Do You Need a Professional Custom Garage, or Should You DIY?


Lisa Rivera • Jul 01, 2019
Do You Need a Professional Custom Garage, or Should You DIY?

Do you like to take on do-it-yourself projects? Many Idaho families take pride in doing their own home repairs and upgrades. There are some projects that are perfectly suited to do on your own. For example, if you are handy and you would like to put in a new kitchen faucet or paint your bedrooms, these are generally simple to do and rewarding for the do-it-yourselfer. There are other projects that really should be handled by a professional. Repairing a septic system, mitigating mold, or replacing the roof would be examples of things that the average homeowner is not equipped to do, making it safer to call in a pro. Then there are the majority of home upgrades, including replacing counters and customizing a garage, that could potentially go either way. Here are some of the considerations to keep in mind if you are not sure whether to DIY or hire a pro like the garage designers at Space Envy to build a custom garage.


Think About the Scope of Your Custom Garage Project

If your primary concern is adding shelving to one wall of the garage and you don’t need garage cabinets, new flooring, or a workbench, then that is simple enough to handle on your own. You can purchase a shelving set at any home improvement store and place some brackets into your garage wall so it can’t topple over. Be aware that the amount of weight each shelf can hold will be variable and be careful not to overload shelves. Space Envy shelving can bear about 100 lbs per shelf and they are wall-mounted; that might not be the case with other shelving that you purchase and install yourself. Still, it’s a fairly easy job to put shelves in the garage. Just be sure to anchor them properly for safety.

If, however, you are looking for a completely customized garage complete with cabinets, overhead storage racks, a variety of holders, a wall-based storage system, and new flooring, that is likely too big of a job to handle on your own if you are not well-versed on installing these types of items. Think about the scope of your project before making your final decision on whether you should hire a custom garage company or plan to DIY.

Garage Storage System

Consider How Well You Can Maximize Your Garage Space

Are you good at looking at a space and being able to configure it to fit what you need to within that space? This is a skill that often takes some honing, though some people are naturally good at it. If you have had experience with being able to visualize how items should go together and you are usually right about the amount of space you need for each grouping, then a custom garage might be okay to do yourself.

Most people, however, need to be able to actually see what a design will look like before they can imagine it on their own. At Space Envy, we use 3D software to design and plan each custom storage space. This means that we can type in the dimensions of the garage along with all of the components that a client wants, allowing us to show homeowners what their spaces will look like once everything installed. If you are not gifted with excellent spatial awareness and you are hoping to add a lot of space to your garage, consider hiring a professional.

Look Into the Type of Pricing You Might Encounter

Many people automatically assume that they will save gobs of money if they do their garage renovation on their own. While this can be the case if you work quickly and efficiently, many times it nearly evens out thanks to the good prices that we can get on high-quality closet components. Remember that we purchase everything in bulk and we can get wholesale prices. We pass those savings on to our customers.

In addition to the cost of the actual components, you might need to purchase or rent tools. You also might need to take some time off from work to devote those hours to the project. While it’s not as much of a problem if you already own the tools and you plan on stretching out the project for many weeks or even months, if you are looking for a high-quality job done quickly, hiring a professional might be the way to go.

Garage Storage System

Think About Having Garage Flooring Done Professionally

Idaho homeowners who are looking for that “showroom shine” and want epoxy floors poured in their garage are usually better off hiring a professional garage designer. In order to get a flawless finish with stain resistance, you are going to need a high-quality product and an excellent prepping and pouring technique. Unless that is what you do for a living, it is likely that doing it yourself could cause imperfections in the finish. At Space Envy, we install garage floors regularly in this area of the country, so we know how to work with the extreme weather that is common in Idaho. For the most part, we do not recommend putting in your own garage flooring.

Always Keep Garage Safety in Mind

While your completed and well-organized custom garage is probably at the forefront of your mind during this project, it is important to keep garage safety right at the top of your priority list. Whether you are mixing adhesive, running a generator to keep warm in the winter months, or perching on a ladder, it is vital to take all safety precautions possible in order to keep yourself and others safe. Installing shelving without anchoring it could potentially lead to severe injury of a child, pet, or even an adult. Running a generator inside of a garage (even with the door open!) can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in both the garage and the inside of the house. And not knowing how to mix adhesives or use power tools safely could lead to disaster.


If you are unsure of your ability to keep yourself and others in your family safe, please do not attempt a custom garage DIY project. In that case, your first step should be to call a custom garage company like Space Envy. Our workers are professionals who know exactly which steps to take to ensure their (and your) safety both during and after your installation. Contact us today to schedule your free in-home consultation to learn more about getting a custom garage. This appointment includes a free design appointment and it comes with no obligation, so get in touch with us now!

CONTACT INFO

Mailing Address

22 S Newberry Way, 

Nampa, ID 83651

Showroom

1229 N Midland Blvd.

Nampa, ID 83651

(By Appointment Only)

Phone

(208) 203-7171

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Contact us, and we will come out and discuss your project free of charge.

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