

As a result I didn't have room to expand the existing attached one-car garage. In Minneapolis, we have alleys behind the houses in a lot of neighborhoods and very deep narrow building lots. In general, as long as you do not require a "variance" or exception from city rules on such things as garage height, placement, and so forth you can build regardless of objections from neighbors.
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They really know how to put the ass in association. If you live in a neighborhood controlled by a homeowners association, you may need to talk to them as well. If they don't like it then at least they can get used to the idea while you get underway. Take the time to talk with your neighbors as well to give them a heads up on your plans for dominating the landscape with your new garage. Click here to go to the Minneapolis permit page. The first thing to do is visit your city's website to learn about the permit and building plan process as well as any special restrictions in your area. :( So from this point forward I will be presenting the garage-building process from the point of view of a homeowner in the city of Minneapolis, which should transfer in large part to any city in the US of A. If you live in the sticks, then you can probably build as big and awesome a garage as you like. Since I undertook this project under the rules of a major metropolis, my example will be on the more restrictive end of the spectrum.

What parts are you going to subcontract? The plan will depend on the rules in your local municipality. How big can the garage be (city ordinances!?!)? 3. So step 1 is simply this: do the legwork and get a plan together. If planning is not your cup of tea, then maybe you should just write a check for ~$25k to get it done by a crew of folks who will do a fine job without you learning a damn thing. You will need to plan the layout of the new garage within your lot, plan the size, shape, and look of your garage, plan the materials needed, plan the subcontractors, plan the permits and inspections, plan the zero-cost (beer compensated) workers, plan the timetables, plan the weather. Take that to heart and you will spare yourself a lot of trouble when building a garage. The key component of Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith's favorite saying, "I love it when a plan comes together!" is the plan. Getting periodic inspections as required.ĭISCLAIMER: While this Instructable details my experiences building a garage, your mileage may vary. Get quotes and contracts from any subcontractorsĥ. Understand your local rules and make a planģ. The general process can be summarized as consisting of the following steps.ġ. Read on for a step by step guide to building a new garage.

Let my mistakes and sage advice steer you clear of pitfalls and heartbreak. As a new homeowner and avid DIY type guy, I was up against a big challenge when tackling a brand new construction of this magnitude. Need some workshop space, a fortress of solitude, or a place to house your beer fridge? A new spacious garage is the answer, and this is the Instructable to make it possible.
