The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Sometimes when homeowners and land owners decide to build a new detached garage on their property, they question the importance of buying garage plans. Some believe it is an unnecessary expense in the construction process and may try to build their garage from the simple floor plans found in magazines and project plan books or on a garage plan websites. However, the truth of the matter is stock garage plans are a vital part of the garage building process. It is important and necessary to purchase garage blueprints before construction begins. Below is a list of reasons why a new garage owner or a builder should purchase garage blueprints when building a garage.

• Purchasing construction drawings gives the garage owner permission from the designer or architect to build the original copyrighted design without breaking copyright laws. It grants the owner legal permission to build the detached garage.
• A set of garage blueprints in the most complete resource you and the builder will have for the entire building project.
• Garage plans outline the garage’s complete structure from the foundation and wall framing to the roof framing, exterior finish and trim and interior layout.
• The blueprints clearly define and illustrate what the owner expects the finished garage to look like when construction is complete.
• Garage plans outline and describe the design you are building before construction begins providing a complete overall concept of the entire building project.
• Garage blueprints are a necessary and useful tool in preparing the site or lot, planning the interior space, generating a building schedule or timeline and setting a budget.
• Blueprints map the boundaries for every room or space within the structure, indicate square footage of the garage and any finished spaces, and depict major elements on the floor plan such as finished rooms, bathrooms/half baths, doorways, windows and stairs when required.
• Garage plans depict changes in elevations. Interior elevations may reflect a staircase to an upper floor loft or studio apartment. Exterior elevations will depict how the garage will sit on the lot relative to the grade of the land such as a garage designed for a sloping lot or a drive-under garage.
• Floor plans provide a “map” and call attention to consideration for any special elements such as a covered porch, bathroom, living quarters or an attached carport.
• Because designers of pre-drawn garage plans create floor plans with many of today’s most requested features in mind, they are a smart and less expensive alternative to drawing a custom garage plan from scratch. These plans provide most of the features you are looking for at a fraction of the cost.
• Various pre-drawn blueprint packages (CAD files and reproducible masters) come with a copyright release allowing the owner to work with a professional designer or qualified builder to make changes to the original copyrighted plan, further accommodating specific needs.

If you are considering building a new garage, take some time to review the importance of purchasing garage plans. For further information about buying garage plans and blueprints, take some time to review all the helpful information in The Garage Plan Shop’s resource section.

Tags: Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage blueprints, garage floor plans, garage plans

Attention RV owners! The advantages of having an RV garage are obvious. Like cars, trucks, motorcycles and other motor vehicles, RVs, campers and motorhomes are not immune to the elements. Parking your RV in a garage purposely designed and built for it will definitely keep your recreational vehicle in good shape for years to come. Face it, RVs are a serious investment, and it is important to protect them in the best way possible. You can do it with RV garages plans! The Garage Plan Shop recommends considering these items before choosing an RV garage plan for your home away from home.

·         Determine the overall size of the RV you wish to accommodate – width, length and height. What size garage doors will you need? How deep should the RV bay be? How tall should the ceiling be?

·         Determine the size of your lot or the area of your backyard where you plan to build the garage. This will give you a guild line when considering the overall width and depth of RV garage plans.

·         Is the location where you plan to build accessible? Will you need to extend the driveway? Will you be able to pull the RV in and out of the garage safely and easily?

·         Because RV garages are taller than a standard garage, make note of any overhead power lines, telephone lines, etc. that may pose a problem.

·         Do you want your RV garage to offer another function? Consider extra features that may accommodate other needs like a storage space, half or full bath, workshop or work bench.

·         Do you want the RV bay to be attached to a standard garage for car storage?

·         If your lot is large enough, consider the convenience of a drive-thru RV garage featuring overhead doors at the front and back of the RV bay, which allow you to pull right thru the garage rather than hassling with backing in or out of the garage.

·         Check with your building department to find out if there are any building codes or restrictions that might influence the selection you make when choosing your garage plan.

After considering these ideas, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the RV garage plan that is right for you.

Tags: Building A Garage, Choosing a Garage Plan, RV Garage Plans

If you are considering building a detached garage, this checklist will be a handy tool for you. It lists many of the items, features and topics of concern that you should consider or research before choosing a garage plan and/or beginning construction. Review the below list and make note of the items that you need to think more about, make decisions about or research with your local building department and or builder.

Does your city/municipality have any restrictions on the size, height or roof pitch of the detached garage?

Do you need building permits?

Where do you apply for the building permits?

How much will the permits cost?

What size garage will your yard or lot accommodate?

How much space do you need for parking and/or storage?

Do you need extra storage space, a workshop or a loft?

What items do you wish to accommodate? Cars? Boat? RV? Riding mower? Other items?

Do you have an oversized vehicle? How deep must the garage bay be to accommodate it?

What roof style do you prefer?

What architectural style blends best with your home?

What ceiling/wall height do you need or prefer?

What type of wall framing do you prefer? Or does your city/municipality require a particular type of wall framing?

How many overhead garage doors do you prefer?

What style garage doors do you want?

What size overhead doors do you need? (Note the size of vehicles and other items you want to store.)

Do you want windows?

Will one or more service entries be handy or necessary? How many? Where should they be located?

Will you need extra electrical outlets or lighting inside the garage? For what purpose?

Could you use a half or full bath?

How do you plan to use the garage several years in the future? Will your needs be the same or will they change?

While there are many more things to consider before building a detached garage, this handy checklist will help you get you started and point you in the right direction when it is time to purchase your garage plans.

Tags: Building A Garage, Choosing a Garage Plan, Detached Garage Plans

If you are planning to add a new garage to your home, there are many reasons why you should consider a detached garage rather than an attached garage. Consider the following:

1.       A detached garage offers extra parking in addition to the attached garage of the home, ideal for a family with multiple cars and drivers.  Or, it offers sheltered parking for a smaller home that may not have an attached garage.

2.       Detached garage plans come in a wide range of sizes and styles offering plenty to choose from and ensuring you’ll find just the right one to match your home, satisfy your needs and fit your lot/available space.

3.       A detached garage can be positioned at an angle to the house, beside the home or tucked in the backyard giving your lot and home dimension.

4.       A detached garage is a more visually pleasing option for smaller homes. An attached garage may dominate the façade of a smaller home.

5.       Detached garages offer safer storage options for items that you shouldn’t store in your home or in your attached garage such as pesticides, gasoline for the lawn mower and other hazardous chemicals and materials. The detached garage offers storage space away from the home.

6.       By situating a detached garage in the backyard, think of what you can do with the space beside the home where an attached garage would ordinarily be located. This space might works well as a vegetable or flower garden, a patio or a deck  for your enjoyment.

7.       If you are in need of extra storage space or finished living space, sometimes it is easier to add these areas with a detached garage. Consider a storage loft above for all of your basement or attic overflow, or a garage apartment design for guests or the in-laws. Some detached garage plans provide the perfect place on the second floor for a home office or game room that you may not have space for in your home.

8.        Some home owners prefer a detached garage with a nicely landscaped walk connecting the garage to home. Nothing like starting the day with a quick walk from the house to the car with beautiful flowers and shrubs to view.

If you are planning to add a garage to your home, take some time to consider the benefits of detached garage and browse this collection of garage plans. You’ll be pleased to discover the flexibility you will have with a detached garage.

Tags: Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, detached garages