This garage project has been a long time in the making.
We started the garage build in 2017. August/September we started the excavation for the foundation and here we are just under 2 years later. Barely under 2 years.
Some days it felt longer than just two years especially when Kaiden wanted to get outside more and it was a clay mud pit.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
We had just ripped out the basement and were making the plans for the bathroom when Andrew casually suggested that we build a garage. He wanted to have power and plumbing out there so it made sense to run all the lines while the basement was completely gutted. Makes sense! Unfortunately, that meant that all work on the basement came to a complete halt and all manpower went outside.
Since there was no existing garage, we had to get permits and drawings. Luckily, the process to get permits was relatively easy. I had Kaiden and was on mat leave so I could go to the Town and get it done. Once that process was done, we had the go-ahead on the largest “detached shed” we could build. A car technically can’t fit between the house and our property line so it’s not a garage. But it’s definitely not small.
450 square feet. It’s larger than some of the new condos that are being built in our area (and some for rent in Toronto!) The inside isn’t completely finished; it needs the finishing storage and shelving but it’s fully functional. The outside took a little bit longer because we can really only work during a few short months. Even then, dependent on the weather.
Inside the garage, we have storage in a loft above the electrical room and the bathroom. We are planning on having floor cabinets with counter space under the window and along the long wall. I think I’d like to have a desk space under the window, but we haven’t really thought about it much. It has heated floors and a skylight for the citrus trees in the winter.
Outside is finished enough that we can have people over and not have to worry about ruining their shoes.
There’s grass! A stamped concrete patio slab that’s partially heated; that will be awesome in the winter. We are still planning on putting in an outdoor kitchen (where the BBQ is), ideally a pizza oven and fireplace. And a pergola of some kind because we have no shade and we roast out there in the daytime.
Then all that will be left is the outdoor decor and furniture. But it’s currently completely, fantastically usable. I’m so excited that Kaiden can get out there and actually play and I don’t have to worry about him falling in a trench or something. Can you say ‘happy dance’?
I can’t wait to get an update on how the inside of the garage comes along. But the most exciting thing?
The garage being done means the work can finally come back to the basement!!
What do you think about the yard? I’ll need to find some of the before pictures. I hope I still have some!
J x
