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Over the years, people have opted to renovate and make changes to their existing properties instead of building everything from scratch. But, sometimes, building is the only option. If you’re considering to build a detached garage for you house, you need to know certain things. You need a complete plan and the assistance of home addition builders. Here are the important steps that will help you do that.
Check The Rules
The first and most important thing you need to do before you can add a detached garage to the house is check the local rules. Some states have strict building codes that need to be followed even if you are expanding an inch of your house. That said, you will need to do the same for detached garages as well.
To begin with, you should consult the county’s building department. Since a detached garage will be considered an accessory building, they might have certain regulations. Depending on the county and its laws, they might not dictate the size of your garage but the amount of permeable space you can take up on your lot.
Keep in mind that an attached and a detached garage are two different things. Most of the time, people tend to confuse the terms. As a result, they had to face huge setbacks just because they were not clear about what they wanted. The rules for both attached and detached garages may vary as well.
Therefore, consult with an expert who will share the fundamentals, helping you avoid heavy fines and legal troubles.
Lay It Out On Paper
The next thing you would want to do is lay your entire plan down on a piece of paper. As simple as it might seem, turning your idea into a drawing plays a huge role in helping you successfully achieve your goal. The reason is usually homeowners have a lot of ideas in their head while constructing or expanding their space.
These ideas may or may not be suitable depending on the situation. This means you must pick a realistic idea. And that is possible if you have drawn everything on a piece of paper. Another reason it is important is because it keeps you focused and gives a clear direction.
Otherwise, there have been many incidents in the past where homeowners simply followed the idea in their heads only to land up in trouble during the process. So, take it as commercial remodeling McLean. Everything is planned carefully before even excavation. Similarly, you should have a clear plan before doing anything. Finally, share the plan with an architect, who will review and suggest changes if required.
Set Up The Foundation For Your Detached Garage
Yes, you will need to set up the foundation for your garage. You might be thinking that is not needed but it is a critical step of the process. You need to ensure that the foundation is both level and square. You will also need to make sure the foundation is strong enough that it can withstand the weight of the garage.
Then again, you might need an expert’s advice. Unless your house is well-maintained, you might be able to make a proper guess. However, if the foundation has never been touched, it might be that it has slightly moved. This could be due to many reasons.
Sometimes, it could be due to natural reasons. However, you cannot build a detached garage if the foundation is weak. It won’t be long before the foundation gives up and the house begins to sink. This could be an expensive situation to deal with.
Decide The Purpose Of The Garage
Deciding the purpose of the garage helps you choose the right materials. If you simply want to use it as storage and not for vehicle maintenance, you won’t need special flooring or walls. But if you are planning to use it as a vehicle storage or maintenance area, you will need to think about the floors and walls.
The reason is that water and moisture can impact regular flooring and walls and might not last as long. Once you have perfected the foundation, the flooring is the first thing that comes next. Then again, this might appear simple to you but it isn’t.
Be cautious and think thoroughly when it comes to preparing the foundation and the floors. The reason is that if you were to miss out on a tiny mistake, it is going to cost you big time. So, define the purpose, plan well, and hire experts.
Ventilation And Insulation
Regardless of the purpose of the detached garage, it will need proper ventilation and insulation. This is a common mistake made by homeowners especially while using the space for storage or spending some extra time.
If possible, you can link the existing HVAC system to the garage. And during the winter, you can simply install a window to let some rays through. A garage with items all over the place can become a suffocated place. However, proper ventilation can surely help you with that.
Can I Do It On My Own?
Adding a detached garage to your house can be complicated depending on the circumstances. Even if you have skills and the appropriate tools, you will still need an expert’s help. Adding a detached garage does not mean you have to break your bank.
However, you will need to consult an architect or engineer who will help guide you in the right direction. If you have a friend or a family member sharing more or less the same skills, you can ask for a helping hand. Plus, doing it yourself might be the only option if you do not have that much money to spend.
So, as long as you are willing to put in effort and time, you should not have a problem adding a detached garage to your house by yourself.
Does It Add Value?
Yes, detached garages are known to add value to your house. The value ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on the size, state, additional costs, etc. As mentioned in the beginning, construction costs are high at the moment. So, homeowners are only willing to expand or make changes to the existing space.
This means having extra space will surely offer value. Furthermore, some people have hobbies and need extra space to carry them out. That said, if you were to sell your property in the future, you would be able to negotiate a better price with a detached garage.
But, make sure the detached garage is practical and is not limited in its purpose. If the design and construction is such that you can only do a thing or two, it might not be able to fetch the price you expected. If you need the garage for your vehicle, you will even need to build a driveway as well with the garage.
Conclusion
We hope the information we shared will surely help building a detached garage easier for you. Remember, such additions require thorough planning and smart decision-making. Focus on the practicality and other important factors to spend your money the right way. And, have an expert by your side to prevent mishaps and serious mistakes. So, find a good home addition contractor DC for the project.
