My Guide to Building a Garage from Scratch

Many of us need to have a car to get around. Even though it would be better if we could all use public transport, it's just not possible in many places. Some families even need to cars to ensure everyone can get to work and school on time. And if you need a vehicle, then you need to have somewhere to put it. Some people can find somewhere on their street to park every day, and others have a driveway. But if you want your car to be safer, a garage is necessary. Adding one onto your home isn't that difficult, and it could mean you end up paying less for car insurance.

Learn the Local Rules

Before you can build anything, you need to find out whether you need permission. It's likely that you'll have to ask your local authority that's in charge of planning in your area. You may require a permit before you're allowed to go ahead and start building. So check out the website with planning information for your area first. If there's no useful information online, you may have to phone or visit them in person. When you have an idea of what your garage will look like (or at least the size), you can apply for the relevant permits.

Designing a Garage

You might think there isn't much to designing a garage. It's usually just a rectangle with a roof and a door, after all. But you can still put plenty of thought into what it looks like, especially in terms of materials and colors. And there are different ways you can use the space that you should keep in mind when you're designing your garage. You should look at materials to use for the walls and garage doors, but you also need to consider what it's going to look like on the inside. Are you going to use it just to store your car, or do you need it for bicycles, gardening tools and a woodworking station too? If you don't want any hassle, you can pick a pre-made plan.

Ben Babcock

Talking to Contractors

Once you know what you want, and you have permission to build it, you'll need someone to put it together for you. Don't rush out and hire the first contractor you can find. You should get quotes from several companies and talk to them about what you want. Ask them to show you examples of their previous work so that you can see what they're capable of. You need to make sure they understand your project before they begin.

Construction

If you've chosen the right contractors, they should keep the impact of the build to a minimum, so it doesn't affect you too much. It's up to you how much you leave to the professionals. You might feel confident enough to do some of the interior aspects of the garage. For example, you'll probably want to paint it yourself, rather than hiring decorators.

It's much easier to build a garage than an entire home. If you need some extra space, start making a plan to install yours.