Have you ever built a garage??? (Pittsburgh: job, house, contractor)

[looking4hm]

Hello -- I am thinking of buying (pre-fab) or building a 2 car garage. It looks like a do-it-yourself kit will cost about $10,000. Has anyone ever used one of these? Are they relatively easy for a novice to construct?

What about having a professional do the entire job? How much does that cost?

Thanks for your help.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by looking4hm

Hello -- I am thinking of buying (pre-fab) or building a 2 car garage. It looks like a do-it-yourself kit will cost about $10,000. Has anyone ever used one of these? Are they relatively easy for a novice to construct?

What about having a professional do the entire job? How much does that cost?

Thanks for your help.

Even a do it yourself kit will require a foundation dug and a cement pad poured, and probably building permits, if you intend to have electricity in it.

However -- Labor is expensive. Usually as much as or more than the cost of materials. As I am not from Pittsburgh anymore, I can't say what the costs are.

As to whether or not the kit is easy -- it really depends on the kit and your experience. I've built kit furniture -- which is different than putting together IKEA stuff... it depends on your skill level. Very often it requires some sawing and drilling and measuring. And then the staining and waxing or shellacking.

And careful reading and understanding the instructions... which are clear as a bell to some people... but not to others. I'm not saying some people are stupid -- I quilt, too -- and I have to read instructions several times till I can picture it in my head -- and I am NOT stupid by any stretch of the imagination. It's just that sometimes it doesn't make sense.... and then it just does.

My mom has a rolling tea cart table I made from Yield House and that was a breeze, but for our wedding she bought me a solid oak roll top desk from Heathkits... and that was a challenge. A big time challenge. That was wen I learned the walk away principle. When you get frustrated, walk away... clear your head, go relax -- come back with fresh eyes.... working on wood angry will only screw it up more.

I don't think you can find kit furniture anymore -- it was an education... and that stuff will last for ages....

[Hopes]

Goodness, I think you can hire someone to build a 2 car garage for that price.

Of course, it all depends on what type of foundation you need. If it's being built into a hillside, you'll need a full foundation which would cost more.

I recommend not taking our word for it. Call a bunch of contractors and get quotes. That's the only way you'll know if it's worth it to hire someone else to build your garage. Even if it's 2k more, you might decide it's worth 2k to have someone else do it.

[looking4hm]

Thanks for your help!

[allisen]

That sounds very expensive. My husband built a one-car garage for less than $5,000 - all materials, cement work, electric and heat. No labor costs though.

[TRO Z]

Those kits are alittle expensive and they are...CHEAP LOOKING...And believe me it's not a do it yourself job....

I strongly recommend finding a contractor for this type of endeavor...10k will probably cover most of the materials, depending on how expensive you go on the garage door...A safe bet in the contracting game is whatever your cost of products...est 10k...Then estimate your labor to be 10k... A nice block 2 car garage..20k minimum..

[South Range Family]

About four years ago I had a 24'x36' (4 car) garage built. It has a second floor with a barn roof, a balcony and steps on the outside, a 6' French door, window, 36" entrance door, two 16'x7' main doors, and concrete. It didn't include electric. The price was $15,000. I couldn't have bought the materials for that price. In fact, one of the guys at work was the first to have his built. Eight more of us got in line when we saw his deal. One of the other guys paid 7 grand for a 24x24 with a single 16' door. All of the garages have vinyl siding, gutters, spouts, and soffit.