What are your thoughts

[JB740i]

Background. I'm 27, been married a year and we've just signed a contract on a lot to build our first house on. The lot is 87'x300'. My wifes parents and the whole rest of her family are in one form of construction or another and her folks are financing the house for us.

Our initial discussion was to build about 2000 sq ft living and I wanted a 3 car garage so I have some place to work on my cars. My DD is a 2000 740i and I bought a 76 FJ40 a couple months back to beat on and fix up. I figured the 3 car would give me a little room to work on them and at least get one other car in the garage with plans on adding a second garage/workshop down the road.

My mother in law, knowing I'm gonna want the second garage is suggesting we just go ahead and put it in back now. When she gets in her head that something should be done, she wants it done that way. I'm thinking awesome. But I need some more information, faster than I thought I was going to be needing it.

So I was thinking that if we're building the 2nd garage, the attached could probably be fine as a oversized 2 car. Can't go much deeper without maybe getting too close to the lot line but could make it wider than a standard 2 car garage. And that would save money for the 2nd garage.

So for the second garage, what are your suggestions? After being on the board for a while and being a voracious reader and big fan of the search as well as being a red blooded American Male, of course, Bigger is Better.

However, I know my limitations and 1 project vehicle at a time will be my limit. Okay, maybe two when I've got more money (like that'll ever happen.) And I'd love to have a lift within the next few years because I hate using floor jacks and creepers for everything.

Would a 24x30 with 10' ceilings be sufficient? Are their any lifts where I'd need 12' ceilings to lift a standard SUV or car? Can 10' walls and cathederal ceilings do the same thing? I'm picturing the door on the narrow end with a man door beside it. I've used the search extensively but don't really really understand the difference between a 2 and 4 post lift. Which one takes up more space? Which one is easier to deal with if you just want to pull the vehicle in to park it?

I think that initially the building will be great considering in the past I've either been using a one car garage or a small two car garage that only holds one. So far I've just got the standard equipment. 1 compressor, two tool boxes and an 8' workbench. So 24'x30 would swallow that with no problem. But working on the FJ40 makes me long for a parts washer or blast cabinet to deal with the 30 years of rust and grime. And everything else imaginable.


SOOOO.... if you've read this far great. If not, should I build the 3 car garage now and work in it till I can maybe get around to building one in the future. Or do a 2 car garage and a 2nd workshop at the same time as I build my house.

 

[JB740i]

rambled a bit didn't I

 

[rt66jt]

If you can swing the expense now, I'd suggest you go ahead and build your shop. If you wait, life may get in the way, making your shop a "someday." I know, it happened to me.

 

[rickairmedic]

Well if it was me and the budget would handle it I would go with a large 2 car attatched and at least a 25X40 detatched . I am planning to add 25 X 30 to my existing 2 and 1/2 car which is 20 X 24 and not nearly big enough even with one project in it .

Rick

 

[6768rogues]

It has been my experience that when a project car is disassembled, it takes up about 3 parking spots.
You need 12 feet of height minimum for a lift. You could use scissor trusses and put the lift in the middle, if you need to keep the overall height down and want 10 foot sidewalls.

 

[JB740i]

I'm under the impression that going from 10' to 12' sidewalls significantly increases the price.

I kind of forgot about being able to put the lift to one side. I was picturing it in my head going in the middle. Are the upright posts on most lifts under 10' high? So I was just need to be worried about the vehicle height in the middle?

I guess this would be a time where I would rather be 5'2" than 6'2".

 

[Gus_Mahn]

IMO 24x30 is a little narrow to be a three-car garage and allow storage or a workbench on the sides with three cars in the garage. I'd go 24x36 with 10' walls and a fairly steep roof (Perhaps a 9-12 pitch or greater). I'd equip it with a 16' overhead door and a 9' overhead door. I'd put a walkable floor for storage over the 9' door side along with a set of pull down stairs. I'd have the rafters installed at 14' above the ground on the 16' door side so there is room for a lift or two. The 16' garage door tracks will need to follow the rafters as close as possible and you'll need a jackshaft operated garage door opener. With proper lift positioning you should be able to get a mid size car up high enough to walk under it.

You could build the shop first and use it a workshop/storage during construction of the house. Since you’re in FL, I assume the house won't have a basement in which to work. The shop would be a good place to stain the trim and doors and keep tools and construction materials out of the way until needed.

You’re a luck man to have inlaws who believe in your relationship enough to invest a significant amount of money into your marriage. Do your best to make this the only marriage of your lifetime. Show your gratitude by being the best husband and father you can be.

 

[JB740i]

I have no doubt in my mind that I've been especially blessed with my in-laws.

The 24x30 that's been proposed will be the second garage in the back yard all for me. And will probably just hold 1 vehicle at a time. No worries about trying to cram three in there.

We're planning on putting the storage trusses over the attached garage for household/whatever other junk storage.

The roof pitch, while I understand and appreciate your reply will probably be too steep to match the house nicely.

I know everyone has em now a days, but is there any problems with not having the garage door opener?

 

[Red Green]

Going to the 12' wall over 10' is not going to increase the price that much.

Personally I would go longer like a 24x40. What you could do is set up 4 jackstands and run a string around the car to get an idea of what kind of size and work area you will have.

I second the idea of building the shop first for tool storage and such for the home constrstion

I don't have any garage door openers and don't need any.

 

[SteveU]

I know everyone has em now a days, but is there any problems with not having the garage door opener?

I have a 12x12 insulated steel overhead door on my barn & open it by hand no problem. As long as the spring is set up correctly it will work.

 

[JB740i]

With 24' wide, if I got 12' walls tall walls inside, I guess then I could put the lift to one side instead of centered in the middle of the door. That still might not give you enough room for benches on the wall and be able to pull a car in beside the lift I think.

What's the standard width of a lift? And how far do you need to set the side from a wall to be able to work? It depends on whether it's a 2 or 4 post? With a 4 post you wouldn't have one post right next to the doors to always be walking around?

 

[JB740i]

Going to the 12' wall over 10' is not going to increase the price that much.

Personally I would go longer like a 24x40. What you could do is set up 4 jackstands and run a string around the car to get an idea of what kind of size and work area you will have.

I second the idea of building the shop first for tool storage and such for the home constrstion

I don't have any garage door openers and don't need any.

I agree with the idea of building the garage first, but I think it will likely be built right along the house. Reason being then it's one delivery of concrete, one delivery of trusses, etc....

And we're not needing to build it first for someplace to live while the house is being built like I know others have done. I'll still be working 50 hours a week and will be letting the inlaws supervise the jobsite during the day.

 

[JB740i]

Going to the 12' wall over 10' is not going to increase the price that much.

Personally I would go longer like a 24x40. What you could do is set up 4 jackstands and run a string around the car to get an idea of what kind of size and work area you will have.

I second the idea of building the shop first for tool storage and such for the home constrstion

I don't have any garage door openers and don't need any.

What I've found so far is that nothing in building a home or garage will increase the price that much. It's all of those little things combined that can kill us in the end.

 

[toadjammer]

I'll chime in along with the others. Go tall. Minimum 10' with siscor trusses 12' with standard. You are already talking about the future and maybe more cars. You will need room for them when they are finished or stored. Let say for instance that you and your wife each have a daily which goes in the front garage plus the room for bikes lawn equipment and such means you need a 3 stall or equall for the attached. Then lets figure you need 1.5 for a lift and another 1.5 for tools/ work area and then the big question is how many cars do you anticipate owning as non-daily drivers. Lets say this is 2 just for arguments sake. If you give youself room for all of this it comes out to 5 stall for the detached and at that point if you built up to 12' you could always add a couple of lifts to increase storage capacity. The reason I am adding the 2 Non-DD's to the shop layout is that you aren't going to use the lif tif you have totake cars out from under and of it to use it and where other the outside where both those cars go if you are limited to space other than outside? So 5 stall is approximately 1200 sq' ft' if figure 12'x 20' per stall or a 30' by 40'.
Toad

 

[PanelDeland]

Build as big as you can.Go as high as will look right.Pour the floor up to 10 in deep.Add three or four times the electric you think you will need.Put in a bath and small office/coffee room.Set up the layout so you can make it longer.

Everywhere I have ever been I have outgrown.You will find more projects than will fit anyway.make the attached a bit oversize for Lawn/garden storage so you don't use up shop space.Remember you will want a plasma cutter,2-3 welders, a blast cabinet,a parts washer,a paint booth and a frame jig.I'm sure there's more and If you do woodworking too you need three times the space and electric.

 

[SteveL]

My garage is 22' x 35' and is just about right for a project shop but it would be nice to have a few more feet each way. My problem is that mine has to house the two daily drivers as well. Build the seperate shop now while you have the chance. If you don't the money for it will never seem to come along. You'll end up needing it for kids, school, etc., etc. DAMHIKT!

 

[JB740i]

I'll chime in along with the others. Go tall. Minimum 10' with siscor trusses 12' with standard. You are already talking about the future and maybe more cars. You will need room for them when they are finished or stored. Let say for instance that you and your wife each have a daily which goes in the front garage plus the room for bikes lawn equipment and such means you need a 3 stall or equall for the attached. Then lets figure you need 1.5 for a lift and another 1.5 for tools/ work area and then the big question is how many cars do you anticipate owning as non-daily drivers. Lets say this is 2 just for arguments sake. If you give youself room for all of this it comes out to 5 stall for the detached and at that point if you built up to 12' you could always add a couple of lifts to increase storage capacity. The reason I am adding the 2 Non-DD's to the shop layout is that you aren't going to use the lif tif you have totake cars out from under and of it to use it and where other the outside where both those cars go if you are limited to space other than outside? So 5 stall is approximately 1200 sq' ft' if figure 12'x 20' per stall or a 30' by 40'.
Toad

Well, I'm talking about the future as far as making sure that I don't need up with a 10x10 shed out back. I would just say no if that's all I could afford.

I could definitely see the wisdom in going with a 30x40 but I might have to wait until my currently unborn child is in college to be able to pull financially.

I always think you get cool pictures with having a car on a lift and one parked below but I've never understood it much. I think all I'll ever want is one to be a DD and one to have fun with. Right now that's a FJ40. If I had a race track in my town I could see getting bitten by the racing bug but until that happens (never) I'll probably just have a DD and a 4wheel drive.

 

[67 455 Bird ragtop]

I'm currently building a 30x40x12 3 bay garage. For me this seems to be just about right. But what I did was space my doors so I have a nice work area at one end of the garage. Basically I have 3 8x8 doors with 2' between each door and one end. That left me with 10' of work space at the other end. the 12' walls works for a lift. I also had the trusses designed for a 14' opening for attic storage which gives me 560 sq/ft of attic space. I also put an 8x12 full bath in one corner.

Just my .02 on the subject.

 

[Beachbum]

I would build a three car garage on the house with a big bonus room / play room above it. I have a three car garage and I have room for two DD vehicles and the rest of the space is bikes and toys. If you plan to have a few rugrats this is what will happen. Those Power Wheels Cars take up space. I just built a 30 x 30 garage out back for my clubhouse and the bikes and toys can stay put. I am building the club/sports bar on the second floor.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

Basically I have 3 8x8 doors with 2' between each door and one end. .

Sounds like a beautiful shop. It may not be a factor for most, but a car trailer is extremly difficult to get through an 8' door. My car trailer is slightly wider than 8'. It's nice to be able to put the trailer in the garage when needed.

 

[JB740i]

I would build a three car garage on the house with a big bonus room / play room above it. I have a three car garage and I have room for two DD vehicles and the rest of the space is bikes and toys. If you plan to have a few rugrats this is what will happen. Those Power Wheels Cars take up space. I just built a 30 x 30 garage out back for my clubhouse and the bikes and toys can stay put. I am building the club/sports bar on the second floor.

Absolutely. I will definitely try to swing the 3 car and the detached if I can. The attached is currently drawn as a side entry but we made change it to a front entry. Then were thinking about making it deeper. Maybe add an extra 8 feet to whatever depth it would be on the sketch currently but leave it as a two car.

We'll be adding the storage trusses over the attached garage for sure and will try to put the air handler up on the ceiling or in the attic if it's possible. The model home that we're using as a starting point has it on the wall that the garage shares with the house. Which is the only open wall that wouldn't have a vehicle right up on it. Putting it up in the attic will open up a significant amount of wall/floor space.

Probably do storage trusses over the garage and cathedral (scissor???) trusses in the detached.

Anyone know what difficulties/costs that adds to construction?