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Can you build your own garage?

Building a garage by yourself is a serious project but can be done with enough motivation, planning, and knowledge. By taking on the project yourself or contracting out portions of it, you could save money over hiring a full-service general contractor.

thespruce.com - Should You Build a Garage Yourself? - The Spruce

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Building a garage on your property protects a number of your most valuable assets—your vehicles. Rain, snow, and the sun’s UV rays can quickly deteriorate non-garaged vehicles. Not only that but building a garage adds substantial value to your property. On average, homes with garages appraise at 20 percent more than homes without garages. Plus, homes with garages sell faster and easier than those without garages. Building a garage by yourself is a serious project but can be done with enough motivation, planning, and knowledge. By taking on the project yourself or contracting out portions of it, you could save money over hiring a full-service general contractor.

Placement

Garages can be attached to the side of the house, the back, or sometimes to the front. Attached garages allow you to access the garage from the house. These garages cost more to build than detached garages, but they have greater resale value. Consider zoning and setbacks. Garages on the side of the house must be set back from the property line a certain distance that's determined by local zoning restrictions. Garages at the rear have fewer issues with zoning and setbacks, but you'll need to provide access alongside the house for the vehicles.

Before Getting Started

A garage is a substantial structure and its plans should be drawn up by an architect, a contractor, or a design-build company. Often, the exterior design of the garage is predetermined by the style of the house. Siding, roofing, color, and windows usually match those of the house itself. A two-car garage generally will be 24 feet by 24 feet, with one or two garage doors, one door to the house, a side door to the exterior, and a window or two. You will also need to obtain the full range of building permits—even if you build the garage by yourself. The structure itself must be permitted and inspected by local municipal inspectors. Components within the garage will need separate permits and inspections. An attached garage will need electric wiring to supply the outlets and lighting required by code. If you install a laundry sink, laundry facilities, or an outside hose bib, you will need to obtain plumbing permits, too.

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