Building your own 24'X24' garage and save money. Steps from concrete to framing.

[mstoops69]

What was your inside height? Great job.

[StevenW1955]

@mstoops69 8'6" wall height plus 6" for the foundation would be 9' to the bottom of the trusses to the floor.

[quinnrasta]

Well done, I am planning on a 500 sf addition to my house and my father, brothers and myself will be doing it. Thank you for sharing!!!

[kevomxracer]

That's a good job man

[abejimeneza67c10]

Sir u did a great job.

[localcrew]

This is a great example of learning by doing. This is some quality work too. You spent a little extra money on lumber and then put it where it will do you the most good. The footings were a good idea up where you live too. Frost heave will kill ya without a good foundation. I preach the air nailer gospel too. I tell people that it's like having a helper you don't have to pay who never complains. Great vid! Thanks for sharing.

[MrGvela]

you said you where quoted 25-30,000 to get it built. my question is, after all materials, garage doors and cement foundation, how much money did you save? assuming you would have paid 25,000....

[StevenW1955]

@MrGvela Total cost was $8,500 - saving $16,500 and it is as good if not better than a pro builder because no shortcuts were taken to save money.

[bmx4637]

@StevenW1955 thats an awesome garage, how much did it cost man? the foundation was $5000 but how about the rest? I want to do something similar but a three car.

Thanks,

Alex

[StevenW1955]

@bmx4637 About another $3,500. A three car would run a bit more because the trusses would have to be a heavier design for a 36 foot span. Plus the extra concrete, etc. I'd guess total cost would be under 12K.

[ClayDeSkyy]

This is a really dumb question, but how do you keep the frame from not falling over when you first start on the walls? Do you nail it into the concrete or something???

[StevenW1955]

@ClayDeSkyy When the walls are poured, anchor bolts are placed in the concrete and will stick up through the bottom of the wall securing them. I built each wall section on the floor then stood then up into place. I held them upright by placing a long 2X4 acting like a prop to hold them vertical. As more wall are added, they will hold each other upright just like a cardboard box braces its self.

[pacman06100]

what is your construction background looks like, years of building? 

[StevenW1955]

@pacman06100 Self taught, mostly for buying a house that was a fix-er-upper. Saved a lot of money over the years by watching other people and asking how they did things. It is only wood.... if a mistake is made, correct it and move on.

[RobertMOdell]

What was the total cost and why not go with 2x6 wall construction? Power? Gutters?

[StevenW1955]

@RobertMOdell 2X4 was cheaper in my case. If I was going to insulate it, I might have gone with 2X6. Actually, 2X6 would probably been just as easy if not easier to work with. I did install a 50 amp sub panel later on with just basic wiring in the garage, a few outlet, lights, etc. I put crushed rocks 3 feet all around the foundations so I never installed gutters and have had no water issues so far.

[fakiir]

@unclebone100 home building is a skill, not a talent. anyone that's willing to pay attention and follow a few simple guidelines can do it

the concrete work is the only thing here that i see that should be professionally done, and that's only because of the size of the slab, it would be hard for a first timer to get it floated out before it started curing.

this would not be a one man project, but an easy enough project for a rookie with some research done before starting.

[unclebone100]

Nice video and job but in my opinion, this is NOT a job for the rookie carpenter! There are some definite carpentry and other skills needed to get this job done as well as what you did,

[StevenW1955]

@unclebone100 So how does a "rookie" gain knowledge? They gain knowledge by doing it themselves! Sure, a person might need help here and there, what is wrong with that. Buddy, this is how America was made! Maybe it is time we all got off our butts and learned to work with our hands and do things for ourself.

[GerryK61]

Very nice!

I'm about to do mine this summer.

22X26 wide with 12ft walls for a car lift.

[garyhgaryh]

excellent video. How much did it cost to get the foundation in?

Gary

[StevenW1955]

@garyhgaryh $5,000 including floor

[123kkambiz]

@StevenW1955 That is great job, only the concrete work done should have cost you more than 2000 dollars

[StevenW1955]

@123kkambiz It did.... the cost was $5,000 for the concrete work. I meant I could have had a pad for $2,000 less.

[bruce2428]

Great job. I want top do the same soon. How do you figure the size of the opening for the garage doors? Is the opening a few inches smaller than the does size? How did you order your trusses?

[StevenW1955]

@bruce2428 Rough opening is the same as the doors, the wooden trim will provide a place for the door to close against and act as a seal.

[jessenibrie]

First off let me commend you on a job well done. I am in the process of wanting to do the same thing. Do you have plans for this garage and if so can you email them to me? I am a big DIY guy and it amazes me on how much contractors want to build things. Makes me want to get in the buisness...hahaha. Good job man.

[StevenW1955]

@jessenibrie I have no plans, but if you go to Home Depot and tell them what you're building, they will give you a rough set plus a complete list of all material. I had that but found some things such as the headers were not up to my States code. Have them checked if you are not sure. Good luck with the project.

[tasmania105]

How thick is the plywood you used on the outside?

[StevenW1955]

@tasmania105 1/2 " for walls and roof.

[spiritartman]

That's not bad actually. Just need plumming and electric, well and septic and it's about all one needs. What sort of drill did you use? 18v? what brand? Thanks!

[spiritartman]

Are you in SC? Thought a basement would be good as use for a storm shelter. What do you think the cost would be for a "Shed/house" say 2 times what you built? What state are you in?

[StevenW1955]

@spiritartman No, I'm in Massachusetts. I'd guess $9,000...... but that's just a guess.

[spiritartman]

Hey there you did a FANTASTIC Job. I'm taking a class in basic carpentry next month. my goal is to build a 48x32 shed/but really it's'going to be a house. I'm getting 1 acre in South Carolina and figure with time and some help to do it myself. Have any idea how much a small basement would be? 

[StevenW1955]

@spiritartman Not really sure, but any concrete company could give you a quote. Most houses/buildings in SC are built on a pad instead of a basement.

[TomKaren1994]

Congrats on a great job. Do you happen to have a materials list? Also, I didn't hear you say anything about anchoring the walls. What technique is required there?

[StevenW1955]

@TomKaren1994 While the walls are still wet, a long anchor bolt is inserted into the concrete every 4 feet or so. They stick up about 5 inches and go through the bottom plate (lower horizontal board on wall) holding it tight to the concrete. You might be able to see them in the "finished wall" pic if you look close.

[TomKaren1994]

@StevenW1955 Ahhh... there they are at 1:45. btw - does your finished cost include the garage doors? Did you hang those yourself as well? I tried once... took me two days! HVAC and garage doors... my nemeses.

[StevenW1955]

@TomKaren1994 Check this out.... total cost of building materials was about $3,500 including side and garage doors. I didn't realize I bought the 2 inch thick insulated doors! They cost $490 each at home depot! I could have brought them back, but what the hell.... They came with a video on how to install them which I watched and would do it step by step and it took a day for the first one. Second door took about 2 hours! I also put a remote opener on the wifes side later on.

[TomKaren1994]

@StevenW1955 Oh, man... if my wife sees this, my summer is toast!! Great job... I am very envious! Hmmmm.... I wonder if she and I could compromise in that I build the garage... but then she has to move into it?? ha.

Thanks for posting one of the small percentage of videos that actually show something useful !!

[mryourestupidimnot]

Great job.....I'm thinking of doing something similar. Can you tell me what kind of building experience you have? I'm worried that I don't know enough experience to do this type of project....

[StevenW1955]

@mryourestupidimnot I'm kinda handy, but learned everything I know from working around the house. My local building inspector helped a lot with advice if I had any questions. He would actually stop over my house and have a soda after he got out of work. He's a decent guy, but some of them can be a real asshole. Best advice is to find someone who can give advice if you run into a problem.  Good luck.

[DellsConcreteStone]

Nice, Very Nice!

[coolmoodee]

great job my friend.... Im thinking of doing the same thing. 30X30. trying to save some money so I will be doing most of the work and some friends.

[StevenW1955]

@coolmoodee 30X30 would be nice. After completing mine, I wished I had made it 4 or 8 feet longer for storage. The cost wouldn't be that much more either. The 24X24 is already packed with stuff......

[coolmoodee]

@StevenW1955 yeah I hear ya..... so basically for you steve the materials was roughly 3500 bucks and the rest was concrete ? I would like to make a higher pitch for the roof as it would be cool to have like a extra room for a play room of some sort and build some steps going up into it from inside the garage.

[therotaryrocket]

sweet garage, so the builders wanted $25k to $30k bucks to build it right? How much did it end up costing you?

[StevenW1955]

@therotaryrocket  About $8,500 including concrete work which was $5,000.

[REDBEARD885]

@StevenW1955 wow.

[raraory1]

yeah really nice, i did mine too, i was finally finished with all the viynl siding and details like 2 years later, but very worth the effort

[joetylerdale]

I really enjoyed your video, Thank You!

[flubbernuget]

Hey, thanks for this video it is very encouraging. I have a car port that I want to enclose and finish inside. I think this year I will give it a try provided the funds are there. Thanks again for posting the video.

[TheRemoteMower]

"You'll prob be ded by the time your done"...nice ending :) Tip: If you stand in the garage door opening and push the walls side to side, you will get movement due to the plywood running straight across the headers where you should have started at the bottom with a "7" shaped piece on each side and a "T" shape in the center. You can still do this on the inside to stiffen her up to prevent straight-line winds from tweaking her out of plumb causing door issues.

[michaelalanlee]

Thanks. This is a very encouraging video. I have been looking at doing exactly the same project. I would have appreciated the final picture with the siding. Nice job. Good advice. And, I appreciate the rational for going beyond the minimum requirements on some of the structural aspects.

[StevenW1955]

@michaelalanlee If you check out another one of my videos, you'll see the completed garage with bushes etc in the background. Look at the one called cat calling.

[mytonytiger]

Great Video. Thanks for sharing.

[StevenW1955]

@mytonytiger Thanks, I appreciate it.

[fernandochavezacosta]

SO HOWMUCH MONEY DID U SPEND ON YOUR PROYECT? NICE JOB !!

[Taxminia0311]

great job my question was it build using garage plans and where can I purchase the exact plans of similar to it.

[zedosix]

Sounds like you did a great job, nice down to earth way you went about it.

[b3boneman]

Thank you StevenW1955. I knew a contractor that built garages. In fact that's all he did! This was a few years back but he would build a standard 24x24 with footer walls (no floor) with cheap doors and T-111 for $7000.00. Your figures are well inside the ball park!! Nice job! Would like to see the siding on. I built one a while back and increased the walls by 1 1/2' and then did 3' eves on each side for extra storage. Worked out real nice!! Thanks again!

[StevenW1955]

@b3boneman Those doors are 2'' insulated by coplay. They run about $500.00 each. That was a big part of the $3,400 material cost.

[b3boneman]

After all that and he doesn't say how much it cost him and his savings! Numbers please!

[StevenW1955]

@b3boneman $5,000 - concrete $3,400 for building materials  Saved well over $20,000

[Taxminia0311]

@StevenW1955 cool garage steve, was the it buid using a blue print plans??? and if so where can I get the same exact or similar plans?

[StevenW1955]

@Taxminia0311 Home Depot will draw up a set of prints for this garage for free. Of course you can change the location of doors, roof pitch, etc. After the computer draws the set you want, it will compile a list of all materials needed. The only problem I found was that the print I got from Home Depot did not meet Massachusetts building codes. As an example, none of the headers were large enough to meet building code. Anyway, any of those building places have software that draws a set of prints

[Taxminia0311]

@StevenW1955 I didn't know that thanks alot, I actually I didn't think they can do that type of prcess wow you always learn something new..thanks dude

[Taxminia0311]

@Taxminia0311 I have just one more question if you had to redo it all over again would there be anything that you would change in the modifications what so ever???

[StevenW1955]

@Taxminia0311 I would have made it bigger! I should have made it another 4 feet deeper. That would allow room for storing snowblowers, mowers, stuff like that. Next summer, I will be building a small version just for storage, and maybe a small workshop for my motorcycle.

[MinorCheese777]

What experience do you have to be able to know how to do something like this? I wanna do something like this when I grow up.

[StevenW1955]

@MinorCheese777 I just learned carpentry working on my house over the years.

[Imprezziveness]

good job, man. How much did this all cost?

[StevenW1955]

@Imprezziveness About $8,500.  2/3 of that was concrete work.

[low72]

@StevenW1955 Just curious, why didn't you do a gambrel style roof with a little loft up there?

[StevenW1955]

@low72 Zoning regulations! I was grandfathered, I built it right on my neighbors property line.

[heidebill]

I am not a carpenter either, I tackled building my house, about the same way you did, just did wiring and plumbing and all the finish work, You did a good job, Thanks for the video

Bill

[floatpool]

Where did you buy the plans? Home Depot, Lowe's, or did you find some online?

[StevenW1955]

@floatpool I didn't have any plans. Just figured out what I was going to need as I went.

[floatpool]

@StevenW1955 here in sunny arizona they make us show plans, and get permits. I built a fence once without a permit and the city drove by and exacted their pound of flesh and got my 50 dollars. You did a great job. I was contemplating having mine built but I'm pretty sure I can do it, having framed houses years ago I have the skills and knowledge, I just didn't think I had the time, but there's something about building stuff that I miss. Thanks for posting

[Taxminia0311]

@floatpool Are you really freaking kidding me, what a bunch of morans.

Does Az have that much zoning laws for just a fence, now you know some bizzy body neighbor must've called them.

[TheCJHUES]

Good job buddy!

[MisterMattyMo]

I don't know much about construction I just have two questions. What did you do to secure the wood to the concrete foundation? And why do you need to wrap it in that Tyvek stuff? Thanks! Awesome video! :D

[StevenW1955]

@MisterMattyMo When the walls are poured, a 1/2 steel anchor bolt is set into the concrete that sticks up several inches. The sill plate (bottom board) is drilled so the threaded rod comes up through. A bolt and washer is threaded onto the rod securing the sill. bolts. Easy stuff......  The tyvex is used as a wind proofing, also it will protect the wood against rain if you don't plan on siding it immediately.

[MisterMattyMo]

@StevenW1955 Thank you!!

[alijonik]

Thanks a lot ! Great job!

[TheAristotleQ]

Awesome job. Thanks for posting and taking us through it. Turned out great.

[Hudson321able]

How much did the floor cost? Can you break down the materials cost (trusses, sheathing, siding, roofing etc?) What was the total cost of materials?

Thanks

[rangaman86]

I also live in new england. Do you have to have the concrete a few inches above the pad? Is that code? I have seen atleast 10 garage built that way.

[StevenW1955]

@rangaman86 If you mean are the walls higher than the pad (floor), than yes. The walls extend about 10 inches higher than ground level the same as a house foundation would and the pad is poured inside. Thats why they call it a floating floor because it is separate from the walls to give it some expansion and contraction room.

[rangaman86]

@StevenW1955 Thats what I thought. Beautiful garage you got there

[rawbu2]

Just started my 24x24. It's a 4" slab with 6x6 WWR and two rows of #5 rebar in the 14x14 foundation. It's $685 in permits and variances. Concrete is $1400, then $250 for the tractor rental, rebar was $0.00 from Dads last project, $160 for my 8 yards of “A” gravel, ordered the attic trusses $2,579 with a 30” knee wall making the upper area have a 5’ interior wall, 7’ ceiling and the overall space measuring 14’-4” x 24’, overall height 18’- 5” above slab. It will be about $8,000 done... it's a DIY

[StevenW1955]

$5,000 for the concrete and landscaping. $3,500 for the building materials. The doors are 2" insulated which are about $500 each which is included in the $3,500. After I was done, I ran an underground 30 amp circuit for lights and outlets. If I had just a slab foundation, it would have cost about $2,500 or less.

[jettastreetracer]

@StevenW1955 wow u got balls...lol thats my dream garage. i have a one car garage and i would like to make it wide enough to fit 2 car with enough space for doors to open and also extend the back wall maybe 8 ft longer so i have space if i pull a long car or truck. i detail cars and i dont have much moving space. i poured concrete on a walkway i made so i feel good i can do that myself but framing and measuring isnt my thing. ive built workbenches with no plans because i hate rulers.

[jettastreetracer]

how much did this project cost you total in material without the concrete or garage door. i have an existing garage but i i would want to expand it. would it be easier to tear it down and start fresh?

[02wrxawd]

so what was the final cost?

[teebrron]

nice garage needs a couple skylights tho

[lindawmn]

Damn, this is GORGEOUS!! So impressed!