The trick to a successful construction project of any type is having a good plan in place before you lift a single tool — except maybe a tape measure. Planning my garage took over a year. I wanted to think through every detail and get the answers I needed before starting. I also had to buy tools and heavy equipment, which took careful research, patience and a bit of luck. I didn’t submit my permit application until I had everything I needed and every question I could imagine had been answered.
New issues will always come up mid-construction. You reduce your risk by thinking through as much as you can beforehand. Most people want to skip this and get right to the “wall-raising party,” but planning and the foundation are both far more important and have to come first. Go through this section carefully — it raises questions that aren’t obvious when you’re just starting out.
Garage Building: Why a Simple Design Wins
Most garage-plan websites sell elaborate designs. What a first-time builder really needs is a basic, well-engineered garage — and a clear understanding of the process.
4 min read
What Does It Cost to Build a Garage? My $11,000 Story
Contractors quoted me $28,000 to $50,000 for a basic garage. I built it myself for about $11,000. Here's why the quotes were so high — and whether building your own makes sense…
5 min read
Owner, General Contractor or DIY? Choosing Your Role
You can be the owner, the general contractor, a subcontractor — or all three. Here's how the roles on a garage build work, and which jobs I hired out.
4 min read
Money Matters: Budgeting and Financing a Garage
Before the first shovelful, I needed a number and a way to pay for it. Here's how I set my budget, why I used a home equity line of credit, and the…
3 min readGetting Quotes: What $28,000–$50,000 Bids Taught Me
Collecting contractor quotes taught me what drives garage costs — weather, distance, rock and exclusions — and ultimately convinced me to build it myself.
3 min readHow Big Should Your Garage Be? Sizes, Layouts & Door Choices
One-car, two-car or three? Here are the common garage dimensions, how much room vehicles really need, and how door sizes and storage change the footprint.
3 min read
Pole Barn vs. Stick Frame: Choosing a Construction Type
Most of my quotes were for post-frame (pole barn) garages. Here's how post-frame and stick-frame construction differ, and why stick framing was the better choice for my site.
3 min read
Choosing the Site: Setbacks, Drainage & Driveway Slope
Where you put the garage affects the permit, the foundation, the driveway and whether water ends up inside. Here's how I chose my spot — and avoided a $2,000 survey.
3 min read
Blueprints: Stock Garage Plans vs. Hiring an Engineer
My county offered a free standard garage plan — but only up to 24×24. Here's how I worked with a local engineer on foundation, roof and door decisions, and what the finished…
5 min read
Obtaining the Building Permit (and What Inspectors Look For)
From application to “permit pouch”: how my garage permit went, the questions the county asked, the three inspections on my card, and a trick for keeping your permit readable.
4 min read