5.5m x 5.4m garage. Too small?

[Blib]

Hello.

As per the title. We have pp to build a 6m x 6.5m timber framed garage. However, due to the nature of the sub-soil, our engineer suggests that we need 2.5m deep, piled foundations. No one else agrees with him. Our very experienced, local builder is incredulous and our architect is more than sceptical, believing the foundations to be way over-engineered. However, the engineer is insistent and building control need an engineer's report.

So, we have three options.

A) Go along with his suggestion and spend an extra £10k+ on the piled foundation.

B) Find a more pragmatic engineer, who will spec. up a raft foundation. We are in the process of engaging such a firm.

Or.....

C) Build a 5.5m x 5.4m garage on a much cheaper, reinforced pad, which the builder insists is more than enough. At 29.7 sq m this will get us below the 30 sq metre, building control threshold.

The garage will house 2 small, classics. A 964 and a 1970, Fiat 500. The former is 4.2m long. Neither are daily drivers.

Do you own a small, double garage about this size? How have you found it to live with? Is it too small to be workable?Would it work, in your opinion?

Thank you.

[m3jappa]

I am sure my garage is around this dimension, its an 80's built bovis house and is fairly standard in terms of size. Anything i see which is bigger is usually self built for a purpose.

It is fine, you could easily work on one car in there but would be tight to have two in there and be able to work on one iykwim.

[Blib]

Thanks for that. The garage will be to house the cars, not to work on them. So, that's doable?

[m3jappa]

Blib said:

Thanks for that. The garage will be to house the cars, not to work on them. So, that's doable?

I think so but i will try and remember to measure it tomorrow and confirm it is that size.

[Blib]

m3jappa said:

I think so but i will try and remember to measure it tomorrow and confirm it is that size.

I'd really appreciate that, m3jappa. It's a big investment and one which I'd rather not get wrong.

Thank you.

[m3jappa]

I just measured it (while in my boxers in the rain )

its 5.9 (deep) x5.15 (wide)

thats a touch over 30m2 so slightly less on the length (tbh my doors are inset by about 250mm) should be ok.

It has 2 doors so modern cars are a tight squeeze, however if you did just one door a modern car would be ok, we did this on our last double which was remarkably similar in size.

[DoubleD]

You could also measure out and mark the dimensions of the smaller garage yourself, maybe even then "park" the 2 cars inside it.

[Coxey]

Do you know what foundations youse sits on? That would give a steer as to what you would need for your garage.

[Blib]

m3jappa said:

I just measured it (while in my boxers in the rain )

its 5.9 (deep) x5.15 (wide)

thats a touch over 30m2 so slightly less on the length (tbh my doors are inset by about 250mm) should be ok.

It has 2 doors so modern cars are a tight squeeze, however if you did just one door a modern car would be ok, we did this on our last double which was remarkably similar in size.

You are a star! Thank you so much!

[Blib]

DoubleD said:

You could also measure out and mark the dimensions of the smaller garage yourself, maybe even then "park" the 2 cars inside it.

Sadly, the cars are 100 miles away and won't come up before the garage is built.

[paulwirral]

Option b
Or c !

Edited by paulwirral on Thursday 28th November 23:09

[Blib]

Coxey said:

Do you know what foundations youse sits on? That would give a steer as to what you would need for your garage.

The house dates back to the C18th and so has negligible foundations.

[Blib]

paulwirral said:

Option b

My preferred option.

[Equus]

Blib said:

paulwirral said:

Option b

My preferred option.

Yep, I'd go with option b, too.

When you say 'timber frame', do you mean panelised timber frame, or a traditional post-and-beam type structure?

Depending on precise design, there are alternative, cheap, foundations solutions that can accommodate any ground movement, anyway.

I'd be looking for a different Struct Eng.

[milu]

Mine is 6m wide but only 5.1 deep. Plenty of room overall but the depth isn't adequate for longer cars. I know that's not a consideration at the moment but could be in the future for you.

It's more annoying for me because the doors are wide so big cars aren't a problem getting in but of course are too long to close the door.
Last year I had a CL500 which wouldn't fit. My current car is shorter so fine but I won't be buying anything like an RS6 anytime soon.

Can't have too much space!

[BaldOldMan]

Google should be able to tell you the dimensions of your cars

Then you need to be sure you have the interior dimensions of the garage

Then add a bit for comfort - plus whatever car you aspire to owning

No point in building a garage for someone else cars......

[DozyGit]

Blib said:

Hello.

As per the title. We have pp to build a 6m x 6.5m timber framed garage. However, due to the nature of the sub-soil, our engineer suggests that we need 2.5m deep, piled foundations. No one else agrees with him. Our very experienced, local builder is incredulous and our architect is more than sceptical, believing the foundations to be way over-engineered. However, the engineer is insistent and building control need an engineer's report.

So, we have three options.

A) Go along with his suggestion and spend an extra £10k+ on the piled foundation.

B) Find a more pragmatic engineer, who will spec. up a raft foundation. We are in the process of engaging such a firm.

Or.....

C) Build a 5.5m x 5.4m garage on a much cheaper, reinforced pad, which the builder insists is more than enough. At 29.7 sq m this will get us below the 30 sq metre, building control threshold.

The garage will house 2 small, classics. A 964 and a 1970, Fiat 500. The former is 4.2m long. Neither are daily drivers.

Do you own a small, double garage about this size? How have you found it to live with? Is it too small to be workable?Would it work, in your opinion?

Thank you.

Or use your brain and build 2 buildings separated by a gap of less than 50mm and then, knock through, once done, you will use flexible mastic to bridge the gap and same for roof, who will know or care. Make sure you have lintels put in to knock through when building :-D Obviously this is poor advice, and can be bad! So always consult your local planners and building control and other professionals

[Wozy68]

I’d be thinking how do I get either in or out .... unless the front is left open. Allowing for returns either side of the garage doors ..... Can you still actually get the two in?
I’m just in the process of building a garage .... concrete block walls and the foundation is a mere 450mm deep around the edge of the slab. 100mm everywhere else reinforced within the slab. This will be my second built, the first has been standing for 10 years without an issue.

[laterontoday]

Build what you want as any compromise wont achieve what you intended to build.

The structure proposed is quite lightweight so a 2.5m deep foundation must be because of the ground conditions. It does on face value seem excessive but are you on poor ground, near mature trees on shrinkage clay or building over drains?

You could as you say consider a reinforced raft, or consider a simple short pile and ground beam. Perhaps seek a second opinion on the foundations before reducing the size of the garage.

[anonymous-user]

Agree with the above. Option B.