Graymills - Craig
Well-known member
Hey, all;
My wife and I are looking at new places, and two of the three finalists will need garages built. "Sweeeeet!," I say. Finally I can do it how I'd like. I'm not a mechanic, but I enjoy working on (old) cars. I'll likely not have much time to build much of it myself. A apologize in advance if some of these questions (especially lifts) have been bantered around elsewhere, but the problem with searching the archives is that things change so fast.
This would be near Madison, WI, in case there are local vendors that you can recommend.
Since plenty of you have been through this before, I thought I'd ask for advice. My goal is to park two cars and have space to work on one more. One lot will allow three bays side-by-side, but the other would require tandem (lift in from of one parking spot, and tools, stairs to upstairs storage, motorcycle parking, and "lounge" in front of the other). I don't plan on heating/AC the place, other than spot units on cold/hot days when I'm working on my cars. I'd like a loft upstairs for storage of bulk stuff.
My initial thought is to go with a pole barn from a reputable vendor, rather than building something in situ. Anyone have other thoughts? Anything to look for or avoid?
The lift. I definitely want a 2-pole, since much of what I work on involves the wheel, brakes, suspension, etc. that you just can't do with a four-pole. Any vendors to look for or avoid? What sort of rating on the concrete should I have in the lift area, and is it cheaper to simply do the whole garage floor in that or do two different pours? Additionally, is it smart to lay PVC pipes in the concrete to run the power and hydraulics to the side?
The floor. Concrete treatment, epoxy, or those rubbery mats I see advertised on the home page here?
Alarm. I figure I'll use a combo of web cams and my house's alarm. I run Frontpoint right now, and I have a sensor in the garage. I've made it advisory only (no alarms), but it texts me if the door is opened.
Tool cabinets. I'll likely buy a Craftsman unit or fab one myself.
Anything else I need or have forgotten?
Thanks!
My wife and I are looking at new places, and two of the three finalists will need garages built. "Sweeeeet!," I say. Finally I can do it how I'd like. I'm not a mechanic, but I enjoy working on (old) cars. I'll likely not have much time to build much of it myself. A apologize in advance if some of these questions (especially lifts) have been bantered around elsewhere, but the problem with searching the archives is that things change so fast.
This would be near Madison, WI, in case there are local vendors that you can recommend.
Since plenty of you have been through this before, I thought I'd ask for advice. My goal is to park two cars and have space to work on one more. One lot will allow three bays side-by-side, but the other would require tandem (lift in from of one parking spot, and tools, stairs to upstairs storage, motorcycle parking, and "lounge" in front of the other). I don't plan on heating/AC the place, other than spot units on cold/hot days when I'm working on my cars. I'd like a loft upstairs for storage of bulk stuff.
My initial thought is to go with a pole barn from a reputable vendor, rather than building something in situ. Anyone have other thoughts? Anything to look for or avoid?
The lift. I definitely want a 2-pole, since much of what I work on involves the wheel, brakes, suspension, etc. that you just can't do with a four-pole. Any vendors to look for or avoid? What sort of rating on the concrete should I have in the lift area, and is it cheaper to simply do the whole garage floor in that or do two different pours? Additionally, is it smart to lay PVC pipes in the concrete to run the power and hydraulics to the side?
The floor. Concrete treatment, epoxy, or those rubbery mats I see advertised on the home page here?
Alarm. I figure I'll use a combo of web cams and my house's alarm. I run Frontpoint right now, and I have a sensor in the garage. I've made it advisory only (no alarms), but it texts me if the door is opened.
Tool cabinets. I'll likely buy a Craftsman unit or fab one myself.
Anything else I need or have forgotten?
Thanks!