building a shop

[zen]

so what would you consider essentials in building a home workshop? some parameters:

1. i'm building a new freestanding garage. probably two car or oversized one car depending on cost and available funds.
2. assume basic wrenches and etc are already covered. also have air compressor and related tools already.
3. i possibly have access to a 12' lift for a good price.
4. primary purpose is for regular maintenance of several cars and working on one project car at a time. mostly the maintenance side though.

so what are the things to target?

• minimum amount of space around the car for work room (i know get the most possible, but what would you consider a minimum including workbench space etc.
• shop essentials like utility sink (which means i have to run plumbing), power placement, lighting, allow small room for painting/powerdercoating, oven...
• and any other considerations in making it "shop friendly".

budget is pretty limited. i am guessing (this is before even having talked with an architect) that i will have $15-$20k to spend and have to have the garage look like belongs with the house (HOA) so have to do stucco. so i have to cover garage and tools with that money.

[NO_H2O]

1. 240 volt sub panel to power everything
2. Epoxy coated floor(light grey to reflect light)
3. Insulation/Heat/Air cond. ( Kero. heater and window unit will do)
4. Light....lots of light
5. Paint the walls white(reflects lots of light)
Build it as big as you can, with a high ceiling and maybe storage in the atic with some outside stairs to it. Build it deep so you can have the workbenches and tools on the back wall and room to work.
Then do the rest. Like a lift, work benches, cabinets,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,some real tools

[Kafer_Mike]

I'd go 2 1/2 car garage to allow room for a bench, shelves, and tools (tool box, welder, oven, jacks, etc.). Several other suggestions:

Install a seperate access door.
Plumb for a utility sink. (your wife will thank you :agree: )
Plumb for natural gas for a furnace or radiant wall heater.
Plumb for compressed air with couplers every 6'-10' and 1 or 2 overhead.
Install a floor drain.
Wire the walls with 110v outlets every 6' and seperate circuits on each wall to prevent overloading.
Wire each wall with one 220v outlet.
Wire the ceiling with 110v outlets for overhead fluorescents, ceiling fans (to stay cool/warm and keep the bugs away), and garage door openers.

Hope this helps...

[LOAF]

Granted I just refinanced on my current home, and probably won't be moving for a little while, but I have for a while pondered what my ideal garage would be like.. specially if I have the opportunity to buy a home with a garage (current doesn't have one).
These are great ideas, that I definitely wouldn't have thought of..

Thanks
ALex

[zen]

i have a two car now, just no room around the cars. i also have 4 cars and two kids growing up quick (4 & 9). so thought was 2 car with a lift in the center and lift one and park the other underneath. will go to 2 1/2 with lift on one side if i can since that adds storage for one more car. as usual, budget will dictate a lot and not sure how much i can get for the money. land size may be a slight issue too.

all good thoughts so far. open for more...just remember $15-$20k.

[boygenius]

I never got a good look at your house since it was dark when I got there. But I remember that there is a pretty steep incline to your property. What if you sunk part of the garage into the hill side so only 1.5 stories of the 2 story building would be visible to your neighbors. First level would be say 25' wide by 35' deep so you could open the doors on you car with another car in the garage and have plenty of room in the back for a bathroom, tool box, benches, ect...

The second story would be 25' wide but only 10' deep measuring from the back wall. That way you will have plenty of room to lift a vehicle without hitting the ceiling. You could keep a fridge in the loft along with a mini couch and some VW literature to take a break and get some ideas. You could also place hooks along the walls to hang body panels from to get them out of the way.

[zen]

nice thought, but the back is pretty flat. the front has all of the incline. still doable above ground though. lining up architects this week and talking to HOA. still have to sit back a little and make sure the contract on the house goes through.