Garage under house or Detached?

[Ole_Red]

We are heading out on Saturday to check out a few new garages... err i mean houses...

Given the choice would you pick a detached garage or a house with the garage attached and actually underneath the main floor? (we are looking at both)

 

[egdede]

Size, door size, accessibility, neighbors (distance and character), height,?

 

[Ole_Red]

Detached is a 2-car with a possible carport attached (may just be a covered area for storage, will know on Saturday). The under house option is a one car garage and a one car carport that are side by side. It is in the middle of Seattle, so neighbors are fairly close.

The detached is 50k More than the under house option.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Having lived in Seattle in a house with a basement, I would opt for the detached garage. Mild winters (relatively), no chance of a flooded garage/basement (ask me how I know), and the ability to get out of the house and make some noise --- priceless!

 

[Stinger]

I've got both and the detached makes a MUCH better shop/place to work. You don't have to worry about noise, smells, etc. Also, the wife is much less likely to try to "store" her **** in a detached since it's not part of the house.

 

[kngelv]

I've got both and the detached makes a MUCH better shop/place to work. You don't have to worry about noise, smells, etc. Also, the wife is much less likely to try to "store" her **** in a detached since it's not part of the house.

I agree with Stinger. If you have a significant other find a detached garage. Trust us on this.

James

 

[hawkgt]

There are pros and cons to both, so it really depends on what you want to do in it. We just built a new house about a year ago and I picked a design that had a workshop garage in the walkout basement. I like the workshop in the basement because it is always a nice temperature to work in without supplemental heat/cooling, I live in TN, and it is easy to run down and do a few things. The downside is that it is just as easy for my wife you ask me to do something right when it is the most inopportune time and she complains about smells every time a weld or paint regardless of how well I try to ventilate. Plus having a basement garage allows you to still build a detached garage down the road, which is my plan.

 

[1950ChevySuburban]

I work under a carport which is right outside the bedroom, so I kinda keep it quiet while my wife's asleep. Having one under the house would really ****, I think. I'd go detached. Also might be easier to expand later too.
BUT the 50K difference would let you have both, if there's room to build.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Can the answer be BOTH?

Mine is under the house, and I like it overall. It is really nice to just be able to walk (or sneak off) downstairs and work on your project. Especially things that need repeat attention, like multiple coats of poly on a wood project. Plus it's nice having all your tools and work area close by. With a young kid, it's also nice to still be "in the house" keeping an eye on him but able to do my projects.

Downside - mine is below the master bedroom. No night projects, and fumes can be a huge issue. Fumes probably the worst, as you can stink up the whole house fast! Although, I normally step outside to hit something with carb cleaner, and chose water-based stains and poly for wood projects which usually solves the problem. Running a grinder, saw, or expecially air compressor can reverberate throughout the house. Usually it's not a big deal though.

If I built a house I'd still have one in the basement, or at least a "workshop" there. But, it would be opposite the bedrooms and sealed/ventilated much better.

 

[theroyz71]

^^^ I would go for the basement garage and then use the $50K to build a detached if there is room.

 

[Falcon67]

If you drive nothing but modern cars and maybe tinker with stuff in the garage, either. If you have a vintage vehicle or do lots of wood work or noisy work in general, detached. Gas stinks now and if it has any Ethanol in it, it's 10x worse. I cannot park one of the race cars in our attached because the fuel smell will run you out of the house. And that's with a closed fuel cell and running all the fuel out of the carb. Was the same way in Houston - master with over the garage and if I wanted to park the Falcon in the garage I ran the carb dry and let it sit out for two days before pushing it in. And you could still smell it. Modern stuff with full evap control systems are no problem.

 

[tpwalsh]

I've got a basement garage as well and agree with most of this.

Generally I love it for the mild climate without any heating/cooling. Here in middle NC it stays between 75 and 55 all year long no matter if it's 100 or 0 outside. It also allowed us to get a ridiculous amount of shop space for cheap(~1100 sq ft). It's big enough, that during our ice storms, I can get all but the big truck inside(and I could get get in if I didn't have so many project cars). It's convenient enough that'll frequently hit something with PB blaster before I head off to work or an errand, or some other 5 minute task.

On the flip side, smells and sounds do permeate the floor, which generally isn't a big deal for me or my wife, but can occasionally be a pain when brake cleaner or gas is involved. I also have to share a corner with my wife for the laundry. Also don't forget that you can't build up with a basement garage. with only 7.5' ceilings I don't have much if any room for a lift, and storage can be an issue.

For 50K less and the only difference is a basement vs. detached garage? I'd go for the basement, and build.

 

[Gary S]

I've had both, and now I prefer a detached garage. I like the safety factor of detatched. You never need to concern yourself about carbon monoxide getting into your house, or be too concerned about losing the house if there is a garage fire.
Attached has the convenience of being able to go to the garage without stepping outside, and that is nice when the weather is extremely cold or extremely hot.

 

[TWX]

Don't forget about the potential for what fire will do to your lives. Not that it's likely you'll have a fire, but it's certainly not impossible, and a detached structure won't burn your house down. If you have a fire in a basement, there goes the house...

I wouldn't have dreamed of welding at my old house in the attached garage, but at the new place I have that option with the detached structure.

 

[tpwalsh]

I've had both, and now I prefer a detached garage. I like the safety factor of detatched. You never need to concern yourself about carbon monoxide getting into your house, or be too concerned about losing the house if there is a garage fire.
.

You should have a CO alarm both in the house and the garage IMHO. I don't worry about CO with the alarm, but a fire that's another ball of wax(another pile of oily rags?)

 

[Ole_Red]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning more towards the detached as I am working on a vintage car and will (fingers crossed) start doing some woodworking. I hadnt thought of the smells attached with a true garage. The smell of gas and paints would most likely rise in to the house, driving my wife batshit crazy. Also, I will probably be doing a lot tinkering in the garage at night (also hadnt thought of the noise factor).

The attached (underhouse) does not have room to build on the lot. The detached also comes with a full unfinished basement.

I will take pics of both when we look at them tomorrow. After writing this post, it almost sounds like a no-brainer.

 

[Ole_Red]

You guys offer a lot of great points. I am really glad to be a part (even a small one) of this great site!

 

[tpwalsh]

One more thing that I struggle with, hoses and electrical. The one really open wall is cinder block, so I end up running drop cords everywhere which can be a pain. I have some plugs in the ceiling which are just as much of a pain since the cord can work it's way out due to gravity. Still working on a good solution for that.


Does the detached house have a car door for the basement? or is it a true basement without any outside access(just through the house).

 

[Ole_Red]

Does the detached house have a car door for the basement? or is it a true basement without any outside access(just through the house).

The basement on the detached is a "true" basement. The only access to it though is through an outside stairwell. If we end up getting this house, we will put one inside at some point to connect the two floors. It is a 2700sqft house. From what I gather, it is a full size basement.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Good luck on the house hunt! Don't forget to check out the city's records on the property for past permits, additions, liens, and such. You can also get a picture of the place as new depending on its age. My Seattle house was built in '54, and I was able to get an 8x10 b&w glossy from city records (for a small fee) when the city did a photo survey for assessments in the mid-fifties. How old is the place you are considering? For your own sake, hire your own inspector and be at his shoulder with a camera; it will help you decide/bargain on the price bid.

P.S. - We've had some real nice days this past month, so why haven't you blogged on the Stude since 10/3? lol Has your uncle signed it over to you yet?

 

[Falcon67]

>The smell of gas and paints would most likely rise in to the house, driving my wife batshit crazy.

My wife can smell a diesel trucker smoking in the cab a mile up the road, so it was a big deal for us. I cleaned some carb parts with B-12 - in the driveway outside the open overhead on the attached. Came in the house, "whats that smell". If I eat anything with garlic, she has to get a bite

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I have one of each. The under house garage gets me in trouble with the wife if I ever spray paint anything or even use penetrating oil. It is now used solely for storing my two restored Mopars. The detached garage is my man cave where I have complete freedom to do anything I want! Except for playing with other women LOL

 

[Ole_Red]

Good luck on the house hunt! Don't forget to check out the city's records on the property for past permits, additions, liens, and such. You can also get a picture of the place as new depending on its age. My Seattle house was built in '54, and I was able to get an 8x10 b&w glossy from city records (for a small fee) when the city did a photo survey for assessments in the mid-fifties. How old is the place you are considering? For your own sake, hire your own inspector and be at his shoulder with a camera; it will help you decide/bargain on the price bid.

P.S. - We've had some real nice days this past month, so why haven't you blogged on the Stude since 10/3? lol Has your uncle signed it over to you yet?

One of the homes is on the market for the first time since being built and the other is bank owned.

We have a lot of contacts between our two families and I think one of her dad's contacts is an inspector. (also in our circle of family friends: hardwood floor guys, tile & granite guys, and natural gas guy to hook up and plumb the house for gas.)

The house with the detached is a 1950 build and the other is a 1947 build I believe. I will definitely look in to getting a picture from the city archives. Are they fairly easy to get?

As for the Stude:
I worked on it the other weekend, but made little or no progress, mostly just learned a few things. Mostly from the guys over at the Studebaker Drivers Club Forum. I have started a post about it but am yet to finish it. I will get on that for you

A main reason for the lack of new progress is the fact that we have one busy 2yr old. So while I'm trying to keep up with her, we are searching for a house at the same time. We also just found out that #2 is on the way. To say that we have been busy, is an understatement.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

As I recall, all it took was a phone call to the city information line to get the address to send the check ($15.00 ???) to them with a note giving my address or parcel number. You can probably find it via the web nowadays.

You'll be very thankful to have a thorough/trusted home inspection done; it will save you grief and money!

You had better get cranking on the Stude - a family of four will make good use of it. It'll save you from having to buy a S.M.V. (Soccer Mom Van).

P.S. - Be sure to investigate the quality of the schools available to your (future) neighborhood. The schools really do vary in their quality and especially in the support given by the PTA and the parents themselves. You can do a lot to improve your future home, but you can't do much by yourselves to improve the quality of education your child receives!

 

[Ole_Red]

Well both houses were a no go.

Detached : The only things good about it were the garage. The downstairs looked like it had flooded recently. The bottom 2 feet of drywall had been pulled up and the furniture that was down there had water stains. It also reeked of cat urine. The patio cover was rotting. The patio also reeked of urine. Upstairs was very odd as well. The whole house was odd. With a lot of work, it could be a cool/good house. We are not afraid of work, but this was at the top of our budget and we wouldnt be able to do any work.

Attached : The was another odd one. I cant say that there was much good about it, except for the dining room... which wasnt finished. The house was very choppy. The main floor crapper was was tiny... it felt like it was in a closet. There was no elbow room. I am not a big guy and I would not have been able to use that one. The master was two different rooms with a wall missing in the middle. Nothing about this house flowed. The garage was tiny. The attached carport was decent sized. The yard was a warzone of martha stewart ideas. Nothing about this house was appealing except for the price tag.

So our search will continue...

As I recall, all it took was a phone call to the city information line to get the address to send the check ($15.00 ???) to them with a note giving my address or parcel number. You can probably find it via the web nowadays.

You'll be very thankful to have a thorough/trusted home inspection done; it will save you grief and money!

You had better get cranking on the Stude - a family of four will make good use of it. It'll save you from having to buy a S.M.V. (Soccer Mom Van).

P.S. - Be sure to investigate the quality of the schools available to your (future) neighborhood. The schools really do vary in their quality and especially in the support given by the PTA and the parents themselves. You can do a lot to improve your future home, but you can't do much by yourselves to improve the quality of education your child receives!

I will definitely contact the city once we find a place.

My wife and I have agreed that no SMV's will ever be purchased. We may at some point get a four door pickup. Worst case we agreed that a Dodge Magnum could get purchased (hemi)

As for schools, we will most likely be looking at private schools. We both were raised and went to catholic schools K-12. My wife teaches in a Catholic High School. There are quite a few options in the Seattle area.

 

[dabirdguy]

I have an under the house garage.
No painting
No Carb or break cleaners allowed.
No noise
Etc...
Etc....
Etc....

I would NEVER buy a house like this again...

 

[NUTTSGT]

50 grand more for a detached house vs. a house with a basement garage, it sounds like you definetly need to decide what type of house you want. A price that huge is a house is a big difference in the long haul.

Good luck with the future home searches, just don't rush into a purchase.

 

[shephd]

Detached. I also have both, and I would also prefer to have one instead of two. Whatever I need always seems to be in the other space.

 

[shephd]

Detached. I also have both, and I would also prefer to have one instead of two. Whatever I need always seems to be in the other space.

 

[Ole_Red]

I have an under the house garage.
No painting
No Carb or break cleaners allowed.
No noise
Etc...
Etc....
Etc....

I would NEVER buy a house like this again...

All things that I plan on doing in the garage.

 

[ibedayank]

detached.... garage burns..heaven forbid still have house

attached.... one burns...you have nothing

 

[NUTTSGT]

A lot of guy giving some real good opinions from personal experience.

 

[Keep]

I know this is OT for the post. But for you all getting smells/fumes in your house from the garage, you need to attend to that ASAP. You should not have any smells entering the house if the doors are closed. If you are you need to start finding the holes and fixing them.

Especially those who actually use the garage for daily driver cars, if fumes are making it in, so is the carbon monoxide from the exhaust.

Good luck in the hunt, my next house will be a garage with a house attached!

BTW, my garage is below 2 bedrooms, until I finished insulating the garage those two rooms above were always hotter/colder then the rest of the house depending on the season.

 

[tpwalsh]

I know this is OT for the post. But for you all getting smells/fumes in your house from the garage, you need to attend to that ASAP. You should not have any smells entering the house if the doors are closed. If you are you need to start finding the holes and fixing them.

Especially those who actually use the garage for daily driver cars, if fumes are making it in, so is the carbon monoxide from the exhaust.

You should have a CO alarm both in the house and the garage IMHO.

CO meter in both the garage(regardless of location) and the house. It could save your life one day, my wife nearly lost hers to it due to a faulty furnace.