Garages

• Build Your Own Garage
• Plan Your Garage Project
• Local Building Requirements
• Deed Restrictions for Your Garage Project
• Climatic Factors of Your Garage Location
• Garage Functions
• Your Garage Budget
• Material Source
• Garage Placement
• Planning Your Driveway and Parking Areas
• Garage Site Plan
• Search for Garage Plans

Build Your Own Garage

Plan Your Garage Project

After you begin construction, it is costly and time-consuming to correct errors in placement, construction, or material selection. Once you decide to purchase plans, you must carefully plan your project. Determine what work you can handle alone and where expert help is needed. Study existing structures to learn construction basics. Choose a style and size that complements its environment.

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Here is a checklist of information to gather before you build:

• Local Building Requirements - Visit your local building department and determine how local building codes and zoning ordinances influence your garage. Certain municipalities have guidelines for proper setbacks from adjacent properties, side yards and driveways as well as height restrictions. Be aware of concrete thickness, grade and slope preparation guidelines for your driveway. Be prepared to apply for a building permit once you purchase your plan.

• Deed Restrictions for Your Garage Project - Are there conditions in your property deed that restrict the type and location of your garage? Are you planning to place it over a right-of-way or utility access easement?

• Climatic Factors of Your Garage Location - Evaluate the microclimate of your intended location. Microclimate includes the shading effects of trees and shrubs, the angle of the sun in relation to nearby landscaping during different seasons, soil drainage conditions, and prevailing wind and temperature conditions.

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• Garage Functions -What do you want your garage to do? Store your car or cars? Provide a workshop area or storage space? Your lot must have sufficient space for the structure and adhere to local building requirements.

• Your Garage Budget - You must determine an estimated dollar amount you plan to spend. Do you plan to construct the garage yourself or will you subcontract with a professional to build it after you purchase materials? Perhaps you want a contractor to construct your project. Set upper and lower spending limits so you can consider material options. If you decide to finance your project, include interest cost in the total.

• Material Source - Remember that a helpful lumber dealer or home center is an invaluable resource for your project. Consult with your dealer to be certain they stock all the materials you require, and what needs to be special ordered and lead times. See if the dealer delivers materials to your site.

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• Garage Placement - Before you place your garage on your property, study traffic patterns around your home. Create a site plan of your property and draw arrows to illustrate the basic movements. You will also want to plan your new driveway, off-street parking, or turnaround area.

• Planning Your Driveway and Parking Areas - Usually short approaches to two-car garages are double-width. Longer driveways use a single-width driveway that widens to the double-door opening. The drive should be wider at curves because the back wheels track with a smaller radius than the front wheels.

• Garage Site Plan - When creating a site plan, it is essential to locate exterior doors and windows on your plan. Try to include all exterior structures and landscaping in your plan. While a scale drawing is not essential, you can create a site plan to scale with a ruler and pencil. Grid paper with ¼" grids is perfect for drawing your site plan on a ¼"=1'-0" scale.

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