When you're planning home makeovers, the usual focus tends to be on kitchens and bathrooms. Yet, there's an often overlooked gem in the world of home upgrades: your garage. A new garage offers both additional storage or living area and gives your home a boost in value. You will have extra space where you can store that car you rarely use or a boat, and you can also rent it out to earn some passive income.
However, building a new garage is not that easy. Embarking on a garage construction journey brings along the potential for various challenges. Being aware of these pitfalls is crucial, as steering clear of common mistakes is the key to saving both time and money. Let's discuss five frequently encountered slip-ups that homeowners should be mindful of during the garage-building process.
1. Poor Choice of Materials
Many people view a garage as an auxiliary part of the house so they tend to undercut materials to cut on construction costs. However, a garage is still an important part of your house and taking shortcuts with the materials is detrimental. You need materials that guarantee a strong foundation, durable siding, and a robust roof that can withstand the elements.
Consider things such as maintenance cost and value addition. A metal garage carport is a good example. It may cost more in the short term but the benefits it offers in the long-term make it more affordable and durable. High quality materials improve the value of your home and reduce the maintenance budget.
2. Poor Planning
To some homeowners, a garage is something of little or no importance hence they give little attention to the design and structure when making plans. In truth, a garage is a vital addition to your home and it needs proper attention to detail and time for successful construction. You need to understand the design, materials to use, and the required budget to meet the demands. Proper planning will ensure that the project stays within the time and budget limits while guaranteeing desirable outcomes.
3. Ignoring the Need for Future Planning
When contemplating the construction of a garage at this moment, opting for a single-car garage may appear budget-friendly, especially if you currently own only one car. Nonetheless, for those with long-term homeownership plans, it's worth considering a larger garage. Future needs could evolve, and having a more spacious garage might prove beneficial over time. It will be difficult to change what you previously built considering all the permits and costs involved. Ideally, you need to build a garage that offers you some flexibility and evolves with your changing needs.
4. Installing Cheap Garage Doors
A garage door is just as important as the garage itself. When choosing a garage door, consider things such as the number of cars you have and their sizes. A single car garage door will suit you if you want something you can install easily and have a smaller plot. You also have a wide range of options to choose from ranging from roller doors to sectional and counterweight doors. Each door brings a different style and level of functionality so make sure you consider this before choosing.
5. Going the DIY Route
DIY may seem appealing if you want to cut costs. However, picking up your tool box and working on your new garage may turn out to be the worst decision if you lack the skills and expertise needed. For the most favourable outcome, entrusting garage construction to skilled professionals is advisable. Their expertise in the nuances of building ensures a safer process and guarantees the creation of a garage tailored to both your aesthetic preferences and functional requirements.
Endnote
Making any of these mistakes while building a garage will come back to haunt you. It is important that you take steps to avoid them. Make sure you take time to plan properly and invest in quality materials. Collaborate with professionals and consider your future needs before going ahead with your plans.
