How to Raise Garage

Are you tired of constantly bending over to pick up items from the floor in your garage? Do you struggle with finding enough storage space for all your tools and equipment? If so, consider raising your garage.

How to raise garage can be a practical solution for homeowners looking to create additional space, improve functionality, or address foundation issues. Whether you’re seeking to increase the height for larger vehicles, build living space beneath the garage, or simply accommodate new storage needs, the process requires careful planning and execution.

This guide will walk you through the key steps and considerations in raising a garage, ensuring your project is safe, efficient, and successful. From assessing structural integrity to choosing the right contractor or equipment, understanding the process is the first step toward achieving your desired results.

What Are the Benefits of Raising a Garage?

Before diving into the details, it’s essential to understand the potential benefits of raising your garage. Not only can it provide additional space and convenience, but it can also increase the value of your property.

Some common reasons for raising a garage include:

• Accommodating Larger Vehicles or RVs: If you have a large or recreational vehicle (RV), you may struggle with limited clearance in your current garage. Raising the ceiling height allows you to create more space to fit these oversized vehicles comfortably.
• Creating Living Space Below the Garage: With proper planning and construction, raising your garage can allow you to build living quarters beneath it. This could be an ideal solution for homeowners looking to add a rental unit, guest suite, or home office without expanding the footprint of their property.
• Improving Storage Capacity: Whether you have accumulated more tools and equipment over the years or are simply looking for extra space to store items like holiday decorations, raising your garage can help. Increasing the height can add additional shelving or storage racks to keep your belongings organized and easily accessible.
• Addressing Foundation Issues: Over time, the foundation of a garage may begin to sink or shift due to soil conditions or other factors. Raising the garage allows for repairs to be made to the foundation while also creating an opportunity for added benefits such as increased storage space or living areas.

What Will You Need?

Raising a garage is not a simple DIY project and requires professional expertise and equipment. Depending on the specific needs of your project, consider hiring a contractor or renting specialized equipment. Some essential items that you will likely need include:

• Building Permits: Before beginning any construction, you must check with your local government and obtain necessary permits. This helps ensure that your project complies with safety regulations and zoning laws.
• Professional Contractor: Unless you have extensive experience in construction and engineering, it’s best to hire a professional contractor for this type of project. They can help assess the structural integrity of your current garage, guide the feasibility of raising it, and handle the construction process.
• Heavy-Duty Jacks or Cranes: Depending on the size and weight of your garage, you may need to rent heavy-duty jacks or cranes to lift and support the structure safely during the raising process. Ensuring these tools are properly inspected and maintained for safety is crucial.
• Bracing Materials: Bracing materials must be in place to prevent any potential collapse while lifting your garage. These can include wooden beams or steel supports to provide additional stability during the raising process.

Once you have all the necessary items in place, it’s time to raise your garage.

8 Easy Steps on How to Raise Garage

Step 1: Plan and Prepare 

Before starting the garage raising process, create a detailed plan. Assess the dimensions of your garage and the extent to which you want to raise it. Ensure you have all permits required by local building codes and notify your neighbors if necessary. Clear the area around and inside the garage to avoid any obstructions. Proper planning is key to ensuring safety and a smooth execution.

Step 2: Disconnect Utilities 

Before proceeding with lifting your garage, it is essential to disconnect all utilities connected to the structure. This includes electricity, gas, water, and any other utility lines that might pose a risk during the process. Begin by turning off the main power supply to the garage to ensure safety while handling electrical lines. Next, locate and shut off the gas supply to prevent leaks or accidents.

For water lines, turn off the main water valve leading to the garage and disconnect any pipes that could be impacted during the raising process. Consider consulting utility professionals to safely disconnect and seal these connections, especially for gas and electricity, as improper handling can lead to hazardous situations.

Step 2: Preparing the Foundation

Once all utilities have been safely disconnected, the next step is to prepare the foundation for the lifting process. Start by inspecting the current condition of the garage’s foundation to identify any cracks, weak points, or areas of concern. Repairing and reinforcing these areas before lifting is critical to ensuring the structure remains stable and secure throughout the process.

Clear any debris or obstacles around the base of the garage to provide sufficient working space. Depending on the lifting method, you may need to excavate around the foundation to create access for hydraulic jacks or other lifting equipment.

Take care to protect surrounding landscaping, driveways, or adjoining structures during this stage. Proper preparation at this step lays the groundwork for a smooth and efficient lifting process.

Step 3: Installing the Lifting Equipment

With the foundation prepared, the next step is to install the lifting equipment. Begin by positioning hydraulic jacks or screw jacks at evenly spaced intervals around the garage’s base. These should be placed on stable ground or secure footing to prevent any shifting during the lifting process.

Use steel beams or lifting plates as necessary to distribute the weight evenly and ensure structural integrity. Double-check all equipment to confirm it is in good working condition and aligned correctly with the lifting points. It is essential to calibrate the equipment to synchronize the lift and prevent uneven pressure that could damage the structure.

Step 4: Lifting the Garage

With the lifting equipment securely in place, begin the lifting process slowly and steadily. Carefully operate the hydraulic or screw jacks, raising the garage incrementally to ensure balance and prevent undue stress on the structure. Regularly pause during the lift to inspect the alignment and confirm that all points lift evenly.

Make adjustments as needed to avoid tilting or uneven forces. During this step, maintain clear communication with all team members to coordinate movements and address any issues immediately.

Once the garage has been lifted to the desired height, secure it with temporary supports or blocking to hold it in place, ensuring its stability before proceeding to the next stage. Safety remains the top priority throughout this process.

Step 5: Preparing the Foundation 

The next step involves preparing the foundation with the garage safely supported at the desired height. Depending on the project requirements, this may include repairing or replacing the existing foundation, pouring new concrete pads, or constructing a completely new one.

Start by clearing the area of debris and ensuring the ground is level and compact. If a new foundation is being poured, install formwork and reinforcing materials, such as rebar, to provide added strength and stability.

Precision during this stage is essential to ensure the foundation aligns properly with the garage structure once it is lowered back down. Allow adequate time for the foundation to cure and settle before moving forward.

Step 6: Lowering the Garage onto the New Foundation 

Carefully lower the garage back onto it once the foundation has adequately cured and is ready to support the structure. This process should be done gradually and evenly to prevent any shifting or misalignment. Use hydraulic jacks or other lifting equipment to control the descent, ensuring that the structure remains stable throughout.

Check that the garage sits squarely on the foundation and that all corners are correctly aligned. Secure the structure to the foundation using anchor bolts or other appropriate fastening methods. Conduct a thorough inspection to confirm that the garage is safely and securely placed before proceeding to the project’s final steps.

Step 7: Finishing Touches and Inspection 

With the garage securely placed on the new foundation, it’s time to focus on the finishing touches. Seal any gaps between the garage and the foundation to prevent moisture, pests, or drafts from entering. Apply any necessary repairs to the exterior or interior of the garage, such as repainting, fixing siding, or replacing damaged components.

Reconnect any utilities, such as electricity or plumbing, ensuring they function safely and correctly. Finally, a comprehensive inspection of the entire structure must be conducted to verify that all work has been completed properly and that the garage is ready for use.

Step 8: Final Clean-Up and Preparation for Use 

The final step involves cleaning up the workspace and ensuring the area around the garage is tidy and safe. Remove any leftover construction materials, tools, or debris from the site. Dispose of waste responsibly, adhering to local regulations for proper disposal or recycling.

Double-check that the garage is clean inside, removing dust, dirt, or any remnants from the project. Once the surrounding area and interior are cleaned, the garage is officially ready for use, whether for storage, workspace, or other purposes. Celebrate the completion of your project!

By following these steps and prioritizing safety, you can successfully lift and relocate a garage to a new foundation.

Conclusion

How to raise garage is a complex undertaking that requires careful planning, preparation, and execution.

By following the outlined steps, assessing the structure, gathering the proper tools and materials, and prioritizing safety throughout the process, this task can be accomplished. Attention to detail during each stage, from securing permits to final clean-up, is essential to ensure the garage is structurally sound and ready for use in its new location.

While challenging, completing this project can provide long-term benefits and improved functionality for your property.