Last updated on September 7th, 2023 at 08:03 am
A new spacious garage is a perfect place for some workshop space, a fortress of solitude, or store your vehicle. Building a garage adds substantial value to the property.
It is a serious project which can be done with proper planning, motivation, and knowledge. By carrying out the project yourself or contracting out portions from it, you can save money over hiring a professional.
How To Build a Garage from Scratch
There are some things to consider before starting to build your garage –
- Placement
Garages can be attached by the side, the back, or sometimes to the front of the house. The attached garages allow you to access them from home.
Side garages are the most common. Garages at the back have lower issues with placing and setbacks, but you will have to provide a path alongside the house for your vehicles.
- Garage Design
Usually, the exterior design of the garage is similar to the style of the house. Roofing, color, siding, and windows typically match the houses.
A standard garage can withhold two cars and be 24 feet by 24 feet, with one or two garage doors and a window.
An attached garage will require electric wiring to supply the lighting and outlets.
A range of building permits is needed to be obtained. The structure itself should be inspected and permitted by local municipal inspectors.
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What You Will Need –
Materials
- LVL beam
- Two-by-fours
- Shingles
- Siding
- House wrap
- Plywood or OSB sheathing
- Garage door
- Concrete
- Drywall
Equipment/Tools
Step – 01: Foundation Footers
The foundation footers should be built, and the garage needs them as they will extend below the frost line. A backhoe is used to dig into the soil up to the required depth, and wooden concrete forms are built for the foundation. After that, concrete is poured into the forms and then left to strengthen.
Step – 02: Concrete Slab
The type of slab depends on your budget and the size of the garage. You will need the help of a concrete contractor who will tie metal rebar to strengthen the base for the concrete slab.
After that, a concrete truck will fill the slab in one continuous pour while the concrete workers level out and finish the concrete. Adding a block course to the slab stops the garage door framing higher up from the ground.
Step – 03: Building the Walls
Building the walls will need the help of carpenters who are experienced enough for the job.
Carpenters will build the walls using double sill plates at the very top, and the bottom will have vertical studs spaced every 16 inches. Leave enough spaces for the windows and doors.
Step – 04: The Roof
Building the roof is a comparatively easy task as the roof trusses come pre-built and are less hassle. The pre-built top arrives by truck and is placed using a crane. Workers will nail the trusses down to secure the roof in place.
Step – 05: Install the House Wrap and Sheathing
The sheathing is a structure used for support that acts as a cover for building surfaces. The main function of sheathing is to provide a space where other materials can be applied; it can be either on floors, walls, or the roof. It is usually a material known as the oriented-strand board, OSB, or plywood.
The house wrap works as a weather-resistant barrier, which prevents rain from inserting through the wall assembly while letting water vapor pass to the exterior. It is a synthetic material which that protects the building.
Use an exterior grade ¾ inch OSB board or plywood and nail it to the garage exterior for sheathing. Cover it using a house wrap.
Step – 06: Install the Siding
Siding is a material that is used on the surface of the exterior of a building to protect against exposure to elements, prevent heat loss, and visually make the façade look uniform.
Siding is installed over the sheathing and brought directly upwards to the house siding so that both stylistically match.
Step – 08: Install All the Necessary Doors
A door is installed to connect the house with the garage. According to most codes, a solid, fire-resistant door is required. As for the exterior door, an exterior pre-hung door is installed.
Installing the doors by yourself will save you a hefty amount. Garage doors come in two variants, torsion springs and extension springs. The door tracks are installed on the garage ceiling and doors are installed into the door openings and then placed onto the tracks.
Step – 09: Install the Electrical Wirings
It is essential to get an electrical system inside the garage for the necessary outlets. Connect with the house’s main electrical system. If available circuit locations are on the service panel, then run the main system’s outlet to the lighting, garage door, and dryer circuits. Keep options for installing ground insulation for heated spaces and floor drains.
Step – 10: Plumbing Lines (optional)
This step is optional as not everyone wants their garage to have laundry facilities but if you are planning to place them inside the garage, then tie the plumbing lines with the house’s cold and hot water supply and drainage system. As for a hose bib, tie the cold-water supply line into the house’s supply and extend through the walls to the exterior faucet location.
Step – 11: Finish with the Drywall
Drywall, also called gypsum board, wallboard, or sheetrock, is a building material that is used to cover the framings on walls and ceilings. Drywall is installed for fire resistance and soundproofing the walls and ceilings on the interior of buildings.
It is usually screwed onto the framing structure and the joints within the drywall panels are taped to conceal the gap. Mud is applied on top of it to smooth the transition and fill screw holes. In this case, the drywall is installed inside the garage.
Sandpaper is used to smooth out once the mud dries up, and the wall is painted or textured depending on the desired finish.
Projects for Yourself
- Hanging and finishing the drywall.
- Run the electricity from the house to the garage.
- Install the garage doors and windows.
- Install the exterior door and doors to the house.
- Place the circuits for outlets, lighting, and garage door.
Projects for Professionals
- Pouring concrete slab.
- Building foundation and walls.
- Install the siding and shingles.
- Building the structure of the roof.
Building a garage is similar to building a smaller, pared-down house. The essential parts such as roofing, foundation and wall systems are almost the same.
Hiring subcontractors for specific jobs and doing other works by yourself is an alternative and great way to reduce some subcontractor projects costs.
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