The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Just like home plans, detached garage plans are available in a wide range of architectural styles. This diverse selection of styles ensures you’ll find a garage plan, carport or shed plan to blend with the architectural style of your home. Below is a list of many of the architectural styles represented in The Garage Plan Shop’s collection of detached garage plans and other structures.

• Barn
• Cape Cod
• Contemporary
• Country
• Craftsman
• European
• Mediterranean
• Modern
• Traditional
• Unique

When you are choosing a detached garage plan, keep in mind the architectural style of your home and its surroundings to ensure your new garage will complement your home.

Tags: architectural styles, detached garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage plan, garage plans

The garage plans published by The Garage Plan Shop are pre-drawn blueprints designed to meet the national building codes in place at the time each was created. They do not necessarily meet any state, city or county building codes. Furthermore, stock garage plans do not include detailed electrical, plumbing and HVAC information. Many pre-drawn garage plans include a simple electrical plan indicating the suggested locations of fixtures, switches and outlets. However, it will be up to your builder or local electrician to follow all local electrical codes during installation ensuring all local codes are met. Be sure to review the electrical details with your electrician or contractor. Stock garage plans will include plumbing fixtures on the blueprints (i.e. toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, etc.), but they will not reflect a plumbing schematic. The sewer system and flow of water lines are site specific and must be determined by local professionals. Take time to discuss plumbing details with your plumber or contractor. Finally, information about the HVAC will be determined locally. The HVAC system will depend on the types of unit(s) you use and the size/amount of finished living space to be heated and cooled. The type of heating and cooling system selected and local building codes will determine the necessary ductwork. Talk with your contractor or HVAC professional to review all HVAC information.

Tags: Building A Garage, electrical plans, garage blueprints, garage plan, garage plans, HVAC, plumbing details

Are you considering purchasing a garage plan from The Garage Plan Shop? Often our customers want to know what is included in our garage blueprints before they purchase plans. Below is a listing of the elements typically included in the pre-drawn garage plans we published:

1. Cover sheet
2. Foundation Plan
3. Floor Plan(s)
4. Exterior Elevations
5. Interior Elevations
6. Sections
7. Details 
8. Simple Plumbing
9. Basic Electric

For a detailed description of each element listed here plan review our FAQs.

Note: Not all stock garage plans incorporate every element listed here. Blueprint pages vary by designer.

Tags: blueprints, Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage blueprints, Garage Plan Information, garage plans

When it comes to building a detached garage plan, choosing the right one can be a bit overwhelming. With hundreds of designs available online, how do you know which one will be best for you? The Garage Plan Shop has a few tips to help you begin your search for the right garage blueprint and then narrow down your choices to find exactly the right one.

1. Know what you are looking for and consider what type of garage you need. What is your lot size? What how many bays do you need? What do you plan to store/park inside? Do you need extra storage space?
2. Use the search tool on the website to narrow the selection based on the maximum width and depth of your lot or property to find only those plans that will fit in the allotted space.
3. From these results, eliminate the plans you don’t want. If you are only looking for a 2-car garage, eliminate everything else with more or less bays.
4. Now check the elevations of the remaining plans. Try to picture each garage on your property and how it will look with your house or any other surrounding buildings. Eliminate any designs that do not have the “look” you desire.
5. Now review the floor plans and pay attention to traditional elements like the overhead door arrangements and special features. Does it matter to you if you have one large overhead door or do you prefer two smaller ones? Would it be helpful to have a half bath, workbench or storage closet in the garage. Consider the pros and cons of the features each remaining garage plan offers. Eliminate any that don’t get your attention.
6. With the few remaining garage plans, determine which garage plan has the right look and features that will best accommodate your needs and select the one you like most.

With these handy tips you’ll be on your way to selecting the garage plan that will best satisfy your needs.

Tags: Choosing a Garage Plan, Detached Garage Plans, garage blueprints, garage plans

Before a customer makes a final decision on the right garage plan or purchases blueprints, we are often asked how much it will cost to build a particular garage design. The experts at The Garage Plan Shop understand this is an important factor in making a final decision, as customers want to be sure they can afford to build the design. However, we know the costs for materials and labor vary greatly from one state to the next and sometimes even within the same city, making it impossible for us to provide an estimate for one of our garages in any specified location. We can’t possibly know all the going rates for materials and labor all across the US and Canada. So, how can you get an estimated cost to build a particular garage plan? We recommend checking with a few local builders or lumberyards. These professionals deal with construction and materials costs on a daily basis and know the going rates for materials and labor in your particular area. Just ask for an estimated cost to build. Often, these professionals will quote a dollar amount per square foot. Be sure to ask what this quote includes as sometimes it will not include foundation materials and a few other things. Checking locally is the best way to get an estimated cost to build for any of our garage plans. 

Tags: ballpark estimate, Building A Garage, building estimate, cost to build, garage plans