Whether it’s for hobbies or cars or somewhere in between, a new garage is a great addition to any home. However, there’s more to building a garage than just plopping a small building right next to your home and calling it a day. From zoning laws to aesthetics, there are many things to consider before you start building your new garage:
Research your zoning laws
Before you start getting into the nitty-gritty of building a garage, you should first make sure that you can even build it in the first place. Your local zoning laws will determine how big a garage can be, where it can be located, and if there are any requirements in terms of construction materials. By researching your local zoning laws, you’ll be able to find out if you can build a garage on your property, and what limitations there might be if you can.
Attached or detached?
Attached garages are the most popular, especially in areas like Buffalo where people don’t want to trudge out into the cold and snow just to get to their car. However, detached garages also have their advantages—namely, they allow more flexibility in design and are great if you want a living space above the garage. Determine which type will suit your needs best and then go from there.
What will you use it for?
Speaking of which, the kind of garage you create will depend on what you intend to use it for. Are you building it just to store your cars? Are you planning on building a living space above it? Do you want to use it as a hobby room? Answering these questions will give you an idea of what type of garage you need to build and what specific elements need to be added.
Match it to your house
A garage that doesn’t match a house will stick out like a sore thumb. Be sure that the style, color, and roofing materials all match that of your home so that your garage doesn’t look out of place.
Prepare for snow
When another lake effect storm moves in, you want to make sure you can easily remove as much snow as you can before you head out for work in the morning. But if your garage is built at the end of the driveway, you’ll have difficulty plowing, so do yourself a favor and build it farther back, away from the street.
Now that you have an idea of what kind of garage you want, it’s time to call in a professional to get the job done right. At Ivy Lea Construction, we can construct a new garage, as well as repair an old one, so contact us today to get started.