Inching closer to 30x30 build

[Raymond_B]

Had to put things on hold a bit from my introductory post while back.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2006746#post2006746

But I am finally starting to move forward (hopefully) on my 30x30 build.

I am hoping to get some good contractor/sub contractor recommendations for the North Texas DFW area from folks near me as well as some overall opinions of my ideas from everyone. I have chosen 30x30 because I have a utility easement on one side as well as behind the planned area. I really would like to have one big door (16') to make it easy to get things in and out. In addition I plan to install a 4 post lift. I am unsure of the ceiling height so I simply picked 13' for the outer walls for now.

Hopefully with the help from you guys and an Architect I can get those right I will have a structural engineer draw up the foundation plans, hopefully I can have him on site during the pad prep and pour.

Any help/suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, the red square in the one drawing is the old garage that the previous owner converted in to a studio. I hope to use that as a media/game room some day

 

[Cheap5.0]

Looks nice Cant recommend anyone, but i do think most lifts require at least 12'...14 being better.

 

[Xander]

Nice! My 2 post only needed 10',but I'm glad I have about 12 where it is. Think that the average car is under 6' tall, and most lifts have about 6' of working room under them.

X...

 

[JDishong]

Raymond B -- I'm in N. Texas (Prosper) and I have several contractors in the work and still taking bids. Fortunately, there is a lot of home construction going on around me so its pretty easy to find. Where you located in North Texas?

I think we should combine forces! I will be ordering my lift next week. Either send me a PM or check out my GJ link. I am working (battling) with HOA but should begin within 3 weeks or so.

 

[buzz4041]

I would make only one suggestion and that is to add to your garage door height and put in a full 8' to 10' high door not the standard size door of 7 ' something. Keep us posted as I am getting into the planning stages of an addition of this size also.

 

[Mudbone]

In addition to the height issue, a single 16 foot door on a 30 foot wide wall is way too small. Two 10x10 doors with three feet on the outsides and 4 foot between them would work out nice. Or if you wanted to clear cabinets or benches down the sides go 4,2,4. And make the ceiling 14 feet high. You can use jackshaft lifts and run the doors up on the ceiling to clear the lift(s). If you flush mount any ceiling lighting you can get the doors as high as possible.

 

[Mudbone]

On closer inspection, what is in the end of that long extension on the main house? It would be cool if you made the garage wider so that they share a wall. That way you could have a door from the house to the garage.

Edit: Oh now I see it. I kept looking for the red square in the first drawing.

In that case I really would condider attaching it to the house/old studio.

 

[Raymond_B]

Thanks for the replies all! JDishong I am in Ft Worth, I'll shoot you a PM

Good advice on the door height guys.

Mudbone, I am actually looking for the widest single door I can get and popped that one in just for the drawing. But I understand what you're saying about the look. I guess my perceived need for a large single door is because the turn in to the garage is going to be tight I think. We have some huge 60 yr old trees that I am trying to work around. It took a lot of convincing of the wife to get rid of one and honestly I don't want to lose any more either. So that kind of limits the area in front of the garage and with 2 doors the far door seems like it would be hard to pull in to with a full size SuperCrew. Does that make sense?

I have thought about attaching the garage to the old studio, that way I could bust out the wall and absorb that 20x20! My original worry was cost to tie in to the old house and moving the existing electric meter and breaker panel. Which is at the end of the studio. But that might be a moot point anyway since the house has 3 phase (yay 1954!!) run to it and I want to make new 3 phase runs to the garage and separate the house. Ugh I haven't even begun researching that.

Anyway I have been thinking about a 7.5x10 hallway to the house from the garage. That could house my air compressor and a small bathroom.

I updated my drawing and I'll post it when I have access to my home PC.

Sorry for the wall of text...

 

[Falcon67]

Where the dickens are you in Cowtown that you have 3 phase at the house? (my home town LOL). 18' doors are also available, but weigh that off against loss of wall space. If loss of wall space is not an issue, I would actually look at dual 10wx8h doors for more flexibility in air flow and access. IMHO unless you have some jacked up 4x4 pickup or a big camper, 7' doors are plenty. HOWEVER - with 3 phase power available, that implies fun things like lathes and mills, so 8' or better tall door(s) for brining in equipment on a trailer might be good thing to have.

 

[Raymond_B]

I am in the TCU area, our house was built in 1954. According to my neighbor who has been in his house for ~ 40 years houses back in the 50's had 3 phase as an option. Dunno how accurate that is. Heck I did not even know the house had it until just before we closed and the inspector pointed out that our AC was 3 phase

 

[Raymond_B]

Did a quick update to the plan to include the hallway connecting the garage to the house. I hope this hallway can also include a room for the air compressor and a small bathroom. That way I get the full 30x30 space in the shop

I am going to have a door from the yard in to the hallway, but not the driveway side. Hmmmm I need to think about the practicality of that.