How to Build a Garage

A garage is more than a place to keep your car out of the rain. It can be a great source of extra storage, a workshop for your DIY projects or even a refuge from the stresses of the day. Here's how to build a garage.

Planning For Your New Garage
The first step in building a garage is planning. Will you work from pre-purchased plans or with a local architect? Understand that you're proposing a major structure-you can't just sketch something out on the back of a napkin.

Will your garage be freestanding or attached to your home? If attached, there's a good chance your local building codes will require the use of an engineer to address structural and fire safety issues.

Also, you'll need to decide whether to use a kit or to build your garage from scratch. You might save money on a scratch built garage, but the pre-cut materials and complete instructions a kit provides could make the job easier.

Once you've got your garage plans, you'll have to coordinate with the city or county you live in to arrange permits, inspections and perhaps even re-zoning requests. You may also need to get approval from a homeowner's association in your neighborhood. 

Garage Construction Steps
If you've survived the logistical and bureaucratic jungle of planning your garage, the rest should be easy, right? Well, building a garage is a major project. If you are comfortable with your skill level and take your time, it can also be a rewarding one. You'll encounter the following major steps in most garage projects:

• A firm foundation. Pouring a solid foundation is critical to the success of your project. Unlike woodwork, you can't pry your mistakes apart and start over. Consider professional help, even if it's just to inspect your work before calling in the cement trucks.
• Measure twice, cut once. Laying out the walls is the next step. Using your newly poured (and dried) foundation as a work platform, carefully measure and assemble your walls as directed on your plan. You'll put the walls together on the ground, then raise and connect them to form the skeleton of your garage. You'll need plenty of help for the wall raising, so plan ahead.
• Keep everything dry. A well-constructed roof will hold everything together and keep your car and property safe from the elements. Pre-engineered and assembled roof trusses will make the job go faster. Keep safety in mind when working up high.
• A trim exterior. Sheathing and exterior paneling will get your garage looking sharp. Consider insulation and interior drywall if you plan to use your garage for a workshop.
• Finishing touches. Windows and doors will give your garage plenty of light and easy access. Providing water and electrical service will add extra functionality, and garage flooring will make your new garage look extra classy.