How to Hire a Good Garage Builder

Hiring a skilled and trustworthy garage builder is essential to the success of your construction project.

While there may be some minor setbacks during the building process, with the right garage builder, these issues can be minimized. Here are some essential tips to help you choose the right builder for your garage project:

1. Research Local Garage Building Companies

Before selecting a garage builder, be sure you have researched all potential builders in your local area thoroughly.

This includes speaking with family members, friends, and staff at local home improvement centers and lumberyards. Word of mouth is a great way to get firsthand experiences and recommendations from people who have previously hired garage builders for their own project(s). Not only that, but building supply industry professionals work with builders and contractors every day. With this first hand knowledge, they will be able to recommend a good builder for your project.

Another way to ensure you hire a good company is by checking out their Google, Facebook, and Yelp reviews, as well as their testimonials. Reading these will give you a pretty good idea of how the custom garage installation process went for each client that left a review.

Hiring a reputable and qualified builder will help take the headache out of the garage building process!

2. Hire Both Licensed & Insured Garage Builders

Next, be sure that the garage building company you end up hiring is both licensed and insured.

You’ll want to request copies of their insurance documents and any licenses they hold. Likewise, you should also do this for subcontractors.

Hiring a licensed and insured contractor for the project gives you leverage should any problems arise. The garage builder will be obligated to resolve any issues during construction to prevent losing their business license.

3. Ask for a Detailed Estimate

Never accept any verbal estimates or changes to the contract! You should always get everything into writing – ask for a detailed estimate for the garage building project. The estimate should include all details of materials, labor fees, dimensions/size of garage, and more. For materials more specifically, the estimate should include brand names, colors, sizes, and styles for your shingles, doors, garage doors, flooring, and more.

If there are any changes to the contract, make sure to get it all in writing for a smooth, worry-free process.

4. Ask for a Timeline

When selecting your garage builder, you should always ask for a construction timeline. This timeline should detail a specific starting and end date of the project All deadlines should be clearly outlined in writing.

Also, if your garage must be completed by a specific date, make sure that you have communicated that with your garage builder. On average, it will take around 6-8 weeks to build your garage.

Read More: 7 Factors to Consider for Building a Custom Garage

5. Add a Motivational Clause in the Contract

Once you’ve agreed upon a completion date, you and your garage contractor should include a motivational clause in the contract.

For example, you can state: “If the garage construction is not completed by the agreed-upon date, $200 per day will be deducted from the contract price for each day the job remains incomplete after that date.”

6. Be Specific About Your Needs

When working with your garage builder, make sure that you communicate your ideas and thoughts clearly. You know what you want, so be prepared to discuss your needs and wants with your contractor.

Note that changing your mind multiple times after construction begins can cause delays and add additional expenses to the final cost of the project.

7. Expect Possible Delays or Unexpected Problems

While choosing a reputable garage building company will help to reduce issues during the building process, you should still expect possible delays or unexpected issues to pop up. For example, delays, employees quitting, late delivery of materials, or bad weather could all contribute to slight delays in the project.

To accommodate, make sure that your builder allows additional time for the project should any of these unexpected problems occur. Try to be flexible and cooperative with your contractor as well to make things easier on their side. Assuming everything goes as planned, however, your garage may even be finished ahead of schedule!

8. Don’t Pay Too Much Upfront

It’s common to pay a portion or a percentage of the total cost of the project upfront. This is to cover the cost of the materials.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to not pay the cost in full until after the project has been complete. Before the project begins, make sure you understand what your garage builder expects with regards to cost and that you’ve asked all your questions about pricing.

9. Specify Clean-Up Responsibility

Lastly, you should make sure that the contract clearly states that the contractor is responsible for cleaning up the site following the construction. This helps to ensure your safety from materials or tools that may still be left lying around. It also ensures that you aren’t left with the task of having to clean up after the building team.

Building a garage requires a lot of research into which company is going to be the best fit. Ultimately, making sure that your company is willing to work with you is going to make the process a lot smoother!

Contact ACS Roofing

Looking for custom garages in Appleton? If you need to a hire an affordable roofing contractor for your next garage building project, contact ACS Roofing today!

Besides custom garages in the Fox Valley and Appleton, we specialize in asphalt, metal, and rubber roofs for residential and commercial properties. We also handle windows and siding projects.

Get started with our garage builders by contacting us here or giving us a call directly at (920) 216-2243.

Building the Right Garage Size

If you’re looking to a hire a garage builder, one of the first considerations to building a garage is knowing what size of garage you will need.

There’s a few factors to keep in mind, such as number of vehicles, the size of your vehicles, other types of vehicles or equipment you plan to store, and also what additional storage space you’re planning for your custom garage.

Let’s discuss everything you need to know about your ideal size of garage!

Determining the Right Size of Garage Based on Vehicle Size

At ACS Roofing, we are the custom garage building experts! We can build garages of any style and size, (provided your planned garage is a minimum square footage of 200ft.)

Let’s go over dimensions for various car lengths:

Full-Size Sedan

Usually, a full-size sedan measures around 16 to 17 ft. long, 6 to 7 ft. wide, and 5 to 6 ft. high. To store a parked, full-size sedan in your custom garage, your space will need to be approximately 20 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, and 8 ft. tall.

A 20′ L x 10′ W x 8′ H garage will allow for plenty of space for opening the car doors, storing items and equipment along the side of your garage, and maneuvering around the interior of the garage and vehicle without any difficulty.

Standard SUV

Your standard SUV will measure between 16 and 18 ft. long, and about 6 to 7 ft. in both width and height. To accommodate your SUV, your garage’s space will need to be approximately 22 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, and 8 ft. tall.

With a garage at least this size, you’ll have plenty of space for opening the SUV’s car doors, maneuvering around the vehicle, and accessing its back hatch.

Full-Size SUV

If you have a full-size SUV, consider it’s a bit larger even than a standard SUV, measuring approximately 18 to 20 ft. in length, 7 to 8 ft. in width, and 6 to 7 ft. in height.

To ensure you have plenty of space for your full-size SUV, you’ll need to plan a garage design that is at least 24 ft. long, 12 ft. wide, and 8 ft. tall. With this size, you’ll have a good amount of space for opening your SUV’s doors and walking around the vehicle.

Full-Size Pickups

Lastly, if you have a pickup truck, it’s going to measure around 20 to 24 ft. long, 7 to 8 ft. wide, and 6 to 7 ft. high. To accommodate, your garage’s space should at least measure 26 ft. long, 12 ft. wide, and 8 ft. tall to allow for plenty of space surrounding the vehicle or for additional storage of smaller items.

Remember to discuss vehicle sizing with your custom garage builders and they should be able to provide recommendations for everything you’ll need to know about the garage installation process, or if you are unsure of what dimensions you’ll need for your garage.

Other Considerations to Keep in Mind for Garage Size

The above dimensions are just rough estimates, so make sure you also factor in the specific make and model of your vehicle when planning your garage size.

In addition, remember to consider:

• Other Vehicles: Sizes of any vehicles you plan to store in the future
• Other items: Think about everything else you plan to store in your garage, such as bicycles, motorcycles, boats, and campers, etc.
• Garage Type: Are you interested in a detached single car garage, detached two-door with a studio, or a detached three-door garage?
• Hobby Areas: If you need your garage for a workshop or hobbies, you may need to add extra space for tools, workbenches, and equipment.

Here are 7 factors to consider for building a custom garage.

Common Garage Widths & Depths

A custom garage is often built in widths of 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 ft. For garage depth, your garage can range from 20 to 24 ft. or more. When accommodating for larger vehicles, multiple vehicles, or a boat/RV/camper, etc., a wider garage is necessary to ensure you can open your car doors fully.

At our roofing company, we can provide custom garages of any size and style!

Contact Our Local Custom Garage Contractors!

When it comes to custom garage designs, look no further than ACS Roofing! We have been serving customers in the Fox Valley area since 2003, and we specialize in roofing installations and custom garages in Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh, and the greater Fox Cities.

If you’re uncertain about the size of garage you’ll need for your property, contact our team today. We can assess your needs, discuss options available to you, and provide a detailed custom garage plan. We also do the footwork to ensure your new custom garage meets all local building codes and regulations.

Ready to discuss your project? Get a FREE quote from ACS Roofing or call us at (920) 216-2243!

Is it time to invest in a brand new garage?

A custom garage installation can be a great way to add value to your property! Additionally, it’s also great to invest in a new garage because you can increase your storage and parking options.

However, the process of building a custom garage can be overwhelming for many homeowners. To help, in this article, we will provide an in-depth guide to the custom garage installation process. By the end of this article, you will have all the information you need to prepare for a custom garage installation.

Knowing the Purpose for Your Garage

Before you begin the custom garage installation process, it is important to know the purpose for your garage.

For example, do you want a garage for storage or hobby purposes? Or do you need a large space for parking your car, truck, motorcycle, or boat? Maybe you plan to have an upstairs area to host parties and hang out with friends.

Knowing the purpose for your garage will help you determine the size, layout, and features you will need. If you are planning to use your garage for storage, you may want to include built-in shelving or storage units. If you need a garage for simply parking, you’ll include a garage door opener, a concrete floor, and plenty of adequate ventilation.

Choosing a Reliable Garage Building Company

When it comes to building a custom garage, it is important to work with experienced garage builders.

A professional garage builder or contractor can help you navigate the custom garage installation process, from obtaining necessary permits to selecting the best materials for your garage. You may want to ask for recommendations from friends and family or do research online to find reputable garage builders and contractors in your area.

Read more here about our professional custom garage installation services, or contact our team today! Our roofing company has years of industry experience working with commercial roofs, residential roofs, and custom garages alike.

Read More: 9 Tips for Hiring a Garage Builder

Free Estimates

Garage builders and contractors typically offer free estimates, which can be helpful in understanding the costs associated with building a custom garage.

During the free estimate process, a garage builder will visit your property and assess the site, taking into account the size of the garage you need/want, any site preparation that may be required, and any unique features you may want to include in your garage.

Cost of Building a Garage

The cost of building a custom garage can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the garage, the materials used, and the features included. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of building a garage is $23,900, with most homeowners spending between $16,840 and $34,646.

However, the cost of a custom garage can vary greatly depending on your specific needs and location. For example, materials are a significant cost factor when building a custom garage. The most common materials used for custom garages are wood, steel, and vinyl.

• Wood: A traditional and common material used for garages, but it requires regular maintenance to avoid rotting and warping.
• Steel: Durable and low-maintenance option, but it is more expensive than wood.
• Vinyl: More recent addition to the garage materials market, but it is growing in popularity due to its low-maintenance and durability.

Here are some materials to keep in mind for garage doors.

Other factors that can affect the cost of building a custom garage include the complexity of the project, the location of the garage, and any additional features or upgrades, such as insulation or a custom door. It is important to get a detailed estimate from a garage builder or contractor before beginning the project to ensure that the cost aligns with your budget. Here also are 7 factors to consider when building your garage.

Garage Zoning Laws

Before you begin building your custom garage, it is important to check local zoning laws to make sure you are allowed to build a garage on your property. Zoning laws vary by location, so it is important to check with your local government to make sure you are in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Some zoning laws may require you to obtain a building permit before you begin construction on your garage.

Storage

Storage is an important consideration when building a custom garage. Whether you need to store tools, gardening equipment, sporting goods, or hobby items, you’ll want to make sure your custom garage has plenty of storage space. There are many different storage options available for garages, including:

• Built-in shelving
• Overhead storage
• Cabinets

Talk with your custom garage contractors about customizing your storage options to fit your specific needs. Here are some garage storage ideas to try.

Ventilation

Next, let’s discuss ventilation.

Proper ventilation is important in any garage, especially if you plan to use it for storage or parking. Adequate ventilation can help prevent moisture buildup, which can cause damage to your vehicles or stored items.

There are many different ventilation options available for custom garages. These include:

• Windows
• Vents
• Fans

Your garage builder or contractor can help you determine the best ventilation options for your specific needs.

Different Garage Types

You likely have nailed down the type of custom garage you want. But if not, there are a few options you can choose from. Your choice of custom garage will likely be determined by your needs, preferences, and budget.

Some popular types of custom garages include:

• Attached garages. Attached to your home and can be convenient for accessing your home from your garage.
• Detached garages. Separate from your home and can provide more privacy and storage space.
• Multi-car garages. Are larger garages that can accommodate multiple vehicles.

The Custom Garage Installation Process: In Conclusion

We hope this article gave you a bit deeper insight on the custom garage installation process.

At ACS Roofing, we are an expert team of custom garage builders with years of industry experience. In addition, we started our company in 2003, and have since served many customers in the Appleton and greater Fox Valley area.

If you’re ready to get started with your custom garage installation, please contact our team here, and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help or answer any questions you may have. Contact ACS Roofing today!

Building a Custom Garage

Is it finally time to start building that dream custom garage?

A custom garage acts as an extension of your living space. It’s a place where you can indulge in hobbies, work on projects, make memories, and keep valuable items. A custom design allows you to build something that truly reflects your vision for your property.

If you’re interested in building a custom garage in Appleton or the greater Fox Valley area, Affordable Contracting Services is here to assist you in making your dreams a reality!

Ready to get started? Here are 7 important factors to consider:

1. Building Permits

Prior to building your custom garage, you’ll want to ensure you know whether a building permit is required. The specific requirements do vary from location to location. It is important to check with your town’s Building Department for information on what is needed during the construction process.

To ensure a smooth building experience, your roofing contractors often work with an engineering team that can handle all permit-related tasks for you. If you’re interested in these services, please let us know and we’ll be happy to assist in arranging them for you.

2. Type of Garage

The neat thing about custom garages is that there are endless options!

Think about the type of custom garage that will best suit your needs. Are you interested in an attached, detached, or connected-by-walkway garage?

Before contacting Affordable Contracting Service, take some time to visualize the perfect location on your property for the garage. After all, when you’re spending that kind of money, you’ll want to ensure you design the garage of your dreams. Of course, our roofing contractors are here to help you if you have questions! Contact us here for more information.

Read More: 9 Tips for Hiring Garage Builder

3. Size & Shape

Once you’ve determined the type of garage you want, now you should consider how large it should be, along with its overall shape.

Do you need extra space? How about an area for your hobbies or office? Will you need a single or multi-car garage?

You may even need or want a loft or a second story for your garage. There are plenty of options to choose from!

The size and shape of your custom garage play a crucial role in determining its design and functionality. Decide whether you prefer a traditional, large rectangular shape or a smaller, square layout. You should also consider the number of bays you’ll need, and how many cars, motorcycles, boats, grills, lawnmowers, etc. will need to fit. If you’re unsure, consider checking with your garage builders about the size of garage you need.

4. Doors and Windows

Now let’s talk doors and windows!

While planning out your custom garage, consider the daily usage of the building and incorporate elements that increase convenience. This could include a side door for each section of the garage or large windows for natural light.

Looking for a way to brighten up the interior of the garage? A shed dormer or transom windows can add more light. Also, adding door lights and window inserts on garage doors will enhance the appearance and also improve functionality.

To ensure year-round comfort, consider insulated doors and windows to keep the garage warm in winter and cool in summer.

Read More: Everything You Need to Know About the Custom Garage Installation Process

5. Siding, Roof, & Window Frame Colors

One of the best parts about building a garage is getting to choose the colors for the siding, roof shingles or tiles, and the window frame colors. Personalize the appearance of your new custom garage to complement or contrast with your home!

If you’re unsure of what colors or roofing materials to choose, our contractors can help! We offer the flexibility to customize the interior and exterior of your custom garage to your specific preferences.

6. Utility & Electrical Connections

When building your custom garage, of course you’ll have electrical connections, however, you’ll also need to consider whether you’ll need or want utility hookups moving forward.

For example, you may want to install plumbing in your garage if you plan on having a sink. Especially if your garage will double as a hobby room, bar, or art studio, you’ll want to consider if there are any other utilities needed in the future.

7. Multi-Purpose Features

Lastly, as you plan out your custom garage, you’ll need to think about any additional features that will either add more practicality or visual appeal to your garage.

You can choose from:

• Room partitions for different areas or activities
• Multiple doorways for easy access
• Storage options like lofts or second floors
• Decorative cupolas to add visual interest
• Built-in bartops and countertops
• Workbenches or shelving to increase functionality

At our roofing company, our team is dedicated to bringing your vision to life! If you have any other ideas or custom requests, don’t hesitate to let us know, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them!