Many times when you are out shopping for a new home, garage space is key to your decision making. Having storage space and a grand area to park your precious vehicles are key focal points for the home-buyer. Keep in mind that many garages can be built differently. The builder will construct the garage plans based on the need to build the home up or out. If you come across a garage space that is long and narrow, it is likely not a double garage. What is a tandem garage? It is long and narrow garage spaces that allow two cars to be parked one in front of the next.
Let’s take a look below at more details regarding a tandem garage.
Why A Tandem Garage Over A Double Garage
Believe it or not, there is a difference between a tandem garage and a double garage. The word tandem does mean two cars, however, they are typically parked in front of the other. In a double garage, you see cars parked side by side. Also, in a tandem garage, you can have two garage openings so that the first car can pull through and the second car does not have to be backed out of their space.
How Much Does It Cost
When building a garage you need to consider the costs involved. The average cost is $35 to $60 per square foot. Most traditional two-car garages are built as a 20 x 20 space. Two-car garages range from $19,000 to $28,000. A tandem garage design is no different due to it being long vs wide. At the end of the day, it is still based on square footage.
Other Recommended Maintenance
While looking into a tandem garage and how they can or cannot benefit you, it is also a good idea to learn about how to cool a garage without any windows. Oftentimes a tandem garage does not have room for a window.
Every home that has a garage also has a garage door opener. Take a look at the life of your garage door opener. Buying a home that is a bit older could come with some desired repairs. Understanding how long a garage door opener lasts can help you conduct preventative maintenance on your garage door and the opener.
Now that you have a great understanding of the garage setup, let’s not forget that a lot can happen in and around the garage. For instance, if the garage is not sealed properly, water and moisture can enter the garage and cause some potential mold problems. Learning about mold growing on concrete and how to take care of this issue if it arises could be money-saving.
When Do I Call A Professional
With regards to a car tandem garage, you are going to call a professional contractor. The contractor knows the building codes and can provide you with the best information. You can also focus on bringing in your local home inspection team. The home inspection team can refer to you a great professional contractor who is reasonably priced at building them. The team can also assist you in determining if this construction is smart and necessary.
Conclusion
Purchasing a house with a tandem garage is a decision that must be met with thought. Although it seems like a cool idea, you might get tired of parking cars one behind the other. In addition, building a house with a tandem garage should be met with a conversation with the professionals. All Coast Home Inspections can evaluate your home needs and provide an accurate home inspection in Houston, TX.
