Going to get a garage built.

Normally i specify garage floors as follows:

150mm Hardcore
50mm sand blinding
Visqueen DPM
150mm concrete slab

Foundations depend on ground conditions, rather than get a Structural Engineer involved, when you submit the Building Regulations application state that you wish for the foundation depth to be a site controlled item and that the inspector is there to check they are happy with the depth and ground are OK before pouring the concrete.

 

Thanks for that, Nick. Will make a note and use that info when talking with builders. Much appreciated.

 

I think my last garage was about 16' wide, and quite long...I never found it a problem.

It was wide enough to get a car in with all doors wide open and not worry despite having racking/toolboxes down one side...and if you need to, you could put a car on the wheel dollys and push it against the end wall width ways.

I'm sure it'll be fine at 16' wide.
It doesn't matter what size you build it...it'll never be big ebough for the ideal...but it's perfectly usable at that width.

 

Are you running some form of pipe/conduit down from the house for power cable etc?
If so, best get that in before you get the floor done.

 

No worries mate, anymore questions then fire away as and when you need some help.

 

When I built my garage, I put a pit in it, one of the best things I did

Pitched roof is handy too, board it out and you have somewhere to store all the crap you`ll collect, well, thats what I do anyway

 

My mate`s has been approved with a pitched roof.

2.5m springs to mind as the max. May be wrong...

 

Planning permission has been given! That's for plans which show a 5m by 10m garage with a pitched roof, and built right up to the boundary with the neighbour, too.



I've been getting as many estimates as I can, but I'm only bothering to get estimates from builders who have come recommended. The best so far is a cash price of 4,500 for the complete base, and 7,500 for the garage itself in red brick throughout (NOT concrete blocks) and only up to wall plates (that is, not including the roof), and with me suppling doors, windows, guttering, etc.

Think I'm going to wind my neck in a bit over the width though. Might go for 4.5m or 4m wide and not bother trying to get two cars in side by side anymore. I know it's a compromise but don't want to take up too much garden. At least I'll still get two vehicles in end to end, and will be able to swing all the doors open and still work around a car.

 

mine is about 15+ft wide x 28+ft long inside & easily takes 3 cars with another car space for workshop.

the more you can get away with the better i say.

Mine:
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32742

 

I found your garage thread really interesting and useful when I started considering doing this, actually. Good to look at that thread again.

I thought that you had your house up for sale at one point. Take it you didn't move in the end?

 

still up for sale, 70k

just have to sell hers sooner then i might drop the price on mine if it hasn't sold by then.

hopefully a petrol head will see it.

 

Trev,

Assuming the cost difference isn't too great, and you can take the hit on the garden without too much grief...I'd build it as big as you can or you will forever moan about not having enough space.
You'll moan anyway...there is never enough space...but that extra strip of 0.5m to 1.0m will give you bench/cupboard space without taking up car space.
You'll end up with a larger roof space too.

You can never have too much garage space...

 

I've just finished a bit of a 're-fit' in my garage...so some of these might give you some ideas:

These are excellent - retractible LED inspection lights, no heat...and no bulbs to break!
15m cable, I think...spot on.




Wheel rack, up out of the way...sit's along side/above my Mk3:




These are also excellent - retractible extension cables with RCDs. 10/15m long.




Air Compressor up in the loft space, out of the way, regulator bottom right of pic.




L > R, retractable power extension, Air Regulator, retractable air line, retractable LED inspection light. All up out of the way...and can reach anywhere in the garage or driveway.




Battery charger, battery conditioners, plenty of power sockets...




Lots of storage - racking cheap at Viking Direct, kitchen units cheap in B&Qs sale:




Toolboxes, storage tubs full of unfinished projects(!) loads of power outlets and the essential TV (with Sky, naturally) and stereo.



Do I spend too much time in my garage?

 

thats a good garage

 

awsome, im want one lol

 

Looks like you're pretty nifty with a duster there Glen

Where's all the oil and swarf?

EDIT: I'm just jealous!

 

Lovely garage, Where is the bed?

I've got some serious garage envy

 

Comparing that to my 10x20ft shelter...i'm not jealous at all !!!

Awesome garage, I will have one to work in one day

 

Sadly, there is too much 'detailing' schizzle visible!
...and it's clean.
I have OCD.

Ahh...well, I've only just finished re-painting the floor...so currently it's a virgin surface...never seen a car yet, or any form of 'work'.

Once I get the 5" of snow off the Mk3 it'll be going back in...and it'll soon get messy again.

A painted floor means easy to sweep up the swarf and oily mess though!
There is a spare engine visible...does that count as oily?

I need an extension to the garage now (you can NEVER have too much space)...for a lathe, TIG set and plasma cutter. Then I'd become a recluse.

 

Cheers!
It's surprising what you can store in a double garage and the pitched roof!
I'm constantly trying to keep the floor space clear though...it's a constant battle.

I really do urge Trev to build as big as he can...as it's easy to run out of space as most will know.
'Going up' just buys you time.