The Garage Plan Shop Blog

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. 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?

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 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.

1. 1. 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.

1. With the few remaining garage plans, determine which garage plan has the right look, roofing style, 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. They also know the going rates for materials such as steel, concrete and Concrete wire mesh, and also the labor rates in your particular area. Just ask for an estimated cost to build. If you want a shingle roof installation on your garage, local builders can give an estimate for that project. You may also consider metal building kits for your garage construction. 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

If you’ve found yourself asking, “I want to build a garage, but where do I start?” You’ve come to the right place. First thing is to remove all those unused items, like what you inherit from your grandparents, you can sell it or whatever you want to do, For more tips you can view here. There is a wide range of resources available to help you get started on your garage building project. Most are easy-to-access and will offer insight and knowledge about the construction project you are about to tackle. Below are just a few of the resources available to you.

• • Contact local building professionals that have experience with residential construction and ask lots of questions. Some of these people include builders, a roofing contractor to install a residential roofing system, residential designers, carpenters, electricians and the like. Expert electricians Brisbane North can help you with various projects such as installing electricity, installing security systems, installing smoke alarms, and more. 

• • Check with your local building department or a Building Inspector Brisbane to find out what your city/town/municipality will require in order to start and finish the project. Ask about building codes and requirements specific to your geographic location as well as local building codes. Find out if there are any restrictions for your neighborhood.

• • Take some time to talk with family members and friends who have completed a residential construction project recently whether they built a garage, home, shed, barn or outbuilding. Ask them to share any information they can. These people will speak from experience and have a wealth of knowledge to share. Ask them what pitfalls they encountered during construction, what went well, what could have gone better and what they’d do differently next time. They may also recommend builders, a roofing contractor, electrician, etc.

• • If you need to get a loan, check with various mortgage lenders and a mortgage broker you can rely on. Find out how to get a mortgage and what steps you need to take to qualify for a loan and what the lender expects throughout the lifetime of the construction loan. The best way to get a complete picture of your applicants is with Certified Credit’s merge credit report. 

• • Spend some time at the lumberyard. The professionals at the lumberyard are especially knowledgeable about building materials.

• • Search the Internet. There are all kinds of helpful websites offering construction information for all phases of the building process.

• Don’t forget about us. We have an extensive resources page with many articles and tips to help you through building process. You can also follow us on Twitter and check out our Facebook page for current postings about garage construction and related information.

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

Whether you’ve been thinking about building a detached garage plan for a while or the idea is new to you, it is important to keep in mind that such an addition to your property will improve your home and prove to be valuable. Detached garage plans come in a variety of sizes and styles, but one thing is certain, they all add value to your home or property, provide sheltered parking and protection for your cars, and offer storage space for basement and attic overflow or practical workspace such as a workshop or hobby room. Below are a few reasons while building a garage will improve your home:

1. 1. First, consider the protection of your cars. Being an enclosed structure, not only will a detached garage protect your cars from the elements preventing such problems as sun or hail damage, but it will also protect from other things like falling tree limbs and flying debris during thunderstorms so you need to consider the type of roofing installation for your garage. In addition, a garage will keep your car safe from potential auto thefts when parked in the driveway or on the street. The garage offers a secure overhead door that can be locked. Other windows and doors can be locked as well, keeping criminals away and your cars safe.

1. 1. When storage is considered, most of us think of storing our cars inside a detached garage. But building a garage plan can offer other kinds of storage too. Perhaps a 3-car garage safely stores two automobiles and the third bay is used to store seasonal items such as holiday decorations and patio furniture during the winter months. Or maybe you own other motorized vehicles. A detached garage plan provides parking and storage for boats and trailers, ATVs, golf carts, jet skis and more. When it comes to storage, there is no limit. Detached garages can be used to store the lawn mower, gardening tools and the leaf blower not to mention the kids’ bikes, soccer balls, and skateboards.

1. 1. In some cases, building a garage means added workspace in the form of a workshop or hobby room. Some garage plans include parking bays and a separate area for special uses such as a workshop for woodcrafts or a loft that can be finished as a sewing room or game room. You may also hire a professional plumber if you wish to install a plumbing system inside your detached garage for a washroom or bathroom. A cooling and heating system installation may also be considered if you prefer to use the extra space as an entertainment room or additional living room.

1. Finally, detached garage plans deliver added value to your home. When you add a practical and useful structure, such as a garage, to your backyard, it will increase the value of your home. Should you ever have to move, you’ll see a nice return on your investment.

It is easy to see why adding a garage to your home or property will improve its overall function while satisfying your needs for parking, workspace, storage, and value. Take some time to browse The Garage Plan Shop’s collection of detached garage plans.

Tags: Building A Garage, Detached Garage Plans, garage, garage plans, home improvement