The Garage Plan Shop Blog

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

Building a garage apartment plan is a practical home addition, and garage apartments are becoming more and more popular given the conditions of the present economy. Discover some of the top reasons Americans are building garage apartment plans.

 

1. Families need more parking space, especially those with up teenage drivers.
2. Families are outgrowing their homes and need more living space.
3. Families love their neighborhoods and don’t want to move but need extra room.
4. Growing families do not have the finances to upgrade to a lager home or build a brand new home, but can afford a smaller construction project that will provide much needed living area.
5. Some homeowners need extra storage space.
6. The family handyman needs a workshop.
7. The work-at-home parent desires a home office that provides peace and quiet and the ability to visit with clients without disturbing the rest of the home.
8. Home-base business owners want a private place to work without actually leaving home.
9. Homeowner’s desire a guest suite that provides all the comforts and privacy of home for frequent weekend visitors.
10. Homeowners want to add a hobby room, craft area, or exercise area, but don’t have a basement or enough room in the basement to add one.
11. Some homeowner’s need a place for aging relatives to have the privacy of their own home with the opportunity to seek immediate assistance if necessary.
12. Grandparents are looking for a place for grandkids to stay when visiting for the holidays without having to listen to loud music or be disturbed when the grandkids come home in the wee hours of the morning.
13. Parents need additional housing for college students who require privacy and independence, but still need parental guidance from time to time.
14. Parents are looking for a place for boomerang children to stay until they get back on their feet.
15. Families need room to relax and often use the apartment for a playroom, home theater or game room for everyone to enjoy.
16. Growing families are looking for an additional source of income and rent the living quarters to tenants.
17. Owners of large estates may wish to provide living quarters for the maid, groundskeeper, etc.
18. Families may need living quarters for the nanny.
19. Outdoor adventurists and nature enthusiasts may not build a garage apartment in the backyard at all, but rather near their favorite lake or in the woods using it as a vacation home or weekend retreat.
20. Garage apartments make nice temporary living quarters while the main home is being constructed and easily convert to a guest house when it is time to move into the main home.

 

Interested in viewing garage apartment floor plans? Check out The Garage Plan Shop’s extensive collection from North America’s top rated designers.

Tags: Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, Garage Apartment Plans, garage apartments, garage plans

It is Fire Prevention Week. The Garage Plan Shop wants to share six more important tips with you about home fire prevention and fire safety. Practicing these safety tips will decrease the chances of a home fire.

 

1.    Use Electricity Safely: Check all electrical cords in your home and replace any that are cracked, frayed or show signs of other damage. Do the same for extension cords. If an electrical appliance starts to smoke or smells like it is burning, unplug it immediately. Either repair or replace the appliance. Never run cords under rugs and do not overload outlets or extension cords. Fuses and circuit breakers protect you from fire. Do not tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of the improper size.

2.    Matches and Lighters are not for Children: When in the hands of children, matches and lighters can be extremely dangerous. Store them out of reach and out of view from children. Teach children from early on these items are for adults only. If a child finds matches or a lighter, he or she should tell an adult immediately.

3.    Give Space Heaters Room: Give space heaters plenty of room. They should be placed three feet from anything that can catch fire and burn such as paper, clothing, curtains, bedding and furniture. Turn space heaters off when you leave or go to sleep; do not leave them running. Also, keep children and pets away from space heaters to prevent them from getting bumped and toppling over.

4.    Be Careful and Attentive When Cooking: Use the utmost care and attention when cooking. Never leave anything cooking unattended. Keep all cooking areas clear from combustibles including outdoor kitchens and grills. Turn handles of pots and pans inward one the stove to keep them out or reach of children and prevent someone from bumping the handle and knocking the pot or pan off the stove.

5.    Cool a Burn: If someone should get burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 15-20 minutes to relieve the burning sensation and pain. If the burn blisters, chars or becomes an open wound, seek medical attention right away. 

6.    Learn and Practice Candle Safety: Though candles smell nice and look pretty, they are becoming a growing household hazard when home fires are considered. Use common sense with lit candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended in any room in the house, even if you are in the next room. Do not burn candles when you go to bed or leave your home. Never place a lit candle near combustibles such as clothing, paper, curtains or bedding. Lit candles should be placed out of reach of children. Do not burn candles in low places or on unsteady surfaces like the coffee table or end tables where they can easily be knocked over by people or pets.

 

Even though Fire Prevention Week will be over soon, it is important to practice these safety tips year round in an effort to prevent a fire in your home.

Tags: burns, candles, fire prevention, fire prevention week, fire safety, fire safety tips, home fires, safe cooking, smoke alarms, space heaters

Recently, American Family Insurance (AmFam) posted an article on their website about deer-car collisions. The point is simple. Fall is the season when deer are most active because it is the breeding season. Because the deer are more active, motorists are more likely to encounter deer on roads and highways. All too often, these encounters result in serious auto accidents. Not only do these traffic accidents cost millions of dollars annually but they often result in injury and sometimes even death. AmFam is spreading the word about safe driving during this time of the year. Being attentive and knowing how deer behave may just help you avoid a deer-car collision the next time you are on the road.  Check out this article from AmFam for safe driving tips when encounters with deer on and along roadways are concerned.

Tags: accidents, collisions, deer, Safety

Building a garage takes lots of planning and forethought. This list of garage building tips from The Garage Plan Shop will help you get started on your building project and carry you through to completion of the project. Review these tips before you get started:

 

1. Before you buy a garage plan, consider the purpose of your new garage. How many cars do you plan to store? Do you need a workshop? Extra storage space? Do you need living space? What are the dimensions of your lot or the space you have on which to build? What architectural style do you prefer? Answering these questions will help narrow down garage plan choices allowing you to selecting the right one for your needs.
2. Hire a builder that has plenty of experience in residential construction. Word of mouth is a good way to find an experienced builder. Check with family members and friends who have built. Ask for recommendations from lumberyards and building supply retailers or your building inspector.
3. Once you’ve hired a builder/general contractor, go over your entire project. Ask if the builder has any suggestions or sees any immediate problems that must be addressed before construction begins.
4. Meet with everyone involved in the construction of your new garage including the electrician, framers, roofer, builder/general contractor, etc. Outline all the details of the garage building project from the foundation and plumbing, electrical and HVAC needs (if applicable), to exterior finish and trim and any other details pertinent to the project. Thoroughly planning ahead of time will help you avoid change orders during construction. Not only can these be expensive, but they can extend the construction timeline.
5. Be sure to think about future uses of the garage, such as converting it to a guest house, or adding a home office at a later time. These possibilities for additional living space will influence installation of HVAC, plumbing and electric.
6. Take advantage of the opportunity to add a workbench, shelving, cabinets or storage closets during construction. If you think you might add them later, you might as well add them now while you have professionals on the scene who can handle these additions with ease.
7. Avoid paying for the entire garage building project up front. Make arrangements with the builder or general contractor to pay off the final balance after you’ve had an opportunity to have the final project inspected by your local building inspector.  

 

If you are planning to build a garage, use these handy garage building tips to help you throughout the construction process. For more garage building information check out our resources page.

Tags: Building A Garage, building tips, garage building tips, garage plans