[MontegoGoGoGo]

Originally Posted by Nikolas

There are many reasons not to buy standardized plans. If you don't really care how it integrates with the home, then it probably will work for you. You will still need to have someone provide a site plan that integrates the design onto your site and they also need to be modified to address local ordinances and codes.

It is another example of "you get what you pay for".

As an Architect, I am biased, but the reality is a good quality design will more than pay for itself in the long run. Research the Architect as well with the State Licensing Board and local AIA chapter if they are a member.

That's a really good point.

We are going to have to have it all drawn out anyway.

For drawing out the plans in the yard and everything, do we hire a building architect or a landscape architect? Or one to draw the garage plans and another to do the yard?

I'd like to get the plans done for the yard at the same time if we can.

[ENINTY]

I built a 26 x 30 pole barn for about $32K in 2004. That includes framing with 6x6 PT poles, 9" concrete pad (12" underneath my lift), OSB siding, Hardie Plank (concrete siding) outside siding, steel roof and eaves, coupla, one 8' sliding door, one 8' swingout door, and one 36" entry door. I found a good deal on new (never used) windows at a junk dealer and I got another one from a consignment shop. It also has a storage loft. I bought the plans off the internet for $20. The plans were complete and the county only made me change the framing for the loft floor from doubled-op 2x10's to doubled up 2x12s.

There are a lot of good plans for garages on the web. If you want it integrated with the house then an architect is the way to go. I didn't need to match my house. It is a freestanding building.

[CoolToolGuy]

I'm having a house built now and the garage is built-in, so I can't comment on the cost of the garage. I thought I would toss in a couple ideas to consider.

I am having the builder include some 'blocking' at a couple points. Blocking is putting plywood or regular wood between joists or trusses under the drywall. It allows you to mount things anywhere along the blocking without having to worry about finding studs to screw into. For me, I'm having the narrow wall between the two garage doors blocked to allow mounting a vacuum and other goodies as well as a section of the ceiling between the two bays to allow for an automatic fire extinguisher, drop light, air hose reel, etc.

Not quite exactly the same, I am looking at reinforcing parts of the trusses to allow me to use the ceiling for overhead storage. In most states, the requirements for ceiling load limits are zero, meaning they are not rated for any additional load. If you want to utilize that, you should ask about reinforcing it.

Whether you heat the garage or not, insulation in the walls is relatively cheap and you will definitely notice it if you spend any time in there.

My 2 cents - good luck with your project.

Have Fun,
Rick

[TK-421]

Ask these guys:

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/garage-forum-61/

[Nikolas]

Originally Posted by MontegoGoGoGo

That's a really good point.

We are going to have to have it all drawn out anyway.

For drawing out the plans in the yard and everything, do we hire a building architect or a landscape architect? Or one to draw the garage plans and another to do the yard?

I'd like to get the plans done for the yard at the same time if we can.

Many Architects will provide this service or provide consultant services of a Landscape Architect. You should easily be able to include the entire scope of work in one set of plans.