My dream workshop/garage project is almost complete (details and pics) (HOA, countertops)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Some of you asked for details on my add-on garage project. After working with a fantastic general contractor (Joseph Grantham Custom Homes) who completely re-built my deck, added a screened porch, and then finished off 3/4 of my basement, I was so impressed that I knew he was "the one" to do my dream shop/garage.
After working on a big project with us before, he also gave us an offer we couldn't refuse on his overhead and profit margins so we took the plunge on it. Here are the details as best I can remember them:
Building Details
Roughly 23x27 with full basement underneath
13 foot ceiling
Fully insulated
Matches house exactly, down to original brick (had to be found and brought in from the midwest, as it's a discontinued model)
3 sides brick, rear is siding to match rear of house
Plenty of double hung windows
Basement is framed for a bathroom - to finish later for pool/cabana usage
Hot and cold water inside garage and also at outside hose spigot
Parking deck is supported by 7-9" thick 5000psi concrete (with rebar 12" OC) on top of 18 gauge corrugated steel plate, which is then supported by three 12" steel I-beams that themselves are supported by three 4" diameter steel columns, welded together and then bolted to the floor of the basement.
Six foot double door entry to basement allows storage of very large items
18x8 overhead door on front is set up on "high lift" tracks meaning it hugs the ceiling when it opens, allowing me to keep a vehicle at max lift height and still open/close the door
Heated and cooled with 18,000 BTU Shinco mini-split aircon
110V/220V service
Air compressor lines plumbed - compressor is in main house basement but wired to switch inside shop so I can turn it on remotely and not hear the noise - it's completely silent from the shop! Two outlets - one on wall near man door for service to other garage and one on 50' hose reel mounted on ceiling near lift post
Large double basin sink with laundry faucet/sprayer allows for large parts to be easily cleaned or just general clean-up after messy jobs
20mil thick epoxy floor on top of concrete
20A outlets every 2-3 feet along all walls
Integrated security system with main house system
Liftmaster 3800 door opener means no center beam (mounts to shaft directly) and very quiet operation plus built-in deadbolt and security
Total of 20 2-bulb 4 foot long T8 fluourescent fixtures on 2 switches for max lighting (4100K)
Several undercabinet lights
Countertops (to be installed by Friday) will be at around 41-42" height, perfect for working while standing
Upper cabinets are 16" deep (compared to standard 12" kitchen cabs) and 48" tall
Corner "L" shaped work area for my wife's sewing hobby with custom corner shelves and large "fabric drawer"
Challenger VS-10 auto lift
In-wall speaker wiring, coax, and CAT6 ethernet
Large canister "central vac" style vac for clean up
Beautiful. Looks like the house we just left in Atlanta. I always look for how well addition blends with the house and this is great. Did you have to go thru HOA for a bunch of approvals? How long did it take from start to finish? AC?
Congrats.
Beautiful. Looks like the house we just left in Atlanta. I always look for how well addition blends with the house and this is great. Did you have to go thru HOA for a bunch of approvals? How long did it take from start to finish? AC?
Congrats.
I submitted detailed engineering plans, front elevation, and relevant material details to the HOA. They met, called me with questions, and approved with no difficulty.
I believe we broke ground for this in late May or early June 2010 and the structure was complete in early September. Then I did epoxy floor, electrical, lighting, air compressor, etc etc. and the last few pics above were only taken yesterday. So it's still in progress....and will never be "done" I suspect, but it's 99%. I've used the auto lift a LOT already - I had it insulated since late last year so I could work out there all winter, but the niceties are just coming now.
This makes me excited in a way I probably can't say here!
Love the lift right in the middle of the high ceiling. Like a cathedral to tinkering.
Light Tan bricks are definitely hard to find around here.
Oh no, I don't want to tell my neighbor you said that. He keeps making fun of me because I am making the shop look nice instead of only being functional and no more, so he calls it the cathedral.
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