| The decision to add on a garage addition to a | | | | garage addition) the homeowner may need to |
| home is one of the best home improvement | | | | contact specialty stores for pricing. The |
| projects a homeowner can make. A garage | | | | subcontractors may also be able to provide some |
| addition provides great utility and can significantly | | | | unit pricing (e.g. garage doors).If the homeowner is |
| increase the value of a home. Prior to actually | | | | acting as his or her own general contractor and |
| breaking ground, however, a garage addition plan | | | | will require subcontractors, then it is important |
| and garage addition costs estimates should be | | | | that they identify early the subcontractors and |
| developed.A garage addition plan starts with | | | | review with them the plans and development |
| making initial sketches of the garage addition | | | | schedule. Each subcontractor should provide a firm |
| concept and evaluating how it will tie in with the | | | | fixed estimate for the particular job based on the |
| existing home structure. Though most | | | | plans and bill of materials. In addition their bid |
| homeowners prefer a large garage, it is very | | | | should also include start/complete dates for the |
| important during this phase to consider | | | | particular job.With garage addition plans and costs |
| proportions between the existing home and the | | | | estimates in place the homeowner can then |
| new garage addition. To aesthetically look | | | | proceed with pulling permits and developing a fairly |
| appealing from the road the garage addition length | | | | accurate building schedule.Once permits have been |
| should not exceed two-thirds the length of the | | | | approved, construction of the garage addition can |
| existing home. Otherwise the garage addition could | | | | begin. It is important to note, however, that even |
| overwhelm the existing home structure. The | | | | with the best plans in place things happen and |
| depth or width of the garage addition is less | | | | schedules slip. To mitigate schedule slips a |
| critical from an aesthetic standpoint, as it is usually | | | | homeowner acting as his or her own general |
| less visible from the road.Once the initial sketches | | | | contractor should factor in some buffer to the |
| have been completed, detailed garage addition | | | | schedule and always be looking ahead several |
| building plans should be generated. Depending on | | | | weeks during the entire project. They should |
| the complexity of the garage addition either the | | | | regularly check with suppliers to ensure building |
| homeowner or an architect can develop the actual | | | | material will arrive when required and should |
| garage addition building plans. In either case, the | | | | occasionally check with subcontractors to ensure |
| plans will need to include scaled drawings with | | | | that their schedules are still in line with your |
| dimensions, and cross-sectional construction views | | | | garage addition project.With these simple planning, |
| with constructional materials specified. The | | | | budgeting and scheduling issues addressed prior to |
| cross-sectional views should include from the | | | | the start of the project, building a garage addition |
| concrete footings all the way to the peak of the | | | | can be a positive experience both pre and post |
| roof. Each new transition from the footings up | | | | construction phase.For more information on |
| should be carefully drawn. Examples include: the | | | | building a garage addition see the Garage Addition |
| footing/foundation transition, the foundation/sill | | | | Bid Sheet from The Garage Addition Bid Sheet |
| plate transition, and the wall/roof rafter transition. | | | | includes an extensive questionnaire (Request for |
| The plans should also include a comprehensive bill | | | | Quote) that a homeowner can provide to |
| of materials for the project. In addition, all | | | | prospective general contractors and |
| property lines and appropriate setbacks should be | | | | subcontractors for bidding the garage addition. In |
| clearly shown in the drawings.Estimating the | | | | addition, the Garage Addition Bid sheet also |
| garage addition costs depends on who is building | | | | includes estimated costs and time intervals for |
| the addition. If the homeowner plans on acting as | | | | constructing a garage addition as well as a list of |
| his or her own general contractor and performing | | | | key home material manufacturers. Finally, the |
| some of the work (e.g. the framing) then costs | | | | Garage Addition Bid Sheet includes an extensive |
| will need to be calculated starting with the bill of | | | | set of helpful tips and advice on making sure the |
| materials generated during the planning phase. | | | | garage addition is built properly and on time and |
| With a comprehensive bill of materials a | | | | budget.Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan |
| homeowner can provide much of the list to any | | | | has been involved with building homes and |
| home improvement store where they can fill out | | | | additions to homes. His projects have included: |
| the pricing information for the specific items for | | | | building a vacation home, building additions and |
| the project. For specialty items such as garage | | | | garages on to existing homes, and finishing |
| doors, garage door openers, and in some cases | | | | unfinished homes. |
| lighting and plumbing fixtures (if required for the | | | | |