What would you do differently?

[MrAmbitious]

So, you're all done and working in the garage, and suddenly, the light bulb goes on!! A really really bright one. What did you forget that you really wish you had? What advice can you give to the neophyte to help them design a really good space? Help the new guy with his build plan, before it's to late!

 

[Adrien]

My main regret is only putting bay doors on one side (the front) of my shop. I wish I would have put another roll door on the backside of the last bay.

Adrien

 

[uniballer]

Not tall enough for lift, look at specs before you build.

 

[KPSquared]

So far, nothing. I spent about a year pouring over all the build threads on here. I started to gather ideas and stuff that guys loved and hated. I suggest you do the same, you'll be amazed at what's on here if you spend a few hours reading.

Oh, and I think there is a thread with the exact same title on here. Search a little and I'm sure you'll find it. Lots of good info.

My only advice is "as big as you can, as bright as you can, and you can NEVER have to many outlets"

 

[Shocker]

Wish I could go taller (10 ft was the max per city rules). But I really wish I had installed storage trusses.

 

[Freefall_Doug]

I purchased my garage with my house so I didn't have a chance to put my input, but the PO did a decent job.

It is a stick built 3 bay, 950 square feet, with a fully decked loft.

Here are the things I would change if designing it over:
- Quality vapor barrier below the slab. You can't redo this one.
- Higher walls to allow for lift. I would build the structure to the max of the town rules, and would have made the lower level and the loft taller.
- 2x6, 2x8 or 2x10 walls so that more insulation can be installed.
- Bigger support beam so there aren't support columns between the bays.
- Bigger floor joists to allow for more insulation. (I don't heat the loft)
- Stairs up to the loft instead of the pull down attic stairs.
- Lean to off one side for additional covered "cold storage" parking.
- Plumbing and water for a wash sink

 

[MrAmbitious]

Ah I feel stupid. Wouda Coulda Shoulda. Sorry to waste the time.

 

[ket-tek]

Not tall enough for lift, look at specs before you build.

^^^ I did 12' thinking oh that will be plenty, and it's not. I can lift small cars to have the room to clearly walk around underneath, but not trucks or bigger cars. I would do 16' if I did it again.

 

[kvom]

I put in dozens of outlets and still found a spot where I missed. I out outlets high up between my two bay doors to plug in the openers, but none down low between the doors. I now have two bandsaws sitting between the bays and have to string a cord to a side wall to use them.