Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Retired Tech - Finally A Place To Tinker

[joebass3]

I retired a couple years ago after turning wrenches for about 40 years. I've never had anyone else work on my vehicles, and It didn't take long to realize that I needed a garage with a lift. I'm just too old to be laying on the ground doing oil changes! Well, two years later and I finally have my garage! My community's HOA was not happy but after a lengthy battle they finally gave me the OK to build. I wish it could have been bigger, but we settled on 20'x30'. It will fill up quickly with all my **** but it will work. The finishing touch will be the epoxy floor in a couple weeks and then I can start filling it up! Here is a before and after, as well as a couple of inside pics...

 

[GlennSullivan]

The garage building fits right in. I see you went top shelf with the Rotary lift.

 

[ranger101ran]

Nice shop,hope you have fun with it.

 

[joebass3]

The garage building fits right in. I see you went top shelf with the Rotary lift.

The lift was a big priority. The shop I was working at only had 7k pound lifts. I have a Chevy Avalanche and even with the mirrors folded in, I could barely squeeze it on the lift. The 10k Rotary with the angled posts is like a dream come true. Another priority was the side mounted garage door opener. The shop I worked at had a conventional garage door opener and it actually hung lower than the lifts 12' height. So frustrating to have to squat down to work on my truck. Especially replacing all of the rusted out brake lines on my old Avalanche!!

 

[GlennSullivan]

I ended up going with the Challenger (was considering both) also 10K as we have 3 Full size SUVs and at the time of purchase I also had a Diesel Excursion. The Challenger also provides Symmetrical or Asymmetrical lifting capability. they accomplish it with the rear arms being longer.

I also got the extra height and width options. so I can pick almost anything I can fit in the lift bay. The one thing I didn't realize was by purchasing the higher tower (for taller vehicles) it didn't provide a higher lift stroke (cylinder), so I can't put a fun day car up top and an SUV under it.

 

[joebass3]

I saw your profile pic. Shop looks great!

 

[Skellyii]

Congrats on the build! Looks good.

I'm currently leasing some shop space, but currently contemplating whether or not to fight with my HOA to build an additional garage, or just settle for a "She Shed"....actually an oversized garden shed with fancy windows.

Or, I could always do both, and bleep the HOA!

 

[joebass3]

Or, I could always do both, and bleep the HOA!

My HOA was a nightmare to deal with. They initially just said no, hoping I would just accept it and give up on the idea. I had enough land and the proper setbacks for zoning, so I fought it. They finally agreed to let me build, but now they are trying to change the HOA docs to specifically say NO garage additions in the future. I would be grandfathered in but what the hell!

 

[LXCam]

Wow on both accounts. The shop turned out gorgeous and blends right into your place. What do you think they'll do now, start fining you for leaving the door open more then 5 minutes?

 

[joebass3]

Wow on both accounts. The shop turned out gorgeous and blends right into your place. What do you think they'll do now, start fining you for leaving the door open more then 5 minutes?

That's a good question. I never told them about the lift, so I might get written up!!

 

[Xti04]

Im on a non HOA property but when I introduced myself to the neighbors before building my house the guy asked about my house and size etc. I told him its about 3k sq ft. He said "oh that will be a nice starter home , and you can always add onto it later " well I added on a 1500 sq ft garage that sits on a 6ft stem wall. Towers over their home. Dont think thats what he had in mind when he told me to add on.

 

[bluedog225]

Nice. Quick, before it’s too late, get that floor in.

I waited too long and now my 25’x25’ is too full of carp. I’m doomed.

 

[Rusted Nut]

Love the paint scheme!

 

[bakmopar]

Your garage looks amazing and ties into your house perfectly. Enjoy it.

 

[rixtrix1]

Great looking garage! Looks like it was always part of your home. I hope you get to use and enjoy it as you see fit!

I don't have the honor of living in an HOA community, but when the city adopted the 2021 International Residential Code during the application process for my 24x32 backyard workshop, the result was almost the same. Took me 3 different sets of plans, 7 months and the Building and Zoning manager's intervention, while the Zoning Div. was out for training, to get my shop permitted. The Zoning division had stated that the roof pitch had to match that of our home, The shop needed to have the same type of stucco trim as the front of the house (even though it's in the backyard and I couldn't install a standing seam metal roof, but had to shingle to match. When the manager looked over my plans, he asked, "It's just a shop, right" and signed it off immediately. The pitch requirement would have negated the scissor trusses required for my lift, even though they had previously negated earlier plans with a much higher sidewall that even fit within the height requirements for roof height. I had initially wanted to put up a Versatube metal building, but that was a BIG NO! I found out later from a local GJ'er that his neighbor got approved for metal sided and roofed shop in his backyard the week after mine was denied. However, my shop is up and, sided, painted and roofed matching our home and what happens in my backyard, behind my gate, stays in my backyard. My neighbors think it's cool and don't mind that the peak is 19'6", either

 

[WildBill]

When I started to build my shop (used a Versatube kit, extremely happy with it) I filled out a permit application online, paid my $45 or so, then called and talked to the building inspector who asked me 3-4 questions about how I was doing everything. He said it sounded like I know what I'm doing, just txt him a couple of pics during the major steps of the build and we are good. He seemed mostly concerned about the concrete work, wanted to make sure I did it right so I could add a lift. Which I thought was pretty cool of him. Took about 30 mins total and I started digging the foundation that same afternoon.

I can't imagine dealing with the frustration some of you have to go through to build something on your own land, its insane. Having worked on a bunch of unsafe crappy places I'm all for building and electrical codes even though we always have to meet the newest ones here in WA. Fighting to get approval to do something that will be inspected and meet your local code is nuts.

 

[joebass3]

Since this is my build thread, I'm guessing more pictures should be included.
The build started in July of last year and took just about 5 months to complete. It seemed to lag at times but it finally is complete. I'm pretty particular about details and I feel my builder did a great job. A few hiccups along the way but overall I'm very happy!
My goal was for the garage to blend in with the original house, so to start, the foundation was poured with stem walls that tied directly into the house. It really does look like the entire foundation of the house and new garage could have been poured at the same time.



Since I planned to install a lift, the slab was reinforced. The builder went with a concrete beam from side to side and also poured 4'x4' pier pads. Probably a little excessive but I feel good that he wanted it robust.

 

[mpire]

I'm attempting to buy a new property, and will immediately start a small shop planning.

It has a 4 car garage outbuilding with flat 7'9" ceilings, so I'm going to need somewhere for the lift.

When you get all your stuff in the shop, can you post up some pics to show how cramped or not cramped it is?

I'm interested in the distance between the posts and the walls, what's the best minimum distance?

I'd love a giant shop, but I'm going to have to build something just big enough for a 2 post lift and a workbench on the back wall.

Your new garage looks so good with almost nothing in it, but we all have more stuff...

 

[joebass3]

When you get all your stuff in the shop, can you post up some pics to show how cramped or not cramped it is?

It probably will be some time before I move everything in. I am in the same position as another member @Ford52PU and am preparing for surgery on my shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. I made a diagram of how I plan to set up the garage. Obviously everyone wishes there space could be bigger but I'm confident I'll have enough room. With the lift centered there is over 4 feet between the lift and the side walls. That is more than enough to get around while rotating tires. The nice thing is I don't need this garage for a daily spot to park a vehicle, so it will also double as a place to do some woodworking. You can see in my diagram that I have an area to put my table saw and mitre saw in a corner out of the way. They are on wheels so they can be rolled out when needed. I also think that I would have room on the left side under the windows for other work benches with storage underneath if I need it. The outside dimensions of the shop is 21'x29'6" but basically 20'x28' inside. Hope this helps...

 

[mpire]

I am in the same position as another member @Ford52PU and am preparing for surgery on my shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff.

Thanks for the diagram.

Here's my 2 cents on the rotator cuff surgery.

Take the meds before you need them, write down the directions on a pad and set multiple alarms on your phone. You won't have any pain at all till well after you get home and the nerve block will give you false confidence. Get comfortable when you get home, then stay put.

I face planted at least once when I was attempting to get back into bed the first day after going to the bathroom or something. The drugs don't work and then they suddenly do, I was not expecting that. Scared the **** out of the wife.

Stack your pillows before you leave the house; try them out and get them in a comfortable spot while you have two working arms. Order a "husband pillow" if you don't have one. Sleeping upright *****.

The first couple days are the hardest. I just couldn't wait to get out of bed and do something, then there wasn't much for me to do.

Make sure the pill bottles have the tops flipped or get some without child protection. Trying to open a pill bottle with one hand isn't easy.

I hope you get one of those coolers with the ice pump that continuously circulates water through a cooling sleeve, that should be a requirement IMHO. Get some of those half size 8 oz water bottles and freeze those so you can toss them in the cooler so you don't need bags of ice.

The recovery wasn't super fast so take it easy so it heals up solid. I was "functional" again in less than a month, but picking up a 2 liter pitcher of water at arms length was challenging for a while but it gets better slowly and now its probably better than it ever was.

My shoulder is great now, definitely worth the surgery.

 

[joebass3]

Trying to make the garage blend as close as possible with the house, the side walls are 10' high and sitting on the concrete stem walls that are about 14" high. Having the 2x6 walls sitting on the stem walls will be nice when hosing down the floors.




After working for years in a shop with low ceiling, I wanted to use scissor trusses to maximize ceiling height. Trusses are 10/12 pitch with 7/12 pitch on the inside.

 

[joebass3]

I wanted high ceilings but wasn't expecting 17' at the center. Definitely was a challenge hanging the ceiling fan.

 

[thammel]

You're gonna be so happy! I did something similar, attaching a 28x32 to my house via a 10x20 mudroom. Definitely do what you want to the floor before moving anything in (except perhaps a lift, but I don't see that in you plans). And you will fill it up quickly!!

 

[joebass3]

You're gonna be so happy! I did something similar, attaching a 28x32 to my house via a 10x20 mudroom. Definitely do what you want to the floor before moving anything in (except perhaps a lift, but I don't see that in you plans). And you will fill it up quickly!!

I bet your 28x32 is nice. I'd like the extra space but, after my fight with the HOA, I'm just happy to have something. I'll fill it up for sure, but I'll make it work. The epoxy floor will be done on the 27th, two days before my surgery. Then, I guess it will just sit for a bit until I'm done with PT.

 

[zmotorsports]

My HOA was a nightmare to deal with. They initially just said no, hoping I would just accept it and give up on the idea. I had enough land and the proper setbacks for zoning, so I fought it. They finally agreed to let me build, but now they are trying to change the HOA docs to specifically say NO garage additions in the future. I would be grandfathered in but what the hell!

Great looking workshop. That will be a pleasure to work in.


When we were looking for our forever home back in 2016, I wouldn't even look in any subdivision that had an HOA for this reasoning.

I did, however, look extensively for something with more stringent CC&R regulations than our last home to help control the appearance of the neighborhood without all of the loopholes and BS.


We had only lived in the house less than a month when we broke ground on the shop. I remember the day we broke ground on the shop, we had two neighbors on our doorstep letting us know that there were certain guidelines and regulations that needed to be adhered to. I could have recited the CC&R's by memory for them as we followed everything to a T and then some.

Some of the guidelines were that no pole buildings were allowed in the neighborhood and the accessory building couldn't be any higher than the house, the building materials had to match the residence, from the asphalt shingles to the brick and rock. I was actually pleased because our goal all along was to make the shop perfectly match the house and make everything look like it was built at the same time and nothing was an add-on or afterthought.

A couple of years ago a neighbor wanted to build a detached garage for his coach and wanted to put up a pole building because it was less expensive than a stick & brick structure. When he mentioned it to me, I reminded me how the CC&R's read and they were not allowed. I don't think he was happy about it, but the reason we bought where we did was based on the strict CC&R's but without an HOA to deal with. Best of both worlds in my opinion.

Looking forward to seeing you outfit your shop and the layout as it's filled up.

I ended up going with the Challenger (was considering both) also 10K as we have 3 Full size SUVs and at the time of purchase I also had a Diesel Excursion. The Challenger also provides Symmetrical or Asymmetrical lifting capability. they accomplish it with the rear arms being longer.

I also got the extra height and width options. so I can pick almost anything I can fit in the lift bay. The one thing I didn't realize was by purchasing the higher tower (for taller vehicles) it didn't provide a higher lift stroke (cylinder), so I can't put a fun day car up top and an SUV under it.

My Ammco 2-N-1 10k pound lift is the same way, asymmetrical and symmetrical due to the longer rear arms and triple stage front arms. Challenger calls theirs the Versalift, but basically the same. I looked at the Challenger when I purchased mine and was told they were basically the same lift but different labels and different promo deals on them at different times. When I was ready to buy, the Ammco was on sale so that's the one I went with. When I needed to replace the pads on the arms a couple years ago, I ordered them for the Challenger lift as they were easier to find.

Nice looking workspace you have.

 

[Skellyii]

I bet your 28x32 is nice. I'd like the extra space but, after my fight with the HOA, I'm just happy to have something. I'll fill it up for sure, but I'll make it work. The epoxy floor will be done on the 27th, two days before my surgery. Then, I guess it will just sit for a bit until I'm done with PT.

Again, congrats on the new space!
Like yourself, I was fortunate to be able to get the floors done before I moved into my current house.

I was looking at your sketch, and it gave me some ideas on how to add an additional shop space on the back of my house.

Good luck with your surgery!

 

[Ford52PU]

Garage looks really great!!

 

[thammel]

I bet your 28x32 is nice. I'd like the extra space but, after my fight with the HOA, I'm just happy to have something. I'll fill it up for sure, but I'll make it work. The epoxy floor will be done on the 27th, two days before my surgery. Then, I guess it will just sit for a bit until I'm done with PT.

LOL, I also have an HOA. Before all this started I volunteered to chair the HOA architectural review committee. So I've been doing that for close to 20 years now. At least I didn't need (and neither did you) a zoning variance. I went through that one and although successful was a pain to put together. And, as they always say, the garage can never be big enough! I wish mine were larger! Only thing I don't have is a shower. I put in a half bath, but a shower would have been very nice too. I have heat, AC, epoxy, a second floor man-cave using attic trusses, lift, lots of light etc. And I've built lots of shelves up high. You will probably want them for storage. I did bury pex for a heated floor but haven't gotten to that yet. I hope you're going with a 100% solids epoxy. I used armorpoxy and that is super strong and durable. The HD based epoxyshield rustoleum stuff in our house garage just hasnt held up well. It's 20 years old and show be removed and armorpoxy put down.

 

[LX-Markham]

I’m jealous of the 3-car garage, let alone that new addition! Wow! That’s a lot of space.

i like the vaulted ceiling

 

[joebass3]

I had the floor done Monday. Nightfall flakes with polyaspartic over the top. They came back Tuesday and finished up with a coat of BallistiX Black Label. Looks great in person! Luckily since my shop is on the smaller side, dropped nuts and bolts won't have as many places to hide!

 

[road_king]

Looks fantastic! Congrats on your new garage and enjoy it

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks amazing. Great job on everything.

 

[ErickForest]

That is an awesome space. I love the floor.

 

[joebass3]

So, I finally have the garage set up for the most part. It's been a long time coming. My rotator cuff surgery went well, but the recovery time is just so long! Then the wait for the NewAge cabinets seemed to drag on and on. After reading the horror stories from people receiving cabinets that were damaged in shipping and then having to deal with customer service for months and months, I'm happy to report that I had a great experience with them. One cabinet door had the paint scuffed and the 4' worktop had a small dent, but they promptly sent replacements and after installation it looks awesome! I was torn between the Pro vs Bold series, but In the end I went Bold mainly to save space. My garage is on the smallish size and, since floor space is limited, I felt the 18" deep Bold cabinets would fit the space better.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks awesome.

 

[lugnut71]

Congratulations on retirement! That new garage looks amazing ! I hope you enjoy it for many years!

 

[Houdini5150]

Whoa, that is a NICE set up.

 

[jon72vega]

Looks good!

 

[thammel]

Looks great! I see the vintage stereo up high.....love that! I have a ton of "vintage" old stuff I need to dispose of....to those who appreciate it!

 

[Just Puttering]

The HOA should be proud to have a garage that nice benefiting the neighborhood.