How to Design a Detached Garage

If you live in an area prone to excessive heat or large amounts of snowfall in the winter, to protect your vehicle a garage is essential. If you plan to design a detached garage you'll need to first consider its primary function, appearance and the amount of money you have to spend on the project.

What You'll Need:

• Pencil and pad


• Budget


• Ruler


• Straight edge


• 1/4 inch graph paper


• Tracing paper


• Plot plan


• Property restrictions


• Setbacks and easements

1. Utilize your plot plan to help you calculate the amount of available land you have to build your garage on. Use tracing paper to create a rough sketch in the outline of your home in relation to your lot.


2. Review your local building restrictions and guidelines. Add to the sketch that you previously created, notating any setbacks, easements or restrictions that may affect the size of your garage. Depending on your neighborhood, you may be limited to a garage of a certain size or shape.


3. Draft a budget to see what available amenities or options will be offered to you when constructing your garage. The more money you have to spend the more elaborate the plans. When creating your budget you should plan to spend upwards of $15,000.


4. Determine the size of your garage. You'll want to have room for at least 2 vehicles and any additional space for storage. Generally, individuals will house workbenches, freezers, tools, sporting equipment and any cabinet systems with the garage.


5. Sketch your garage size on a sheet of tracing paper. Plan your garage so that it easily fits within the overall landscape of your property.