What Permits and Permission Are Required for Detached Garages?

Adding a detached garage to your property is a wonderful way to protect a vehicle, store farm and gardening equipment, or provide protected storage for household items. Detached garages come in both single and double car sizes. And, depending on your needs, your garage can be electrified. 

But before you place your order, you'll want to do a little homework. Depending on where you live, you may need a building permit, permission from your housing association, or permission from your neighbors. 

Permits

Generally speaking, you need a building permit for permanent structures, like garages. However rules do vary from state to state and county to county. The best approach is to contact your local government and find out what’s required. An online search for "permit + detached garage + YOUR LOCATION" should turn up the information you need to move forward.  If you do need a permit, be friendly and helpful with everyone you deal with. The more engaged you are, the more likely it is that you’ll get your permit without any trouble. As you go through the process, you may be asked to present documents, such as:

Site Plan -- You may need to provide a drawing of your property that shows property lines, existing buildings and where the new garage will be sited. 

Building Plans -- You may need to provide garage plans. If you are purchasing a prefab garage, the manufacturer will be able to provide these. 

Other Information – You may be asked to provide other information, such as proof of insurance for the contractor.

Permissions

If you live in a housing development or belong to a neighborhood association, find out what rules apply to detached garages. You may need to present your plans to the board, before moving ahead with the project. Zoning laws may also require that you get permission from neighbors, if the garage is within a certain distance of the property line. 

Keep in mind that it's the homeowner’s responsibility to find out what the requirements are for permits and permissions. To avoid fines and other penalties, be sure to follow your local guidelines. 

To learn more, please contact us. We also have a resource for getting your permits. Check it out.

Garage Materials: Things To Know Before You Buy.

What is the difference between metal, plastic and wood garages and storage sheds

for sale? They all keep your items safe and dry, right? They do, but there are differences that may or may not work for your storage needs. Let's take a look at each one.

Metal is inexpensive, fire and bug resistant, and has long lasting strength. However, it is prone to damage by hail, high winds, rain, and snow. A high wind can topple a metal storage shed. Heavy snow or debris can collapse the roof, so it needs to be cleared regularly. Humidity and condensation can lead to rust and leaks. Metal sheds are not very attractive, usually coming in colors of grey or white. Additionally, there is little flexibility in metal sheds to customize shelving and hooks, or add a window or vent. The material is easily damaged by nails and screws.  

Generally, plastic sheds and garage units are a little more expensive than metal, although the price increases for a higher quality gauge plastic. A plastic shed is more secure  and durable than a metal one as environmental impact is less. Some brands of plastic sheds recently introduced to the market have grooves in the walls that allow you to hang items at various heights. Others require the added purchase of metal shelving. While low maintenance is a big plus, plastic sheds still lose out in the aesthetic arena. Style-wise there has been some improvement, but the various shades of beige remain unappealing.

Wood garages and sheds are the most expensive of the three materials, but they are extremely durable, holding up well to the elements. A little tender loving care on a regular basis will keep maintenance in check so your wood shed will remain strong for many years. Wood is a renewable resource making it good for the environment. Wood can be easily customized to blend in with your yard or match your house. Its flexibility can accommodate shelving and hooks where ever they are needed. It can be built in any style and any roof line, have one or several windows, or be built on a concrete foundation rather than a wooden floor.

Trivia Time: 3 Things You're Dying to Know About Sheds.

Storage Sheds- Choose the One to Suit Your Needs

When it comes to storage sheds, there really is one to suit every need. Before you jump in and start looking at sheds, think about everything you want your new shed to do for you.

A few questions to ask yourself:

• How much equipment will you be storing?
• Will you need extra wide doors to fit large equipment?
• Will you need extra height to fit tall equipment?
• Do you need to be able to lock your shed, or will an open shed work?
• Do you need a 2-story shed?
• Do you want a custom shed built on your site?
• Are you a do-it-yourselfer who wants to build your shed from a kit?

Storage Sheds Come in Many Shapes and Sizes

Picking the right storage shed is exciting, because there are so many options to choose from. 

Here are just a few of the styles you'll want to consider:

Barn Style Sheds--When you need a lot of storage space, extra wide doors, and maximum overhead clearance, consider a barn style shed. These are great sheds for rider mowers and other big equipment. Perfect for larger properties.

Garden Sheds--These compact sheds are an ideal size for the basic equipment you need to keep the lawn in top shape, like a push mower, wheelbarrow, weed whacker, shovels, racks, etc.

Firewood Sheds--These are open-front structures with an overhanging roof to keep firewood dry and ready to burn. They are also a great place to hang tools and store mowers and other equipment.

Shed Kits--Kits allow you to build your own shed. They provide a great deal of flexibility, in terms of size and features. Kits save you money and you can take pride in a job well done. Most kits are suitable for beginners.

To learn more, or for assistance choosing the right shed for your needs, please Contact Us. 

Protect Your Investments: Add a New Garage

Investments come in very different forms. Money and time are the two major forms of commitment to something that would make it an investment. Your home is one of your biggest investments, and is a primarily financial investment, although a great deal of time goes into it as well. Looking at it this way may change how you manage your home and property, both in its existing structure and in any additions that you may choose to add.

Many people look to improve on the value of their home, but are unsure of where to begin. Many times, we will look to finish a basement, add a room, or expand on what is already there. While that doesn’t hurt the value of your home, there are other things that you can choose to do that will also add to not only the overall value of your home, but also to your overall convenience and enjoyment. One thing that is increasing in popularity, and is an overall affordable option, is to add a single or double garage.

This might be a surprising suggestion, especially since many homes already have a garage, but most people find that their garage space is not sufficient. Garages turn out to be excellent storage space for things other than your car. Yard tools and equipment, bikes, extra furniture, extra sports equipment, and tools all take up residence in your only garage, leaving your car in the cold. Here are some ways you would benefit from an additional single or double-wide garage:

1. Add additional storage space. If you already have garage space attached to your home, then you will want to use that for parking your vehicles. You will want to be closer to home in the winter and when it rains, so the additional garage or two that you opt to add would be excellent storage space for all of those extra things you have accumulated over the years. Additional garage space is also ideal for all of those bicycles, toys, and equipment that is currently taking up space in your current garage.

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2. Turn it into a work area. Many people enjoy hobbies such as working on and collecting classic cars. This is a hobby that requires additional work space and storage space. Classic cars are an investment themselves, and you want to protect them as much as possible. If you drive them only in nice weather, then you know that you can’t just leave them outside in the elements. Having a double-wide garage is ideal for both storage and creating the perfect work area. Roomy enough for all of your tools and car, you will enjoy your time out in your new garage, relaxing and enjoying your hobby.

3. Select the size that is right for you. For some, a one car garage is plenty of space for their needs. It still offers sufficient room for one cat and some storage. A two-car garage is bonus space that you can grow into. If you have a motorcycle or two, yard equipment, or an extra vehicle, a double-wide garage is the best solution for you. You will have much more room to work with, and as you begin to use it, you will find that the more room the better. Ideally, you will build once and enjoy it for many years.

4. Choose the perfect style to compliment your home. In addition to selecting the size, you can further select the colors, levels, and style that best compliments the design of your home. If you are adding a garage, consider it an addition. With an addition, you would never choose a color and design that is the opposite of your home; why would you do that with a garage? Work with a company that offers a large selection of designs, colors, and styles. Do you want a second level of storage? Do you want to add windows, ramps, and shutters? You can add whatever it will take to make it the perfect add-on to your property.

If you have found that your current garage space is nowhere near enough to meet your needs, then your only solution is to add a single or double-wide garage. You will find yourself significantly more organized, and the longer life of your cars will be an indicator enough that you made the right decision.

Making Yard Work a Breeze: Adding a New Addition for Functionality

Springtime is the time to focus on your yard. New landscaping, mulching, cutting grass, weeding, and planting are on the agenda. As you begin your yard work, you find that you need all sorts of equipment and materials. There are a few things you can do to prepare for your spring and summer tasks around the house and save some money. The larger the yard, the more expensive the landscaping costs. You can track down sales as you go, and purchase all you need to get you through the year’s work. When it comes to the larger purchases, such as equipment like mowers and mulchers, you will definitely want to purchase ahead in order to benefit from the sales.

Once you have accumulated everything you need to make your yard look great, you are faced with a common problem amongst most homeowners…where do you put everything? You need to think about protecting all of your purchases from the elements, especially if you were purchasing during the winter months. Many people resort to putting everything in their garage to keep things dry and organized. This might be a possible solution for some, but ideally you should be able to park your cars in the garage without trying to share the space with all sorts of other yard equipment. If this is your situation, then you need to consider a shed as the solution to your storage needs. Here are some reasons why a shed is the perfect addition to your home and yard:

1. Additional storage capabilities. The number one reason for most people to add a shed is for the additional room it provides. The best way to stay organized is to keep everything in its place. If it is a yard tool or landscaping item, then they belong together. Having things everywhere only leads to confusion and lost items. We end up purchasing things over because we couldn’t find the original items. This becomes not only frustrating, but also very expensive. A shed allows all like items to be stored together, and leaves your cars in the garage where they belong.

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2. Easy access. Keep your yard tools not only organized, but also handy. When we try to cram everything into small spaces, everything becomes difficult to reach. This becomes frustrating, especially if you have a limited time to do the work and you don’t want to spend it looking for your garden shears. A shed keeps all of your items in their place. Sheds are laid out so that you can see everything quickly and easily. It is up to you to keep it organized, but if you know where to begin looking and you can make it easy to get to, you are much more likely to find it. Also, as we begin to pile things on top of each other because of our limited space, we tend to damage and break things. Reduce the risk of this damage by hanging and organizing in the open space of a shed.

3. Add an attractive addition to your home. A shed is an attractive and useful addition to your property. With a number of styles, designs, and sizes to choose from, you can select the one that fits you best. Choose your colors, special features, size, and layout, and create a garden shed that meets all of your storage needs. A shed looks great on any property, giving you functionality in storage and an attractive appearance. Work with a company that has a vast selection of in-stock sheds, shed kits, and garden sheds. They will be best suited to help you select the perfect match for your property and home.

This summer is the perfect time to organize your life and add a functional shed. No matter which style you choose, decide on a size that you can grow into. You will find that there are a number of options that may seem like a good fit. You will find that the extra storage capabilities and the ease of access to all of your garden tools and equipment will make your summer more productive. You will be so glad for the extra space that you will be excited to do yard work!

 

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring

After what seems to be one of the longest winters in a very long time, spring has finally sprung! Although there is still the occasional cold day, the weather is beginning to finally turn warmer, which means that it’s time to start thinking about your garden. The unusually cold winter has pushed back spring planting a bit; however, it’s not too early to begin the necessary preparation work. If you’re not sure where to start in preparing your garden for the upcoming planting season, don’t worry! Here are some helpful tips for preparing your garden:

Create a Compost Area 

If you don’t yet have a compost area, now is a great time to think about creating one. Although not every gardener uses it, compost is one of the best ways to keep your garden healthy and fruitful. The nutrients from the decomposed material are great for the soil in your garden.

It’s easy to create your own compost pile; simply select a flat area nearby to your garden. Then throughout the spring and summer, as you clean up your yard and flowerbeds, instead of throwing away the grass clippings and other plant waste, simply pile them on the compost area. Food waste can also be used as compost material.

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Prepare Your Soil 

Having healthy soil is the key to having a productive garden. Even before the soil totally thaws from the winter frost, there are things you can do to prepare your soil. The first thing to do is rid your garden of unwanted plants and rocks. Having soil that is too rocky is not conducive to growing strong, healthy plants. Not every rock needs to be removed; just those that are large enough to prevent your seeds from sprouting. If there are any unwanted fallen branches or dead plants on the soil, these should be removed as well.

As the weather warms up, your soil will begin to thaw, causing weeds to spring up in your soil. These weeds should be thoroughly cleared before you begin your spring planting. If there are only a few weeds, pulling them out by hand or spraying them with some weed killer will do the trick.

If your garden has been invaded by a whole army of weeds, you may consider using a rototiller to overturn the soil to rid the weeds. Even if your garden does not have many weeds, tilling can still be beneficial to the health of your garden. Having the top level of soil overturned and turning your soil into smaller particles can be great in helping your seeds grow properly into healthy plants. Turning over your soil may also bring up some hiding bug pests; be sure to eliminate these as well!

If you have a compost area already in place, now can be a great time to spread some compost on the soil to add some vital nutrients and minerals to the fresh spring soil. If this will be your first year creating a compost area and you do not yet have any decomposed material, spreading some fertilizer on the soil can work as well.

Prepare Your Gardening Tools 

Before it comes time to actually plant your garden, you want to be sure that your gardening tools are ready for planting. You don’t want to prepare for the task of planting the seeds and then realize that your hoe, shovels, and rakes are not up to par! First of all, give all of your tools a thorough cleaning. This will prevent the spread of diseases that may have accumulated on your tools over the winter. Cleaning your tools properly ensures that the diseases are not spread to your plants and do not contaminate the soil.

 

Next, be sure that your tools are sharpened. Sharpened tools will lessen the amount of work that your body has to do, and will make the tools work for you instead. Sharpening your tools will also help to maintain them, so that they last longer from year to year.

Now that you’ve prepared your tools, you will need a place to store them properly. This is where our Garden Store Sheds will come in extremely handy. Our garden sheds come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors to perfectly fit the style of your yard. The sheds are small and compact enough to be constructed close to your garden for easy access. You can either pick one of our numerous designs and construct the shed yourself, or have a fully constructed shed brought to your yard; the choice is yours!