Building New House - Garage Features???

Swanicyouth

Swanicyouth

New member
So, me and my girl have been looking to buy a house for a while - but can't find anything we love. So, it looks like we are going to have a house built.

Basically, we decided we like ranchers. Initially (since everything costs $$$), it looked like I was only going to get a 2 car garage. But, turns out 3 car garage may be doable.

We are meeting with the builder to price this all out Sat. The builder is a quality builder who deals with primarily with custom homes built on one of their templates. The area we are looking to build is in a small new development (<40 homes .... ~ 5 up so far).

Anyway, never have done this before - I'm looking for any suggestions about the garage I may be able to customize.

The house we are thinking of going with is similar to the one below with a similar garage setup:

65be6ded626ad7326cba2e8628ae44a8.jpg


The builder already puts a drain in the center of the garage as standard. That's good. Other than possible hose taps in the garage and a few outlets - I really can't think of anything else detailing related I should ask for.

Anyone do this before??? Any suggestions?
 
Swanicyouth- This should be fun for you folks! At least...if you get along OK with the builder ;)

I'd be (and I was at our house) all about stuff that can't be easily changed/upgraded later. Besides the drain (that sounds like a "gray water" drain your builder uses, is that OK for you?) get the water/electricity needs done in a way you'll like living with. You can do the lights/etc. later, but I'd want the wiring already overkilled- high-amp circuits and plenty of them. And sure, you want hot/cold water at the very least (I'd want a utility-tub sink too, again at the very least).

The plumbing for that utility sink *would* need to be done before they pour the concrete.
 
Thanks. Will be looking for that. They already have an included soft water set up & filter. Plus, the water isn't too bad around here.

I dunno about the drain though. What is a "gray drain"?? Only thing going down it would be water and soap. Is there a limitation on that? There is no real washing restrictions around here.

The wash tub basin would be in the laundry room (separate from garage). Thought about asking for one in the garage - but thought it may take up too much space???
 
If you have the option I'd suggest paying attention to the garage's placement more then anything else. My garage faces West and gets unbearably hot in the summer due to the amount of direct sunlight it receives during the day. The only time I can do any sort of correction is early morning before the sun gets a chance to heat things up. Stinks.

I do have a washtub in my garage and like how I can connect a hose and run warm water through it for cold weather pressure washer sessions. After the last 2 PA winters you just need to have indoor shut off valves and drain points added for extra security.

Congrats on the house. You staying in Royersford? Was up there on Saturday for a birthday party. Crazy how much that area has grown in the last 10 years.
 
Angus said:
If you have the option I'd suggest paying attention to the garage's placement more then anything else. My garage faces West and gets unbearably hot in the summer due to the amount of direct sunlight it receives during the day..
Click to expand...

Hey, that's a great point!

I didn't have any options in that regard, and my steel garage doors do get mighty warm.
 
We didn't buy our house new, so I wasn't around for the building part of it, but the one thing I wish our garage had is its own sub panel so I could add circuits as needed with out disrupting the main panel in our house. I added one breaker to what was already there for a compressor and our main panel is already full now. We have a whopping 2 outlets in our garage which is ridiculous.

So if I was building, I would make plans to have outlets all over the place, a sub panel for the garage, and have any speaker wiring or network cabling that may think you'll want now or in the future ran. I plan on adding a small wash tub as well, so I'd put that on the list even though you have one in the laundry room. The less trips you have to make in the house the better
 
I'm not sure if you plan includes a central vacuum system but if they do I'd put one or two outlet's in the garage (if not for detailing then at least to keep the garage clean when doing other projects). It might also be cheaper to build in the storage you need rather than add it after the fact (same for lighting).
 
Ceiling height consideration, either for future hoist or heat rises, so it will help in the summer. Multiple electrical outlets on each wall. Center drain. Utility tub with faucet. From the photo, windows on each side of the garage for ventilation. LED ceiling lights, pick the Kelvin rating you like (10,000K represents noon time sun). Dimension size the floor plan to where you want cabinets. This is making me miss my garage before moving to fla.
 
Very happy for you,congratulations i bet you're extremely excited and probably just focused on the Garage (forget the rest of the House right?haha) , i know i would be B) .
 
I just finished a full custom home and this is what I did for the garage.

Separate storage to keep the clutter out of the garage. I have many bicycles so this is key.
Non-slip porcelain tile flooring.
220 power and storage area for an air compressor.
Power for electric car charger.
Full LED lighting (I used Cree SL-40)
Water outlet next to storage for my DI water filters and pressure washer. (I'm not using this now due to drought restrictions)
Sink with hot water.
Operable windows.

Drains are not allowed in my location, that would be nice.

I should have put in an in-floor lift.
 
Room/ ceiling height for a lift in the future and a space in a wall for an air conditioner. That's what I did and I'm very glad I did. The AC makes it tolerable in the garage in the summer
 
I have been looking at and making list of my own similar to this. So far here is what I have.


Floor drain under each parking spot. - I know is sounds silly but it really is nice once you have them. In the winter stuff drops off the car and then funnels directly under it instead of across the floor.


​
Extra Over head lighting. - I upgraded mine to (4)- 4' florescent high output lighting units and now at times wish I could have a little more. Makes it nice at night or in the winter when you are stuck inside. Even better if you have them on multiple switch banks to control the amount of light.


​
Ceiling fans - We did these in my dads garage and it is really nice in the summer


​
Extra depth in the garage - I have a work bench and other things and added depth to the garage would really come in handy at times as my truck takes up the entire depth if I park it inside with only 3-4" front and back to spare. So vehicle size matters.


​
A separate switch box separating the garage from the house. This way if you need to shut off the power to work on something in the future you can still have safe power running for tripod lights and tools.
​

Utility sink - I would like to have one beside my hot and cold water bib so I can wash up and never need to go into the house.

 
Congrats on the house! I built and it was awesome to pick and choose what I wanted for both house and garage.

I have two quick suggestions that I can think of:

1) If the garage doors are separate, go with 9' wide doors, NOT 8'. The 6" per side doesn't seem like a lot, but it is and I've never regretted the larger doors.

2) Use engineered I-beams for the ceiling of the garage if you can. I did and turned the second floor of my garage into a full storage area as large as the garage itself (I have a drop-down ladder that stores away when not in use). That way, you'll double your area (a HUGE space advantage) and not need any lally columns to hold up the floor above you, leaving the entire garage open instead of riddled with columns. You could then turn the second floor into a FROG (Finished Room Over Garage) if you were ever so inclined.

Good luck! :)
 
Accumulator said:
Swanicyouth- This should be fun for you folks! At least...if you get along OK with the builder ;)

I'd be (and I was at our house) all about stuff that can't be easily changed/upgraded later. Besides the drain (that sounds like a "gray water" drain your builder uses, is that OK for you?) get the water/electricity needs done in a way you'll like living with. You can do the lights/etc. later, but I'd want the wiring already overkilled- high-amp circuits and plenty of them. And sure, you want hot/cold water at the very least (I'd want a utility-tub sink too, again at the very least).

The plumbing for that utility sink *would* need to be done before they pour the concrete.
Click to expand...

+1....

Utility sink
Drain
At least 3 sets of plugs per wall
1 or 2 240v plug
Ceiling plugs
Steel back insulated garage doors (trust me I sell them) - with high lift track (for the lift)
Liftmaster jackshaft opener
10' of ceiling - for a lift

Angus said:
If you have the option I'd suggest paying attention to the garage's placement more then anything else. My garage faces West and gets unbearably hot in the summer due to the amount of direct sunlight it receives during the day. The only time I can do any sort of correction is early morning before the sun gets a chance to heat things up. Stinks.

I do have a washtub in my garage and like how I can connect a hose and run warm water through it for cold weather pressure washer sessions. After the last 2 PA winters you just need to have indoor shut off valves and drain points added for extra security.

Congrats on the house. You staying in Royersford? Was up there on Saturday for a birthday party. Crazy how much that area has grown in the last 10 years.
Click to expand...

The placement of the garage usually doesn't matter, 9/10 times a builder just isn't going to insulate the garage walls. They don't see any benefit and it cuts into their profit. My family owns a building supply store we sell and install Clopay garage doors and Liftmaster openers, Semco windows, Plygem windows, Tucker doors, Dyke doors, trim/moulding, Kwikset, etc. you get the point. I am willing to bet that 95% or our builders don't insulate the walls to main level garages and probably only 50% put decent garage doors in them. And when I mean decent, I mean steel back insulated garage door, not a foam back insulated tin can.

kbmag1 said:
Ceiling height consideration, either for future hoist or heat rises, so it will help in the summer. Multiple electrical outlets on each wall. Center drain. Utility tub with faucet. From the photo, windows on each side of the garage for ventilation. LED ceiling lights, pick the Kelvin rating you like (10,000K represents noon time sun). Dimension size the floor plan to where you want cabinets. This is making me miss my garage before moving to fla.
Click to expand...

I honestly wouldn't worry with windows in the garage or glass in your garage doors. The reason being is people are nosey and it gives them an easier way to break in. Plus windows would just take away from you insulation. I would just spray foam the garage since you will be working in it a lot.

How to break in to a garage door - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDw8DOblGB8

I would stay away from 10,000k bulbs. That is the color of the sky, not the color of the sun. The blue color and would wash out the true color of paint and other objects. You want 5000k-4300k, which is true white. It shows the actually color of something.
 
What a dizzying list. Thanks for all the suggestions. All I really care about customizing with the house is the garage and hardwood floors.

I plan on putting a lift in eventually, so I got the concrete specs from the builder (don't have them handy).

One thing I would like is some type of cooling system for the garage - dunno if they could add a duct that closes or if that would make my electric bill a fortune. Or maybe just get a portable or window unit? Garage does have a window. Will have to talk to builder about that.
 
SwedishRider said:
Congrats on the house! I built and it was awesome to pick and choose what I wanted for both house and garage.

I have two quick suggestions that I can think of:

1) If the garage doors are separate, go with 9' wide doors, NOT 8'. The 6" per side doesn't seem like a lot, but it is and I've never regretted the larger doors.

2) Use engineered I-beams for the ceiling of the garage if you can. I did and turned the second floor of my garage into a full storage area as large as the garage itself (I have a drop-down ladder that stores away when not in use). That way, you'll double your area (a HUGE space advantage) and not need any lally columns to hold up the floor above you, leaving the entire garage open instead of riddled with columns. You could then turn the second floor into a FROG (Finished Room Over Garage) if you were ever so inclined.

Good luck! :)
Click to expand...

Nice thought. If you can, I say go with 10' x 8' garage doors. Mainly because you can fit just about ANY vehicle in it.

On a side note, if you are wanting one double door and one single. I would probably do a 18' x 8' and a 10' x 8', but that door is gonna be kind of pricey. We sell an 18' x 8' Clopay 4050 without glass for $1,500 installed and the 10' x 8' is $900. They would be cheaper for pickup. Btw, if you are willing to put them in, I could possibly have garage doors drop shipped to your local Clopay distribution center. We are a master authorized dealer, so I have some pull. B)
 
Swanicyouth said:
What a dizzying list. Thanks for all the suggestions. All I really care about customizing with the house is the garage and hardwood floors.

I plan on putting a lift in eventually, so I got the concrete specs from the builder (don't have them handy).

One thing I would like is some type of cooling system for the garage - dunno if they could add a duct that closes or if that would make my electric bill a fortune. Or maybe just get a portable or window unit? Garage does have a window. Will have to talk to builder about that.
Click to expand...

You can have duct work run into the garage. My mom and stepdads house is done this way. The electrical bill doesn't go up because there is no thermostat to turn it on/off. So it only comes on if the inside is on.
 
If you want cooling in the garage, I'd go with a separate unit just for the garage. Otherwise, the calculation the builders will use will invariably upsize your home's HVAC system by quite a bit, and it will add much wear and tear. I'd go with two independent systems... but others may disagree. I was advised against one system for both when I built.
 
My AC unit is a window unit. I just had the builder put a space in the wall to accommodate it. It does a good job of cooling down the garage on days like this
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top