I’m not a contractor. I’m a regular homeowner in the Colorado Rockies who needed a garage, couldn’t find anyone to build it for a reasonable price, and decided to build it myself.
The garage
It’s a 32×24-foot, three-car, wood-frame garage on a fully grouted concrete-block foundation. One bay has an extra-tall door for a small camper, so the front wall uses posts and beams instead of standard trusses over the doors. It’s designed for a 75-psf snow load and 120-mph wind, because that’s life in the mountains.
How it got built
- Planning started in the spring of 2006 and took over a year.
- Contractor quotes ranged from $28,000 to $50,000. I built it for around $11,000.
- An engineer drew the plans, a concrete company delivered the concrete, and a roofing crew installed the shingles. My wife and I did nearly everything else.
- A used mini excavator, an air chisel and a rented jackhammer got us through the granite.
- The last inspection was signed in the fall of 2009.
Why this site exists
When I started, the internet was full of garage plans — pretty pictures of elaborate designs — but almost nothing explained the process in plain language for someone who’d never done it. That’s what this site is for: every step, in order, including the mistakes.
If you’re hiring contractors, I hope these guides help you ask better questions and recognize good work. If you’re building it yourself: you can do this. Take your time, ask your inspector for help, and brace your walls.
Please note
I share what worked for my garage on my site, under my plans and my local code. Your project will be different. Always follow your approved plans, your local building department and the manufacturers’ instructions. See the disclaimer.