Building a Garage

Garage Construction: Permits and Planning

Garage construction can add great value to your home, but building a garage requires a great deal of planning and foresight. Follow these tips on planning and building a garage to suit your home and your needs.

Planning Makes Perfect in Garage Construction

The first step in planning your garage construction is to determine your needs. How will you use your garage? What are its primary and secondary functions? Next, think about how much space you need. Do you need to park one or two vehicles in the garage? Do you need to make room for tools, lawn care equipment or a workspace? You’ll want to check with your city’s planning department to determine any code requirements for garage structures. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes during the garage construction phase.

Building a Garage: Getting Professional Help

You may want to enlist the help of a contractor who specializes in garage construction to help determine the necessary funds to complete your desired project. A contractor or building designer can also assist you in designing detailed garage plans that meet your unique needs.

An important element to consider is the continuity between the style of the home and that of your garage. Your designer will help you to maintain your home’s aesthetic integrity.

Building Permits Are Required

Whether you’re hiring a contractor and a building designer or going it alone with a pre-fabricated garage, you’ll need to obtain proper building permits. A trip to the planning office is required to secure the correct permit. You may also need separate permits for the installation of electricity and water, if applicable. An inspector will assess the final garage construction, to ensure the structure complies with all codes and permits.