Where would you add an attached garage?

7 years ago

My husband and I have been trying to hash this out for almost 2 years and we have to figure this out soon! Our top priority of our addition/renovation is an attached garage (ideally 2 car) and we cannot settle on where best to add it on. So that is my main question.
Other changes we would like to make that could affect placement of garage would be (in order of priority):
- larger entry
- better ability to extend dining area for use with large groups (considering adding on extra room past dining room)
- slightly larger kitchen

I’d appreciate any input you have!

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Comments (5)

Mrs. S
7 years ago
Those are big changes to hash out yourselves. I would get an architect. All of that looks really expensive! And you wouldn't want to make mistakes. Architects will chime in, but you're going to need to provide more information, not just a picture of the front of your house....
papertigers77
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh sorry, Did the other photo not show up? Of the home layout?
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Lynne Mysliwiec
7 years ago
You need to check side, front, and rear yard set back requirements and if you have a well and septic field rather than city water and sewer, then the location of both need to be taken into account before you can decide.

Moving the kitchen to the back with an addition of mud room / laundry between garage and kitchen and removing wall between living and kitchen to open the plan and flip dining to the front would be my first thought (if all plumbing/water/zoning issues work out).
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 years ago
Based upon the information given, to the north-west.
Mrs. S
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I do see your layout, and realize my limitations as a non-architect. I think you have done what you can, by creating a general diagram, and now it's time to ask for professional opinions. Some professional should be hired to assess your site for all of its particulars: orientation towards views, opportunities for passive solar advantages, privacy, geology, city/county requirements and/or limitations, your family (kids? elderly?) and perhaps even most importantly, whether your wants and needs are appropriate for your real estate market. You didn't mention that, and perhaps you have no concerns about this aspect, but it is really important to work up a budget that makes sense not only for your ability to afford it, but also one that adds value to the land as a whole, and is reasonable given your local real estate market. What's your budget?

If it were my house, I'd definitely want an attached garage also, but I don't even think I can opine on where it should go. How much room do you have?

Is that the road in front of your house? Is the driveway location negotiable? Lynne points out smartly that sewer and septic may limit your choices.

All else being equal, and if you have the space, it's probably more desirable to locate a garage with a side entry, not visible from the front of the house, but if you live where it snows, there might be an orientation that is much more favorable for the weather (and I'm sorry, I don't know about that). Perhaps you are also thinking of making the front windows larger.... that's something I'd want, and wouldn't be as expensive as moving the kitchen...

Lastly, I will suggest that you post your question in the remodeling forum, or building a home, where actual architects can weigh in.

Edited to add: you now have an opinion from an actual, smart architect. He's so smart, that he can apparently tell by looking at your images, which way north-west is. :)