Ballpark costs for add-on garage are insane! (Vancouver, Goldendale: house, neighborhood)

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

TurcoLoco, this is just one example of a prefab company that specializes in garages. However, there is still a lot of work involved with figuring out the delivery logistics:
1. Cost to deliver based upon factory location - higher as you get further away.
2. Finding a prefab company as close to Vancouver as possible to reduce delivery.
3. Balancing out potential higher prefab costs of the structure from more local PNW companies (likely charge more) vs. costs to deliver. Need to find the sweet spot.

An example of this is when we went to buy a 'popular' new vehicle. It was selling for ~ $10k+ over list price anywhere on the west coast. There were a few exceptions and I found one in Seattle. But most others who wanted this vehicle ended up finding it in a more affordable state and had it shipped to their home. That was still cheaper than buying locally. My friend in Vancouver bought his in Colorado and had it shipped.

As with most things in the US where labor is involved, prices will vary greatly based upon state including supply and demand within it. That's where the research comes in finding the best prefab company with the highest quality and lowest cost delivered. I have a strong feeling this will vary wildly. Though it is still likely much more affordable than hiring a local contractor to build it right now in this market. They can basically charge whatever they want with so much business on the books vs. places like rural Mississippi where wages are lower as well. Even Idaho has lower wages right next door.

Derek

Oh yeah, I imagine what you mentioned would come in to play when and if I got that route.
That may never be the case when I relocate and find a place that has a decent size (2-car+ garage).
Still, it is a great option to have just in case.

I am still pretty confident that the housing prices will continue to come down, some areas might not be as much as some others but all areas will be affected. When that happens, the housing projects might slow down or take a break which might affect the prefab garage business and related cost as well.

Only time will tell but I am glad I am not in a huge rush to buy a property just yet.

Still, thank you for sharing the link to inform me as I had no idea prefab garages were a thing!


PS. The one in the picture you attached were ridiculous (in a good way).
If I had something like that, I would live there and rent my actual house!

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

Oh yeah, I imagine what you mentioned would come in to play when and if I got that route.
That may never be the case when I relocate and find a place that has a decent size (2-car+ garage).
Still, it is a great option to have just in case.

I am still pretty confident that the housing prices will continue to come down, some areas might not be as much as some others but all areas will be affected. When that happens, the housing projects might slow down or take a break which might affect the prefab garage business and related cost as well.

Only time will tell but I am glad I am not in a huge rush to buy a property just yet.

Still, thank you for sharing the link to inform me as I had no idea prefab garages were a thing!


PS. The one in the picture you attached were ridiculous (in a good way).
If I had something like that, I would live there and rent my actual house!

That sounds like a StealthRabbit move. It might even pay for itself then.

Derek

[StealthRabbit]

There used to be a pre-fab builder in Goldendale, WA.

They would send a crew to Vancouver to erect the structure.
I had a similar crew come from Yakima (included in the price)

[SoleInvictus]

Thanks for the advice, all! I'm not the wheelchair kind of disabled, more the "can't use power tools or swing a hammer without hurting myself" type. It's EDS, my tendons and ligaments are a wreck.

My mother and her boyfriend have offered to help and we'll attempt to recruit some friends, so I think it'll be done barn raising style. In the event we need some additional manpower for general labor, anyone have any suggestions for someone we could hire?

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by SoleInvictus

We're looking to add an attached three car garage with an unfinished bonus room to our home in Ridgefield. Without even coming out to the property, three contractors have told me it'll be at least $160k, $175k, and $260k, in that order. There's nothing particularly difficult or unusual about the location - no trees would have to be removed, buildings demolished, etc.

I thought a garage alone would be in the $60-80k range, plus the cost of the bonus room. Are my expectations way off?

An average 3-car garage is about 800 square feet and if you make it 2-story then you are talking about 1600 square feet of space.

At $200,000 you are talking about construction costs of $125/sqft. Which seems in line with current costs of construction and materials. The national average cost of construction today is about $150/sqft.

Pre-fab as Stealth suggests would be the way to save money but that won't work if you want it attached. If you want an attached garage connected to the house it will have to be custom-built to your space.

[StealthRabbit]

BTW, check with your insurance and permitting, as you may find a detached garage structure to be a quicker, cheaper, better solution. You can later add a breezeway / roofed connection. (Prefer to 'nearly connect, than to fully attached)

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

That sounds like a StealthRabbit move. It might even pay for itself then.

Derek

He is a sharp guy so, I 'd not be surprised!
But seriously, when I first saw that picture, I honestly thought it was a house so, I was a bit confused.

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

BTW, check with your insurance and permitting, as you may find a detached garage structure to be a quicker, cheaper, better solution. You can later add a breezeway / roofed connection. (Prefer to 'nearly connect, than to fully attached)

Thanks, I was wondering about that and was going to ask.

I will definitely be going that route if the house I end up getting doesn't have a a big enough garage or, is in a really poor condition.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

...L

....

I will definitely be going that route if the house I end up getting doesn't have a a big enough garage or, is in a really poor condition.

A house with a big enough garage? Impossible
A friend has a 120'x240' garage with 22' eaves. That's getting almost big enough

I have a 40x60 + a double deck 24x36 (concrete floors + cars and shop equipment on each level) + tractor and dozer and wood sheds in WA home, and a 40x70 + (2) 24x30's at my Texas home. Not nearly enough garage space, but hold a lot of tools and toys for a couple great estate sales!

A good friend in Goldendale has a large L shaped shop with car lifts and overhead cranes that reach the entire L. + a grease pit. Nice touches.

The garage I'm designing for a Texas property is 2 levels with a lift and bridge to a building pad 30 ft higher.

I make apartments/ extra living spaces + RV hookups at each house (having done 30+ yrs of eldercare).... I may be my next client.

Do spend some time with planning department before settling on a path or structure. They're temporarily very keen on ADU. That will be short lived, so jump on any 'fast-track' / incentives. Do remember about the ADA credits. That might buy you some points and attention with planning department.

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

A house with a big enough garage? Impossible
A friend has a 120'x240' garage with 22' eaves. That's getting almost big enough

Touche!

I have a 40x60 + a double deck 24x36 (concrete floors + cars and shop equipment on each level) + tractor and dozer and wood sheds in WA home, and a 40x70 + (2) 24x30's at my Texas home. Not nearly enough garage space, but hold a lot of tools and toys for a couple great estate sales!

A good friend in Goldendale has a large L shaped shop with car lifts and overhead cranes that reach the entire L. + a grease pit. Nice touches.

The garage I'm designing for a Texas property is 2 levels with a lift and bridge to a building pad 30 ft higher.

I make apartments/ extra living spaces + RV hookups at each house (having done 30+ yrs of eldercare).... I may be my next client.

Do spend some time with planning department before settling on a path or structure. They're temporarily very keen on ADU. That will be short lived, so jump on any 'fast-track' / incentives. Do remember about the ADA credits. That might buy you some points and attention with planning department.

Even though I got very excited reading and imagining such a garage, I can't deny the fact that such a huge thing would be a costly overkill for me/my needs.

I can park my 'everyday' car in the driveway and use the garage for storing the bike(s) in one bay, the second would be for repairs and maintenance of any vehicle. Workspace would be for small projects of sorts and also serve as a computer bench for my side business. And some floor and wall space to stash the tools, maybe a MIG/TIG welder?

Backyard with fence for a Kangal (or two), a gazebo or an awning of some kind to create a sitting area in the backyard to watch the dog(s) while I sip my hot tea on rainy days....that is it!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by TurcoLoco

... I can't deny the fact that such a huge thing would be a costly overkill for me/my needs.
..

Backyard with fence for a Kangal (or two), a gazebo or an awning of some kind to create a sitting area in the backyard to watch the dog(s) while I sip my hot tea on rainy days....that is it!

1) You may need an indoor place to ride motorcycle (we've set up an 'observed trials' course inside this shop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2WncxcFWoQ

2) You may want a heated / dry spot to watch dogs play (without the mud).

Beautiful 'Colorado' day today in SWWA... sunny, 24F, 30 mph wind, 2ft of snow on the car, 4 ft drifts in the driveway. Shop is dry (and chilly 33F). Woodstove is cookin' Headed out to run the tractor for a few hours. (if it will fire up)