Adding a garage onto your home can be a great way to improve the convenience of your home as well as enhance its value. Whether you’re tired of dealing with the elements on stormy or cold days, or you’re looking for more space for storage, a workshop, a home gym, a kids’ play area, or even an office, a garage is a great means to reach that end.

Before you can decide whether to go ahead with a garage addition, here are a few planning tips that you should take into consideration beforehand!

Zoning and Code Restrictions

The first step is to determine how big of a garage you want to put on your lot. You should spend some time at your local zoning department finding out what the different zoning regulations state; for example how close you can build to the edges of your property. In some areas special zoning restrictions can apply specifically to garages. Some communities require deeper setbacks on sides with doors. Your zoning board might also govern the design of the driveway, the wall or roof height, and the total amount or percentage of your lot you’re allowed to cover with roofs and pavement. You can do all the work, or you can hire an experienced contractor like MDV Remodeling. We will be able to explain the zoning requirements in your area, help you plan the structure you need, and we will take care of obtaining all the permits necessary to build your new garage. It may take a lot of legwork to figure out whether it’s even realistic to try to fit a garage on your lot, but is worth investing the time to avoid zoning issues down the road.

Attached or Freestanding?

The biggest decision about adding a garage is whether to attach the garage to your house or build it as a separate structure. An attached garage usually costs less, and it’s easier to use part of the space as a pantry, mudroom, laundry area, or other extension of your house. If you’re concerned about security, an attached garage lets you tap an opener and drive right in without setting foot outside. Just remember that if you decide on an attached garage, you will have to do some kind of construction to the interior of your home to accommodate.

A detached garage also offers advantages (see our blog on the Benefits of a Detached Garage). One of these advantages is that a separate structure keeps exhaust fumes and the dust and noise of a workshop out of your house.

Size Requirements

Today, cars are much bigger, so garages need to be as well. For a single car, figure on at least 14 feet by 20 feet. You can build a two-car garage as small as 20 feet by 24 feet, but you’ll be happier with an extra 6 or 8 feet in length and width.

Access and Traffic Flow

If you’re adding a garage, you’re also going to need to build a driveway. Single-car driveways are typically at least 10 feet wide, and can be up to 14 feet when there are obstructions on either side that could scrape an opened car door. Two-car driveways should be at least 20 feet wide, and up to 24 feet if the sides aren’t clear. If you plan to park in front of the garage, allow at least 20 feet between the sidewalk and the garage door. Even if you aren’t required to include a turnaround area, working one into your plan may be a good idea, particularly if you have a long driveway or live on a busy street. At minimum, you would need an area of 10 feet wide by about 12 feet deep for a turnaround.

Relationship to the House

A garage should not dwarf your home, but instead should act like an accessory to your home and complement the existing design. However, if you have to tack a big garage onto a modest-size house, there are ways to minimize the visual impact. For instance, setting the front farther back from the street than the main entrance to the house makes the garage seem less dominant. If possible, face the garage doors to the side and add windows and other house-like details to the front wall. If the doors must face the street, a roof overhang that matches the style of your house will help. (It’s details like this that we help you realize as part of our TruYou Design™ process.)

For more information, or to talk to a professional about adding a garage or other addition to your home, be sure to contact the licensed contractors at MDV Remodeling to set up a free estimate.