Stock plans, Designer, Engineer, or Architect – It is time to locate a construction plan package for the building. Your options are books, local purchased plans, internet purchased plans, a local engineering company, or a local architect. The determining factor is how much work you are willing to do yourself and what are you willing to pay for the design.   The least expensive solution is to locate a plan that is pre-designed and competitively Priced. There are many companies listed on the internet that sell excellent plans.

Some local lumber yards have a collection of “how to” books. Some have garage, workshop, or shed plans. This can be an inexpensive source for construction drawings. Some magazines have building plans that are free or inexpensive. There are thousands of building plans available on the internet. Some are free, most are very inexpensive. Some local engineers and architects will have or will create building plans.  The reason for the varying prices is because the services are different.

There are thousands of stock "pre-designed" garage plans available to contractors or "do it yourselfers". Most are detailed and complete and their use will result in a finished garage that is of the same quality as a garage designed by an architect or engineer. Many stock garage plans are designed by an architects or engineers. It is likely that the building you have in mind was designed previously by some one and is available for a very reasonable cost. Simple changes like moving a door or window are easy to accomplish to a stock plan and will not impair the quality of the building. Additional engineering may be required but not always.  

A custom design from a designer will create a blueprint for the proposed garage from the customer's input. They can specify most structural components and use the codes to detail prescriptive bracing.  The designer can put any feature on the plans that the customer desires. The customer can act as the general contractor or hire a contractor to manage the construction. The designer will be available for questions and revisions.

An engineer is more expensive than a designer but not as expensive as an architect.  An engineer will focus on the structure of the building. They will provide the calculations for all vertical and lateral loads for wind and seismic that is needed for the permit. They will oversee the drafting and stamp the plans with their seal for easy permit acceptability. They will leave the finish details to the customer or their contractor.  An  engineer will provide calculations and a professional stamp.  Usually a contractor or the owner will manage the construction of the garage.

An architect is the most expensive method. They will focus on the aesthetic design and will specify the exterior and possibly the interior architectural features. They may choose custom window features, special light fixtures, custom moldings, and surface finishes. They may farm out the calculations to an engineer and the drawings to a draftsman. Many architects will manage the project until its completion and the garage is finished. This full service justifies the cost and is perfect for buildings that have a lot of finish detail or the customer desires that a professional make all the decisions.

Construction plans  A high quality plan set will allow permits to be obtained, cost bids from contractors to be obtained, and to allow the construction of the building. Quality indicators are the amount of information provided, the understandability of the information, the guarantee provided, and the inclusion of engineering or not, the scale of the views on the plans, and the number of copies provided. A high quality plan set will include the elevation views of all four sides at ¼” = 1’-0” scale, a floor plan, foundation plan, roof plan, and a cross section, all at ¼” = 1’-0” scale, a typical wall detail, details, notes, a materials list, and specifications. You will need several copies of the plans. Your planning department may want two sets, and each contractor will want one set. Other valuable components to indicate a quality plan set are braced wall details, beam calculations, and engineering. Very few plan sets will have engineering or bracing details. Engineering is not always required.