Is a 24x24 garage big enough?

[matt63]

Yeah, I'm just trying to get a comfort level with the 24x24.  It's not ideal but I would like to know that it will work seeing as it is still going to cost $15-20K.  I was going to expand my single garage but $15K for an 18 x 22 didn't seem worth it.

[shatar4]

I have a 24'x32' and I wish I had went bigger.

[Grasshopper]

I have a 12 by 20.  I live in the city and have to rent secure storage unit garages to keep my cars about 30 minutes outside of the city.

Your garages sound like paradise to me!!

[Super Blue 72]

24'x24' should be dandy for one car, possibly 2.  I have a very small one car garage stuffed with odds and ends that I can't out my car in.....yet.

Although I would love to build one of these babies... you could have slolom races to the bottom! 

[whitesatinmopar]

Build what your lot, money, and code will allow. But you will discover as we all have, no matter how big ya build it, it soon will not be big enough.  24X24 is a very nice size garage, even for two cars, but any other storage or work space will be tight corners. But hey, it's a real good start and it sure beats nothing. 

[70RTdroptop]

Rule of thumb: Your garage is never big enough.
Said it and heard it said too many times to discount it as whimsical words.

Boy, you got that right! When I built my detached garage 5 years ago, it was 26' long, 20' wide. Filled it up with 2 of our classic cars, then when I bought my Challenger 2 years later, I had to add  on another 26' in length so I had a place to park it! So now I've got a detached garage that's 20' wide and 52' long, with a garage door at each end, and 2 steel service doors so I can get in and out without too much of a hassle. Now we keep 3 of our cars in there, with a little bit of room for lawn mowers and such.

[4Cruizn]

It won't be big enough my friend . . . 

[torredcuda]

They are never big enough-I have a 24x30 and the extra length is nice and is filled up with benches,engines,a dirt bike and other equipment but 24x 24 is big enough for two cars and some room to work around so you should be fine.

[moper]

You have to go 24x24, but you can also go up. If you dont need a lift, I'd go the 24x24, with a second story for parts storage. It's the parts that get in the way. Use the side wall to make the bench(s). Becuase a ton of work is done on the front of the car (think about it) and you'll want to be able to putz around there. Not shimmy between things. Leave a generous hole in the ceiling with a hinged door, and have a pulley type lift thru the hole. You can also use fold down stairs or a ladder to access the same hole. Then, insulate it well so it stay comfy no matter the temps. Account for more outlets and lighting than you think you need, make sure there's enough "room" on each breaker for a high amp draw (like use more breakers and circuits) so you dont pop them all the time. I wont bother without a 200amp service to the panel either.

[LAA66]

 Lighting........., plenty of lighting. 

 Maybe run a line for compressed air also. Dragging hoses around can be a pain. Installing schedule 40 PVC is cheap and easy. It does have it's limits as to max pressure though.

[matt63]

... Not shimmy between things. ...

I restored 3 cars in a 12x22 garage! Talk about shimmying. A double garage of any size will be like heaven.  I just need room for a couch, fridge and bathroom now.

[Fred]

I have a 24 x 24 and it can work for you.  It has a 20x7 door.  Attached picture shows a refrigerator and a stairway in front of the F150.

Like someone said.......need lots of light.

I have avoided adding any shelving to the sides.  Only hanging stuff.  Really helps with walkaround space.

Good Luck!

[ksierens]

No matter what size garbage can you buy, you eventually will fill it 

I had to have a new garage built because the foundation sunk under my previous one.  I had a 20x22 and it would have cost be about an additional $3-4k just to go to 24x24, so I stuck with what I had, but went to 8 ft ceiling.  It's a little tight, but not bad. Because I had to have the old garage torn down, and the old foundation removed, it ended up costing me about $20k just to replace what I already had!

[Killer_Mopar]

I work with a general contractor and we have built a bunch of garages/pole barns. I can tell you that just about every time we build a barn, the owner says that he wished he would have gone another 10 feet. If you are going to shell out money for a garage then go at least 24x32 if you have the room, it really doesn't cost that much more for what you get. Like someone said before, get the BIGGEST barn you can afford and have land for. Also remember that if the city puts a limit on size, you could always apply for a variance to get a bigger one. I am going through this with my father.....the city will only allow 768 sq ft (24x32) and he wants a 60x40, so hopefully they grant it. For the height you will probably want at least 10 feet so that you can stand a piece of conduit or 2x4 up. I personally like 12 foot ceilings but the look weird on a smaller building, so maybe look into scissor truss' for a little added height. Good luck

[matt63]

... it ended up costing me about $20k just to replace what I already had!

That hurts