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tooka8
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Boulder, CO
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 Posted: Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:54 pm Post subject: Estimates for Garage Addition |
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I'm a new home owner looking to add a garage detached from the house. I live in Boulder, Colorado and want to get a couple estimates on the cost of such a project. I don't know the first step...any insight?  |
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robert m
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 16
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
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| Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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go to the local hardware store and find a book on house framing and work your sketch over until you have almost exactly what you want. then look for local housing contractors. find several don't take the word of just one and when you find one ask what they think about the rest of them.
then weigh out which one gives the best estimate. remember the cheapest is not always the best. |
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tooka8
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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Robert,
Thanks for the words. Sounds like a pretty good idea. I've got some CAD experience but no software on me currently. I take it that architects are somewhat unecessary for this kind of build or would you recommend an architect? |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1906
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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I wouldn't recommend an architect, but rather would recommend the fastest way to get an answer is to call a builder/contractor, describe what you're looking for and give you an preliminary estimate. Make sure you give the total square feet, the height, and the materials you are looking for (paving, walls, roof, doors, windows, stairs, ramp, walkways, landscape, lighting, plumbing??)...
Otherwise, yeah you could go to a bookstore and buy a cost estimating book...but it's about as fun as reading a math book. And keep in mind, you are not committed to the builder if they give you a number, nor are you committed to the number. Shop around...HOWEVER, caveat emptor; you often get what you pay for.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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tooka8
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Location: Boulder, CO
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| Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject: contacting a builder |
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mx2.5,
Sounds like I have to do somehomework. Do you know what CAD software is industry standard? I appreciate the words of wisdom. |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1906
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:19 am Post subject: |
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There's an incrdibly wide varety of software out there and although there is no real "standard", it is commonly known that the most popular drafting software is AutoCad. It's not cheap but for single user I would recommend the AutoCad-LITE. But again, this is a 2D drafting software. If it's for design, there are better, easier, cheaper, more user-friendly software out there...you may want to start with Sketch-Up (try Google)...which I think you can get for free.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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