Mods feel free to move as needed
Ill start out like this.
Having ( a local contractor) build me a detached garage, thinking 20 x 20 but may go 24x 20. Its really a 1 car garage with ehough room to park 2 if i needed too.

things im doing inside,
-large window unit 10000 btu, built into the back not eliminating any windows
- 80 gal air compressor with piping down 3 sides, (rear and both sides)
-16 foot work bench with cabinets on the bottom and electrical outlets every 4 feet on top
- a vise on bench
- adding a 18 x 24 inch piece of steel to top of workbench also
- Epoxy floor paint with the clear (adding logos with vinyl H and a DSM logo, a Ford and Dodge logo in the back.)
- electrical outlets in the roof, fromt and back for droplights
- and for now four 8 foot twin fourecent lamps for lighting
- a fridge
- a sink
- maybe a dryer vent with some hose for an exhaust scavenger.
- lots of storage up top


- cant afford a lift but i did do 9 ft ceilings and 4 inches of concrete
- and im using an old tv and dvd player (stereo) for entertainment. if i can find 100 yards or so of coax cable ill hook up the satelite in there too.


anybody have anything they can add they found usefull when doing thier own garage or ideas they have seen. i had a link a long time ago to another forum but lost it.
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Whatever you do, DO NOT put the logos on the floor PLEASE

 

I would skimp on the fancy stuff like fridge, expoxy, cabinets, extra storage. Go ahead and build the garage bigger if land permits. You can do the storage and things later. My shop is cramped with two cars, tools, parts washer, hoist, ect.... wish I had room for 3. Its a pain when friends come over to do work on thier cars.
EDIT: I would have NO windows... they make an easy way for theives to get in. The light you get is not worth the extra cost and security issue.

 

I would recommend skylights the extra light really helps.

 

Build it as big as you can.
I agree, no windows, not only a security issue, but a wall space issue.
Skylight(s) a very good idea, add bars/mesh.
Check local building regs and if you can, go old school, install a pit, a lot cheaper then a hoist and maintenance free.

Best "home shop" I ever seen was the above, a 20x30x10,[30' wide 20'deep with 10' ceiling] two skylights, 6 dual 8' lights, no windows, one "man door", one garage door, pit on one side w/cover doors, heat and A/C and a toilet.94

 

Pits aren't exactly the safest thing in the world. They can trap you if theres a fire under the car. A hoist isn't guarenteed not to kill you either, but i'd take it over a pit.

To the OP. Put in more lights and outlets than you think you'll ever need, and mount the outlets higher than the normal 16"s.