When To Build

[toomany]

Looking for some feedback as to when you guys decided it was time to build that new bigger/better garage/shop.

First a little background about me and my situation. I'm 25 (26 in October), work full time as a manager at a bar/restaurant. I make decent money ($13/hr) for what I actually do, plus I can get all the OT I want. I bought my moms house back in 2007. Got a great deal on it. Appraised for $147,000 only payed $35,000. I also do a lot of side work, automotive, construction, haul scrap metal...etc. My girlfriend lives with me along with her 8 year old daughter. No set in stone plans to get married, but it's in the works. We have 4 huskies and usually have one litter a year and sell the puppies to offset the cost of them.

Now where the new garage comes into play. For a hobby I tend to collect cars and motorcycles. Currently I've got; 97 Formula, 94 TransAm, 88 Z28, 82 Z28 and a 78 TransAm. For the bikes I've got it down to a Cbr1000 and a Kx500. Two of the cars are in storage at my girlfriends moms house in their barn.

I'm wanting to build a shop, either 26x45 or 26x36 to finally have some room to work on them. Here's my problem, I don't really know if it's the best time for me to build. I'm on track to have the house payed off in 4 more years, possibly sooner ($1000/month on a $586 payment that just went down to $489). The adult in me says wait till the house is payed for. Add in that neither one of us are 100% happy in this house and have talked about moving eventually. Even before I met my girlfriend I had plans of eventually renting the house out at some time in the future. The way my house/lot is set up I can fence off the yard so that the shop would be sepprate from the house. If I did build it'd be next year, but even then it would just be the building/floor. No electric or water untill a little after.

I really want to build but something is telling me to hold off for a while longer. Even though that means having a current garage that's packed full and working on stuff in the driveway. Any thoughts/opinions welcome. Sorry for the novel.

Thanks

 

[digdug18]

If your plans are to move and possibly rent, then don't spend money on the garage now. Wait those 4 years, pay the house off, then rent the house. Then either buy a house with enough land for a nice sized garage or buy one that is already there.

Have you considered a large shed form HD or lowes? I mean they aren't perfect but you can fit a car in one, depending on the model.


Thinking about it a little more, you might consider a garage apartment as well. Meaning the garage on the bottom, and apartment above. The style I'm looking for is a 3 bay garage, 2 of the bays being used for me, and one for them. A wall would separate the spaces between the garage bays. Yeah it would be a compromise, but in my mind that's fine with me for an extra $900-$1k a month that rent would bring.

http://www.coolhouseplans.com/details.html?pid=chp-21990&FoundID=4&sid=chp1

 

[BMW Rider]

Perhaps a compromise would work for the short term. You could build a smaller garage that would enhance the value of the property for later resale, but not be so large and expensive to build that you'd lose the money spent on it. It may not suit your full range of needs right now, but would be better than no garage at all.

Then later when you do decide to move on, you can then look at building the dream shop. If you decide to stay put, you can always add another garage or build onto the first one.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Sounds like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders but you do have a dilemma. If you are going to stay in the house for more than 5 years I would say build a smaller garage as has been recommended above and enjoy it. We built a new shop last year after saving for years and I just about have enough saved up for the electric and I love the darned thing. I would also point out that prices arent going down, our shop would be almost 1K more if we built it today (its 1.5 years old now) so you have to weigh that factor in as well. Just be careful you dont over improve your property or its just a waste of money of your going to move and sell eventually.

 

[toomany]

Thinking about it a little more, you might consider a garage apartment as well. Meaning the garage on the bottom, and apartment above. The style I'm looking for is a 3 bay garage, 2 of the bays being used for me, and one for them. A wall would separate the spaces between the garage bays. Yeah it would be a compromise, but in my mind that's fine with me for an extra $900-$1k a month that rent would bring.

While I would love to build a new shop with living quarters, I don't think my other half would go for it. Even dropping a pre-fab home down and building next to it may work. However I don't think the city would let me do that in my yard.

Perhaps a compromise would work for the short term. You could build a smaller garage that would enhance the value of the property for later resale, but not be so large and expensive to build that you'd lose the money spent on it. It may not suit your full range of needs right now, but would be better than no garage at all.

Then later when you do decide to move on, you can then look at building the dream shop. If you decide to stay put, you can always add another garage or build onto the first one.

I've thought about the small garage route. Currently I've got a 22x22. But with the benches, air compressor, welder and other tools it's more like a one car if I want to do any work. Right now my 88 Z28 is taking up most of the room getting a full ground up build. Along with a few motors, transmissions and the pen I built for the dog that just had puppies. I've sort of made up my mind that the next area is going to be big enough so I have some storage and room to work on/around the cars.

Sounds like you have a pretty good head on your shoulders but you do have a dilemma. If you are going to stay in the house for more than 5 years I would say build a smaller garage as has been recommended above and enjoy it. We built a new shop last year after saving for years and I just about have enough saved up for the electric and I love the darned thing. I would also point out that prices arent going down, our shop would be almost 1K more if we built it today (its 1.5 years old now) so you have to weigh that factor in as well. Just be careful you dont over improve your property or its just a waste of money of your going to move and sell eventually.

Thanks. I sort of got thrown into life. With an alcohaulic father and a mother who went from owning her own business making $130,000+ a year, to getting involved with the wrong people and addicted to drugs. She was loosing the house and sold it to her father (my grandpa) for what was owed, I bought it from him for what he had into it. A few years after that I had to evict my mom out of the house (didn't want to but it had to be done). On the plus side that helped her realize her problems and actually make it through rehab and get out on her own again.

I have no idea how long we plan on staying here. We could decided to move the month this one is payed for or ten years from then. Building costs is also another concern of mine. This would be payed for 100% with cash, no financing.

I'm going to have to think about this still. I can almost justify it with the thought that I can work on other peoples stuff more effecintly. As it is now I pull in close to 1k a month from side work. The thought of building it, then taking it with me where ever we go also crossed my mind. It'd be a pole style building, but that sounds like it could me more hassle than it's worth.

 

[Kevin54]

While I would love to build a new shop with living quarters, I don't think my other half would go for it.

There's a problem right there. You've bought a house that is worth $147g's for $35g's, now you say that your girlfriend won't go for it? For one, you are not married yet, for another, you've almost paid nothing for a house. Before you EVER get married, you had both better get on the same page. I'm not condoning nor condemning, but if that is all you have in a house and that is all the payments you are making, and you are only 25, you are way further ahead than most have been in their life.

First off, before you get married, you had better have it cut in stone that the house was your parents house and it will stay in the family.

With that out of the road, does the girlfriend work and contribute to the house? Whether she does or does not, has to figure into the equation.

You also have to consider that if she does contribute, and the relationship goes south, could you afford the additional expenses. You didn't say whether the child is yours or not. By the way you worded it, I assume she is not your daughter. No offense speaking, as I assume you think of her as your own which is fantastic, but when it comes to a Court if something goes south, they look at things in a complete different light as most do.

Now, you say you raise Husky's to offset the cost of having them. You may want to change some priorities with that. I will agree with you that the dogs are more than likely looked at as family members, but if you have to raise a litter a year to offset the cost of having the other four, maybe spay and neutering would be cheaper in the longrun.

At 25, and I don't mean any disrespect, you have a good head on your shoulders but you also aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Like I said, don't take it wrong as it was just a little interjected humor, but asking a question on when to build is like taking bets on when a mud puddle will dry up. Only you and your girlfriend really knows that. Sit down, weigh in all of the bills, differences, vehicles, utilities, and any other monthly bill. DO NOT count on getting all the overtime that you want. I flat out guarantee that as soon as you count on overtime paying the bills, either the place will fold or you'll be laid off. I've seen it happen many of times. Put everything down on paper and then start a list beside the figures...."WHAT IF". "What if I get laid off? What if the wife gets sick? What if I get sick? What if we get into a major breakup? What if the car gets totaled?" Plan it out my friend, then go from there.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Build a storage shed, and think about it some more.

 

[toomany]

There's a problem right there. You've bought a house that is worth $147g's for $35g's, now you say that your girlfriend won't go for it? For one, you are not married yet, for another, you've almost paid nothing for a house. Before you EVER get married, you had both better get on the same page. I'm not condoning nor condemning, but if that is all you have in a house and that is all the payments you are making, and you are only 25, you are way further ahead than most have been in their life.

First off, before you get married, you had better have it cut in stone that the house was your parents house and it will stay in the family.

With that out of the road, does the girlfriend work and contribute to the house? Whether she does or does not, has to figure into the equation.

You also have to consider that if she does contribute, and the relationship goes south, could you afford the additional expenses. You didn't say whether the child is yours or not. By the way you worded it, I assume she is not your daughter. No offense speaking, as I assume you think of her as your own which is fantastic, but when it comes to a Court if something goes south, they look at things in a complete different light as most do.

Now, you say you raise Husky's to offset the cost of having them. You may want to change some priorities with that. I will agree with you that the dogs are more than likely looked at as family members, but if you have to raise a litter a year to offset the cost of having the other four, maybe spay and neutering would be cheaper in the longrun.

At 25, and I don't mean any disrespect, you have a good head on your shoulders but you also aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Like I said, don't take it wrong as it was just a little interjected humor, but asking a question on when to build is like taking bets on when a mud puddle will dry up. Only you and your girlfriend really knows that. Sit down, weigh in all of the bills, differences, vehicles, utilities, and any other monthly bill. DO NOT count on getting all the overtime that you want. I flat out guarantee that as soon as you count on overtime paying the bills, either the place will fold or you'll be laid off. I've seen it happen many of times. Put everything down on paper and then start a list beside the figures...."WHAT IF". "What if I get laid off? What if the wife gets sick? What if I get sick? What if we get into a major breakup? What if the car gets totaled?" Plan it out my friend, then go from there.

I say she won't go for the shop/living quarters mainly because she's not a fan of my hobby. The noise, smells, dirt, etc... Being an intergrated part of the house wouldn't fly to well. She knows full well that the house is mine and was in my family before we met, so that's really not a concern. I know I'm further ahead of the game than most people are or even get.

She does work, in fact she makes more money than me and has benefits. I'm on her insurance even. She does contribute to the household. Buys the food, pays some of the bills, cleans. That being said, before I met her I was living by myself here and paying the same amount on the payment along with the electric, gas and water bills. Plus my day to day bills. So if she left today I'd be ok on that end. I actually think I had more "hobby money" before we got together, lol. Her daughter is not mine, but she lives with us and is now a part of my life.

The dogs...we don't need to raise a litter to offset their cost. We originally had plans to breed them more often, but limit ourselves to one a year. 1, to avoid over population and 2, it is a lot of work with the puppies. Getting them to the vet and getting them sold. Whatever we make off of them goes right back into the "dog fund".

I'm well aware of not counting on all the OT I want. But for the most part I've been getting it for the past few years. I've been banking that money, basicly my financing for this. I'm not worried about where I work closing down. We've actually gotten busier in the last few years (the smoking ban really helped us).

I'm only now thinking of building because I need the space and I'll have the funds to do so.

 

[ddawg16]

I say she won't go for the shop/living quarters mainly because she's not a fan of my hobby. The noise, smells, dirt, etc...

Time to find another gal.

Ever hear the expression "You learn by your mistakes"? Well.....that is why I'm so f&^*ing smart.

If your 'future spouse' does not buy into the same stuff you do....and vice versa.....then it's a divorce just waiting for the marriage.

Now....getting back to the topic....

Your young....you have time....paying off the house first is a great idea.....it sort of forces you to restrict your toy purches because you don't have space. As soon as you have space....you will fill it up.....

Hence the common answer here...."It's never big enough".

So....spend the next 4 years paying off the house, looking for a new girlfriend and locking down the plans for your garage....like the 26x45 one.....

You can kill a couple of years just doing plans and getting things lined up. AMHIK

 

[MoparTrucks]

[/QUOTE]Thanks. I sort of got thrown into life. With an alcohaulic father and a mother who went from owning her own business making $130,000+ a year, to getting involved with the wrong people and addicted to drugs. She was loosing the house and sold it to her father (my grandpa) for what was owed, I bought it from him for what he had into it. A few years after that I had to evict my mom out of the house (didn't want to but it had to be done). On the plus side that helped her realize her problems and actually make it through rehab and get out on her own again.

I have no idea how long we plan on staying here. We could decided to move the month this one is payed for or ten years from then. Building costs is also another concern of mine. This would be payed for 100% with cash, no financing.

I'm going to have to think about this still. I can almost justify it with the thought that I can work on other peoples stuff more effecintly. As it is now I pull in close to 1k a month from side work. The thought of building it, then taking it with me where ever we go also crossed my mind. It'd be a pole style building, but that sounds like it could me more hassle than it's worth.[/QUOTE]

Part of the enjoyment of projects like this is the planning and anticipation IMO. I wouldnt go down the route of planning to take a pole barn with you, besides being a PITA it wouldnt save you much and may hurt the resale value of your house. Maybe plan for a smaller shop now and if you do end up staying for a lot longer in the place you can always add on...oh, and paying cash is the way to go in this day and age.

Dont get too wrapped around the axle about some of the comments about your girlfriend on here either, lot of leg pulling goes on and in any long term relationship if you dont compromise your doomed. I learned years ago with my wife that as long as she was part of the process and felt she had some say and a stake in a given project she was happy which makes me happy (and usually gets me what I want).

Good luck.

 

[Chem1]

There is a lot of good advise in this thread! Good to see folks sharing with someone who was obviously willing to expose himself and listen to others!

 

[hockey88fan]

Its a tough decision. All i know is we try to plan life, and then life happens. Go for it if you're feeling it.

 

[truckman5000]

If your not 1,000% happy with the home now. You wont be in 10 years with a 50-60ft. garage.
Ive been there, and just bought my 2nd home, im 27. So sort of the same age.
I also just had another kid.

So, from what you've said. I predict you will move out of that home. So dont over build the property.

And over build the property with a garage isnt going to return your money.
No one except the people on this site care about a huge garage.
A big garage is a turn off to most people when you do sell.

I lost 20k on my house because of the garage. Never could find "someone like us" to buy. I just sold the house after 1.6 years, on the market.. And i had a very nice property.

Seriously take the above into consideration.

 

[Zeke]

http://www.coolhouseplans.com/details.html?pid=chp-21990&FoundID=4&sid=chp1

It wouldn't take but a minute to turn that bath around and have the plumbing all in the same joist bay.