Shoestring budget Garage remod

[couchmechanic]

Hello out there, My name is Peter, AKA Couchmechanic and this has been a long work in progress that I just started. For years I have been reading your posts and salivating over your pictures for those who more technologically capable than myself. Many of your pictures and thoughts have been inspiring to me and given several (too many) ideas to start from. My initial start isn't as bad as some but may not go quite as far as others. I will never have a house keeper cleaning my garage but a guy can dream!


Okay deciding on a theme, Layout, and practical use for the garage started several years back. By setting aside twenty five dollars a month and not touching it has allowed me to finally start moving. I take constructive critiscism so let it fly and you might save me some money in costly mistakes. The first thing I had done is a few wiring upgrades such as adding a 220 & an extra 110. That filled up our panel. Does anyone have experience with adding a sub panel? Could use some advice and different perspectives.

I am going for a modern look on a shoe string budget and just recently purchsed some old office filling cabinets and spent a day sanding and painting them. They are a thin gauge metal but will do the job with few modifications. Just finished painting them gloss white with minor accents of orange peel?
Yes I will get some photos posted once I figure out how to scan them in.

 

[Kroggers]

I like budget builds - I am in the same situation. Can not help on the electrical question, but look forward to following your progress...

 

[Red Leader]

For years I have been reading your posts and salivating over your pictures for those who more technologically capable than myself.

I think we all start out as 'less technologically capable' and then pick the things and skills that we need up along the way. Because this forum is so inclusive and open, the sharing of ideas is great and the experience is invaluable - hearing it from guys that have done it before, and made mistakes.

That being said, a little paint can go a LONG way! If you have some color schemes picked out, that would be a great start!

As far as the electrical, my garage had 1 outlet and 1 light bulb. There was not enough room on the main panel, so we upgraded to a 200amp main with a sub in the basement. I've learned a lot about how to do the wiring for lighting, outlets, etc, but working around the main lines is NOT the work for me. I went with a professional to transition over to the larger main panel and I'm glad I did. You could always work with an electrician to do the bare bones work and then finish the rest yourself.

Do you have insulation and drywall up? If so, your ahead of the game and can run more outlets with external metal lines. If not, you can put the electrical in yourself, being mindful of code.

Either way, I'm a big fan of budget builds as well. I would keep an eye on Craigslist for what you need in addition to finding out if there is a Habitat outlet near you or any other wholesale/2nd hand home improvement stores. Also, HD gift cards for birthdays and such have helped me out a ton!

Good luck!

 

[couchmechanic]

Okay today ripped out the old workbench. The garage was sheetrocked origionally. The former owner loved going overkill on screws and nails and a ton of five inch lag bolts that must have been made in China as about half of them snapped. Did snap some pictures and will post soon.

 

[mypov]

Hello, I'll chime in from Canada (so our electrical code will be different)...Can't fully answer your question without knowing what kind of service is run to your garage, or house. Are you working in a garage and updating that space which has its own panel? Or are you working in a garage that has it's power fed from the main panel in the house? Depending on whether or not you have 200 amp service already run to your house ( you could probably put a small sub panel in even if you have 100 amp service) depending on your local code, and how many appliances and such you are running.
IF you have 100 amp service *servicing the garage only* it wouldn't be thaat difficult of a job. But if you're not used to working with electricity, I would definitely suggest getting a qualified person to run the service and panel work. I was doing an electrical apprenticeship got through my first year and the journeymen moved, am now serving heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship - but I don't like getting to far into panel work and service upgrades. Anyway, sorry can't help you more. In Canada for me to hire an electrician to do that type of work I would be looking at 2-5000 dollars. Most of that is because any time something like that is started the entire house/building must be brought up to current code. I don't know if that is in your code book/rules or not. Cheers, and good luck with the renos...

 

[couchmechanic]

Thanks for the suggestions and tips Red Leader. On top of the backsplash of new workbench/countertop hope to have a long strip outlet to facilitate a couple of tools at once. I don't plan on having more than one power tool running at a time but you never know? Yes drywall was up already and semi tectured. I will look for the sources you suggested. One good thing that can be said for waiting as long as I have is that I was able to scrounge some yard sales and get some ideas from others hear at GJ. Man I love your cabinet designs by the way.

 

[couchmechanic]

Hello, I'll chime in from Canada (so our electrical code will be different)...Can't fully answer your question without knowing what kind of service is run to your garage, or house. Are you working in a garage and updating that space which has its own panel? Or are you working in a garage that has it's power fed from the main panel in the house? Depending on whether or not you have 200 amp service already run to your house ( you could probably put a small sub panel in even if you have 100 amp service) depending on your local code, and how many appliances and such you are running.
IF you have 100 amp service *servicing the garage only* it wouldn't be thaat difficult of a job. But if you're not used to working with electricity, I would definitely suggest getting a qualified person to run the service and panel work. I was doing an electrical apprenticeship got through my first year and the journeymen moved, am now serving heavy duty mechanic apprenticeship - but I don't like getting to far into panel work and service upgrades. Anyway, sorry can't help you more. In Canada for me to hire an electrician to do that type of work I would be looking at 2-5000 dollars. Most of that is because any time something like that is started the entire house/building must be brought up to current code. I don't know if that is in your code book/rules or not. Cheers, and good luck with the renos...

working in a garage that has it's power fed from the main panel in the house?

Thanks for the Feedback you guys. Yes, but the main panel box is now full. Some suggest a whole new panel but that would be really pricy have allready checked and the lowest bid installed is just under $1400. Then I would have stucko repair on top of additional wiring. There is crawl space in attic. For the short term I am pleased were electrical has progressed to but anything else is a want not a need. Sometimes though having a few wants can make life in the garage more convenient.

 

[Red Leader]

Man I love your cabinet designs by the way.

Thank you very much. They were actually pretty easy and cheap to build. They just took a little longer than screwing some 2x4s together into a box shape. The planning is what took forever

Be creative and dream wild! Once I had a theme for the garage, the design process took off and became rather addictive. It might be something worthwhile to think about for your space. Adds to the fun for sure.

If you have a table saw, you can do all kinds of cool things. And if you don't have a table saw - I recommend one. If you keep your eyes peeled, a good one will come up on craigslist for about $25-50 every so often.

 

[couchmechanic]

Okay could use some help? uploaded pics to an album. Can you guys see them?

 

[couchmechanic]

Thanks guys, Beginning, and A #1 Son helping disassemble workbench and fill holes on wall.
Please try to view album and provide feedback.

 

[flybefree]

I could see your album Peter. My 2 cents: With a tight budget creativity is an absolute must...this is why Red leader's build is so cool, shows what is possible with some paint, work, and inspiration. Do you have a theme in mind? I am not that creative, I need to have an "inspiration" piece in my mind to make things work together.

All that aside, there are'nt any cheap ways to upgrade electrical service that I am aware of...as a die hard DIY farm guy I would have to let a skilled tradesman take that mission.

Shaun

 

[Wingnut65]

Nice place to start with, Couchmechanic. I agree with RL that paint goes a long way to a major change. Pick a color scheme, other than white, and go at it. Paint is cheap and walls can be repainted if you don't like attempt 1.

For the electrical, my panel was getting full and when i helped my electrician friend pull cables for the lights, we pulled enough for three more future circuits. They are capped in the attic for another day. IN the panel, he calculated and determined that we still had available loads in the panel and removed an existing single pole circuit breaker and replaced with a double pole breaker in the same slot. Similar to this one:

I would not have done it myself, but the licensed electrician determined it was within load capacity. If you just need a couple extra circuits, maybe this is an option instead of the expense of a subpanel.

Edit, Yes the pix come through. Great to get the family involved!

 

[couchmechanic]

I could see your album Peter. My 2 cents: With a tight budget creativity is an absolute must...this is why Red leader's build is so cool, shows what is possible with some paint, work, and inspiration. Do you have a theme in mind? I am not that creative, I need to have an "inspiration" piece in my mind to make things work together.

All that aside, there are'nt any cheap ways to upgrade electrical service that I am aware of...as a die hard DIY farm guy I would have to let a skilled tradesman take that mission.

Shaun

Thanks Flybefree, Yes I found a lot of creativity in Red Leaders Garage and it is very cool. Yes I started with a few themes in mind from Showroom looking to Beach Theme, even Formula One, and motorcycle (decided on beach theme). But I feel that is more of a decorative part of the design but you are right it must be incorporated into the style and function of the garage. Guess it would have been nice to state that in the beginning. I do have style in mind and ridiculously enough it kind of goes counter cultural to how I live but the style has modern/minimalist features in it. At the risk of making myself sound even more no-it-ally and naive the main idea for this came from a few pictures on the web and a kitchen design magazine.

 

[couchmechanic]

Nice place to start with, Couchmechanic. I agree with RL that paint goes a long way to a major change. Pick a color scheme, other than white, and go at it. Paint is cheap and walls can be repainted if you don't like attempt 1.

For the electrical, my panel was getting full and when i helped my electrician friend pull cables for the lights, we pulled enough for three more future circuits. They are capped in the attic for another day. IN the panel, he calculated and determined that we still had available loads in the panel and removed an existing single pole circuit breaker and replaced with a double pole breaker in the same slot. Similar to this one:

I would not have done it myself, but the licensed electrician determined it was within load capacity. If you just need a couple extra circuits, maybe this is an option instead of the expense of a subpanel.

Edit, Yes the pix come through. Great to get the family involved!

Thanks for the idea and will check it out as soon as possible with electrician friend. Yes great idea on running cable myself and having it in place. The basics don't scare me at all as I have wired a few recpticles in my life. When it comes to something I haven't done before I don't want to learn buy trial and error or burn my family up in the process.
Thank you guys, I can see wisdom and experience when I read your quotes.

 

[couchmechanic]

Okay yesterday was spent patching sheetrock and gathering everything needed to hang cabinets on wall. Who has the quote " Life is what happens between work and sleep"? Man it is so true. Okay today only got two cabinets hung with the help of my 11 year old son. but progress is progress and thank God there was at least some. So here are a few more pictures.

 

[sachapan]

Looking good, CouchMech. I like the cupboard mounted off the floor.

 

[Red Leader]

Sir, we need more updates!


Have you thought about wall colors, or are you going to do it up white?

You've have a pretty nice slab there, too. Is it level? Any idea for the flooring yet?

I'm right there with ya with the 'life btw sleep and work' thing. Add in a baby and it just adds to the fun

Keep up the great work.

-Dave

 

[couchmechanic]

Sir, we need more updates!


Have you thought about wall colors, or are you going to do it up white?

You've have a pretty nice slab there, too. Is it level? Any idea for the flooring yet?

I'm right there with ya with the 'life btw sleep and work' thing. Add in a baby and it just adds to the fun

Keep up the great work.

-Dave

Yes the basic background will be white with highlight colors pulled out of a small wall mural (aprox 4'x20') and some other photos and posters. One of the photos that will be used is actually a PG&E post card placed in a frame. it represents a thought pattern that keeps me on track as to how I want my life to run.(see first picture) I am allready there according to my wife! (see second picture) Simply put a childish thought from a picture.


The floor is fairly level with a minor fisure and some circles probably from a case of soda that leeked. Best guess?

The floor will most likely be painted white epoxy. (A persons mind can change when they see great examples posted on this blog). I would like to hire that out and will be the most expensive part of the job. I have painted floors before and can tell you not all paints that say they are epoxy are actually epoxy. And secondly, not all epoxies are created equal. But my lowest bid so far is $1200. That would take some time to save, not forever but?. I am not opposed to doing it myself either it will depend on how my mindset is at that point of: Do I want to save a few hundred or hire someone else to take care of the sweat & details for me? I am pretty cheap so you can probably see which way I might lean. Always enjoy feedback constuctive or otherwise

 

[couchmechanic]

Sorry Guys, Have been busy with both work and kids so not much progress has been made much more than what is in the pictures. Both sets of bottom cabinets are up and I am getting ready to install upper bin storage cabinets. They require a slotted channel locking rail which must be screwed to the wall about 35”s apart. Trying to set it up so that it is screwed into the studs but the measurements won’t allow it. My thought is to mount ¾” plywood in strips along the wall to mount the rails on and then cover over with tile board or at least in between the rails. I have been taking a long time to think this out but no ideas are coming to mind, genius level or otherwise. My father had a saying, “Measure twice cut once”. I am just a little stymied but not totally. Yes pictures are coming soon that will include the cabinets/bins so you can see what I am jabbering about. Couchmechanic out!

 

[Wingnut65]

Those cabinets look cool. Do they hinge up or fold down? What kind are they?

For your dilemma about mounting the track, if you've hit a wall, post some pix and let others chime in on suggestions. They may just spark an idea.

And I think I recognize that quote about Life being whats left between work and sleep...

 

[flybefree]

Peter,

You can do the epoxy floor...call Scott at legacy industrial and discuss your vision, he is a no pressure guy and very considerate of my dumb qurstions...save you $600 easy.

FWIW

Shaun

 

[couchmechanic]

Those cabinets look cool. Do they hinge up or fold down? What kind are they?

They are called lateral file cabinets. The drawers pull out. The storage bins which I will have pictured in a day or two flip up and roll back.

Have a friend coming over this week to help install the bins. Just a little bit awkward for my sons to handle.

Yes Proper thanks to Wingnut65 For his Quote, "Life is what happens between work and sleep."

Man not much life some days.

 

[couchmechanic]

Peter,

You can do the epoxy floor...call Scott at legacy industrial and discuss your vision, he is a no pressure guy and very considerate of my dumb qurstions...save you $600 easy.

FWIW

Shaun

Thanks! I'll look him up.

 

[couchmechanic]

Sorry for the delay in the update to the garage and pictures. Back at work for the school year and it is very busy plus homework and sports activities with my two boys have been the priority. Uh, really it seems everything became a priority over the garage.
Repurposed old workbench into Dog training bench.
Upper cabinets are in and the back panel is up. No it won’t be solid white. I do intend to add color but that will happen towards the end of the project.
The next step is to create a frame from 1” x 2” rectangular tubing, (like 12 Gauge made the bed frame out of), for some hidden back panel cabinets. These will serve as a support to the cabinets so I can pack them full of heavy tools I don’t want left out. I am planning to place decorative junk on top of the upper cabinets. In between the two upper cabinets will be a glass front display/trophy case. Also plan to put a workbench surface over the top and cover it with some sheet metal.
The entire wall is over 16 feet in length with 4’ in between the cabinets. This is where the wife opens her car door. I am looking for ideas if you have any? The plan is to run additional outlets off of the outlet on top left. Always looking for advice, inspiration, and ideas besides what I get from looking at your garages. Quite a few minor details need to still be addressed. Couchmechanic out!

 

[Red Leader]

I wondered where this thread went. Looking good! Keep up the great work!

Budget garage builders unite!!!

 

[Wingnut65]

Any progress can still be called progress. Looks nice!

It's nice to hear that you have a vision of the big picture. White is an acceptable color, but as an architect, I consider it a 'missed opportunity'. Thanks for including color variations in your vision!

Those lateral files look great elevated. In the early pix, I wasn't sure if they were laterals or something new from Ikea or another source. For your 4' spacing, I had to do the same thing when planning my wall cabinets and panel storage. One thing now, any new car will involve a test drive and a 'test park' to make sure it will still fit in the 4' space. (If not, it may involve another shop makeover???)