When building your own garage, you have many different options to choose from. Some are much better than others, however, and some may not be worth the money you spend on them at all. So before choosing any particular set of plans for garage building, consider these seven things first. You’ll be glad you did!
1) Think about your lifestyle
If you live in a large house, you might want more than one garage to accommodate multiple cars. If you work from home or host a lot of parties, you might want a garage that is easily accessible from your front door. Do most of your neighbors have garages? Think about whether you’ll need to keep your car away from prying eyes—or add windows so visitors can see what you’re doing inside! Keep safety in mind as well: Are kids or pets going to be playing around your new garage? If so, choose a design that makes it easy for kids and pets to stay out of trouble. A few garage-building tips to help make sure you get exactly what you want:
My advice is based on my experience building two garages with very different needs. The first was built over ten years ago, when I still had a growing family at home. The second was built three years ago when I no longer needed all that space and wanted something smaller. With all of these things in mind, here are seven things to consider before choosing garage plans. 1) Figure Out Your Needs – Garage Building 2) What Style Is Right For You?
2) Consider floor space
Regardless of what kind of vehicles you intend to store in your garage, it’s important to make sure that there’s enough room for them. For example, if you don’t have a driveway or wide access to your garage from a street, but do have a large car or van, you might want to add another car space. This extra space gives you plenty of room to maneuver when pulling in and out of your garage, without damaging walls or other items nearby. When choosing plans for your new home improvement project, keep in mind that adding an extra spot could save you hundreds (or even thousands) down the road. If you need more space than is available with standard-sized garage plans, consider adding on. It’s much easier to increase floor area than it is to decrease it!
#1: Make Sure You Have Enough Space for Your Car(s) If you only own one vehicle, great! You can probably fit that vehicle into most garages. But if you own two cars or more—and especially if they are larger models—you need more room in your garage. If not, parking will be a hassle and may damage your car(s). #2: Think About Your Storage Needs While many people choose garages because they provide ample storage opportunities within their structure itself, sometimes additional storage sheds are needed outside of the structure as well.
3) Choose from two door styles
Two-door garages are common in older homes, and can still work in newer ones, but they often lack organization. If you have a lot of tools or equipment you want to store inside your garage, you may be more comfortable with a one-door garage; it will maximize space efficiency. Think about your lifestyle when deciding between door styles. A garage is only as useful as what it houses—if you don’t really use a two-car garage for those two cars, or if you always park one car on the street instead of your driveway, consider having one large door or building storage inside instead of an attached structure. It could save you money and allow you to build something that better fits your needs. For example, I currently have a three-car garage that I rarely use for parking my vehicles because I walk most places. Instead, I built a shed out back so I could store all my lawn care equipment (mower, leaf blower, etc.) offsite during winter months when it doesn’t get used much. It was significantly cheaper than building another garage out back!
4) Keep it simple or go complex
A garage is one of those things that you need, but don’t want to spend a lot of money on. Luckily, garage plans come in all shapes and sizes, from simple sheds to large two-story buildings with lots of extras. The most important thing to do when shopping for plans is figuring out what your needs are first. For example, if you want a lot of storage space or you want a place for more than one car (like boats), you may want to consider getting something bigger than a simple single-car garage plan. If it’s just for you and your family though, a smaller size might be just right. Once you know how much room you need, look at some pictures of other garages online and see what styles appeal to you. You can also talk to friends who have built garages before about their experiences—you never know what they might have learned along the way!
5) The benefits of making one bay larger than normal
If you have a lot of tools, gardening equipment or other bulky items that need storage, consider making one bay larger than normal. Large overhead doors are ideal for things like motorcycles, boats and ATVs and can be a real selling point when selling your home. If you’re not building your own garage or haven’t had it built in years, also consider adding insulation; it will not only help save on energy costs but will help to maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature. Finally, think about adding electrical outlets if you don’t already have them; they make it easy to plug in power tools and keep them close at hand. There are plenty of options to choose from when choosing a set of plans so make sure you get exactly what you want out of your new space.
6) Look for optional extras
Many sets of garage plans include optional extras such as extra windows and even loft areas. If you are planning to use your garage as a workshop or other purpose, take a look at these options. While they may cost a little more money, they will save you money in the long run. By using your garage as storage, it becomes cheaper for you to avoid buying storage units every time you move into a new house. Over time, that can really add up. Also consider adding shelving on both sides of your garage door to create extra space. You can buy ready-made shelves or design them yourself. Another good idea is to place hooks on both sides of your door so you can hang rakes, shovels and other tools instead of storing them away somewhere else. This will make them easier to access when needed. As well as providing practical benefits, adding some decor elements can also help with resale value down the line if you decide to sell your home in future years – or give an updated feel without costing too much money. Consider how high quality decor elements could potentially add value when it comes time for selling!
7) How much does it cost?
We all want a bargain when it comes to home building, but it’s also important to consider how much you can afford. Having a budget in mind and keeping an eye on costs will help ensure your dream garage actually gets built. However, don’t let cost be your only factor in deciding which plans to buy; garage builders have varying levels of expertise, so ask for references and speak with each builder about their past work. Check out before-and-after photos of completed projects to see what sort of quality you can expect for your money. Don’t go into any home project without knowing as much as possible about it first! If you’re not sure where to start, search online for garage plan reviews. You should find lots of helpful information from other people who have purchased plans and are now sharing their experiences with others. And don’t forget to check sites like Angie’s List or Houzz that offer reviews by customers who hired specific contractors or companies. These websites may save you some time by allowing you to narrow down your choices quickly based on price, location, reputation, etc., while also providing feedback from real customers that might influence your decision-making process.