Question:
I Want to start a thread on building the ultimate detached garage, to be
inexpensive, durable, and usable for working on cars. Building a 24 x
32 2-3 car garage is likely to run $10-$15K, about the same as a new
economy car or pickup truck but will last much longer with no
depreciation. Many pages of text online on automotive maintenance, but
have found little on building a useful garage.
Financing: home equity loan, construction loan?
Return on investment: To justify the extra monthly payment, what does
a home with new garage return in resale value compared to the same
home with no garage?
Wall type: cinder block, cast concrete, stick-built, pole building?
Found a company in the UK that makes prefabricated concrete garages,
but they don't offer free shipping to the US.
Roof type: metal or shingle?
I-Beam or other structure to support engine hoist?
Amenities easiest to install during construction: plumbing, exhaust
fan, compressed air lines, gas lines, solar panels
Security: rollup door of wood or metal? glass block windows? alarm
system?
Attic storage?
Can anyone in the group help me solve this problem please?
Answer:
My garage is 24w X 28d with two doors. Make sure to get wide doors, mine are
9' which is nice. Get another entrance too. Make sure to support the attic
so you can store stuff up there. Run 220 vac from the house if possible. My
foundation cost $5200, 42" deep which is the frost depth here. I used stick
walls with vinyl siding, fiberglass shingles on the roof. This is pretty
easy stuff to do except for the foundation. You may want to check with an
engineer on a beam for an engine lift, but I would stick with a cherry
picker as it is maneuverable. Check with your local building officials, you
may not be able to run water and a drain inside the building with out
bringing up other issues. Don't forget a phone line and windows for light.
My buddy put a oil fired hot air furnace in his, he could work on his car
all year long. He used diesel fuel for it from a 5 gallon tank. This avoids
issues with storage tanks.
