Paved Paradise Cont’d from page 141
“The whole first stall was completely separated from the other two, with a complete heating sys- tem, a washroom, vinyl flooring and couches,” he says. “It had a workstation and some tools, but it was more of a hangout room with a satellite TV hookup and all that … the end result was gor- geous, and I was blown away by the level of de- tail.” Regardless of how you use your garage, it’s fairly easy to spot the warning signs indicating it might be time for a new model. Jeff Meseman, sales manager at Star Package Sales (an arm of Star Building Materials), says heaving concrete pads and rotting wall plates are sure signs your old garage needs to be replaced, as are structures that have begun to lean. When deciding on replacement options, custom- ers should tour display garages while still in the design stage, and seek out advice from experts on size allowances and permits, which vary from urban properties to rural. Both Star Package Sales and Olympic Building Centre offer a laundry list of customizable op- tions — everything from eavestroughs and elec- trical packages to insulated overhead doors. Construction can take place any time of year (though concrete pads have to be poured in warm weather), and no matter their level of am- bition, homeowners can expect a quick return on their investment. “By doing, say, a $20,000 renovation, you’re get- ting an entirely new structure that houses all your stuff and your vehicle,” Pelland says. “That’s less than you’d pay for a new kitchen … and a kitchen doesn’t add curb value!”
“Sometimes it’s not about buying the upgrade today; it’s about preparing for the future when you do have the money to put it in,” he says. “Of- ten, part of the process is not hitting your ulti- mate use when you first build it, but being able to upgrade five years from now.” For those who plan to use their garages as work or recreational spaces, for instance, Pel-
land suggests lay- ing the groundwork early for adequate heating, electrical and even drain- age systems. Those seeking to maximize storage space — in particular, for heavy equipment or bulky yard implements — might want to factor in truss-style roofs and beefed- up centre members that allow items to be stored overhead or hung from the rafters. In recent years, cli-
‘The whole first stall was completely separated from the other two, with a complete heating system, a washroom, vinyl flooring and couches. It had a workstation and some tools, but it was more of a hangout room with a satellite TV hookup and all that …’
ents have been investing increased amounts of care and creativity in their garages, with design plans incorporating everything from custom- built cabinetry to epoxy floor coatings and other high-end finishes. Pelland recalls mak- ing a followup visit to one building site where a customer had converted a standard three-car garage into something far more impressive.
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144 Parade of Homes Fall 2013
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