Help with Garage Kit.

[Carver1]

Hello. I have been reading through the site for a few days now. I haven't found any info on Garage kits. I am building a 3 car garage in the next few weeks, and was wondering which is the best route? Steel or conventional? I would like to get around a 32x24 with a traditional house look to it. I will be using a 6 inch concrete slab, and haven't decided between steel, a kit from a lumber yard, a pole barn style, or just an all out build it myself from scratch. I would like to stay around $6-8K. Thanks for any help! Great site.

[mjpliv]

I noticed that your slab exceeds 600 square feet. Not knowing where this garage is being built you should note that in some areas any slab that exceeds 600 square feet will require an engineer's stamp. This rule refers to slabs that carry wall/roof loads. If this is just a traffic slab poured inside stem/foundation walls then the rule will not apply.

I really cannot comment on the best wood construction method because I do not know what is offered in the "kits" and I have never been involved with a steel garage.

Best of luck to you!

[Rich]

My personal preference would be to build it myself. I've seen some kits that people have gotten and they seemed like more of a pain than anything else. Trying to look through a pile of lumber to find stick B to fit into stick C (that's an exaggeration but you get the idea).
And I don't like steel when it comes to something as small as a garage. You will need a crane most likely which will cost additional money to rent. With trusses you can set most types by hand so no need to rent a crane.
I know others will have different ideas... you'll end up having to choose what the best for you in the end. They all have pros and cons..

[mreynolds]

Last summer I purchased a "Garage Kit" from a local lumber yard (24x24). I think there is a picture of it in the album during construction. We built ours using standard framing construction. I built a block stem wall foundation for mine, which was by far the most time consuming part. But I did this for a purpose, I wanted to learn how to build a house, so frame construction was necessary. If I was doing it purely for cost consideration and ease of construction, I think I would probably try a pole structure. Mainly because setting poles seems easier than digging a foundation and where we live I had to make my stem wall 4 feet deep. As far as steel goes, I helped a guy down the street build a 20 x 40 foot steel building. He was an experienced builder and got a great deal on the structure, but is was a bear to erect. He borrowed a crane from a friend to set the main beams/trusses. To construct it, he had to place a slab with bolts to anchor metal supports. So in my opinion, I would say wood framing is far easier than metal. Now pole or frame construction is up to you. Your price range sounds pretty reasonable. We did ours around $5500 for everything. What you will find is that your garage doors will probably be the largest part of your budget.

[CurtisS]

I have been building a new garage since last September. It is traditional wood framed. Not only has it been a great learning experience but I am saving alot of money doing it myself (just started the framing last weekend--FINALLY!!). I would suggest going with wood frame since it will look alot nicer and they are easy to construct. You and some friends could probably put it up in one weekend once the foundation is complete.
I don't see anything wrong with kits provided the materials are of good quality. I don't have any experience with steel buildings but the ones I have seen are not that pretty to look at especially after a few years.

[Carver1]

Thanks for all the input. I am going to go with traditional framing. The "kit" is basically just a materials list, blueprint, elevation plans, and the materials. It even has the nails and paint! I chose a 24 X 32. It came out to $6100 plus concrete (around $1500). They even broke it down to the penny on teh material list. I can't wait to get started. I just have to get the financing in order. Does anyone know of a lender that deals with less-than-perfect credit? I am trying to get a $10K line of credit. Thanks again for all your help. I'll keep a picture diary of the progress.

[Carver1]

How quickly things change! I am going to try to build the garage with no kit. I am just going to piece it together as I go. I'm ordering the plans tonight, and hope to break ground next week. Wish me luck!

[Tom R]

Good Luck, nothing will make you 'Prouder'!

[Rich]

Yep.. that's why I've always loved construction.. at the end of the day you can stand back and say "I built that".

[aglpml]

I built mine from these plans, only $9.95 and plenty of details and options:

http://www2.hometime.com/Admin/shopsite/p_7119.htm

My first time building too, I used 8:12 trusses with an attic space and 2x4 frame up construction. I've had to bribe a couple friends for flipping the trusses, but otherwise it's pretty straightforward to do myself.

Good Luck

[Carver1]

Thank you! I just ordered these plans.

http://www2.hometime.com/Admin/shopsite/p_7121.htm

I'll let you know how it goes.

[psymon]

Any update on your progress? I am very interested in this.