Garage Building Guide

Saving and Financing

• The first step in building your garage is determining how much it will cost. You most likely won't be able to pay for the majority of this project on your credit card, so you'll have to either save up or consider financing. Refinancing your mortgage is one option. You may be able to refinance based on the increased value of your home once the garage is built. You can tap into the equity you've built in your home over the years by taking out a home equity loan or line of credit. Another option is taking out a personal loan or opening a personal line of credit at your bank.

Planning

• The intended purpose of the garage will have an effect on how much the construction process will cost. If you're planning on using the garage to just park your car, it won't cost as much as it would if you were going to use it for a different purpose, such as an office or bedroom, where you'd have to have the interior completely finished or even install plumbing for a lavatory. You will have to follow local building codes when constructing the garage, as well as acquire permits for the construction. The building codes are in place to ensure that the garage is built safely; some also ensure the design fits local aesthetic codes (a log cabin-style garage would look out of place in downtown Los Angeles, for example). You can hire an architect to design the garage, or purchase plans online.

Pouring the Foundation

• As with any building, constructing a garage begins with laying a solid foundation. You can lay the foundation yourself, but for a project this big, most people hire a contractor. Depending on the locale, a garage may be built on a standard foundation, on concrete piers, or on a concrete slab poured over a thick layer of gravel. Whatever method is used, ensure that the foundation will be protected from damage when the ground freezes and thaws. The floor may be integrated into the foundation or poured separately.

Raising the Garage

• The garage itself can be built using many different methods. A typical wood-frame garage can either be constructed at a factory and shipped to the site, or built on the ground and raised into position on the concrete slab. Usually, if any electrical lines or plumbing needs to be installed, it should be completed or inspected by licensed contractors. Insulation can be installed on the interior walls and covered with paneling or drywall. If the garage is to be used as a living space or office, you'll need to paint the walls and install a finished floor, such as carpeting or tile. Installing the roof shingles and siding, followed by the doors and windows, finishes the construction.