Garage.. What Size ??

[MNMike]

I know, build the biggest you can afford.

I have been lurking for a while now, we are going to pull the trigger on a new detached garage soon, this spring. Here is my issue, I can legally build a 30'x40 but I don't think it will look correct on my lot. I first settled on a 26x30 then changed it to 28x32 gable entry. The wife wants a 6' overhang on the long side so we can make a little sitting area, this would be on the 26x30. If I do the overhang it add substantially to the cost $2,000. I plan on doing in floor heat and a nice epoxy floor so my budget is kind of tight.

So, Do I build the 28x32 and get the size I want or build a smaller garage and make the wife happy???

I know a happy wife makes for a happy life.

Thoughts?

Mike

 

[Jimmy_B]

I'm in Scott county where anything more than a 2'overhang is considered square footage of the building, so this may apply in your situation. I also had height restrictions to work around and s 6' overhang will definitely make your building taller. Just some things to consider based on your local codes.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

 

[Falcon67]

$2K is spit on the whole project, vs the long term benefit of having the patio feature. We're wishing now that we had done that on the front, may still do it.

Also - build your size, get the sign off. Then add the porch later- it's just shade after all. Seriously, I fail to see how keeping rain and sun off one side of the building amounts to additional square footage.

 

[Red_Barn_Garage]

I had a similar situation when I built my detached garage. I was not aware that an overhanging roof counted as square footage on the garage. I had plans drawn for the largest garage I was allowed ( 50% of finished house sq ft) and included a roof on the side where we planned a patio. When I applied for my permit I was told that the overhanging roof counted in my square foot total. When I heard this I argued that our main house has a wrap around covered porch so I should be able to include that in the calculation of the house square footage but apparently the roof overhang is only counted on detached buildings in the sq ft calculation. I had to get new plans drawn up without the overhang. I have thought about adding it but have not had the nerve yet.

 

[Supergumby5000]

You'll always regret compromise.

If your squeezing pennies at a $2k added cost, I would wait a few more months/year and get some additional funding saved up to cover it.

 

[rburke65]

Personally, I'd do the 32x40 with the intentions of a 6' add on LATER. And, as said, $2,000 isn't spit. The site preperations for my build was an additional $2K and I hadn't bought a 2x4" yet! Good luck!

 

[Orionrising]

Make the patio roof freestanding. Or what the other thread was connect it to the house

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[Orionrising]

Or tell the wife you'll get her on of those infomercial sunshader retractable awnings... The go buy on off the side of a junk camper.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[tjdux]

Build it big with the shade porch.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

 

[sberry]

Build it big as you can.

 

[Gotcha640]

If the porch won't get in the way of access, go for it. We got a screened in patio and now it's a longer walk to the shed every weekend and we use it once a year. Be realistic about what the space will be used for.

 

[adam0872]

Build big you'll be happy you did.

 

[RVDan]

If you're going all in with in floor heating and epoxy you're going to regret compromising on the size.

 

[countryroad82]

16 years ago at the age of 19 I built my 30'X50'. I say build bigger than that.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Mike: build it as big as legally possible; so there will be room for both You and Your Wife to sit INSIDE and shake Your heads.. Minnesota winters are long and cold, and the mosquitoes start the summer early.. Can those 6' counted on the overhang be put to better use?

 

[ducksface]

I'm not sure the dream stage, which you're in, is a good place to be asking the opinions of others on such things as the opinion of your wife.

Figure 100 bucks a Sqft.
Figure the garage adds no value to your bank appraisal
Figure not everyone wants a garage and you'll cut your buyers by more than half.

Then re-ask the wife.
Then TELL us.

 

[MNMike]

Thanks for the reply's.

Lots of options to think over. It's not so much the money, I have the money to pay cash for the build.
I don't need a huge garage, we already have a three car attached. This will be for storage and hanging out.

Mike

 

[cabin fever]

Build the bigger

Buy the wife a chair and tell her to sit in the garage

 

[Voi]

So, Do I build the 28x32 and get the size I want or build a smaller garage and make the wife happy?

Going through something similar but the difference in my situation is that my wife is completely on board with making the garage as big as possible and both of us want the sitting area.

Depending on the lot we choose we are considering a couple of options.

1) Having a breezeway between garage and house with glass garage or accordion doors that can be completely opened on nice day.

2) In area where we are looking garage can basically be as big as we want but once it goes above a certain size (1500 sq ft, I believe) I have to have the square footage that exceeds that separated from rest of garage with a fire rated wall. On the perfect lot that space would flow with the rest of our patio or deck and possibly even the breezeway mentioned above. Again I'd love to have large garage doors that connect these areas when open.

3) Both 1 & 2.

If your planned build is not close enough to the house or current attached garage the breezeway probably won't work. But I do believe you could build the garage bigger and have one corner or side dedicated as a sitting area of sorts. It might even break things up enough that you could build up to your allowed 30x40 size. Don't give up. There are likely ways to build something that will look good on your lot.

Picture below is fancier than we're considering but was first picture that sort of showed my idea.

 

[adam0872]

Thanks for the reply's.

Lots of options to think over. It's not so much the money, I have the money to pay cash for the build.
I don't need a huge garage, we already have a three car attached. This will be for storage and hanging out.

Mike

If your looking for storage and hang out space have you considered getting a large shed? I have a 20x40 from northlandsheds its pretty awesome