If I could do it over.

[Jay430]

What would you do different with you next garage build?
Okay so I'm getting ready to build a garage and am trying to do it right the first time and am looking for ideas both good and bad that you guys have done. Sort of the do's and dont's of garage building.
Here is the plan so far. Size will be a 28' deep by 50' wide. That is not open for change as it is as big as I have room for or I would go bigger.
Ceiling height will be 10.5' on 2x6 walls with a 6" cement footer that the walls will be built on. Roof will have a 10-12 pitch and there will be storage and a man cave up stairs. I'm at this time planning on using some sort of a fiberboard on at least the lower 6' of the interior wall to make hanging and mounting things alot easier and opps resistance. Either T5HO or T8HO lighting is what I am thinking about at this point. And I am not sure if I am going to epoxy or stain and seal the floor.
This is gonna be a typical car guy garage. Painting, welding, chemicals, bench racing, and beer drinking. Sometimes all in the same day
Work benches on all 4 walls but none over 8' long (I hate a bench thats more of a catch all) but a couple walls will have 2 benches. Overhead cabinets, some over the benches, some not. Outlets every 6-8' for the 110, and 10-12' for 220. Garage doors will be a single 9' and a single 16' with a few feet between them. Well insulated as I am in Montana, with a pellet stove (I'm tired of firewood) and an overhead gas heater for backup and quick warmups.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126255&highlight=close

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=152991&highlight=close

A couple of threads that address your question. You could also search on the term 'critique' As a few have asked the members critique there plans.

Welcome to the board

lg
no neat sig line

 

[coljar]

In my case, I put my outlets 3 to 4 feet apart and glad I did. You'll be ok if you're putting doubles in. I installed them 5 ft. high except at the work bench area to keep them from hiding behind the equipment along the walls. It's your garage, but I think 220 outlets every 10 to 12 feet is a lot unless you're running equipment other than a couple of welders. To answer your title question, I wish I'd built the back room bigger than I did. It's a compressor, storage, furnace, and restroom, but the storage part is somewhat lacking.

 

[BFBOB]

If I could REALLY have a do-over, I'd find some way to avoid that car crash...

 

[Daniel Dudley]

I would always opt for the taller ceiling NOW...

Most people would if they could. And 8 foot tall doors. Because you can.

 

[brwbier]

This might not apply to everyone but my favorite part of my garage is the drive through. I put a door on the back to have access to the back yard. I like working with the door open but not the door to the street. Because of city regulations I have an 8' x 18' cement pad outside the back door which is also a great patio and a shaded place to wash and wax my car.
Brwbier

 

[Chevy72pu]

A LOT of pre-planning. Look at pictures of what others have done. Go visit other shops to get a first hand look. Then build it to suit YOU and YOUR needs.

If I have another chance I will do better site prep. Level the apron in front, landscaping (grass, pavers etc) to reduce tracking of debris into the building. Better ventilation (maybe even two roll up doors opposite of one another to drive straight thru and have cross breeze.) Bathroom with shower. Heater.

 

[volaredon]

2X6 studs instead of 2X4; very little added cost, but lots stronger and I would make it BIGGER

What WOULDN'T I change or what would I re do the same? 16" OC stud walls, 16" OC rafters, 100% "stick built" no trusses...

 

[mechanic217]

Smaller footprint , taller ceiling and a partial second floor for light parts storage and an office.This was my original plan 30 years ago but I was convinced to do otherwise, should have stuck to my guns.

 

[Mike.ASC]

This is a great thread including the links to the other related threads , the only thing that would make it better is more completed pictures of the exteriors & interiors of these garages . I do understand why some people are hesitant to do so .

 

[NUTTSGT]

If I could do it over (if I knew hen what I know now) I would have bought a different house with a shop or built one that suits my needs. I'm sure it would have been cheaper now that I have put a ton into this place.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I would have used porcelain tiles instead of VCT!

The VCT tends to get dirty faster, and is harder to keep looking good. I actually work in my garage, but I also use it as a studio, so it needs to look good.

Jim

 

[Big-Foot]

I would have built my shop at least 20% bigger and at least 12' ceilings -no scratch that- 2 story with 12' ceilings. Oh, and with Wirsbo floor..

 

[volaredon]

well I just lifted the 1st vehicle on my new twin post lift to do an oil change and no, 10' of ceiling is nowhere near high enough for a 6 footer (me) to come anywhere close to standing up under a Cherokee with the lift as high as I can go.... perfect height though for brake jobs and such.... so BUILD TALLER! I have an "out"/ I can take the ceiling joists out over the lift and have 12' on the "low" side by the wall.... I put the doors and lift in such that I pull in parallel with the gable. just have to put up a knee wall so that none of my stash falls thru that hole I will create in the ceiling, by doing so!

 

[iajonesy]

When I built my garage in 1996 I built a 26'x36' with a 14'x36'second floor room for my boys to use when they had friends over. I would not add the second story but I would build the side walls higher and would have water and sewage out there. The boys are grown and gone now and the room upstairs is just a catch all space. I would go with a 28'x40' to give more space downstairs. I have the area divided so I have a 12'x26' side with the furnace and air compressor,blasting cabinet and freezer in it. The other room is 26'x24' with my tool boxes,drill press,grinder,welders,welding table,sanders,and etc. etc. Also contains my 56 Chevy p/u that I haven't touched in almost 7 years.

Mike

 

[december45]

bigger bigger bigger

 

[estrellajon]

Do the floor epoxy right the first time.....

 

[JDishong]

Utility sink , integral color for concrete, in-wall air lines, T5 lighting (2 switches), can lights, ...