Garage addition

7 months ago

I’ve been wanting to add about 20 feet onto the front of my shop building so we’re able to park an RV inside. I want to transform it into a simple gable end building with 3 wider and taller doors, and get rid of the overhang. Is this something that’s feasible and if so, what are the rough numbers involved in a project like this? The building is 50’ wide and 30’ deep. We’re in central California.

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PRO

McDonald Enterprises

7 months ago

last modified: 7 months ago

It's doubtful that you will have enough driveway and turnaround if the garage is in the typical spot close to the house. If it's 100 feet back, that becomes another story . You will still need to redo the drive too. Half the garage has to be deconstructed to add what you want. Then adding on what you want, will cost as much as the original structure cost. It will be pretty hideous, so if you have any architectural controls in your area, you are going to have to "design" it, rather than just engineer it. That prettification costs more.

And all of that depends on local building setbacks, codes, permits, HOA, or other architectural controls. Not a cheap project is all anyone can say. Have you explored paying a monthly parking rental for the RV at a local storage site?

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Comments (10)

PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 months ago
Are you looking for construction material amounts or cost estimates?
chispa
7 months ago
Feasible? You can build/remodel anything ... it just takes time and money.

You have to pour new footers and slab, take apart the front and part of the roof, frame out the addition and roof, might need to re-roof everything (specially if you can't find the same shingle) , new stucco to tie into old, re-paint whole building and pour new driveway (patch or whole, depending on damage during construction). Electrical work to move garage door outlets. New garage doors, which have gotten really expensive since covid.

In my area of FL that would probably be around $100K with a GC coordinating everything. Probably more in CA. Don't forget permits too.
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jf3504x4
Original Author
7 months ago
Mark, yes, I’m looking for cost estimates. The roof is supported by a 27” glulam beam, so i was mainly concerned that it may not be feasible without replacing that beam. Can it usually be simply extended with brackets?
jf3504x4
Original Author
7 months ago
Chispa, thanks for your input. I’m hoping to stay around that mark
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
7 months ago
Seeking cost estimates and advice locally will be less misleading.
3onthetree
7 months ago
You will have to get an architect regardless, so if you have a max budget they can design up to that.

Your garage looks already set up for most Class A RVs. The style of the building (specifically portico) matches your house. I would suggest keeping in that vein in whatever you expand.
KR Nuttle
7 months ago
I think what ever you do you need to get a local professional involved. You garage is not of a common structural design. A picture is nice but can not answer questions like:

----How is the portico attached to the building, ie semi-free standing or an integral part of the building.

----Where structurally is the front of the building:

--------At the back of the portico?

----Where are the load bearing supports for the front of the building?

--------In the columns of the portico or the wall at the back of the portico.

----How do the side door extension attach to the building?

Until questions like these are answered no one can give you an idea of the cost, as the answer to them will significantly affect the cost.
jf3504x4
Original Author
7 months ago
These are the drawings I’ve found. Hope this helps
dan1888
7 months ago
I'll go another direction. Without digging up the driveway for foundation footing, or eating up a lot of budget, I'd remove the center door and raise that opening. Then enclosed the portico with a correct dimension door at the new entrance. Really cost effective for the storage you want.