Essential Factors to Consider When Building a Garage

Many people bought their first homes after interest rates went down at the start of the pandemic. While most homes had everything a homeowner needs, some properties did not come with a garage, which is an important feature of any home.

And if you are one of those who bought a house without a garage, you should consider building one on your property. But building a garage takes more than just hiring someone to work on it for you. You have several things to consider when you plan for the project.

Here are the things you need to take into account when you build a garage on your property.

Check the Zoning Laws

The first thing you need to do is check the zoning laws in your area. Each state or city has its own requirements under its own zoning law. For instance, one city requires homeowners to get a subject-to-field-inspection permit. On the other hand, another city requires a building permit before you can start working on the project. So, you should inquire at the government office of your city or state.

And with the pandemic yet to end, you can inquire online since some government offices are not offering in-person customer service. Others only cater to people who have prior appointments. But it’s a good idea to transact with these offices online for your safety and convenience.

Decide the Type and Size of the Garage

Once you know the requirements under the zoning laws of your city or state, you should decide the type and size of the garage you’ll build on your property. You can make an attached garage or a detached garage. Both kinds of garages increase the value of your property in case you want to take advantage of the tight housing supply and sell your home at a higher price.

An attached garage is cheaper and easy to build since it’s easy to connect electricity and plumbing into the structure. On the other hand, a detached garage prevents vehicle noise and emissions from affecting the house. It also gives you more space and the opportunity to expand it in the future.

Aside from the type of garage, you should also decide on the size. The size will depend on the available area in your property. But if you have sufficient space, you should opt to build a garage that can accommodate at least two cars. You should also allot space where you can install shelves or an area that allows you to move around in the garage. A space for a small work area is also a good idea.

Compute the Cost of the Garage

After deciding the type and size of the garage, you should compute the cost of building the garage. You should remember that a detached garage is more expensive compared to an attached garage. But it offers more space for you to work with. You can also build a room on top of a detached garage to increase the usable space in your property.

And when you compute the cost, you should also consider the cost of the excavator rental service since you’ll have to dig up the property for the foundation of the garage. Similar to the foundation of a house, you should also strengthen the foundation of the garage. A strong foundation for the garage is also important if you plan to add a second floor to the garage structure.

Consider the Ventilation and Utilities

You should also plan the ventilation of the garage. Ventilation is essential to avoid bringing carbon monoxide into the house if you have an attached garage. Carbon monoxide poisoning can also happen if you stay inside an enclosed garage with the car engine running.

So, you should make sure that the airflow inside the garage is not stagnant, nor should it make its way into the house. One option is to install an exhaust fan in the garage. You should also include vents and windows in the design to prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside the garage. At the same time, you should make sure the garage is well-insulated to protect it from the cold temperatures of winter.

You also have to consider the lighting and water needs of the garage. If you plan to set up a small work area in the garage, you’ll need electrical outlets for the workstation. In this situation, you should consider setting up HVAC equipment in the garage. With this, you can cover the heating and cooling needs of the area. It will also help keep the garage well-ventilated and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases.

Building a garage on a property is a good way to protect the vehicles of the homeowner from the elements.