Creating the Ultimate Garage Workshop

To some, a garage is much more than a place to park the car and store junk. To the car enthusiast, it is a nerve center with a lift, a wash and wax station, and cabinetry for an extensive supply of tools; to the carpenter it is a woodworking shop with a table saw, a ventilation system, and workbenches to detail out the latest project. It is a place for the guys to hang out. It is the tool type’s equivalent of a gourmet kitchen.

“People spend thousands of dollars on their kitchens, as a place to cook, congregate, and for a certain level of comfort,” says Steve D’Gerolamo, founder and owner of The Ultimate Garage. So why not garages? Beyond the basics of four walls and roof, a garage workshop becomes a second home for the enthusiast — housing tools, toys, workstations, and more. So it’s little wonder that the garage of old is getting one serious makeover.

Garage Basics
A new garage construction project requires the same basic considerations as a new home construction project — site preparation, permits, foundation work, framing, roofing, and mechanicals. Most garages rest on slabs, but any drainage system for a mechanic’s workshop will require more extensive excavation, foundation work, and filter systems for oil and grease. Knowing how the space will be used prior to breaking ground is essential.

Space is crucial for any garage workspace. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 13 to 15 feet of garage width per car. The old days of 20 x 20 two-car garages are gone; today’s SUVs span seven feet in width with excess room for the opening of doors. D’Gerolamo likes to see at least 22 to 26 feet of depth, which allows space for front wall storage and workbenches. Ceiling height is usually restricted by town regulation, but need not exceed 12 feet to accommodate most lifts. If a lift is not part of the plan, a ceiling of that height would be superfluous and unused. Excess space also means higher heating and cooling costs.