I want to build a new workshop/garage, advice/ideas requested

[gbjeppm]

As my boys have got older, I seem to have more and more car parts/alloy wheels lying around the house/shed/ garage, and the driveway constantly seems to have cars in the air on axel stands etc, i have been thinking about building a new garage/workshop. We all like cars, eldest is an engineer, and becoming more and more competent.

I have the space at the side of the house to fit a 4m wide by 6m building, which would be accessible from the road.

In an ideal world I would like to fit a car lift as well, just to make life easier, and they seem to be relatively affordable at around 1000/1200 pounds, but I have no idea if they would be suitable for domestic use.

I also seem to be struggling to find information on clearance height if you have a lift. Also looking for ideas on building suppliers, I want something that looks aesthetically pleasing rather than just, a corrugated metal workshop.

I am happy to lay the concrete pad and erect any buildings myself, will need professional help for electric supply (any thoughts on needs here, and future needs, I am well aware that lifts require dedicated phased supplies, what about later if I want to add an air compressor or welding equipment etc).

This is very much exploratory thoughts at the moment, so any input gratefully accepted.

Budgetwise, I am thinking that I do not want to spend more than around 5k on the building, then I can add tools/equipment as I go.

 

[BlackC55]

If you buy a lift get a good one. For £1200 it will be utter ****e. It has to be bolted to the floor properly in 12" deep of concrete minimum..

 

[John Jones Jr]

Allow 3.3-3.5m roof clearance for a two poster, can be slotted between roof thrusts to keep overall height of the garage to a minimum. Suppliers will advise on exact height specification required and offer both single & three phase lifts.

When designing the garage I'd make the priorities, natural light, insulation & ventilation.

I think 5K is tight for materials but doable, bloody easy for things to mount up, especailly the one's you didn't allow for - a hundred here & a hundred there! The overall spec and extras is the killer cost wise. Good planning & a bit of discipline will be key.

 

[bolide]

There are plenty of secondhand ramps about but most are three-phase. It's possible to re-motor them to run on single phase. This would reduce your installation costs

Nick Froome

 

[John Jones Jr]

One other thing I meant to mention. Consider the house in relation to the overall exterior finish of the garage, if possible finish it to a standard were they compliment one another.

 

[Ted]

Don't forget to budget a few grand for an extra large flat screen, decent sound system, beer fridge, and a couple of La-Z-Boy chairs.
A couple of heavy duty motorcycle lifts would also be a good investment.

When can I come round?

 

[developer]

Metal roofs condensate on the inside and will drip during the colder months unless ventilated well.

Natural roof light is a great, but allow for the need get up there occasionally for maintenance. Also, get it guttered properly or roof water running down the pitch will find it's way in.

 

[gbjeppm]

Any thoughts on scissor lifts?

They seem to be much easier to install, and fold flat.

And if i go for the version that extends to about 1m high, I should have less roof height issues.

Does anybody have one of these, and what do they think?

I was thinking something like this

AS-7530D Garage Scissor Lift - Automotech Services Limited

 

[BlackC55]

They limit access to the underside of the car. I would only use a 2 poster

 

[John Jones Jr]

Any thoughts on scissor lifts?

They seem to be much easier to install, and fold flat.

And if i go for the version that extends to about 1m high, I should have less roof height issues.

Does anybody have one of these, and what do they think?

I was thinking something like this

AS-7530D Garage Scissor Lift - Automotech Services Limited

Pass thanks, if you're going to do it do right, if possible.

 

[janner]

I have a single phase, single post ramp in mine. It's not quite as good as a two or four post but it's not far off and it sits against a wall with the 'prongs' dropping flush into the floor thus maximising the usable floorspace.
It's surprising how quickly you'll fill it with cr*p

 

[David Bird]

Hydraulic drive-on car ramps, car rollers, mobile axle stands - Heywood, Lancashire UK A pal of mines business tell him Birdy reccomended and he may give a slight discount ,He deals with Many car clubs and has trade stands at many shows.He is a qualified quality mechanic so also understands many issues relating to choice. Colin is the chaps name.

 

[Satch]

Friend of mine has a rather splendid wooden triple garage + workshop area.

It is called a "cart lodge" rather than a garage but is functionally the same.

Height was a problem so has a pukka inspection pit complete with jack rails, covers, lighting etc in one of the bays.

Not a cheap option but being the owner of a number of "classic" vehicles he spends rather a lot of time under them!

 

[Chrishazle]

For the opening at the front, go for a single wide opening rather than a more traditional 2 x 8ft door sets with a pillar between. i nearly made that mistake, instead had a single 16ft opening with roller shutter door, remote controlled. Unfortunately it's at the old house, and I miss it to this day.

My garage was 20ft wide and 26ft deep, so I had a pit crosswise across the bottom. the wide single opening allowed me to get a car over the pit easily - I put a friend's Renault Grand Espace over it without problem!

There was a big thread a year or so back about building a new garage with a hoist installed - not sure if it was on here or t'other side, IIRC it was R2D2's thread.

 

[swannymere]

Alternatively have you thought about a pit? It would enable you to keep the standard height and you can get pre-fabricated pits that have jacks that ride on rails built into the edge.

 

[jamesfuller]

A cheap ramp is not a good idea, you will be very limited what you can put on it weight and size wize. I would say a pit is a good way to go unless you want to spend a lot on a decent 2 post ramp.

May be worth Laying the concrete suitable for a ramp in case a good second hand one comes up!

If you are going to have a lathe or milling machine organise the power points etc so they can be in the area best served by natural light!

 

[Druk]

This might give you ideas. The garage on the right..



houses this..



A 4ton Dunlop 'proper' hoist converted to single phase electrics using a 3hp ripsaw motor. Cost me £1200 delivered on Ebay.

And without too much headroom I can do this...




Hee hee.

Bestest thing I've ever done. Go for it.


.

 

[Ian Donkin]

The cars may be gone, but I still have this:






Single phase and drives a hydraulic pump, so works at treat... Up to 3 tons too.

 

[Ian Donkin]

This was another of mine using a friends garage:



Not very glamorous, but effective nonetheless.

 

[developer]

Mate, next time you pop round can you arrive on your pink pushbike .