Pocket Sized Budget Build

[Fifty Six MGA]

I haven't thought of a clever name for my garage. My wife and I just bought a house, built in 1922. It's an LA suburb, and a simple one at that. The garage is about 17x19. We're also doing a ton of work on the house, so that will affect how fast stuff gets done in the garage, for sure.

It's never going to be as fancy as many on this site, budget and space won't allow, but my goal is that with this build, and the shed on the property (and another?) I can store my 9 bicycles, my 12-13 kayaks, and my 1956 MGA, plus a ton of other stuff, and have an organized, nice place to work. And maybe get another classic car.

My build will focus on fixing the issues, then making it organized and comfortable. Last priority will be the looks, but those do tend to follow function for me.

A few before pictures:

Overgrown backyard, showing the roof of the garage used as a deck. I want to make this a nicer place to hangout. Anyone ever put fake grass on a flat roof?

the bougainvillea on the right was huge, but completely overgrowing an orange tree. I like the tree, so the bougainvillea will be gone or drastically cut back.

It's small....good thing I like small cars.

I can't tell if this was just poor concrete work when the slab was poured, or something that has accumatlated. But it seems pretty solid. Not going to be fun.

Floor is rough, and the garage smells old and musty. Lots of work to do.

The garage is currently being used as a staging area for the house remodel, but I hope to be able do some work on it before I have to move my garage stuff in....

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Looks like it could be very cool. Does the driveway slope TOWARD the front of that garage? Many do and if so you may need to cut the driveway slab in front of the garage and install a strip drain. As for the floor? I'd consider jacking that clump of concrete out and doing the floor with tile like Jack Olsen did. It will give you a uniform appearence and paint will NEVER stick on that slab. There's certainly no vapor barrier under your slab. Keep the pix coming!

 

[USMCdodge]

this should be an awesome garage. i have a very small 1 car in the works. good luck man

 

[Thruxton]

Lots of work but LOTS of potential! Take your time, I think of fixing up things like this as an intricate puzzle, because you often have to come up with one solution for several problems at once. And MG-A, very cool.

 

[Kevin54]

From the looks of the 3rd and 5th picture, I would venture to say that the stuff on the floor is excess cement where they attemted to fix the wall. If you notice the wall at the rear is smooth where it looks like they troweled cement on to possibly fix some deteriorating cement. Also if you look at the roof of the structure it looks like some wood has been replaced in the ceiling at one time, telling me that there was a water leak. Possibly where the steps meet the roof. Before you do ANYTHING to the roof, as far as planting grass, making it a deck, or whatever, you want to make sure that it is waterproofed correctly. Of not, that will ruin any hope of fixing up the garage inside.

 

[Jack Olsen]

That could be a great little garage/shop. In southern California, a place like that is useable year-round, and it looks as though you've got earth insulating all around it, which will keep the temperature more constant.

I also get foliage on my detached garage/office -- everything grows year-round out here.

I would NOT put grass on the roof, though. You could do a wood deck, maybe, but you're going to need to periodically re-do that roof or the garage structure itself is going to get a lot of water damage.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

This will be a fun one to watch! Can't wait to see the mga in its new home.

That looks like quite a jungle you have surrounding the garage/deck. What does the ground look like outside the damaged & repaired wall? Is the flora breaking down the wall from the outside? If so, it might be past time for some severe pruning, excavation, and repair of the garage wall from the outside. Good luck with the remodel and repairs.

How many kayaks? You may have to consider building a tall Yurt just for their storage. lol

 

[Zeke]

Looks like Mt. Washington. I love quaint hillside houses. I vowed to own one someday, but so far....

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Thanks all. just to be clear, I'm not planning on putting real grass up, but maybe
artificial grass. It'd basically like carpet, but porous, so it should affect the dranage too much, and pulling it up won't be a big deal.

It's not cheap...

As for the foliage and old fencing, most of that came down today and yesterday. Tomorrow the roofing get's replaced, then the new fence goes up...

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Looks like it could be very cool. Does the driveway slope TOWARD the front of that garage?

Howdy,almost neighbor. (New place is in alhambra, I work in pasadena.)

I don't think it slopes towards teh door, but I'll check....

G

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey G (I feel like the Fresh Prince saying that! LOL)

Yup, Alhambra is close by. Drop me a line if you need any help - I'll know not to answer the phone - kidding! Drop me a PM if you need anything and I'll help if I can. Jack's right, it could be a kickbutt garage. Your best friend is searching this site thoroughly and don't overlook garages that seem totally different than yours, there are details in every garage you admire that can be used or adapted to yours.

 

[jmauld]

Subscribing. The small spaces are the best. They force you to get creative.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

A lot of work, and I'll take and post some more pictures soon. But check out the pictures of the roof of the garage, in my first post above, and then check out this photo. Still a lot of work to be done, but it's coming along.

 

[e-tek]

That's a COOL space - in a weird, fun, LA kinda way!!

When I saw the first photo's I thought - Garbaage cans, a dryer and MT shelves - what a waste of a good garage!! Looks like you'll soon fix that tho!

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

The garage is a predominate part of the backyard, no matter how you slice it. As my dad says, if you can't fix it, feature it.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Garbaage cans, a dryer and MT shelves - what a waste of a good garage!! Looks like you'll soon fix that tho!

Garage is now empty, wired it up for lights and power, patched walls. Paint and floor repairs are next, then it's time to start filling it with stuff.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

The garage was pretty dark, and only had one poorly placed outlet. There was an extension cord running from the garage door opener draped over the rafters to the socket, meaning you really only had one outlet. Strangely, the power from the main into the garage was two separate circuits.

Wired in 4 overhead lights, with wire cages since the ceiling is low. On two switches, so I effectively have a high-low setting. If I'm just fetching something from the garage, I can turn on one set, if I'm working, I can turn on two. I added a socket near the garage door opener, and four more around the garage, mounted high, plus two outside the garage for the deck. It's bright, and once I finish the walls and floor, should be even brighter.

 

[rsa]

I haven't thought of a clever name for my garage.

Have you considered "Morris Garage"?

 

[jimmie jam]

That is a really nice space........Potential out the ****! I'm in for this....

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

These pictures aren't really of the garage, they are of the house, but I thought you guys might appreciate the work. It's been insane. I also have a baby at home, and switched jobs during this time.

I'm going to take pictures of the outside and the garage this weekend....But the house represents 4+ months of every weekend, most evenings. Truly like working a second and third job....

A little nook in the baby's room (before/during/after). Tore out wall, fixed leak, rewired. Rebuilt wall, wired up light, added insulation, built bench. Painted.

Hallway - Built new hardwood shelves to match floor. (before/after)

Insulation - We went through the CA Energy Upgrade program, and had insuation added to the house. It was blown in, and we'll get a rebate, but left us with 2, 2 inch holes in between every stud and above and below every firebreak. I negotiated for a lower price by aggreeing to patch myself. That was a LOT of patch work, and trying to match the texture to the original lath and plaster. UGH.

Before and After

Found a cool vintage light on craigslist:

The bathroom was torn completely out, and rebuilt. We were going for some "period correct" touches, the house was built in 1922. Tore out the drop ceilings, took everything to the studs. Since there were two entrances, closed one off and made a bookshelf on one side and linen closet on the other.

Before:

During:

After:

More photos to come, including hopefully soon one of the MG "home".

 

[5lima30]

I like it! Older houses have so much more character that you can not buy in a cookie cutter tract home.

 

[ckadams00]

I love old do it yourself California houses, I miss my place in Ventura. Love the deck!

I know you just put up all the fencing but in the first photos it looks like the roof deck is pretty secluded from the street view by the tree branches? If you take down the fence a bit or put spacing between the pickets like on the front gate side you might not feel like you are sitting in a box?

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

I love old do it yourself California houses, I miss my place in Ventura. Love the deck!

I know you just put up all the fencing but in the first photos it looks like the roof deck is pretty secluded from the street view by the tree branches? If you take down the fence a bit or put spacing between the pickets like on the front gate side you might not feel like you are sitting in a box?

I removed a lot of the overgrown bouganvillia (sp?) that covered the front when I tore down the old lattice "fence". If we went with pickets, it would be visible from the street.

When you are up there, the pickets on the two sides open into the rest of the yard, so it really doesn't feel like a box. I'll take a panaroma of the backyard this weekend..

 

[takeiteasy]

Great looking place - lots of character. Love the curving steps to the patio. Great work on the baby room & bathroom.

My dad, an engineer, also has a saying at work "If you can't design it out, make it a feature".

Look forward to seeing your progress! Great car too.

 

[-Brent-]

That house has wonderful character. Judging by the finish product, your garage will be nothing short of complimentary. I can't wait to see more.

 

[JMURiz]

Lots of cool projects, I too like the old quirky spaces in old houses. I think that garage has a lot of potential. I do have one question, is it open to the side where the roof stairs are?

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Lots of cool projects, I too like the old quirky spaces in old houses. I think that garage has a lot of potential. I do have one question, is it open to the side where the roof stairs are?

It was at one point. the wall was in pretty bad shape, and there was some termite damage. it has since been reinforced and closed up, but I need to get a more recent picture.

 

[jeepjunky]

Cool little garage... It reminds me of something a Hobbit would build if he needed a garage

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Great work on the restoration/renovation! Sledgehammers are a homeowner's best tool when it comes to de-construction. lol Is that light fixture a re-production piece or an original? It certainly looks proper for the time period; as does the tile choices for the bathroom, and the new built-in linen storage, and, and, and.... Really nicely done!

Considering the garage will probably be the new home for the MGA, and your MGA undoubtedly has a name (you have named it, haven't you?), I'd opt for " 'MGA's pet name' Hideaway". Or if you don't have a name for your MGA yet, you could always just call it 'THE BRIT-PIT'; it gives you the option for later acquisitions from 'Her Majesty's Empire'.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Great work on the restoration/renovation! Sledgehammers are a homeowner's best tool when it comes to de-construction. lol Is that light fixture a re-production piece or an original? It certainly looks proper for the time period; as does the tile choices for the bathroom, and the new built-in linen storage, and, and, and.... Really nicely done!

Thanks. It's been a LOT of work. I grew up helping dad around the house, but at 36 this is my first home, and I've never attempted anything even close to this in terms of scale and effort. Before this, my home-fixing skills was things like replacing towel rod and shower valve for my mother in law. I've done at least 90% of the work myself, sometimes with a day laborer to help. A few things I've contracted out (re-piping the house in copper) but even then I was working alongside the plumbers to learn as much as I can.

My dad is pretty knowledgable, and a good friend is a contractor, and there have been more than a few jobs where I've had tools in hand, and my cell on speaker next to me, with them talking me through something, but hey, that's how you learn, right? I'll also say that an internet equipped smartphone has been invaluable, I looked up a lot of info online.

As of last November 1, I pretty much just owned car tools. I now own 2 sizes of sledge, a pickax, 2 pry bars, shovels, and dozens of other tools. My credit card has been melting at Home Depot, but I now have the toolbox and knowledge to handle a lot... and I think we still came out ahead than if we bought something "move in ready". At least that's what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.

I haven't actually identified the actual age of the light fixture, but it's not modern. There was old cloth wrapped wire in it...It was in bad shape, so I actually used modern wires and light sockets refitted to the old base and shade. the previous owners had had the house rewired, so I haven't had to do much except for where we wanted to add fixtures (in the baby's reading nook).

We definitely were aiming for a comfy, "period correct" look to the house, but modern comforts. Sort of like the resto-rods in the car world. I do appreciate the kind words.

 

[64dragnwagon]

These pictures aren't really of the garage, they are of the house, but I thought you guys might appreciate the work. It's been insane. I also have a baby at home, and switched jobs during this time.

I'm going to take pictures of the outside and the garage this weekend....But the house represents 4+ months of every weekend, most evenings. Truly like working a second and third job....

A little nook in the baby's room (before/during/after). Tore out wall, fixed leak, rewired. Rebuilt wall, wired up light, added insulation, built bench. Painted.

Hallway - Built new hardwood shelves to match floor. (before/after)

Insulation - We went through the CA Energy Upgrade program, and had insuation added to the house. It was blown in, and we'll get a rebate, but left us with 2, 2 inch holes in between every stud and above and below every firebreak. I negotiated for a lower price by aggreeing to patch myself. That was a LOT of patch work, and trying to match the texture to the original lath and plaster. UGH.

Before and After

Found a cool vintage light on craigslist:

The bathroom was torn completely out, and rebuilt. We were going for some "period correct" touches, the house was built in 1922. Tore out the drop ceilings, took everything to the studs. Since there were two entrances, closed one off and made a bookshelf on one side and linen closet on the other.

Before:

During:

After:

More photos to come, including hopefully soon one of the MG "home".

I LOVE the bathroom! I am going to something similar in my new car lot. I am going to go for a retro theme gas station garage, going to use the same type of tile on floors and walls. Is the tile on the walls what they call "subway tile"?

 

[JMURiz]

Yep, that's subway tile, with a dark grout...cool look. My 1940 house has white grout, both look classic and won't be dated in 5-years.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Fifty Six MGA, looking at the light fixture again, it really is an elegant piece, very detailed and a beautiful design. If you are inclined, you might research its' value and origin. The name of the studio/artist may be inscribed along the upper inside edge of the copper frame or on the support cross-bars themselves. Could be that you have a real high-value treasure hanging from the ceiling.

Do you have a name for your MGA? What do you think of 'THE BRIT PIT' as a moniker for your garage?

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

@64dragnwagon - Yup. it's subway tile, with a dark grey grout. I'm pleased with how it looks.
@Omphaloskeptic - I'll check on the light fixture. That'd be a fun surprise if it was worth more than expected, but unless it was really, really valuable, I think we'd keep it. Hard to imagine any modern fixture looking right there. I don't have a name for the MG, funnily enough. I'm planning on buying another classic car this year (I want to keep driving to events, but I have my daughter now) and I'm not sure what it will be yet. If I can find a Jag MkII for a price I can handle, then maybe I'll go with something like the brit pit. Otherwise, if I get a BMW 2002, or a big post war american coupe, it'd seem a strange name.

So i'll probably hold off on naming the garage. Right now, I just refer to it as "the garage" and my wife know's where I am.

 

[64dragnwagon]

Get a BMW, much better than british cars, I had a Jag XJS convertible and although it didn't cause me any real problems it was underpowered and cramped. I bought it because I love the body style and it was British racing green with tan leather. I now own 3 BMW's (98 740iL, 95 525 5 speed, 95 325 5 speed) and I love them all, especially the 740, it is roomy, comfortable and powerfull.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Get a BMW, much better than british cars, I had a Jag XJS convertible and although it didn't cause me any real problems it was underpowered and cramped. I bought it because I love the body style and it was British racing green with tan leather. I now own 3 BMW's (98 740iL, 95 525 5 speed, 95 325 5 speed) and I love them all, especially the 740, it is roomy, comfortable and powerfull.

I'd agree for most anything built after 1978 or so, but before that the british made some pretty fine autos. There is no BMW I can afford that compares to my MGA! And even for newer stuff, the AM Vantage is pretty undeniably fantastic, and the modern rolls royce is basically a REALLY fancy BMW....

My next car will be pre-1975, likely older, and will have a backseat. the Only BMW that fits that criteria that is on the list is the 2002.

 

[JoeM5127]

Nice tile work in the bathroom.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Fifty Six MGA, I like the way you think considering I own a GT6 and a MkII (project)! The pedigree of the MkII began with the advertising flavor of a family sedan which you could race on the weekend. Good hunting.

 

[Fifty Six MGA]

Yeah, the Jag MkII seems like it'd be perfect for us, and my wife likes them, so that helps. Comfy, roomy, and able to hustle on the aggressive roads I like. It's definitely on the short list.

Sadly, the nice ones are climbing out of my price range....I don't need it to be perfect, but I'm not looking for a restoration candidate. A solid 10 footer that I can drive with confidence and work on as I go.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Fifty Six MGA,
I'd honestly forgotten about this thread and I was glad to re-find it! THe work you've done so far looks great, big congratulations.

Really looking forward to seeing what you do with the garage, especially those side walls that look like they have efflourescence coming through from the water in the soil behind. What plans do you have to address that? Somehow you'll have to seal against that moisture or it'll simply push off whatever paint you put on those walls.

Not that it matters but I like "Morris Garage"much better than Brit-Pit. Has a lot more dignity and of course echoes the great MG name. PLEASE keep us updated with lots of photos. Best, Dan