Dream garage

[ejm1961Tbird]

I am new here, so you will have to forgive this vague question that has probably been discussed many times before. I want to build a detached garage. The main purpose will be to restore cars. I want at least 2 bays and I need space to work on a car, weld, storage, etc. I want the place to be comfortable, but I am more interested in how it functions. It does not need to be too fancy. Will 28x40 get the job done? What type of structure -- pole barn, traditional, other? Can I get it completed for less than $30K? I live in east TN.
Thanks in advance,
Ed

 

[e-tek]

Too funny, my name is also Ed. I have a 28x40 and my main activity in my shop is restoration. The kicker? I budgeted it at $30K and it came in - completed, at $30K (CDN)

It mjust look good enough to others too - CarCraft is going to put it in their "This Guys Garage" feature....

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

Hi Ed,

I like your garage and your web site. So, are you happy with the garage? Is the size good? Anything you would do differently?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[ket-tek]

Mine is close at 38x28x12. Setup 3 bays doors on the long 38' wall, instead of 2+2 deep/long like e-teks above.

I almost put 2 double doors so it could go 4 cars wide, but it would have been real tight. So I went with 3 oversized doors for a roomy 3 car instead. But with the 4 post lift in 1 bay it's a 4 car now with plenty of working room still even with 4 cars inside. (except when my junk is stacked everywhere)

Mine is attached so cost isn't a comparable for you, and being attached 1100sqft was the max code allowed here. At 28x38=1064sqft, so that's where the size came from.

I wish I could have gone the full 30x40. It feels that it would make a big difference. 2ft don't seem like much, and for parking not a big deal, but when working around a car with the doors open it would be alot nicer.

 

[bazzateer]

Go as big as you can whether the size is restricted by local laws or your budget.

 

[JC23]

What bazzateer said above and start studying all the shops on this site. Make a list of what you like and what you'll want. Explore EVERY avenue - benches, layout, storage etc. and you should come up with a plan that fills your needs and desires. And have some fun with it!

Good luck and welcome aboard, Ed!

 

[caper150]

The biggest thing it to build it as big as you can afford, I bought a pkg at a building supply store(Menards) and did all the work myself, including the concrete.The more you can do yourself the bigger the build.The only thing I didn't do was the final hook up of the electrial to the house, that had to be done by a licensed contractor. Mine is 32X40 with a 10X10 addition on one side to house the compressor, electrial and water heater for the in floor heat.I have never added up the total cost but it is somewhere between 20 and 25K by doing it myself and taking my time and buying items as they went on sale(electric, drywall, insulation and such)

 

[regguy1]

Think about including some "Attic storage" the ability to have a place to put things will allow you to have a neat work area and not have stuff on the floor.

Several years after the garage (26' x 30') was built my son and I added a 12' x 20' addition and that has let me keep the garage area mostly free of clutter. I also have a folding stairway in the ceiling and can put some stuff above, but with trusses it's limited height. Also it would be nice to have water year round.

Also I made this out of sight storage project:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

 

[ghnl]

Not sure if anyone commented on height but that is also something to consider. For more than the occasional auto repair job a lift is more than a luxury. It beats ramps & jack stands & creepers by a long shot. Thus adequate ceiling height is needed. I'd say 10' minimum, 12' is much better.

 

[ket-tek]

Not sure if anyone commented on height but that is also something to consider. For more than the occasional auto repair job a lift is more than a luxury. It beats ramps & jack stands & creepers by a long shot. Thus adequate ceiling height is needed. I'd say 10' minimum, 12' is much better.

I agree fully. And recommend going the max hieght code will allow. As it is very very cheap in the long run to go up. Soo worth it. And vaulted scissor trusses aren't anymore expensive than standard trusses and can gain you another 3ft at the peak, so if it's gonna be trusses not a stick roof then scissors all the way.

 

[Varkwso]

I am adding on to a 32x40 barn. Initial plan was 32x40 and 9ft walls.

New plan is 32x48 with 12 ft walls - cheaper way to get height I needed for lifts and much cheaper then custom trusses (I think). The 8 ft increase will be negligible.

I would need bigger if the existing barn was not going to be attached.

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

Thanks very much for the feedback, I appreciate it. You guys have some awesome garages!

Ed

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

Another question. Let's assume that I go with a 30'x40' garage. How would you go about setting it up so that you could use one bay as an occasional paint booth. I would like to paint a few cars, but this would not happen often. Therefore, I do not want space dedicated to a paint booth. It would be nice to be able paint a car in the garage safely, without screwing up the rest of the garage.
Thanks,
Ed

 

[z28toz06]

you would have to section an area off with panels. Even if they were 6 or 8 mil plastic. You could make shades that hang down from the ceiling, and just drop them down and tape them off.

 

[caper150]

Another question. Let's assume that I go with a 30'x40' garage. How would you go about setting it up so that you could use one bay as an occasional paint booth. I would like to paint a few cars, but this would not happen often. Therefore, I do not want space dedicated to a paint booth. It would be nice to be able paint a car in the garage safely, without screwing up the rest of the garage.
Thanks,
Ed

in these pics you can see the wire and tarps I have to seperate the one bay of the garage from the rest, I did this for the same reasons and it seems to work good.

I moved the car that was on it's side in this pic over to the other side so it wouldn't be in my way.