A garage is more than a place to store your car in wet weather. Many homeowners are beginning to see this space as a crucial area with a range of purposes. Your garage could be a workshop, a home gym, a study, a second living room, a recording studio, or anything else you can dream up.
There are many reasons you might want your own spacious garage to serve as an extension to your house, but it is a luxury that many people do not have. Perhaps your home does not come with its own garage, or the one you do have is not suitable for the purpose.
Building a garage can not only give you the space you need to make your dream a reality, but it can also add enormous value and curb appeal to your home. However, if this is the route you want to go down then you have a mammoth task ahead of you. If you are starting from scratch with little experience then it can take a huge amount of time and money to get your project off the ground. But by following these five tips you will be able to make the process as efficient as possible while keeping your costs low.
Make a plan
No construction project can begin without a comprehensive plan. Before you even think about picking up a hammer, you should work out exactly what function your garage will fulfill and what it will look like. This plan should include every single detail from the number of electrical outlets to the direction the windows will face. There are plenty of home design software packages that allow you to create 3D visual representations of what your new building will look like. This will allow you to tweak everything and come up with the perfect garage for your home.
Obtain the materials
Now that you know exactly how your garage will look, it’s time to order all the building materials you’ll need. This will probably be the most expensive part of the project so make you have enough money in the bank to get all the relevant items as well as some extra in case of any unforeseen costs.
Start construction
One of the key decisions you need to make once you start building is how much of the work you will do yourself. If you know your way around construction projects then you may wish to save a bit of money by doing as much as possible yourself. However, if you’re less confident in your DIY abilities then it would be a good idea to hire subcontractors for the more difficult jobs.
Laying the foundation is one of the most important aspects of building a garage, and it is not a task to be taken lightly. The base needs to be secure to ensure your garage is stable and level, and won’t be susceptible to sinking or flooding.
The next steps are framing and assembling the walls of your new space, adding in the outer sheathing and the roof, and installing windows and doors. There are so many options when it comes to the doors, and you may wish to consult this guide on how to buy garage doors to help your decision.
Add the infrastructure
Now that the shell of your new building has been constructed, it’s time to add the fixtures and all the other little details that make it liveable. The complexity of this stage will depend on the specific functions you have determined for the garage. It may include laying the electrical infrastructure, installing water pipes, adding insulation for heat and sound, or heating and air conditioning. You may wish to lay carpets or install hardwood flooring or paint the walls the color of your choice to add some aesthetic appeal.
Kit it out
Your garage is complete, and now all that is left is to fill it. This is where you can add your own personality to your new space and really make it feel like home. If you are using it as a workshop, you may want tools and machinery. If it is a home office you’ll need a desk, computer, and storage solutions. Add some of your favorite artwork and some comfortable furniture and you will never want to leave.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, building your own garage from the ground up is not an easy task, but by following these five steps you will make the whole process as streamlined as possible.
