Building a garage

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 10:01 AM

I know there are a couple threads like this on the forum, but it looks like they are a bit dated at this point.

The lease on my current garage is running out in a couple months and I've decided to have a 1 1/2, tandem style garage built in my yard. The current dimensions I'm looking at are 14'x27' with a 10'x7' door. I DIY anything I can so i'll definitely be adding a MaxJax portable garage lift (MaxJax Portable Car Lift - Home Garage Lift - Dannmar - MaxJax USA), an air compressor, ample lighting and electric and a couple ceiling fans to combat the heat in the summer. Id also like to get a work bench and storage and place them against the back wall.

With all that in mind. What else do I need to consider? What are your recommendations and experiences?

If you have pics of your setup please also post them up!

LMBmikeZ · 05-22-2016, 10:10 AM

Add hot and cold faucets with a drain in the floor so you can wash/detail all indoors in the garage

It's on my list of must haves when I build my next place. That plus your list and a couple others items.

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 10:12 AM

I thought about plumbing for a utility sink, but the added cost to do so doesn't seem worth it to me. I'm trying to keep concrete, construction and electric under $15k, which isn't easy in Cincinnati.

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barncobob · 05-22-2016, 10:27 AM

I manufactured sheds for 30 years...U might check into the shed guys that do garages, U could get a bare bones one and fix up...don't forget county/city codes, don't try to skirt the system and no permits...if u get caught(and neighbors love to bitch) it can get ugly.

Chuck33079 · 05-22-2016, 10:31 AM

Go with 10' ceilings. It'll be tight with the car at the full height on the lift if you don't.

Also, a portable ac unit or building in a window unit makes it a lot more comfortable in the summer.

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 11:13 AM

How do you like you MaxJax lift? Thanks for the input on the ceilings!

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Chuck33079 · 05-22-2016, 11:14 AM

It's fantastic. I'm kicking myself for not buying one years ago. But, make sure you account for the fact you'll be installing a lift when you pour your foundation so you have a thick enough slab.

GaleForce · 05-22-2016, 11:52 AM

I would do 12' ceilings and a 4 post lift. That way you can use the floor space during the winter storage months.

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

It's fantastic. I'm kicking myself for not buying one years ago. But, make sure you account for the fact you'll be installing a lift when you pour your foundation so you have a thick enough slab.

I've already considered that. How thick is yours? Are there any electrical requirements for the lift?

LMBmikeZ · 05-22-2016, 12:06 PM

extra height is a must! I have 14' in my garage and love it........ Now I just need a lift

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaleForce

I would do 12' ceilings and a 4 post lift. That way you can use the floor space during the winter storage months.

I don't need to get that high. As long as I can get under with a creeper I'll be fine. I have center post now and thats what i do

The MaxJax is also portable. It bolts into the ground when you need it and you remove it when you aren't using it.

PearlyladyZ · 05-22-2016, 12:33 PM

Also may need to take into account other people's cars that may go on the lift so you need plenty of height for those people to(wife, friends, kids, etc).

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Chuck33079 · 05-22-2016, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggins3377

I've already considered that. How thick is yours? Are there any electrical requirements for the lift?

The lift just requires a standard outlet. If you have them pour a 6" slab you'll be fine. The instructions call for a 4" and that would work as well, but I like overkill when it involves something holding a 3000lb car over my face.

Make sure you run a 220 outlet in there if you plan on a big air compressor. And you can't have too many electrical outlets.

Wiggins3377 · 05-22-2016, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlyladyZ

Also may need to take into account other people's cars that may go on the lift so you need plenty of height for those people to(wife, friends, kids, etc).

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Meh... I don't want to work on a jeep anyway... Hahaha

Chuck33079 · 05-22-2016, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PearlyladyZ

Also may need to take into account other people's cars that may go on the lift so you need plenty of height for those people to(wife, friends, kids, etc).

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This. Mine works fine for my cars and my wife's, but if you have a truck or SUV there's no way I can get the jack to full height.

One thing to remember - once you have a lift, everyone you know will then come and want to use it.

05-22-2016, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wiggins3377 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,236 Drives: 40th 370 Rep Power: 77	Building a garage I know there are a couple threads like this on the forum, but it looks like they are a bit dated at this point. The lease on my current garage is running out in a couple months and I've decided to have a 1 1/2, tandem style garage built in my yard. The current dimensions I'm looking at are 14'x27' with a 10'x7' door. I DIY anything I can so i'll definitely be adding a MaxJax portable garage lift (MaxJax Portable Car Lift - Home Garage Lift - Dannmar - MaxJax USA), an air compressor, ample lighting and electric and a couple ceiling fans to combat the heat in the summer. Id also like to get a work bench and storage and place them against the back wall. With all that in mind. What else do I need to consider? What are your recommendations and experiences? If you have pics of your setup please also post them up! jaytirbhaw, LMBmikeZ and WI_Hedgehog like this. __________________ AccuAir/ AirRex/ Amuse/ Bride Japan/ Carbon Fiber Element/ Carbon Signal/ Evo-R/ NRG/ Project Kics/ Samco/ Shine Auto/ SPC/ SPL/ Stance/ Stillen/ Takata/ Top Secret/ Work

05-22-2016, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
LMBmikeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,237 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 10350	Add hot and cold faucets with a drain in the floor so you can wash/detail all indoors in the garage It's on my list of must haves when I build my next place. That plus your list and a couple others items. MacCool, Wiggins3377, GaleForce and 1 others like this. __________________ CUSTOM NISMO \| BERK \| H&R \| STANCE \| SPL everything \| EVO-R \| 34 Setrab \| WHITELINE \| Redline \| Carkitcompany \| Zspeed \| UpRev \| SEIBON

05-22-2016, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wiggins3377 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,236 Drives: 40th 370 Rep Power: 77	I thought about plumbing for a utility sink, but the added cost to do so doesn't seem worth it to me. I'm trying to keep concrete, construction and electric under $15k, which isn't easy in Cincinnati. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ AccuAir/ AirRex/ Amuse/ Bride Japan/ Carbon Fiber Element/ Carbon Signal/ Evo-R/ NRG/ Project Kics/ Samco/ Shine Auto/ SPC/ SPL/ Stance/ Stillen/ Takata/ Top Secret/ Work

05-22-2016, 10:27 AM	#4 (permalink)
barncobob A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: hangtown, CA Posts: 1,164 Drives: 16 370Z auto Rep Power: 590	I manufactured sheds for 30 years...U might check into the shed guys that do garages, U could get a bare bones one and fix up...don't forget county/city codes, don't try to skirt the system and no permits...if u get caught(and neighbors love to bitch) it can get ugly. Wiggins3377 and WI_Hedgehog like this.

05-22-2016, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Building a garage Go with 10' ceilings. It'll be tight with the car at the full height on the lift if you don't. Also, a portable ac unit or building in a window unit makes it a lot more comfortable in the summer. Wiggins3377, Silly Rabbit, arvind_korha and 2 others like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent Last edited by Chuck33079; 05-22-2016 at 10:33 AM.

05-22-2016, 11:13 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wiggins3377 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 3,236 Drives: 40th 370 Rep Power: 77	How do you like you MaxJax lift? Thanks for the input on the ceilings! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ AccuAir/ AirRex/ Amuse/ Bride Japan/ Carbon Fiber Element/ Carbon Signal/ Evo-R/ NRG/ Project Kics/ Samco/ Shine Auto/ SPC/ SPL/ Stance/ Stillen/ Takata/ Top Secret/ Work

05-22-2016, 11:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	It's fantastic. I'm kicking myself for not buying one years ago. But, make sure you account for the fact you'll be installing a lift when you pour your foundation so you have a thick enough slab. Wiggins3377 and YzGyz like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

05-22-2016, 11:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
GaleForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 21,749 Drives: Varis Arising II Rep Power: 51865	I would do 12' ceilings and a 4 post lift. That way you can use the floor space during the winter storage months. LMBmikeZ, Wiggins3377, YzGyz and 2 others like this. __________________ >>>GaleForce's Build<<< >>>FaceBook @3GsCustoms<<<>>>Instagram @GaleForce370z<<< Varis Kamikaze-Z

05-22-2016, 12:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
LMBmikeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 12,237 Drives: 40th Rep Power: 10350	extra height is a must! I have 14' in my garage and love it........ Now I just need a lift GaleForce likes this. __________________ CUSTOM NISMO \| BERK \| H&R \| STANCE \| SPL everything \| EVO-R \| 34 Setrab \| WHITELINE \| Redline \| Carkitcompany \| Zspeed \| UpRev \| SEIBON

05-22-2016, 12:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
PearlyladyZ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Eugene Oregon Posts: 56 Drives: 10 Nissan 370Z PW M6 Rep Power: 9	Also may need to take into account other people's cars that may go on the lift so you need plenty of height for those people to(wife, friends, kids, etc). Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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