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A timber-framed double garage and workshop build that includes a mezzanine level for storage, an epoxy floor and LED strips with brackets created on a 3D printer.
The project
I've been building a 12 x 6m timber-framed double garage and workshop with a friend, who is a retired builder. When I originally had this and our stage two extension quoted by a builder it was 110K for the shell only on the garage and the 2 x 1 connecting to our main house. We could not have afforded it, so I decided to tackle this as a D.I.Y. project.
I count myself very fortunate to have an experienced retired builder (aged 82) on hand to help and impart his wisdom to me and I throughly enjoy working with him as I learn so much. It feels like I’m doing an apprenticeship again at 51. I’m an electrician by trade but have let my license lapse as I no longer work in the trade. His input and suggestions into the design has made this build something I’m very proud of without having to make any compromises.
June 2019
I'm just about ready to start constructing some workbenches once I complete the electrical. Power was just connected last week so I have been busy this wet and windy weekend in Western Australia getting all powerpoints laid out ready for wiring.
Constructing frames.
Frames up.
More cladding.
Applying epoxy.
This is how the floor looks after just one coat.
A 200w UFO Highbay LED is in, so there's lots of beautiful bright light in the main garage area. I'm waiting on some LED transformers before I can finish the workshop lighting. At the moment, the highbay in the main garage provides plenty of light in there with the help of some work lights.
The garage door opener is also wired and working, so no more extension cord hanging in the air.
The powerpoints are down one side of the workshop and since I have power and power points I now have data to the workshop. Now my 3D printers have a home.
Weather seals went in on the doors and it was very timely as storms came through on the weekend here, so no more rags stuffed under the doors.
Plywood went up on the front of the workshop. The original plan was to paint it, but after going up we’ve decided to leave as is and just coat with a clear varnish to preserve the timber look and to match the rest.
July 2019
The workshop lighting is finished. I was happy with my original tests and ran 2 x 5m LED 24W strips on every second beam. I printed up some brackets on the 3D printer to stop it peeling off.
LED brackets.
We also finished the access to the storage area with stairs and safety rails installed on the mezzanine.
April 2020
It's been a while since I’ve made any posts, but have been busy with work, study and also building stage two, which is a 2 x 1 extension joining the garage workshop to the house. I’m just finishing up the wiring before drywalling.
My garage is pretty full at the moment as I've been emptying my storage units, so I intend to get stuck into sorting and unpacking in the coming weeks.
I've started using the workshop, although I still haven’t built any benches yet. Hope to get around to working on those soon. My laser cutter is now installed and working. I’ve put the noisy extraction fan up on the mezzanine floor with venting to the outside, all controlled by a Arlec Remote Controlled Power Outlet from Bunnings.
Project cost
Costs to date I've spent $184/sqm.
Not included in this cost:
- Pre-construction costs such as drafting, engineering, building and planning applications.
- Original earthworks, which was to clear and level our entire back yard
- Tools purchased
Included in this costs:
- Clean up, sand and compaction testing for the pad,
- Timber
- Cladding, roof, flashing and insulation
- All fixtures and ties
- Brickwork for parrapet wall
- Gutters and underground stormwater pipe for downpipes
- Mezzanine
- Doors – internal and external and internal, weather seals and fixtures
- Windows
- Two coats of two-part epoxy for concrete floor
- Garage door and remotes
- Electrical to date – three-phase conversion to property, three-phase cable to the building from the house, conduit, sub-board, swithes, brackets, RCD breakers, power points, lights, cables and a licensed electrician for testing and tickets.
Tips for tackling your project
Seaton shared these helpful tips for tackling your own D.I.Y. build:
- Before I started this project I had no idea of what I needed to do. Check with your local council's planning and building departments and they will be able to help guide you through the process. Try and talk to the same person from each department throughout the process, so they get to know you and you don't have to keep explaining your situation to someone new each time you talk to them.
- The first thing is planning permission – you need to find out what you can and can't build on your property. The planning department will tell you what you need to provide. Take any of the drawings you have in, even if they are rough sketches. The department can then make suggestions about what you can and can't do.
- It's worth having contacts in the building industry and don’t be afraid to shop around. I had vast ranging quotes for my slab and earth works. I ended up asking someone I know who is a project manager in the building industry for someone that they’d recommend for the slab and got it done much cheaper than the quotes I received. Then the concreter recommended someone for the earthworks, so I ended up again saving a heap compared to quotes I had received.
More workshop and studio builds
Workshop member TheSaltyreefer built a large backyard studio for a home office with ply walls and an epoxy resin floor.
Workshop member Kermit transformed an old backyard shed with broken windows and a leaking roof into a funky studio perfect for working from home.
Afternoon @Seaton
Somehow I have missed you project. Thats a nice looking job you have done!, So much space and right down to that mezzanine level and staircase 
Envious!
Have you continued with the workshop fitout since or focussed on the bit between the garage and house?
Dave
