New House - Garage Expansion Question

[wesley8808]

I am in the process of working with a builder new semi-custom home to be built.

I have always had to settle for 2 car garages and really want a 3 car. However, the upcharge for the extra garage might push me over the budget limit. The builder indicated that every extra 2' of width would only cost an additional $2k. We have already bumped out the garage so the dimensions are 25' deep and 25' wide. I was thinking of adding an additional 8' to the width and not worry about the 3rd garage door. I basically want the square footage and think the extra wall space would be much better for storage and work area. The house is being built on 2 acres that I plan to add a pole barn or 2 story shed with a garage later on in life.

I mostly use the garage for storage of kid stuff, a utility trailer, a new(er) mower to handle 2 acres (my push mower just won't cut it) and lots of stuff hanging on the walls, etc. The basement will be unfinished, which I will start to finish once we move in.

Am I crazy to think the garage square footage is the key as opposed to a third bay door?

 

[matt_i]

Extra sq footage in the attached garage is a definite benefit, if you ask me. As you say, kids bikes, mowing stuff, yard hand tools, trash & recycle bins, sports bins for bats and balls, extra fridge, bbq grill, etc, etc, etc.

An 8' x 24' space = 192 sf, will give you a buffer until you build a separate outbuilding. Even helpful for temporary storage of more sensitive building materials for the outbuilding as its going up.

I might angle for an oversized man door, like 3'6" x 7'0" in the place of the 3rd overhead door, so you don't have such a large facade. Even a window would help.

 

[Showkey]

Often in new contruction extra 5-10 feet in length are easier to add so often cost less cost to add.

 

[wesley8808]

I might angle for an oversized man door, like 3'6" x 7'0" in the place of the 3rd overhead door, so you don't have such a large facade. Even a window would help.

I like the oversized door option! It will already have 2 single bay doors (one one large double bay one - I can't decide which one I like better) and a 3' door. But I like asking for the larger door.

 

[pmiranda]

Hmm... an extra $8k over 30 years is something like $20/month before interest and it probably won't affect your property tax bill at all. I'd go for the 3rd bay all day long. Another way to justify it... the cost of a bigger detached garage later will be more than the same amount of space done now since the price of building will probably not go down.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would definitely go for the extra footage and the over sized garage door (8' high if possible).

See if the builder can get a drawing of the front of the wider garage with the door(s) so you will have a good idea what the front view will look like.

 

[dcjeepman]

The 3rd door isn't really much more money. We have an 18 ft wide door plus a 9 ft wide door. The single bay is great for easy access to golf cart, bikes, etc and we use it more often than the double door. 9 wide allows car access far easier than 8 wide.

 

[bjsbuds]

Biggest mistake I made when I built my house in 1998 was opting for a 2-car garage over a 3-car garage. Now I am looking at building another 2-car garage and at a cost that is 1,500% more than if I just would have went for the 3-car at construction.

I know, when you build a house, you have a budget, and it seems like every choice you make puts you over your allowance. But, here is what I have learned (regretted); don't spend money on upgraded carpet, fancy glass in doors, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, as those can easily be upgrade down the road when you have the funds. Spend the money on making your space as large as you can. Try to go for the 3-car garage if you can, you won't regret it.

 

[bczygan]

I am in the process of working with a builder new semi-custom home to be built.

I have always had to settle for 2 car garages and really want a 3 car. However, the upcharge for the extra garage might push me over the budget limit. The builder indicated that every extra 2' of width would only cost an additional $2k. We have already bumped out the garage so the dimensions are 25' deep and 25' wide. I was thinking of adding an additional 8' to the width and not worry about the 3rd garage door. I basically want the square footage and think the extra wall space would be much better for storage and work area. The house is being built on 2 acres that I plan to add a pole barn or 2 story shed with a garage later on in life.

I mostly use the garage for storage of kid stuff, a utility trailer, a new(er) mower to handle 2 acres (my push mower just won't cut it) and lots of stuff hanging on the walls, etc. The basement will be unfinished, which I will start to finish once we move in.

Am I crazy to think the garage square footage is the key as opposed to a third bay door?

There is your problem. You don't need a garage, you need a storage and utility shed. Much cheaper space to build. Store most of that **** in the unfinished basement until you can build one.

And your garage should be sized and configured for it's uses. If you have 3 vehicles, then you need 3 bays. If you will never have a third vehicle, but will do shop activities, then configure a shop area. If you will sometimes have a third vehicle and also want to do some shop work, then add a third bay but make it oversize.

Form should always follow function.

Simple.

Bill

 

[MushCreek]

I always go by the advise an old farmer gave me when was a teenager. When considering an outbuilding, think of all of the space you could possibly need. Build it three times bigger than that, and it will be almost big enough.

I can see just having a work space without having a third overhead door. 8' isn't really a third bay. That being said, the first time you want to move something bulky in or out, and you have to go get the keys to move the car out of the way, you'll wish you had opted for a third door.

 

[Cyberbear]

Based on your future plans, I'd opt for the extra bay space, and here's why: more wall space is needed now, an out building later. Have them frame the addition for an eventual third door opening that is covered as needed for wall space. Once the out building is built, the third door opening can be opened up and used if still wanted.