You are looking to add a garage to your place here in Moses Lake. Our team understands you might need more space for your boat as well as an extra bay for a workshop. You might also just need somewhere to keep your vehicles out of that intense summer sun and winter snow. Whatever your reason, building a garage is not just about picking a size and calling it good. There is a lot of local stuff you have to consider. That is where knowing your way around Moses Lake really comes in handy for your garage construction project.
Why Local Expertise Matters for Your Moses Lake Garage
Our team has been in this garage construction business for a while. One thing we can tell you is that what works in one town might not work here in Moses Lake. Moses Lake has its own quirks. This includes the soil underfoot as well as the city's specific building codes. Many folks try to cut corners or go with an out-of-town builder who just does not get it. Then they end up with problems down the road with their Moses Lake garage.
Dealing with Our Unique Soil and Weather for Your Moses Lake Garage
Let us talk about the dirt here. Our soil in Moses Lake can be a real mix. You will find everything from sandy loam as well as trickier clay pockets. If your foundation is not designed for what is underneath it, you are asking for trouble down the line. This trouble can include uneven settling as well as cracks as well as drainage headaches. We have seen all of these issues. Proper excavation and foundation work are important for your Moses Lake garage. You need someone who knows how to assess those soil conditions. Our team makes sure your garage has a solid, stable base that will last.
In addition, there is our weather. We get those scorching, arid summers where temperatures can hit the 90s. Then we have snowy, very cold winters where it dips down to the 20s. That is a big swing. Your Moses Lake garage needs to be built to handle both extremes. We think about insulation as well as roofing materials that stand up to the sun as well as the snow load. We are at 20 PSF for roof snow load here in Moses Lake. Our team also considers proper ventilation for your garage. We do not require ice and water shield on roofing. However, it is still good to know what you are dealing with. Our frost depth is a minimum of 18 inches. This means foundations need to go deep enough to avoid issues with freezing and thawing.
Common Garage Projects We See Around Here in Moses Lake
Moses Lake homeowners build many different kinds of garages. It is a diverse bunch. However, a few types pop up more often for garage construction:
- Extra Storage & Workshops: There are many outdoor activities around the lake as well as the agricultural roots of our area. People need space for tools as well as equipment as well as hobbies. Many folks are looking for that dedicated spot to tinker. They also need space to store their fishing gear or work on projects in their Moses Lake garage.
- Boat & RV Storage: This is Moses Lake. Keeping boats as well as RVs as well as other recreational vehicles protected from the elements is important. We are talking about garages that are taller and longer than your standard two-car garage. Moses Lake Custom Sheds builds these garages.
- Attached Garages for Newer Homes: Some of the newer developments have narrower 50-foot lots. Homeowners might find their existing garage is a bit tight. Adding an extra bay or expanding an existing attached garage can be a common project to get that much-needed space for a Moses Lake garage.
- Detached Garages: These are popular for homeowners who want a separate space. This might be a dedicated man cave or a she-shed. Moses Lake Custom Sheds builds those too. This also helps to keep the noise and mess of a workshop out of the main house.
Navigating Moses Lake Building Codes & Neighborhood Styles for Your Garage
You cannot just build whatever you want, wherever you want. The City of Moses Lake has codes as well as zoning regulations you have to follow. Any accessory structure, including garages, needs a permit if it is attached to your house or larger than 200 square feet. That means construction drawings as well as site plans as well as inspections for things like footing/foundation and framing. Our team handles all of these details for your Moses Lake garage.
We are currently enforcing the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) as well as the Residential Code (IRC). This also includes Washington State amendments. Things like wind speed (85 MPH here) as well as seismic design categories are all part of the plan for your Moses Lake garage. An experienced local builder knows these codes inside and out. This saves you headaches as well as potential costly re-dos. Moses Lake Custom Sheds understands these codes well.
Neighborhoods matter too for your Moses Lake garage. If you are in one of those established in-town blocks near McCosh Park, you might be looking at a different aesthetic. This is different from someone building out in a more rural area. The city's R-1 (low-density residential) and R-2 (moderate-density) zones have design standards. These standards aim to maintain the character of the area. A good builder will help you design a garage that meets your needs as well as complements your home. It will also fit into the local vibe without sticking out. Moses Lake Custom Sheds helps with this design process.
Building a garage is a big investment. You want it done right. You want it built to last. It also needs to be designed for our specific conditions here in Moses Lake. Do not just pick the cheapest bid. Pick the one with local knowledge as well as a track record of building quality structures. These structures stand up to everything our beautiful corner of Washington throws at them. Moses Lake Custom Sheds builds quality Moses Lake garages.