Ifyou were to build a new garage/Shop what would you add to the plans??

[Matthew Curtis]

I am working on getting a new detached garage built that will be my shop. It will be approx 22 X24. What all would be must haves in the plans, or nice options to add?? I am just looking for ideas.

[Neil Davie]

I would make it at least twice as big and add a 1/2 bath.

[Jerome Stanek]

Maybe an over sized door and higher ceilings.

[Don Jarvie]

A few things off the top of my head...

Carraige Doors that open out instead of an overhead door
Radiant Heat in the floor
Run cable and water lines in the ground
Run conduit in the shop floor to run power to the middle of the shop
Full size panel so you have plently of slots for breakers
Run 220 plugs through out the shop, makes it easier for tool placement
Run lines to put a few plugs on the outside of the garage

I have 20x20 and while its big it isn't huge so thinking about how to set up the shop is key. The tools and benches will fit its the lumber storage that needs to be incorporated unless you have other storage buildings.

Search this site and others for shop tours for ideas. There are a few books available so get them and look to see what others have done and "borrow" some of the ideas.

[Mitchell Andrus]

Outdoor rooms (or sound-proofed rooms) for anything noisy.

.

[Thomas Bank]

I'm pretty pleased with how mine turned out, except for ceiling height. I went with eight and a half feet, wanting some extra height. But I'd go at least nine. I'm constantly knocking things against the ceiling.

[Jim Finn]

I would include A TOILET!

[Steve LaFara]

Where do I begin.....

Bathroom
Outside extension for large air compressor and dust collector
220 outlets everywhere
hot/cold water
radiant floor heat
A/C and heat
in floor electric outlets
insulated walls and ceiling
attic storage with trap door and crane to lift heavy objects
compressed air drops everywhere with regulators & filters
cable TV, wireless internet & phone
wood floor wood be cool
bead board walls so you can mount anything anywhere
electric cord reels from the ceiling
big clean up sink
in ground ductwork for D/C to large machines


This is just off the top of my head. I'm sure I will be back with more later.............

[Mitchell Andrus]

Where do I begin.....

Bathroom
Outside extension for large air compressor and dust collector
220 outlets everywhere
hot/cold water
radiant floor heat
A/C and heat
in floor electric outlets
insulated walls and ceiling
attic storage with trap door and crane to lift heavy objects
compressed air drops everywhere with regulators & filters
cable TV, wireless internet & phone
wood floor wood be cool
bead board walls so you can mount anything anywhere
electric cord reels from the ceiling
big clean up sink
in ground ductwork for D/C to large machines


This is just off the top of my head. I'm sure I will be back with more later.............

Add a kitchen and a bed in the corner.... Viola! Home sweet home.
.

[Jim O'Dell]

I would at least, if I could swing it and it was within building code, pour a bigger slab, even if part of it isn't used right now. And design the shop so that the end facing the extra slab is the 24' width and has a gable roof. This will make it easier to enlarge later on. I have a 20 X 24 shop and I enclosed a 12 X 14 attached patio that was already covered. But the patio and the shop are on 2 different concrete pads butted up against each other, and is a place where ground water can get in in real heavy rains. Oh, and make sure the pad for the shop is well up or raised from the ground like you would a house, even if you have to have a ramp to move equipment and projects in and out. Jim.

[Ken Garlock]

I would make it at least twice as big and add a 1/2 bath.

I agree!

I planned my shop to be 25X25 on the foundation, and now I find that it is too small. I now wish that it was more like 30X30.

Also, you might want to add a car-and-a-half garage for lawn equipment.

[Bryan Rocker]

Thanks for the question, I am in the planning phase now. I am really torn here. I would like a concrete floor but I am leaning towards a shallow basement since it is highly unlikely my shop will EVER see a car

One thing I see consistant is radiant heat in the floor.......hmmmm may have to rethink the heating aspect........

[Phil Thien]

I don't have a dedicated shop, but if I did, I'd consider:

(1) If I'm not going to have central air, I'd box-out for one of those air conditioners that fits a sleeve.

(2) For days that are pleasant, I'd have a decent exhaust fan to move some air through the place.

[Gene Howe]

Another 1000 sq ft.
10 foot ceilings.
Under floor DC lines.
MORE LIGHTING
MORE WINDOWS
Mop sink.
An automatic tool finder and floor sweeper (in one female unit, if possible)

[Gary Radice]

Echoing some other comments:

10 foot ceilings. I have 12 foot and while that is nice, it isn't necessary and makes changing ceiling lamps bothersome.

A utility sink. I use mine ALL the time.

Lots of lighting.

Internet access (for internet radio and quick lookup of how-to's.

Sound isolation for dust collector. You are planning on a cyclone, aren't you? They are noisy.