The Garage Plan Shop Blog

For some guys (and gals) the garage may be the most important part of their home or property. When building a detached garage, The Garage Plan Shop recommends planning ahead. Know how you want to use your garage and what special elements you might need so you can accommodate those needs and incorporate special features during construction. Below is a list of nine things to consider before you purchase a garage plan and begin building.

1. Use: Are you just going to store a couple cars in the garage or do you plan to use it for storage space or a hobby room too? Knowing how you plan to use the garage with determine what special elements you need to incorporate.
2. Ventilation: Make sure you have a plan for ventilation. During the winter, many will raise their garage doors and starts their cars allowing them to warm up. This allows toxic fumes and gases such as carbon monoxide to escape the garage without causing harm or health risks. However, if you’re not actually sitting in your car or inside the garage while your car is warming up, an open garage door is an invitation for car theft. In this case, you would benefit from installing an exhaust fan. Likewise, if you plan to use the garage for painting or hobbies that may create fumes, an exhaust fan is a necessary element to ensure health and safety.
3. Car Storage: If you are planning to use the garage for parking, consider the size of your vehicles. If you are storing a typical sedan style car, you probably won’t need to make adjustments. On the other hand, storing oversized vehicles such as an SUV or truck may require a garage plan with taller overhead garage doors and deeper bays.
4. Storage Space: Typically, garages are used for parking the cars, but somehow, many of us transform our garages into a multi-purpose storage space. If this is the case for your family, plan ahead. What items will you be storing in the garage? Toys? Lawn and garden equipment? The lawnmower? The kids’ bikes? Sporting equipment? Half-used cans of paint? Know what you want to store in the garage and choose a floor plan that offers extra space for storage shelves, cabinets and even wall space to hang shovels, rakes, brooms, etc. You might even choose a garage plan that offers an upper level storage space such as a loft for stashing holiday decorations and seasonal items.
5. Tool Storage: If you plan to work on your cars in the garage, be sure to allow room for tool boxes, auto parts, oil containers, etc., keeping everything handy for when you need it.
6. Workspace or Workbench: The family handy man knows all too well it is important to have a workbench or workspace in the garage providing a place to work on home repair projects and store necessary tools such as screwdrivers, hammer, nails, tape measure and that can of WD40. Be sure your work surface is sturdy and plan to have cabinets or shelves to store supplies within an arm’s reach. This gives you a place to work on projects without having to clean them up before you finish. And the last thing you want to do is work on your project on the floor when you could be working at a nice bench.
7. Electrical: Depending on how you use your garage will determine the electrical plan. What kind of lighting will you need? If you plan to use the garage as a workshop, you’ll need task lighting or shop lights. Also, what type of electrical access will you need? If you plan to charge the rechargeable batteries of power tools, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of outlets and enough voltage to get the job done. Will you be using an air compressor or a welder? You’ll need 220 volt outlets for these items. Plan to locate outlets in easy-to-access areas and make sure they can deliver the electric you’ll need for the things you plan to plug in. Your electrician can help you with this.
8. Heating and Cooling: If you plan to be working in your garage a fair amount of time throughout the year, consider insulating the walls and adding a heating and cooling unit that is efficient for your climate. That way you’ll always be comfortable while you work.
9. Seal the Concrete: Most garages are subjected to a lot of wear and tear and abuse. Keep your garage floor looking brand new for years to come by sealing it with a high quality epoxy paint or sealer. When car fluids leak on the floor or you spill a gasoline can, you’ll appreciate having a sealed garage floor making clean-ups go easily and smoothly.

Remember, your garage IS YOUR GARAGE. Only you know just what you need and how you plan to use it, so take the time to plan ahead and make your garage what you want it to be.

Tags: Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage planning, garage plans

Detached garage plans are an ideal option for a homeowner who needs an outbuilding or just extra usable space. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles from a 1-car garage to a 3-car garage or larger and their uses are just as varied. Here are 16 things you can do with a detached garage plan:

1.    The most obvious is to protect your vehicles from the elements and theft. If your home does not have a garage or you have more cars than garage bays, a detached garage plan is the right solution.

2.    If you own a motor home or RV, then a detached garage plan with RV bay is what you need. RV garages provide a place to protect your investment when not on the road and they are designed to accommodate the height and length of motor homes.

3.     For fishermen and boating enthusiasts, a boat storage garage is a great option. Garage plans for boat storage have extra deep bays accommodating the length of boats and even trailers. Instead of renting a boat slip at the marina, especially though the off season, you can keep your boat close by and completely enclosed in your new detached garage. Once the garage is paid for, you’ll start saving your monthly payment for the boat slip.

4.     Any type of detached garage is perfect for extra storage accommodating basement and attic overflow. If necessary, use the entire garage for storage, or park the car inside and use the remaining space for storage. Don’t forget garage loft plans provide additional storage on the upper level.

5.     For those who own lots of “big boy toys” a detached garage works well for extracurricular vehicle storage, including ATVs, motor cycles, jet skis, a golf cart, etc. If you already have an attached garage filled with these things, maybe you can build a detached garage for your “toys” so you can actually park the cars in the attached garage.

6.    Garage apartment plans offer extra living space. They combine typical garage parking with a finished living space. The living space can be used as a guest or in-law suite, rental property or a place for boomerang children to stay until they get back on their feet. If you choose the rental option, you’ll earn extra income to help you pay for your new garage.

7.    If you are the kind of person who enjoys restoring old cars, a detached garage gives you a place to store your car out of sight instead of parking the ole’ eye sore behind your house. Furthermore, you’ll have plenty of room for tools and auto parts and you can work on your favorite car no matter what the weather.

8.    Woodworkers might prefer to have a wood shop for woodworking projects and small crafts. You’ll have a place to store your tools and supplies so you can work on your projects anytime you wish.

9.    With more and more people working from home, building a garage is becoming a popular choice for those who need a home office, a quite place to work without actually leaving home. A garage can be turned in to finished living space for use as a home office. This can be done with a simple 1-car garage, but don’t forget the option of a garage with loft or flex space giving you room to work and extra parking.

10.  Crafters and hobbyists might find a detached garage is perfect for a craft or sewing room. This is another instance where the garage can be finished to suit your needs giving you a place to store supplies and leave project out so you don’t have to clean up each time you finish working. 

11.  For those who have a creative mind, a detached garage plan is well suited to be finished for use as an artist’s studio. It provides a quite place to get away from it all and just create. From pottery to painting and everything in between you’ll love having a studio.

12.  For gardening enthusiasts, a small garden shed may not offer the storage that a garage plan can offer. Garages are the ideal solution for those who need a large gardening shed to store the riding mower, garden hoses, gardening tools, flower pots and other related items.

13.  Garages can serve as an outbuilding for seasonal storage accommodating pool supplies, patio furniture, the snow blower and other miscellaneous items than need to be stored away during the off season.

14.  Families with small children understand the need for the kids to have an open and safe place to play. An empty detached garage is the perfect place on rainy and cold days. A space heater can keep things warm while your kids kick balls, ride tricycles or jump rope. The empty garage gives them an opportunity to exercise while staying safe and warm.

15.  Auto mechanics might appreciate an RV garage plan. With extra tall ceilings, some allow enough room to install a call lift to work on automobiles giving you an opportunity to enjoy what you love.

16.  Don’t forget the family handyman. A detached garage can easily serve as a workshop plan instead of parking for the family vehicles. With a little effort you can add a work bench and tool organizers creating a great workshop to take care of home repair projects.

No matter what your needs might be it is clear detached garage plans are well suited to handle a broad range of tasks. What will you do with a detached garage?

Tags: detached garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage plans

Detached garage plans are versatile utilitarian structures that satisfy a multitude of needs. They are an ideal addition to almost any piece of property due to their flexible nature. Furthermore, detached garages are available in a broad range of sizes and styles appealing to a diverse group of builders and buyers. From a simple 1-car garage plan to a 3-car garage with an apartment above, these practical parking shelters have plenty to offer. So what can a detached garage do for you? Consider one of The Garage Plan Shop’s garage floor plans or garage apartment plans for one or a combination of these purposes:

• Sheltered parking for the family cars
• Storage space for basement or attic overflow
• Workshop for the family handyman
• Boat storage
• Storage for “water toys” like kayaks, jet skis and canoes
• Storage for lifejackets, beach towels, fishing poles, inner tubes and other water gear
• RV storage
• Motorcycle storage
• Golf cart or ATV parking
• Hobby or craft room
• Backyard shed
• Storage space for seasonal items like holiday decorations
• Mechanic’s garage
• Storage for auto parts and tools
• Lawn and garden storage
• A place for the kids’ sporting equipment like bikes, scooters, skateboards, helmets, ball gloves, baseball bats, hockey sticks and more
• A place for adults to store sporting equipment, hunting gear, golf clubs and outdoor wear
• Upper level home office, exercise room, home theater or recreation room
• Guest or in-law suite
• Rental property for extra income
• Privacy for your college student
• Living quarters for the nanny, grounds keeper, ranch hands, etc.
• Temporary living quarters while a permanent residence is being built
• Vacation home or weekend retreat
• An alternative to a hunting cabin
• Private residence for an aging relative who enjoys privacy and independence, but sometimes requires a bit of assistance

With detached garage plans, the possibilities are endless, just use your imagination.

Tags: detached garages, garage floor plans, garage plans, garage storage, uses for a garage

If you have decided to build a detached garage in your backyard, beside your home or on another piece of property, it is necessary to understand, this is not a simple project. Unless you have all the specific skills required for the building project, you will probably need to hire an experienced builder, contractor or a variety of professionals skilled in the various building trades. Below is a list of the skilled professionals you may need to hire to build your new detached garage.

·         Excavator

·         Concrete contractor

·         Carpenter

·         Roofer

·         Electrician

·         Plumber

·         Stone mason, bricklayer or someone to install siding

·         Drywall contractor

·         Garage door contractor

Depending on how much of the interior finishing and decorating you plan to do yourself (if necessary), you may need to hire other professionals to finish the interior including any finished spaces such as an office, bathroom or loft.

For more information about garage plans or building a garage, please visit The Garage Plan Shop.

Tags: Building A Garage, building professionals, contractors, garage construction, subcontractors

If you are planning to build a detached garage, it is important to realize it is not a simple project. It is necessary to have an understanding of the overall project and the main points of the construction process. This list will help you familiarize yourself with the main steps of the building process.

1.    Clear and excavate the lot removing trees, shrubbery, grass and top soil.

2.    Prepare the excavated site for the foundation by digging a hole to pour the foundation.

3.    Build the form for the footings and concrete.

4.    Pour the concrete footings and floor.

5.    Frame the walls.

6.    Construct the roof and finish with shingles or preferred roofing material.

7.    Install garage door(s), service doors(s) and windows.

8.    Add exterior finish such as siding.

9.    Install ventilation, electricity and plumbing.

10.  Install vapor barrier and insulation.

11.  Install drywall.

12.  Prime and paint interior if desired.

13.  Seal the concrete floor and/or install floor covering if desired

14.  Add organizational features such as shelving units and cabinets.

15.  Landscape lot.

Please note: Some of the steps listed above may happen simultaneously instead of separately.

Reviewing and understanding the primary steps of the construction process will help you get started building your new garage. For more information about building a detached garage, check out The Garage Plan Shop’s resource page.

Tags: buidling a garage, construction process, Detached Garage Plans, garage building, garage construction