Why Your Garage Project May Take More Planning Than You Think

When most homeowners think about building a new garage, they usually think about the fun stuff. Such as how big it should be and how they plan to use that space once the project is complete!

But before we can start talking about what the garage is going to look like, there are some other things we need to figure out first.

You may have a great idea for your property, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the village will allow you to build it exactly that way. Every municipality has its own rules, and there can be quite a bit more involved than simply getting a building permit.

Every Municipality Plays by Different Rules

This is one of the biggest things homeowners need to understand. Unfortunately, there isn’t one set of garage rules for all of Chicagoland.

The municipality you’re building in may have specific requirements for setbacks, height, lot coverage, garage size, driveway configuration, drainage and more.

What’s allowed in one town may not be allowed in the next town over. That’s why we don’t like to make assumptions.

Before we finalize a design, we need to understand what the municipality requires and how those requirements affect the project. They may require compromise from homeowners regarding the size and location of the project.

And sometimes it means going through an approval process before you can even apply for the building permit.

Then There’s Stormwater

With a new structure on the property, where is all that rainwater going to go?

When you build a garage, you’re adding roof area and potentially adding concrete or other impervious surfaces to the property, changing how water moves across the lot.

Some municipalities have specific stormwater requirements that need to be addressed as part of the project. Depending on the property and the municipality, that could mean detention, drainage improvements or underground stormwater management.

The earlier this information is gathered in the process, the better. You don’t want to get halfway through the design process and discover that the property needs a stormwater solution you didn’t account for financially.

Electrical Can Be More Complicated Than You Think

If you’re building a detached garage, we need to know how electrical service is getting from the house to the new structure.

Is there existing underground service? Does it need to be relocated? Is there an electrical easement? Will the municipality or utility require a specific sleeve or installation method?

There are also things to think about inside the garage as far as those tiny design details are concerned. How many lights are there both inside and outside of the structure? How many outlets and exterior outlets would be helpful?

Are you planning for an EV charger or considering a mini-split?

These are much easier questions to answer before construction than after the garage is finished. That’s why we encourage homeowners to think about how they’re going to use the garage—not just how they’re going to park in it.

Historic Districts Are a Different Ballgame

If your property is located in a historic district, you may require another layer of approval from the historic preservation commission.

The municipality may have specific requirements for what the garage can look like, including things such as siding, roofing, windows, overhead garage doors, and exterior design details.

And if you’re trying to match the existing house, there may be very specific requirements about materials and architectural details.

What If You Can’t Meet the Setbacks?

This is where zoning variances come into play. This does not always mean that the project is impossible, but it means that you may need a zoning variance.

A variance is essentially asking the municipality for permission to deviate from a specific zoning requirement. This process can take time and require patience from both the homeowner and an experienced contractor.

There can be applications, drawings, hearings, notices and additional reviews before you get an answer.

This is one reason we tell homeowners not to wait until spring to start thinking about a garage if they already know they want to build one. The sooner you understand the zoning situation, the better.

A Little More Planning Can Save a Lot of Headaches

Nobody wants to hear that their garage project needs another approval, a drainage solution or an electrical change.

But finding those things out early is a whole lot better than finding them out after construction has already started.

That’s why at Heartland Garage Builders, we spend time understanding the property and the municipality before we get too far into the process.

We help homeowners navigate the permitting and approval process, work through municipal requirements and identify potential issues before they become construction problems.

For a FREE consultation and estimate, contact Heartland Garage Builders at HeartlandGarageBuilders.com or at 224-326-2698.