New build garage planning

[TxAgs]

First off, I haven't been on GJ in a while. Glad to see good discussions are still happening. I've skimmed some threads but haven't found this particular question in my search.

In 2018, we moved aboard our sailboat and lived in the Caribbean but when COVID struck, we sailed back to the US and ended up settling in Camden, Maine. We are back out sailing until summer of 2024 now. While out I want to start looking at planning a garage build.

Currently, the property has 2 houses on it. The main house is a small 2bed 1 bath house. The second building is a 1/1 built in early 1900s and is liveable but needs to be knocked down (we named her Eileen). We have no garage, but we do have a nice 10x20 shed. We are in Camden, ME and would like to keep the cars out of the snow.

Here's what I'm thinking, and I would love some advice where you see fit -

1. Support a 2bed 1bath house above it. This will be used for rental property and eventually a MIL house.
2. Shop big enough to support a 30"x30" CNC machine and a few wood working tools.
3. At least a 2 car garage to get them out of the snow.
4. Modern construction using SIP, ICF, high efficiency methods.
5. I don't care if it becomes the "primary dwelling" on the property.

If any Mainers see this, I would love to know your thoughts. We aren't from Maine originally, so we have a lot to learn about construction in a cold area.

Thanks and looking forward to the input.

Jason

 

[billconner]

Camden ME is a beautiful area. We lived in ME for a while and would visit often.

Not much to contribute. I do think you'll find sips and icfs more expensive than stick but they have some great attributes. Should look at timber frame with sips. Relatively a lot of timber framers in ME.

 

[thammel]

Check out Ken's Karpentry on youtube. He's a northeast builder almost exclusively of garages.

 

[CraigStu]

Not sure I understand. You are asking about a garage right? 2 cars but then a wood shop too? So maybe a 3 car garage? Maybe a little larger than that? 26 to 30 deep and 32 to 36 wide?
- Up there you have a lot of snow which will come into the garage frozen on the cars and then melt off. I would want to look at the floor in the 2 car section to see if it is possible to slope it to run the melt out. A wall to separate the garage from the wood shop? I think the melting snow, even if heading outside, will raise the humidity enough to be a concern for tools.
- Is there slope to your property? I ask because a living quarters on top of a garage is certainly possible but how to access it? 'For a MIL' implies at least some age involved so access probably can't be a set outside steps.
- Will you try to have this built while on the boat or wait until you come back to land? Is the existing house adequate for your family to at least camp out in until you can get something built? This is going to be a real interesting thread.

 

[Spud McGee]

Not sure I understand. You are asking about a garage right? 2 cars but then a wood shop too? So maybe a 3 car garage?

I think even bigger than that. A woodworking CNC takes up a decent amount of floor space. Especially when you start adding in all the supporting stuff for it like a dust collector, cabinet for fixtures and accessories, or then really go nuts with an enclosure/computer/monitor.
Then the other tools, I'm not sure if OP was talking like a cabinet saw or smaller things like a planer.

I think with a CNC router, and any other tools, the woodworking section will need 1.5 cars. Plus you end up with sawdust all over your cars.
In my last garage, it was 1.5 cars, lengthwise. Width of a 1 car, but extra deep. That was enough room.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If the apartment is rental property, you're going to want very good soundproofing between it and the workshop below.

 

[TxAgs]

Camden ME is a beautiful area. We lived in ME for a while and would visit often.

Not much to contribute. I do think you'll find sips and icfs more expensive than stick but they have some great attributes. Should look at timber frame with sips. Relatively a lot of timber framers in ME.

I'm realizing that the build cost is a bit higher. I need to weigh the time savings vs cost. I will say that finding a contractor to build is a huge pain at the moment. I'm hoping that we could possibly order the panels in the fall for a spring arrival and summer construction season. That would leave indoors work for the winter.

 

[TxAgs]

Not sure I understand. You are asking about a garage right? 2 cars but then a wood shop too? So maybe a 3 car garage? Maybe a little larger than that? 26 to 30 deep and 32 to 36 wide?
- Up there you have a lot of snow which will come into the garage frozen on the cars and then melt off. I would want to look at the floor in the 2 car section to see if it is possible to slope it to run the melt out. A wall to separate the garage from the wood shop? I think the melting snow, even if heading outside, will raise the humidity enough to be a concern for tools.
- Is there slope to your property? I ask because a living quarters on top of a garage is certainly possible but how to access it? 'For a MIL' implies at least some age involved so access probably can't be a set outside steps.
- Will you try to have this built while on the boat or wait until you come back to land? Is the existing house adequate for your family to at least camp out in until you can get something built? This is going to be a real interesting thread.

Good questions. Let me see if I can explain a bit better -
In simple terms, 3 cars wide, but possibly 2.5 cars deep to account for the shop in front of the cars.
Sadly, we don't get as much snow as we used to. I think that in the two years we've been there, we've had maybe 30" total. We are coastal and the warming water prevents the snow. However, mud season is serious and we would need to plan for that with slope on the floor.
Despite the moisture, the humidity is relatively low most of the time. However, I do plan to get a dehumidifier for the shop.
I actually see us moving into the garage eventually. This would allow the MIL/FIL or renters access to the house that's on grade.

I'm a Project Manager by profession, so I'm doing a bit of research to find the most cost effective and time effective solutions. I'll definitely keep the thread going. I need to start posting some photos.

 

[TxAgs]

I think even bigger than that. A woodworking CNC takes up a decent amount of floor space. Especially when you start adding in all the supporting stuff for it like a dust collector, cabinet for fixtures and accessories, or then really go nuts with an enclosure/computer/monitor.
Then the other tools, I'm not sure if OP was talking like a cabinet saw or smaller things like a planer.

I think with a CNC router, and any other tools, the woodworking section will need 1.5 cars. Plus you end up with sawdust all over your cars.
In my last garage, it was 1.5 cars, lengthwise. Width of a 1 car, but extra deep. That was enough room.

I was thinking 3 cars wide, 2.5 deep. That hits that area you are talking about. I would like to put in a wall between the cars and the shop. I don't need that kind of mess.

 

[billconner]

First - your mileage may vary. My opinion. Where I lived before I worked out of home office and my desk was in front window, and I watched a 2 storey SIP house - walls, roof, floors - built right across the street. I've seen stick framed house built as well as having built stick framed buildings. I do not believe the SIP method is faster. It may be better energy and sound wise, but you still have to side it, drywall, electrify (not simple in SIPs), and generally finish it. You might find a builder who especially likes or wants to do it - that would help.

And yes, finding builders has gotten tough.

 

[TxAgs]

First - your mileage may vary. My opinion. Where I lived before I worked out of home office and my desk was in front window, and I watched a 2 storey SIP house - walls, roof, floors - built right across the street. I've seen stick framed house built as well as having built stick framed buildings. I do not believe the SIP method is faster. It may be better energy and sound wise, but you still have to side it, drywall, electrify (not simple in SIPs), and generally finish it. You might find a builder who especially likes or wants to do it - that would help.

And yes, finding builders has gotten tough.

From what you witnessed, did it appear to be a faster building method? I'd like to get it completed quickly and get renters back in. It's always the ole - cost vs time predicament.

 

[CraigStu]

Another option for the overall structure would be just an upgraded stick build. 2x6 vs 2x4. Much extra attention paid to insulation of footers/foundation, walls etc. For instance, I found out 4 yrs ago that there is vinyl siding w/ insulation built in. I had never heard of that before. That might get you a larger pool of contractors since it would be pretty much standard techniques. And I would think that in that location most would be familiar w/ extra care in insulation techniques/products. 3cars wide and 2+ deep will be a good size. The wall separating the front and back garage vs shop will also provide support for the living space above.

 

[Stuart in MN]

My next door neighbor built a three car garage with a second story for his wife's art studio, using SIPs. It only took two days to get the whole shell assembled. Of course, he had to shingle the roof, put on siding, install windows and doors, and then finish out the interior, but the shell went together really fast. This was probably ten years ago, and I remember he did have a hard time finding a contractor who was familiar with SIP construction; it may be easier today. The SIP panel manufacturers in your area may be able to provide a list of local contractors, it's worth checking.

 

[billconner]

From what you witnessed, did it appear to be a faster building method? I'd like to get it completed quickly and get renters back in. It's always the ole - cost vs time predicament.

It did not seem faster. A good crew can stick frame incredibly fast. Heck, I'm no great carpenter but stick framed a 28 x 32 garage with attic, all rough cut, including 1x8 board sheathing, in a little over a month.

You want fast? Modular. A few weeks from foundation to move in. Probably better quality too.