Garage build planning blitz

[howdo]

Existing detached garage (in Illinois) is in shambles, and generous family member has offered to tear down existing garage and rebuild a new one for me. To get work completed this year, I would have to decide soon (within a week?) what size, and other features I want. I think we plan on moving in 6-8 years, so I don't want to go overboard, but if there are essentials, I would like to make sure I plan for it up front.

My plan was to size the garage 24' x 30'. Insulated door. Hip roof with trusses 2 ft on center. 2 x 4 framing. A partition wall to separate the rear 8' of the garage. This back room would be insulated (walls and ceiling), and have a 220v electric heater to heat the space (I already have heater and 220v service out there). I would probably use that room on the weekend for leisure or small projects. The main garage area would be for car repairs and would have a natural gas heater that I would only turn on when I work out there several times a week for 4-6 hours. I would insulate the main part of the garage ceiling at first and if I work out there alot, insulate the walls.

How does my plan to create 2 rooms sound?
Where do I put the door to the back room? In garage, or an exterior door?
Does the framing have be different than standard to allow me to sheath/insulate the ceiling?
Should I go with 2x6 framing to allow better insulation?
How about the hot water heating system for floor (relative mentioned this), is it worth it for my occasional use?

Keep in mind I'm not staying here for more than 6-8 years, so I want to do things that are a good value.

thanks,
howdo

 

[matt_i]

Personally I'd look to see if you can do a straight up truss (gable) roof without the hip. It will be simpler and faster to frame and probably easier to insulate.

I would go for vinyl siding. I would use 2x6 framing. And an insulated garage door.

Depending on their schedule, a family member could take awhile if they are working this as a 2nd job mostly alone or with 1 helper.

Recall the (good, fast, cheap) conundrum in anything related to the project.

If you have to trench any more I'd look hard at a natural gas line, it will be the least expensive way to heat it. If your electrical service is already sufficient (I'd recommend 60A @ 240vac subpanel) then you can save there.

 

[cvairwerks]

Depending on where you are in Illinois, check on permit requirements, inspections and what the lead times are. When we lived up in northern Il, lead times on permits alone were running 45-60 days for approvals.

 

[bad_idea]

I don't like the 8' deep separate room on the back. I think it will be a nightmare to work in there. A 22' deep garage (the depth with a wall at 8') will be tight to work on most anything but little cars. The 8' deep room will be congested by the time you put any tool chests or work benches in.

I would leave it one large space or step it up to 30x40 to have a 15x20 climate controlled room.

Here is a sketch of my planned garage layout. I built the 30x40 last summer and will close in the weld area and shed area as time and money permit. I have moved into the building and arranged work benches, tools, and tool boxes to the basic layout. That 1200 square feet gets tight quick.

 

[spudley]

Depending on where you are in Illinois, check on permit requirements, inspections and what the lead times are. When we lived up in northern Il, lead times on permits alone were running 45-60 days for approvals.

Yep. Took me nearly a year to get permitted (with a variance) to build in "relaxed" northern Wisconsin.
I wouldn't rush this. You'll kick yourself later.

 

[OptionalStop]

If your only planning on living there 6-8 years I would just use a hanging gas heater and run a gas line as others have said. The up front cost of the heater floor is going to be high. I'm doing it because I'm planning at least 30-40 years in my "forever shop".

 

[howdo]

Thanks for feedback, everyone. I guess i never thought about how it would be a little tight to work on cars in that 22' space. My garage is 22' deep now, and when i used to own and work on a corvette, it was a little tight.

My reason for the back room idea, is that some times I just want to head out to garage to have a few beers and watch a movie, maybe work on a bicycle or some other small project. This normally happens when the wife puts on the bachelorette, dancing with the starts, or say yes to the dress. But I don't really want to heat the whole 24 x 30 area, just to take up a tiny corner for a few hours.

Maybe if I insulate the whole garage and have a natural gas heater put in, it wont be too bad to turn on the heater a little while before i go out there.

 

[bad_idea]

Or.... nut up. LOL. I've survived in an unheated garage for years, huddling up beside a small space heater until I can feel my hands again. Then again, the weather is probably more mild here than in Illinois.

 

[matt_i]

Thinking about this some more, the 6-8 year time window means you're basically building it for someone else. In that vein, don't give them a great deal with a bunch of bells and whistles. Keep it bare bones to what you need and make choices so it won't need maintenance or refreshing in 6 years. I'd stick with the electric heat.

You could always build an interior wall that's not integral structure with the building. In other words, build the garage as a big open space. One can erect a temporary stud wall which is just floating between floor and ceiling, and tears out as fast as the covering plus studs can be taken out, which is pretty fast, couple of days. Don't put any electrical into the temp wall unless its surface mounted and is designed as "prepped for easy demo".

I'd be a stickler for everything inspected because then you won't get into some kind of additional cost "professional mitigation" down the road on the future sale. IOW, don't build the building rough and finish it yourself to save on taxes and up-front cost. Murphy's Law says it will be flagged and addressed and it gives the buyer a point of leverage against you.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

TBH, if you're planning on moving in 6-8 years, I wouldn't go overboard on the garage. To you, it might be one thing. To the next owner it's probably just a place to park the cars. Hire someone to build a standard 2 car garage with lights and electrical. Convert a spare bedroom for a TV room for yourself.