Have you been considering adding a garage to your Calgary property? It’s one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner.
A well-built garage not only offers you and your family a great deal of convenience, but it also adds value to your home should you decide to sell later on.
That said, such a project is not to be taken lightly. Get it wrong, and it could cost you time, and money, and potentially even compromise the structural integrity of your home.
If you’re stuck trying to figure out where to start or in doubt, seeking the help of professionals with the necessary expertise in this field is a good start.
Here are seven important questions to ask yourself before building a garage.
What Exactly is the Primary Use for My Garage?
Before building a new garage, it is essential that you have a clear purpose for it. Contrary to popular understanding, not every garage is used for cars.
For some homeowners in Calgary, a garage is a convenient storage space, gym, workspace, and others even use garages as living space.
This should come first because the purpose you have in mind for your garage will most likely have an impact on how you design and build it.
For instance, if your main goal is to have storage for wine and beer, you will need to keep it cool and dark. If it’s for storing books and paperwork, that will mean keeping it lighter and warmer for ideal reading conditions.
Will My Garage Serve More than One Purpose?
It is also very important to understand whether you will be using it for more than one function. This will help you plan ahead and build it to best suit all your needs.
Most of our clients also opt for conversion of their garages into Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – a brilliant idea if you would like to have more living space for your family.
If you only want your garage to be used for cars, then having an overhead garage door is important. However, if you’ll also be using it for relaxing, working on projects, or studying, then having windows and doors is important.
While at it, you should also understand that other aspects such as wall paint color, roof style, and the overall style will depend on how you use your garage.
What is Your Car Size?
One thing most homeowners don’t often factor in when deciding on building their garage is the car size. On average, most single car garages are approximately 14 by 20 feet, which makes a double car garage 20 by 24 feet.
If your car is large, you might need additional room and overhead space.
Another thing you need to consider is whether you have plans to buy more cars in the future, or use your garage space for other purposes later on.
What Are Your Local Zoning Requirements, Ordinances, and Restrictions?
Whether you are putting up a new structure, or tearing down an existing one, you may require permission from the local authorities.
Depending on where you’re building a garage in Calgary, these steps will be necessary to ensure adherence to current codes and safety measures.
Before you make such an investment, it’s important to understand the steps and changes that need to be taken and any required permits.
It is important to have the right permits and adhere to the restrictions and regulations pertaining to the size and height limitations of the structure. This way, you will avoid any unwanted eventualities from the local authorities having to halt your project.
Failure to adherence may also result in potential fines, or your garage being taken down.
Which Style of Garage is Best for Me?
You have two options to explore here. You can either go for an attached, or detached style. Detached garages are free-standing, but close to your home.
These offer more wiggle room when building, and the project does not pose any significant threat to the structural integrity of your home.
Attached ones might be a bit complicated and need meticulous handling, but they offer easier and more convenient accessibility and security.
Generally, each has its benefits and potential drawbacks.
It is therefore crucial to pick the right style that will be the best fit for your home and best suits your needs.
How Well Does It Align with Your Driveway Design?
Although it might not seem like your driveway has anything to do with building your garage, there are some considerations to be made.
For instance; does your driveway align with the style you want for your garage? Will it be sufficient if you are building a double car garage? It is advisable to keep your driveway in the same width as your garage entrance.
Also, if you live near a busy street, it’s best to ensure you have enough space in your driveway to turn your car around before driving out.
Is Your Budget Sufficient?
The cost of building your garage or any other similar project around your home will differ depending on several factors. The overall cost depends on how you want it customized, the size, the materials being used, or the time of the year you’re building.
That’s where the beauty of working with our team of transparent and reliable professionals becomes apparent. We’ll not only let you know about the costs involved, you can count on us for the best materials and workmanship needed for your project.
This should come down to a very near ballpark number that covers not just the garage construction cost, but also any permits and fees that might be involved.
There’s always a risk of surprise costs that may pop up in the midst of the project.
So, it is important to ensure you have enough funds for the project, and then some for any unexpected issues.
Do You Have an Idea What Your Builder’s Estimate is?
While preparing for the costs of the project, it is also important to ensure you’re not in for any unforeseen costs that might surprise at any time during the project.
It is thus essential that you understand what your contractor’s quote includes and whether it aligns with your budget.
More importantly, you should also check whether it also includes all the important and quality materials necessary for the project.
Again, keep in mind that the specifics of the type, style, design, and quality you want will play a significant role in the ultimate cost of your project.
For instance, the style and quality of roofing material used, the garage door design, weather wrap, gutters and downspouts all end up in the quote and can nudge costs up.
Get it Right — on the First Take
There’s a lot that goes into building a garage. It is, therefore, important to ensure you get it right the first time. This will save you time and money.
That’s where EA Built — one of the best garage building services in Calgary, comes in.
From the planning to quotation, the actual building and finishing, you can bet on working with seasoned professionals to bring your ultimate garage idea to reality.