raising garage thoughts

[65ramler]

I have a 20x28 garage that I need to have at least 12"taller. Im trying to decide between taking the roof back off and putting 2 foot on the walls or having someone come in and lift than put 3 rows of block under walls.
I do have electrical to move what ever way I go.
What are opinions on ways to do this.
Thanks
Kevin

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... If yer gonna raise the roof, ya might as well bring the walls with it,...

Probably easier too,...

 

[kbs2244]

I am a fan of raising the whol thing.
Mostly because it is working at ground level.
If you go the roof only route you have to build high temp supports inaddition to the new walls and then do the work with your feey at least 3 feet off the ground.
It sounds like a big project but the are a lot of threads here and lots of utubes.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

How much taller are you wanting, and for what reason? Lifting the whole thing you'll be messing with doors, possibly electrical outlet/switch heights.
For 1FT ceiling height I'd raise the roof (or maybe just the ceiling).
If your wanting door height and 2-3ft ceiling height I'd raise the whole thing. 3 rows of block would be fine.

 

[NUTTSGT]

6 of one and half dozen of another. Are you capable of doing any of the work ? How some pics of the garage as is. It might help some GJersgive more appropriate advice.

Raising the entire garage is going to cause door work and moving of electrical. Raising the roof is going to take the work up higher and outside trim work like the siding.

 

[mechanic217]

Are you lifting it to clear an auto lift? Would a roof truss change give you the clearance you need? Just throwing ideas out.

 

[65ramler]

Actually I need to be able to park a trailer next to it . I was not thinking my new enclosed trailer would be a problem but it wont fit. The trailer would be OK if I could get it under soffit but it wont clear. I did not have trailer or intentions of having one when I built it.
I guess I could strip roof off and build wall and re install trusses.

I know it sounds dumb but don't trust leaving trailer someplace else and cant leave it parked in front of it due to neighbors.

 

[keelan]

How about lowering the ground where you want to park the trailer?

 

[65ramler]

that is the other option. it just has to be lowered 15 foot out in front as well to get it to clear, would look like a mini loading dock. Trying to find the best option. I thank everyone for responses.

 

[kbs2244]

How often do you use it?
Would taking the tires off and lowering it down onto a small wheeled dolly make sense?
It just seems you are taking on a major project for a small problem.

 

[dfiler2]

I do agree with this ^^^^

But if you decide you want to remodel, raising the garage 12" really isn't that hard to do, a pile of cribbing and a couple of hydraulic jacks will do the trick. We raised one a couple of years ago, we found a bunch of railroad tie pieces we borrowed to use as cribbing. Put some internal bracing in the garage, lifted it and put in two rows of block under the wall, which raised it 16".

 

[Ainsley]

I lifted my single car garage and laid two courses of block. I lifted and set the block by myself in one day. Check out my journal for some pictures.

 

[65ramler]

trailer is use couple times a month in summer. but not after December

 

[jgorm]

I raised a garage and poured concrete under it. I just used car jacks.

 

[65ramler]

That turned out good

 

[MScott]

Just make sure you are allowed to make the changes. I lucked into my Rotary lift when the PO, who had bought it from a friend who was retiring, was unable to raise his roof due to the local building rules. He was forced to sell his 12' lift and purchase a Max Jack. I was the lucky recipient of his Rotary.