For a long time, you were content with having a workbench and some tools tucked in one corner of the garage. That’s no longer enough space for you to take care of all the do-it-yourself projects around the house. You need a real workshop with space to handle it all. Before rushing into the construction of a home workshop, there are several key points you need to address. Here are some of the more important ones that need to be settled now.
Exploring the Building Codes in Your Neighborhood
Unless you live in the country and have acres of land at your disposal, it makes sense to find out what sort of building codes and standards apply in your section of town. Even in small towns, there are some limitations on what and how you can add permanent structures to a residential property. Knowing about those regulations now will prevent you from having to stop in the middle of the project and undo everything that’s been accomplished up to that point.
For example, there may be restrictions on the types of materials you can use for the new workshop. That’s true even if the plan is to add on to the backside of the garage. You also need to be aware of any regulations that impact how closely you can build to the property line. Once you know what the city will approve, you can move on to the next phase of the planning.
Remember that the local authorities are not the only resource you need to check. Restricted neighborhoods sometimes have homeowners associations with specific guidelines that you must follow. For example, no one will get upset if you build a home workshop that is in the same general style as the garage and your home. There may also be the requirement that the shop cannot be seen from the street.
How Large Does the Home Workshop Need to Be?
While you don’t plan on setting up a home business in the new space, you do need an adequate amount of room to organize your tools, set up your saws, and have a workbench that’s long enough to safely lay out whatever you are currently working on. Settling on the amount of square footage means thinking about what projects you’ve done in the past. You also must consider what you are likely to do in the future.
Along with thinking about how you will use the space, consider how much room you need to devote to storage cabinets and racks. If you are the type who likes to keep spare shingles and a few planks on hand just in case, incorporating storage options into the overall square footage is a smart move.
Whatever figure you come up with, don’t consider it to be the final answer. It pays to add at least another ten percent of square footage to that figure. A little more than that is not a bad idea. Later on, you’ll be happy that you have that extra space. This is especially true when you find yourself working on two projects at one time.
Establishing a Budget
How do you plan on paying for the construction? Do you have money set aside for the project? Will you be taking out a home equity loan or using a line of credit? If the goal is to get the job done without creating more debt, you want to work with whatever cash you have on hand. Setting that figure before you move forward will allow you to weigh the costs of each feature and come up with the right compromises.
Consider Using a Temporary Building
Up to this point, you’ve focused on general preparation and the inclusion of certain features. Now it’s time to talk with a professional about the design for your home workshop. Start with the layout, including where permanent features will be positioned. Where should the windows be placed so you can make the best use of natural light? Do you need a standard door for the shop, or would having a double door be a better choice? If you plan on having a restroom to clean up before heading into the house, where can it be placed? Will it still leave you plenty of room to work?
Once the interior layout is settled, you still need to think about the exterior. Even if there are no restrictions on the building style, it makes sense to go with materials and roof designs that allow the home workshop to blend in with the rest of the property elements. You may find that an aluminum framework coupled with heavy-duty vinyl fabric will fit in nicely. You also have the option to rent a temporary warehouse structure that could be a large weather-proof tent.
Hiring a Contractor Makes Sense
There are tasks that you can handle on your own. All the rest needs to be left in the hands of a competent contractor. Identifying what the pro will do in terms of creating the basic structure, pouring the concrete floor, and making sure the wiring and plumbing are up to local codes is essential.
Remember that while you have learned a great deal about local building codes and standards, the contractor works with them every day. That professional will know where to purchase materials and other essentials at the best prices. They’ll ensure they meet local standards as well. When the time comes for a building inspection, you can rest assured everything will be approved.
As your discussions progress, you may find that it makes sense to leave more of the project in the contractor’s hands. You may have all the skills needed to install the roof, but do you have the time? When the plan is to have your home workshop completed in a limited amount of time, you may find it hard to work all week and then spend your weekends handling all those additional tasks. If the contractor can include those other benefits for a reasonable price, step back and let the pro take care of things.
Tent Rental Companies
If you do decide to go the route of putting up a temporary warehouse, most times you will not have to do anything but make a phone call. Most tent rental companies put your temporary building together for you. This makes setting up quick and easy, and you can focus on projects within your new workshop.
Breaking down the home workshop construction into a series of steps helps you make wise choices. It will help you to stay within your budget, and create a space that you can put to good use. Start the process today and call in a professional when the time comes. The result will be a work space that you will enjoy for years to come.