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We're building a new house with a new detached garage for the toys (house has a 2.5 car attached for the daily drivers). Do any of the garage cabinet companies do a custom design layout if you provide them with the floor plan, dimensions, etc.?
Vault cabinets has a design consult option. I believe most cabinet companies can help with design.
A couple of things I would do (if you haven't thought of it already!)
I would do a tall wall. A minimum of 12 foot if code allows. I would also do storage trusses for sure. It is totally worth the extra amount for all the extra space.
I would pour a slab 6" thick. It helps to support a lift!
Hydronic heating in the slab would be the way to go. Way better than forced air.
I didn't do any of these things (although I was limited to 10 feet by code in my town) and wish I did!
Make sure you show pics of the progress of the shop as it goes up.
Make sure you get plenty of blocking in the walls to anchor upper cabinets. Also discuss potential heavy wall hung loads with your architect. This also goes for storage trusses. Make sure they are aware of what types of loads will be on the bottom chord of the truss.
Don't forget lots of power outlets including a 240v outlet for welder, Porsche Mission E or other plug-in hybrid, whatever. Easier to do it now than later
Also don't forget plenty of ceiling height for the 2 and 4 post lifts that you will be installing. 10 foot minimum. You could still do lifts with a lower ceiling height, but if you are building, then get what you really need.
A pit - like Jiffy Lube - can be a huge asset. One of my neighbors has one. If you don't have the $$ for a lift but you can dig a hole and can afford to get it lined (and a pump if necessary), it's an awesome resource.
Also gives you a place to hide the dead hook...never mind.
When I built my R&D facility, which doubles as my 5,800 Sq Ft personal shop/ garage the concrete was one of the only things I did not do myself. I specifically called out where I wanted the pad reinforced to allow for lift installation. It did not get done, and I did not learn that till I started drilling for a 2 post lift and blew through the pad.
I settled for a large 4 post lift at the time, which has worked OK, except when pulling engines from my Ferrari's, as the engine will not pass through the bottom.
Rather than changing the floor all around I looked into a Sports Car lift from SVI. This is the best option I had, and it is a very impressive unit. It even comes in your choice of Porsche colors, and mine will lift the car a full 80", and it will spin 360* in the air, while lifted! I had enough friends and customers that wanted these that it was worth becoming a dealer for them, and this is the only lift I'll use from this point forward. They install in 3 hours, and I will be installing another unit at my place tomorrow. I'll share some pics if you guys want. It would be even easier with new construction than it will be at my place thats already completed.
I have designed many shops, and garages, and by far the layout of cabinets is the most difficult!
This looks simple, but the layout of my clean room was by far the biggest challenge I had in my whole building!