Lift - Garage Dimensions ?

[CrossT]

I'm building a new one bay garage and while I'm at it, I want to put a four post lift in to work on the cars and store the Porsche. The architect has asked about the height I will need. I told him 13' ought to be fine. Am I on the right track?

Thanks
Todd

[haycait911]

12' would be enough.

[Danny_Ocean]

Go as high as possible. Someday you might want a two-post. Mine is about 12'6" tall.

[Telerding]

My lift garage is just less than 14' high. It would work at 13' I think. Be sure to factor in space for lights, garage door opener, door tracks, etc.

The width should be no less than 12 feet, preferably more. I find things are sometimes tight in my garage which is 12' one half of length and 30 feet at the other.

[CrossT]

Thanks. Then 13' ought to give clearance for my taller cars too. Those are the ones that always seem to need to be serviced more frequently than the 911.

Todd

[CrossT]

Originally Posted by Telerding

My lift garage is just less than 14' high. It would work at 13' I think. Be sure to factor in space for lights, garage door opener, door tracks, etc.

The width should be no less than 12 feet, preferably more. I find things are sometimes tight in my garage which is 12' one half of length and 30 feet at the other.

Thanks. Hadn't thought about the width. Look like I have about 15' width. I like the idea of the lift having wheels. Any reason these are not the way to go?

Todd

[timmy2]

Measure the width of your largest car with both doors open wide and then give yourself room for a work bench, tool box and room to walk around the car. I'd go 18 feet wide at a minimum for a single car garage. Right now you are giving yourself about 3 feet on either side of a normal garage door opening at 9' wide.
Check the web for the lift dimensions, will you be able to move around it?
Can you build one that is 18'x24'?

[rnln]

I would go as high as possible and as wide as possible, of course higher and wider than what you want. Some days, you won't regret.

[CrossT]

Looks like I have about 16'x23' in the blueprints. Seems that ought to fill the bill. I will have an 11' opening on the right side to the other existing 2 car garage that I'm adding on to. I'm planning the workbench for the front end of the space. My biggest current car is a 740i.

Thanks
Todd

[stevej37]

10 ft. ceiling here...plenty for what I need. I have even parked my pick-up under it with enough room. Just have to be careful on the last bit to rest on the safety stops.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by CrossT

Looks like I have about 16'x23' in the blueprints. Seems that ought to fill the bill. I will have an 11' opening on the right side to the other existing 2 car garage that I'm adding on to. I'm planning the workbench for the front end of the space. My biggest current car is a 740i.

Thanks
Todd

With the opening to the existing garage, it sounds like you will have lots of room.

[kodioneill]

If you can, 24' x 24' is a good dimensional footprint. That would allow you room for a wall with tool boxes, bench ect.. with a lift positioned tight to the opposite wall.
I have a 24'x32' with a 24'x24 attached bump out. The 24'x32' has enough room for a lift and plenty work space. The 24'x24 stores 3 911's.

[CrossT]

Jealous, envious. Of cars and garage that is. Is Bendpak a reputable brand?

Thanks
Todd

[jthwan22]

Bendpark is what the pros use

[GWN]

Steve,

What is the make of your 4 post lift with the 10ft ceiling?

George

[michael lang]

Todd, is there a particulat reason why you are going four post? I'm asking only from a practicality stand point. Yes the four post offers the ability to double as a parking deck but it is also limiting with certain repairs. I have a four post at the shop for my Maybach clients that come in. When my tech has to do certain things it is cumbersome for him to do because he has the rack that he has to reach over to take the wheels off when servicing the brakes or when he is doing something under the car he has to maneuver around the hydraulics that slide back and forth. Which he is constantly bumping into while he is trying to work. It looks like it is a real PIA. A two post allows for easy access offers just as much strength and depending on which one you go with may even be better quality than the four post. And yes, BendPac is outstanding qualty. Congratulations on the garage.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by GWN

Steve,

What is the make of your 4 post lift with the 10ft ceiling?

George

It came from Greg Smith Equip. It has casters to move it easily from one stall to another.

[CrossT]

Mike

I was thinking four post for storage mostly, giving me room to store four cars, but also easy stability, and the option to move it via casters. I am thinking I'm willing to give up on some service access ease in exchange.

Are there any good bang for the buck brands or known ones to avoid?

Thanks

[kwyjibo]

Todd,
Try the garagejournal.com forum - you can get lost there for hours reading about the good and bad of just about every garage item. There are loads of lift threads there and lots of garage build threads with photos. I've poached a few ideas there myself.
Good luck and keep up posted (had to throw that in).

[Telerding]

My four post lift has removable casters. Very handy if you have to move it!!