat up a lot of yard space, permiting is easier and you add that extra space that future buyers will be looking for.

My parents built the shell of a 26x30 when they built there house. Has all the same finishes and doesn't eat into much yard where it is (existing driveway dead ends into it) Id say its a selling point for most in our area. My dad didn't do it for that though cause he plans to die in this house.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Build it just for parking, no way. If you plan on working in it or storing bikes and yard stuff, well that makes more sense. I'd still consider making your attached garage bigger.


Another "mini" two car garage strikes again. Any architect that designs a two car garage smaller than 24x24 should be shot, the contractor building it should be beat and the developer should be strung up. If homeowners would quit settling for these little garages and homes on dinky lots, the three fore mentioned would get the point and quit building them when they don't sell.

 

[JimVonBaden]

Build it just for parking, no way. If you plan on working in it or storing bikes and yard stuff, well that makes more sense. I'd still consider making your attached garage bigger.


Another "mini" two car garage strikes again. Any architect that designs a two car garage smaller than 24x24 should be shot, the contractor building it should be beat and the developer should be strung up. If homeowners would quit settling for these little garages and homes on dinky lots, the three fore mentioned would get the point and quit building them when they don't sell.

My new house (built in 2011) has a 20X20. It really isn't a two car garage. I plan on an 18X20 addition to the back of it. That way I can have a reasonable workshop area with some storage, and still park two cars in the garage when needed.

Jim

 

[Ryf]

did you buy/build your home to sell it or to live in it? I wouldn't invest money in a big building if your planning to leave, go with a big shed like others suggested, no sense in paying out for a loss. you NEVER get it all back, so dont spend it for someone else.

are you just trying to justify it to the wife? outbuildings are one of those things that fall into "damned if you do damned if you dont" I would build your house to suit your needs, if you plan on living there 10-15 years, you get what you want and when you sell it you find someone who wants what you wanted, otherwise sit on your cash and save it for the one your keeping.

 

[ms fowler]

While return on investment is a consideration, its not the only one. Quality of life is another issue--again, not the only one. If you plan to work on/ restore cars, and you need the room for projects like that, then the ROI is not the most relevant factor. Having a safe, dry place for maintenance/ restoration work becomes more important.

 

[rponfick]

I agree with the last two posters. Are you building for yourself or someone else when you sell (or die). Life it too short. If you plan to stay for awhile, go ahead and enjoy it.

Ralph.

 

[38Chevy454]

Agree with the others, it will not be a financial improvement to your property. I realize real estate pricing is very local, but I think a general rule is that a detached garage will add approx 50% of the cost to build to the value for your property. So if you put up a $40K detached garage, it might add $20K to your value. The big advantage is having the space to work on stuff at home and making your property better for selling.

 

[hockey88fan]

Well I can let you know exactly the affect it had on our property value in real numbers. My house was professionally appraised 3 years ago before our detached garage for a refi, and was just re-appraised on Monday by the same company (same guy even).
The only variable (and it's a big one) is what type of pressure the market has put on the value of the property, the two appraisels are 3 years apart. I'll post results as soon as I get them.

Ok the results are in for our property. Our house appraised this week for $30,000 more than it did 3 years ago before our detached garage was built. I've spent about $40,000 on our garage thus far, with the lions share of the work being done by myself. Hope this helps.

 

[logical]

Ok the results are in for our property. Our house appraised this week for $30,000 more than it did 3 years ago before our detached garage was built. I've spent about $40,000 on our garage thus far, with the lions share of the work being done by myself. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, the 3 year timespan makes it impossible to know how much effect the garage had on the price.....and appraisals are estimates, not offers to buy. The other thing I've found with apprasals done only for re-fi purposes is that sometimes the appraser knows what the bank needs the number to be to approve your loan and will not go out of his way to take the value a whole lot above that. They start with similar recent sales but once they start adding and subtracting for differences in lot size and other factors it is very unscientific and the quality of the building materials and finish aren't given much weight. I really think it is a case by case basis. If you live in an area full of $500,000 houses on 5 acre lots and build a nice looking $45,000 shop behind yours that doesn't dominate the property...I can see it helping the value of the house.

But adding a $45,000 extra garage or shop to a house in a small lot size neighborhood of $130,000 houses is likely not going to pay off when it comes time to sell.

Anyhow.....nice garage.

 

[akdiesel]

If you are in sub area build a shed (a building of approx 12x12). Some on this site have done great work with their sheds and use them as a shop simply because they do not have the room for a large shop (a building 20x20 and larger). Sheds can and will add value to a house if done correctly.
Now we just had our house appraised as well and the appraiser asked if it was a shop or a hanger since hangers hold a higher value.

 

[pattenp]

Take it from an old appraiser, if you want it build it for your enjoyment and use. You will never get back dollar for dollar on resale what it will cost you to build . To get the most out of your investment don't build some monstrosity that over shadows your home. Make sure it's in keeping with the property size and the style of your home.

 

[kevinstj]

If you want another garage and can afford to do it ... Go for it! As long as you can do the project right and make it look like it belongs with the house and is pleasing to the eye. My opinion on a house is that it is not an investment ,it's a savings account. Building or owning a house and selling it for a large profit is few and far between anymore( but there are still some cases where people good money on their house). But for the average joe like me and most of the people with houses, you will get out what you put into it. As long as you don't go crazy and over remodel or over build to the area or the quality of the home. By the time you pay all your taxes , up keep and repairs, it comes down to being a savings account. Build what you want and something you are going to enjoy and get personal satisfaction out of . That will pay you back with self gratification . Just remember when you go to sell your house that there is always someone like you that is looking for what you want and your needs . My opinion .

 

[timbitca]

If you're going to use it, go ahead and build it. If you're only going to spend the money to get back in resale value, don't bother.

I, for one, have always lived with an attached and detached garage (at my grandparents place where I was brought up and where me and my mom recently moved back due to inheriting it). The attached garage is for storing the car and the firewood for the furnace, detached garage for the tractor and shop.

I'll have a shop in an attached garage if I have to when I buy my own place, but if I can help it I'll have a detached garage for my workshop and stuff.

 

[chevy66]

Build it just for parking, no way. If you plan on working in it or storing bikes and yard stuff, well that makes more sense. I'd still consider making your attached garage bigger.


Another "mini" two car garage strikes again. Any architect that designs a two car garage smaller than 24x24 should be shot, the contractor building it should be beat and the developer should be strung up. If homeowners would quit settling for these little garages and homes on dinky lots, the three fore mentioned would get the point and quit building them when they don't sell.

I think thats a little harsh, many of use mini 2 car garage guys have town limitations and unfortunately do not live in the great mid west, south etc, where there is a ton of space to build massive garages, i wish! I was limited to a 22x24 - even if i went with 24x24 i can only fit a 5/12 roof truss!, i probably should of did that but i went with the 22x24 with a 6/12. THat is the highest my town allows. I could of went with maybe a 3 or 4/12 truss to go bigger but i wanted a better look with a steeper roof. I could went 4 feet longer but i dont want my backyard to be taken over by garage, by backyard is about 150 feet x 150 feet or so.

 

[TRC51]

Agreed that it really depends on how long you intend on being there, but don't do it for resale. I don't have a ton of yard... I am not going to get my money back when I sell. However, I have a good chunk of hobbies and I have a truck. I priced out a large shed (14 x 30) and it was going to be $8500. I ended up building a 24 x 30 garage because I could get a lot more for money. I ended up spending a lot more though.

What am I trying to say? The other day I had to put brakes on the rear of my truck. My wife's car is brand new, so it will not be allowed to sit outside. I parked the truck in the detached garage with all my other hobbies and it sat in there for a couple of days while I determined what parts I needed and got the time to fix it. I had PLENTY of room to walk around and work on the truck. When I got done I was so pleased with my decision to build the garage instead of a shed. It seems that I say that a lot when I think about the fact that I have a detached garage now. I will never get my money back, but never once have I ever had regret for building it.

That said, I will agree with another poster above.... if all you will be doing is trying to add storage... and you are still unsure about whether or not you want to build, I would go with the oversized shed option. If for nothing else, if you think it's a big negative when you go to sell... it's not a permanent stucture. Just put it on craigslist and sell it.

 

[rev177]

I have an attched 3 car garage. I needed a workshop for my hobbies so I am building a 20x22 detached. Yes I will lose yard and make the neighbors mad but its what I want. So if you plan to stay go for it!