Is 24 x 36 x 12 enough

[Ckengine]

Good Evening Folks,

I am looking at building a new detached garage for my growing business. My current space is a 20 x 20 x 8 attached that I converted to a shop a few years ago. I have finally saved enough for a new detached garage. But I am worried that a 24 x 36 x 12 won't be big enough. With this new shop I am planning on expanding my business into doing more car restoration work so I will be putting in a lift. As of right now I am a one man operation and am planning to stay that way for the near future. Was hoping on some input.

Thanks Chris

 

[Autorotica]

My daily driver garage is 24 wide x 36 deep. 24 x 24 is concrete and 12 x 24 is where we keep the "Costco" shelves, coolers, bicycles, trash cans, freezer, pressure washer, car washing gear, car cleaning stuff and the stairs to the basement. Its really not much space once you start using it.

Build as big of a building as you are allowed to build by your town and your lot restrictions both in footprint and in height. Finish off parts of it in sections as time and $ allows, but make the shell as big as you can.

Chris

 

[dynahoe]

I run my repair shop out of a 24x 60 10 feet of which is my office/ waiting area.works for me alone but still to small.2 lifts very high ceiling with a loft over the office. i love it but too small for restoration work

 

[Kevin54]

If at all possible, I would go 28' deep instead of 24' if that is your depth. At 24' things can get tight if you want a bench in front of the vehicle, and with a bench at the side, that is just extra steps you have to take.

When I built my garage, I built it at 28' x 36' wide. I regularly kept my custom '89 Silverado in there and I had adequate room to work in the front. It was an extended cab long bed. On the other side of the garage, I would just use it to park for the winter, and that side has a 4' closet, so the depth was actually 24' parking space. I had just enough room to park it and walk around the front, but was not able to walk around behind it.

So if 24' is your depth, 28' is just something to think about.

 

[8man]

Good advice Kevin. My F350 Crew Cab long bed will fit in 24', but not with the hitch on it or a grill guard. Go 28 if possible.

Lay out your work bench and tools in the size you want and see if it all fits. If you don't have CAD use graph paper and measure everything you want in there and place it like you think you will use it. Then you can decide if the 24 is deep enough for your needs.

 

[351cmach]

If at all possible, I would go 28' deep instead of 24' if that is your depth. At 24' things can get tight if you want a bench in front of the vehicle, and with a bench at the side, that is just extra steps you have to take.

When I built my garage, I built it at 28' x 36' wide. I regularly kept my custom '89 Silverado in there and I had adequate room to work in the front. It was an extended cab long bed. On the other side of the garage, I would just use it to park for the winter, and that side has a 4' closet, so the depth was actually 24' parking space. I had just enough room to park it and walk around the front, but was not able to walk around behind it.

So if 24' is your depth, 28' is just something to think about.

I'll second going at least 28'. Go as big as you can you wont regret it.

I built my detached at 28' deep X 38' wide. I'm still in the process of finishing it so I haven't used it yet. With a car parked in it I think I would have been happier at 30' deep.

My attached garage is 25' deep and with my F150 crew cab in there it is tight. I have the truck in just enough to close the door and have only have approx. 1 1/2 ft between the truck and my tool box.

 

[Steevo]

You know, it's a funny thing, shop space.
Ten years ago, I'd have said hell yes that is enough room.
Then, 6 years ago, I built a 24' x 40' x 12' detached shop to put all my stuff, tools, toys, etc. in.
This is separate from the attached garage that comfortably houses three vehicles and lots of storage, work area, etc. There is also a detached garden shed with all of the yard tools and equipment in it, so that isn't taking up my shop space.

I have been re-arranging things and jettisoning useless **** ever since, and still wish I had about twice the square footage, and I am not even running a business out of it.

I also realize that all over the world, thousands of folks are making a living in spaces far smaller and less well equipped.

I think it comes down to what can you tolerate in the way of space constraints in order to focus on what makes you income.

 

[Falcon67]

I have a 24x40. My answer for any kind of resto shop - unless you're doing one at a time - is no. 30x40 would be more like it. You can work in 24', but for going round and round a car, it's going to be tight. I left room to go from 24 to 30 wide and if I had funds, I'd start tomorrow. To work reasonably around something like our 70 Mustang it needs to be in a 12' wide space. The car is 15' 6" long so that leaves maybe 4' on each end in a 24' wide bay. Depends on your layout, but I'm thinking two works in progress tops in 24x36. With external storage for parts not currently needed, fender/hood/trunk lids, interior, etc.

 

[Ckengine]

I will be doing one at a time to start. I work 3 months on and three months off overseas. In my time home I run a small repair business and have found a little bit of a niche with old vehicles and equipment. I am hoping to expand this into full restorations instead of the piece here piece there. So I will have the one main project and then continue to to do the piece meal stuff for now. I am hoping that I can grow enough to do this full time instead of part time. After all you guys have said so far I am starting to lean at 30x36 or even 36x36. I have a 1.5 acre lot so i have the space but I have a tight budget. I was hoping to do the building and lift for 15k.

 

[Falcon67]

You can review my build thread - that was 15K of local retail for here. The foundation is the hefty part. And your 12' walls will present challenges requiring rental equipment which adds to the budget.

 

[wdrumheller]

I have a 40x100 and it's big enough.

It is REALLY big enough.

Go bigger if you can.

I've never heard someone say they wished they had less space. I took that to heart when I built mine an I LOVE that shop. LOVE.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

For a two post lift, you need 12+ ft, so figure out some way to get a little more out of it, possibly a concrete curb wall or similar (mind is blank, what do you really call that?).

You need room for workbenches, rollaway, large specialty equipment, cabinets for tool storage, etc. Sadly, you will exceed your budget even at 24x36. You will need large enough doors also, at least 10x10 but that is actually marginal if you get a truck with mirrors. Doors cost money too.

Charles

 

[Iroc-Z]

I am building my 50x40 right now and I already wish it was bigger.

 

[txvwnut]

They're never big enough, but for car restoration you will actually want/need twice that size if you going to do it as a business(speaking from experience). Not sure what type of building you are thinking about but with what you stated for your budget I think your gonna be a little short on that even at your first size.

 

[Autorotica]

Its amazing how little space 1 car takes until you take it apart... Figuring triple the space of the car in pieces would be a good start.

Did the OP ever say what it is he is planning on working on? Escorts or F350 Duallys?

Chris

 

[Sef]

My Garage is exactly that size with a 2 post lift in the center bay. Everyday I wish it was at least 4' deeper and 2' wider


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[lh4x4]

It is never enough. Go Big!