Lester Buildings - Garage Complaints/Dreamshop Tips

LESTER PRAIRIE, Minn. April 07, 2009: Lester Building Systems LLC, one of the country’s largest manufacturers of custom, pre-engineered wood frame buildings, has released the results of its informal poll of automotive hobbyists and professionals asking the question, “What complaints do you have about your automotive workshop?”

Highlights of complaints Lester heard included:

Lost in Space - Shop owner can find anything in his or her garage, except the tool they need right now.

Give Me a Breaker - Not enough outlets and lots of power tools (welder, air compressor, grinder, etc.) equal too many trips to flip the breaker.

Yeah, It Purrs like a Kitten...on Steroids - It’s an absolute acoustical nightmare. The headaches get worse every time an engine or power tool is started.

Scuba Tank Not Included - When the car is running, no one can breathe and you come out smelling like a tailpipe. •

Beware of the Viper Pit - The whole garage is a maze of extension chords. Getting across the room is like completing an obstacle course on “Survivor.”

Hot Stays Hot, Cold Stays Cold - In the summer, it’s always 20 degrees warmer in the garage than it is outside. In the winter, the reverse is true. •

Give Me Shelter - The workspace is fine but I need a break room/office in my shop. I’d like to have access to a desk, fridge, filing cabinet and TV without having to clean up and go back to the house.

10-gallon Hat on a 20-gallon Head - The height and width of the garage is insufficient. It’s hard enough to get out of the car without denting the door, much less pulling the engine.

“Whether you’re tinkering on your late model race car, repairing your 4X4 or running an auto body business, an automotive workshop should be an organized, clean and comfortable place to work and play,” said Tom Borgman of Lester Buildings. The company offers the following tips for outfitting your automotive dreamshop:

Plan on the basics - Counters, cabinets, plumbing, electricity, lighting, heating, cooling, flooring, and ventilation are primary considerations. Lighting and electricity are universal must-haves. Consider drainage requirements and filtration systems (oil/hazardous material disposal). For year-round comfort, insulation is a must. And if noise is an issue, look for an interior package featuring pin-holed, sound-deadening, acoustic steel panels.

Plan for current/future use and additions - Plan your garage so that you can purchase and install the functionality you eventually want to settle upon, bit by bit. You may not need every bell and whistle immediately, but features like an auto wash-wax station are impossible without plumbing.

Design exterior to blend with entire property - New structures should blend well with the overall characteristics of the entire property. A garage that sticks out because it’s oversized relative to the home may detract from the resale value of the property. Consider door/window placements, and exterior accessories like trim, cupolas, etc.

Consider space - A basic rule is to have at least 13 to 15 feet of garage width per car. Modern trucks and SUV’s have marked the end of the 20x20 two-car garages. Count on needing at least 22 to 26 feet of depth to accommodate interior storage and workbenches - essential to ensuring a safe and efficient workspace.

Consider height - Ceiling height needs are relative to planned use…and restricted by local codes and/or covenants. If a lift is needed, you’ll need about 12.5’ of clear height between slab and ceiling. Keep it clean - If you don’t want to track evidence of your projects into the house, consider a utility sink/bathroom and a powerful water supply for wash down needs.

Know the codes - Be prepared to learn and deal with local setbacks that regulate square footage, building height/pitch, distance from property lines/other buildings and even the number of garage doors or bays.

Consult experts - Talk to building trade professionals before you get too far along. For multiple-purpose garage projects, consider using an architect for design assistance.

“We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the Lester building owner’s experience, from our unique and interactive design/pricing capabilities all the way through to completion of the building,” said Borgman. “We have scores of customers using our buildings as their automotive workshops. With our first-of-its kind software, you and your Lester dealer can work together to make real-time design changes and get immediate computer-accurate drawings and accurate pricing. Today, there is almost no limit to the possibilities for building the automotive shop of your dreams. A pre-engineered post-frame building is one of the fastest, most efficient and economical ways to make that dream a reality.”

About Lester Buildings LLC Lester Building Systems LLC, with plants in Minnesota, Illinois and Virginia, is one of the country's largest manufacturers of pre-engineered wood frame buildings. Established in 1947, over 140,000 Lester buildings dot the U.S. landscape today. Sales and construction services are provided through a network of independent dealers and factory representatives in more than 30 states.

More information: www.lesterbuildings.com.