The Garage Plan Shop Blog

Before you build a detached garage plan, there are a few things you should know that will make the construction process go more smoothly for you. The Garage Plan Shop recommends reviewing these tips before you begin:

1. 1. Decide what functions and purpose the garage will serve. Do you need parking only? Parking and storage? For those who need additional living space, a garage loft plan or garage apartment plan might satisfy your needs. What do you plan to park in the garage? An SUV or boat? Some garage floor plans have extra deep bays to accommodate the length of oversized vehicles and boats. There is a multitude of garage plans available to satisfy a wide range of needs.

1. 1. Consider the style of your garage. Detached garage plans can be a valuable addition to any home or piece of property. Choose an architectural style for your garage that blends with your home or other buildings on the property delivering a look as if all the structures were built at the same time. Garage blueprints are available in a broad range of architectural styles. Also, using the same exterior materials as the other buildings on your property will help the structures blend. If your planning to use the same roofing style and materials on your detached garage as your home’s roof, you may ask for a Free Roofing Contractor Estimate to help you determine it’s practicality. You must also be well-equipped with the necessary tools to build your garage. If you don’t have them yet, don’t worry because you can buy power drills online.

1. 1. If you are looking for special extras with your garage floor plans, decide what features you absolutely must have and which other ones might be nice to have if available. Do you need a half or full bath? Would you like a workbench or workshop? If your garage has a loft, do you want a staircase or will a pull-down stair work for you? Keeping in mind the intended function of you garage will help you decide what extras you may need or want.

1. 1. Purchase blueprints that match your discriminating needs from a reliable source and be aware of what is included in the garage blueprints. Most garage plans sold online are considered pre-drawn stock plans and include enough information for an experienced builder to construct the garage. Typically, pre-drawn garage plans include the interior and exterior elevations, a foundation plan, floor plans and construction notes. Some plans might also include details, cross-sections and other building specifications. Be aware, these types of garage plans are designed to meet the national building codes in place at the time they are created. However, this does not mean they will meet all local building codes and requirements. Your builder may need to make some adjustments for you during construction to meet local building codes. In some cases, you may even need to hire a local design professional to make necessary changes to the blueprints, and in other cases, you may need to hire a local engineer or architect to seal/stamp/approve the garage plans in order to get building permits. We recommend you contact your local building department for further information about what is required in your area.

1. In order to cut costs considerably, consider buying raw materials in bulk from a wholesaler if possible. This includes cement, gravel (from a stone gravel supplier), sand, plywood, lumber, nails, etc. Buying in bulk will also save you the hassle of making several trips back and forth to the store or lumberyard. 

Building a detached garage plan is no easy task, but these helpful tips will help you get started

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

Do you own a farm, a ranch or another large piece of property? Do you have a need for an equipment or machine shed? This barn-styled outbuilding plan might be just what you are looking for. Its classic styling allows it to blend nicely with other equipment buildings and sheds. Or perhaps you are a mechanic looking for a place to work on cars and store tools and auto parts or protect a favorite restored vehicle. This outbuilding design can accommodate you, too. This interior delivers 1728 square feet of sheltered space, ideal for parking cars, tractors, wagons, and other heavy equipment or storing tools. Two tack rooms provide separated storage from the main area and the workshop space is perfect for working on all sorts of projects. You’ll appreciate the convenience of the overhead garage door and three service doors. Pay attention to the 672 square foot, outdoor storage area. Flexible enough to handle many different tasks and satisfy many different needs, this outbuilding plan with workshop will enhance any piece or property. For more outbuilding plans like this one, please browse our entire collection. If you are looking for smaller designs, check out our collection of shed plans.

Tags: barns, outbuilding, Outbuilding Plans, outbuildings, sheds, storage buildings

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 that detached garage plans are well suited to handle a broad range of tasks. Carefully choose the type and design of your detached garage. Make sure that the roofing, flooring, and other elements suit your needs. What will you do with a detached garage?

Tags: detached garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage plans

In today’s world, many home owners find they are always in need of extra space. Simply stated, home owners have more things than they know what to do with and can’t seem to find a place to store everything. Just the thought of trying to store everything can seem exhausting in some cases. If this sounds familiar, take some time to browse storage shed plans like those found at The Garage Plan Shop. They are a wonderful, outdoor storage solution.

Shed plans can be used to store nearly everything from bikes and backyard toys to hunting gear, lawn and garden equipment and even a mechanic’s tools. If it doesn’t belong in your home and there isn’t enough room in the garage, consider storing all those extra things in a backyard storage shed.

Building a backyard storage shed is no easy task, especially if you don’t have all the knowledge and skills required for the project. However, those who are skilled builders and those who can enlist the help of someone with the right knowledge and skills will be rewarded for their efforts. They will have a sense of accomplishment and have peace of mind knowing their storage shed is a durable structure that is sure to last a long time as opposed to prefabricated models that may have been damaged when shipped to the lawn and garden or home improvement store.

Building with shed plans from The Garage Plan Shop will produce a wonderful backyard storage shed that will satisfy all of your backyard storage needs. Everything from the lawn mower and leaf blower to the kids’ soccer balls will have a place of their own. No more cluttered garage. No more wasting time looking for tools and equipment. With a backyard storage shed plan, everything will be easy to find when stored in your newly built shed.

Tags: Shed plans, sheds, storage shed plans, storage sheds

Spring is right around the corner and with those first warm days comes the urge to get outside and do something fun. Now you can bike more safely and easily with your baby. Most of are used to constantly turning our heads to check on our babies behind us as we ride, but with WeeRide you can keep your eyes on the road. The child carrier attaches in front of your bike so you can focus on the road and keep an eye on your little one.

Tags: bike baby seat, bike safety, bike safety seat, biking with baby, biking with kids, safe biking