My basic garage build

[Kirkz28]

While I don't post much, I do lurk a lot. I've learned a lot in the short time I've been here, and appreciate all the help many of you have unknowingly provided.

Here's a couple shots with a link to a series of shots showing the project from start to finish - if a garage is ever really finished .

The garage is a pretty basic 2 car unit. I purposely wanted no windows for security reasons. 24' wide by 22' deep, with 12' high walls (the plan is to install a 4 post lift down the line) . The doors are 10' wide by 8' high. We started digging in summer 2007, the concrete work was done in Nov. 2007, framing started in March 2008. Still working on the interior, which should go faster once the gas lines for my heater are installed late next week.





http://good-times.webshots.com/album/559347968KyaHmm

 

[Kevin54]

Nice looking garage, but why so short? Community restraints? The reason I ask is that our house garage is 22' deep due to a utility room I had to add in. We both drive shorter vehicles (Toyota Solara & GMC Jimmy) and there is not a whole lot of room at the front or rear of either one.

 

[Kirkz28]

Nice looking garage, but why so short? Community restraints? The reason I ask is that our house garage is 22' deep due to a utility room I had to add in. We both drive shorter vehicles (Toyota Solara & GMC Jimmy) and there is not a whole lot of room at the front or rear of either one.

Good question Kevin. Here's the sob story - short version. It was originally to be 24X24. When I originally received approval from the municipality, they had no problem with the placement on the property - running along the rear of the garage is a drainage easement. When the inspector came out to look at my pad layout (which was about 3 days before we were to pour the concrete), he said I was too close to the ditch (actually encroaching on the easement), and as such I would have to move my back wall. I asked about getting a minor variance, like I had done to get the extra height, but the Municipality advised that wouldn't be allowed in this case (issues about access and the need to potentially realign the ditch down the line were given as explanation). It appears the folks who originally reviewed my submission misunderstood where the easement started.

So, I had a choice - move the back wall up 2 feet, or add 2 feet onto the front end of the garage. Given that we were in November with snow on the way very shortly, combined with the fact that I would have had to bring in more fill, rent equipment to compact the new fill, re-do a whole bunch of rebar (especially along the side where the entrance door is) if I wanted the extra 2 feet versus detaching the rear wall forms, slide one section of rebar and grid off, dig off 2 feet of fill, the reattach the rebar/grid/forms - the choice was pretty easy. I had the remedial work done in about 3 hours, the inspector came back out the next day and approved the work, and we didn't miss our pour date.

Honestly, the length doesn't really bother me (but it would have been nice). Getting the extra height to accomodate a lift was more important.

 

[Dave928]

what are the buildings up the hill?

 

[Kirkz28]

what are the buildings up the hill?

Those would be 2 storage sheds. The plan is to convert one to a playhouse for the kids, as most of the car related stuff will be relocated to the garage once all the shelving gets installed.