Garage Builders and Construction News

Frost Heave in Minnesota | How It Affects Garage Construction

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 22:10:02 GMT

What Homeowners Should Know About Frost Heave Before Building a New Garage

If you live in Minnesota, you have probably seen the effects of frost heave even if you did not know the term. Pavement lifts, cracks open, edges shift, and surfaces that looked level in summer can move noticeably after winter. Around detached garages, frost heave can affect driveways, garage aprons, slabs, walkways, and nearby exterior concrete.

For homeowners planning a new garage in Minneapolis–St. Paul, frost heave is not just a winter nuisance. It is one of the main reasons site preparation, base work, drainage, and proper construction methods matter so much in our climate.

At Western Construction, we build detached garages for Minnesota conditions. That means paying attention to the soil, the grade, the drainage, and the concrete details that help a new garage perform better through repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

What Is Frost Heave?

Frost heave happens when moisture in the ground freezes, expands, and pushes soil and surfaces upward. As temperatures change and the ground thaws, those areas may settle back unevenly. Over time, that repeated movement can lead to:

Cracked or uneven concrete
Lifted garage aprons or driveway sections
Separation between asphalt, concrete, and curb edges
Trip hazards near garages and walkways
Drainage problems that make future movement worse

Minnesota is especially prone to frost heave because of our deep frost, wet spring conditions, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

Why Frost Heave Matters for Garage Construction

When homeowners think about building a new detached garage, they often focus on size, appearance, doors, siding, and storage. Those are important, but the long-term performance of the project also depends on what is happening below the surface.

If the ground under or around a garage is poorly prepared, holds water, or includes unstable material, frost movement can increase the risk of:

Concrete cracking sooner than expected
Settlement or movement at the apron and driveway connection
Water collecting near the slab or garage walls
Difficult transitions between old and new surfaces
Extra maintenance and repair costs later

That is why proper construction in Minnesota is about more than just pouring concrete. It starts with understanding how the site behaves through the seasons.

Common Signs of Frost Heave Around a Home

Some signs are obvious in late winter or early spring, while others become more noticeable over several seasons. Homeowners may see:

Asphalt or concrete lifted above adjacent surfaces
Gaps forming where pavement meets a curb, apron, or slab edge
Cracks in driveways, garage floors, or sidewalks
Low spots where meltwater or rain collects
Uneven transitions at the garage entry

If you are planning to replace an old garage or install a new slab and driveway, these signs are worth paying attention to before construction begins.

What Causes Frost Heave to Get Worse?

Frost heave is usually more severe when several conditions come together:

Excess moisture in the soil
Poor drainage
Improper base preparation
Soils that retain water
Repeated winter freeze-thaw cycles

In practical terms, that means a site that does not shed water well is often more vulnerable. Downspouts, yard slope, neighboring hardscape, and the condition of the existing driveway can all play a role.

How Good Garage Construction Helps Reduce Frost-Heave Problems

No contractor can stop Minnesota winter, but good planning and construction methods can help reduce the risk of future movement and moisture-related problems. For detached garage projects, that often includes:

Evaluating the site and existing grade
Removing unsuitable material where needed
Installing and compacting a proper base
Planning for drainage away from the garage
Building concrete and apron transitions with Minnesota conditions in mind

For homeowners, the key point is this: what happens before the garage is built affects how the garage performs after it is built.

Why Spring Is a Good Time to Evaluate Your Site

Spring is one of the best times to spot drainage and frost-heave issues because the evidence is easier to see. Snowmelt and thaw often reveal:

Where water collects
Where soil has shifted
Which pavement edges have lifted or separated
Whether existing concrete has settled or cracked

If you are thinking about a new garage this season, a spring site review can help identify conditions that should be addressed before construction starts.

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

If your property already shows signs of frost movement, that does not necessarily mean you cannot build. It does mean the project should be approached carefully, with attention to the site, drainage, base preparation, and concrete work.

At Western Construction, we help homeowners throughout the Minneapolis–St. Paul area plan detached garage projects with local conditions in mind. From demolition and permitting to concrete, framing, roofing, and garage doors, our process is built around the realities of building in Minnesota.

Learn more about our detached garage construction services or contact Western Construction to discuss your project.

Final Thoughts

Frost heave is one of the reasons Minnesota garage construction requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Soil movement, drainage, and freeze-thaw conditions can all affect how your garage and concrete perform over time.

If you are planning a new garage, replacing an older structure, or looking at an uneven driveway or apron this spring, now is a good time to evaluate the site and make sure the next step is done right.

Get a Quote for a New Detached Garage

Western Construction has been helping Twin Cities homeowners build detached garages designed for Minnesota conditions since 1949. If you are planning a new garage in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Richfield, Bloomington, St. Louis Park, or nearby communities, we are ready to help.

Request a quote or call (952) 920-8888 to start planning your project.

Spring Road Restrictions and Garage Construction Minneapolis–St. Paul

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 21:43:14 GMT

If you are planning a new detached garage this spring, there is one local issue that can affect your project more than many homeowners expect: seasonal road restrictions.

As frost comes out of the ground, some roads in Minnesota are temporarily posted with axle weight limits to help prevent damage during spring thaw. For homeowners planning a new garage, those restrictions can affect the timing of material deliveries, demolition haul-off, equipment access, and scheduling.

At Western Construction, we understand that a successful garage project depends on more than design and permits. It also depends on smart planning, local experience, and knowing how seasonal conditions can affect the work before construction begins.

What spring road restrictions mean for garage construction

Spring road restrictions are designed to protect roads that become more vulnerable as the ground thaws. When roads are posted, heavy vehicles may be limited by axle weight. That matters in garage construction because many projects rely on coordinated deliveries, removal, and equipment access.

Depending on the location of your property, restrictions can affect:

Framing lumber deliveries
Roofing and building material shipments
Concrete and base material logistics
Old garage demolition and debris haul-off
Excavation or site equipment access
Project start timing and sequencing

That does not automatically stop construction. It means your project should be planned carefully by a local contractor who understands how to work through these conditions.

Why this matters to homeowners

Many homeowners assume that once they choose a garage design and get a quote, the rest is simple. In reality, a well-run detached garage project involves permits, inspections, access, delivery timing, demolition coordination, and site conditions.

During spring, those moving parts become even more important. If your lot is located near a posted road, alley, or access route, your builder may need to adjust timing or logistics to keep the job moving smoothly.

That is why early planning matters. The more time you allow for site review and scheduling, the better your chances of avoiding preventable delays.

Best practices when planning a garage during road restriction season

Start planning early

The best time to start a garage project is often before you want construction to begin. Early planning gives you time to review site conditions, determine size and layout, confirm permit requirements, and account for spring restrictions if they apply.

Choose a builder with local experience

Garage construction in Minneapolis–St. Paul is local work. Site access, alley conditions, city requirements, setbacks, demolition logistics, and weather all matter. A local builder should understand how these factors affect the schedule and the build process.

Talk through demolition and hauling up front

If you are replacing an existing garage, demolition and haul-off are part of the equation. During seasonal restriction periods, this can become an important scheduling factor.

Allow for delivery and access coordination

Not every site is the same. Streets, alleys, and lot layouts can all affect how materials and equipment get where they need to go. A thoughtful site plan can reduce problems before work begins.

Build flexibility into the timeline

Minnesota spring conditions can change quickly. A realistic construction schedule is better than an overly aggressive one that ignores local field conditions.

Does this mean you should wait to plan your garage?

No. In fact, spring is a smart time to begin the process.

Even if road restrictions are in place in some areas, homeowners can still move forward with planning, budgeting, design discussions, site review, and permit preparation. In many cases, the key is simply working with a contractor who understands how to sequence the project properly.

If you are thinking about building this year, waiting too long can make scheduling more difficult. Starting early puts you in a better position.

Why homeowners choose Western Construction

A new detached garage is a major investment. You want more than a builder who can frame walls and pour concrete. You want a company that understands how to manage the full process from planning to final inspection.

Western Construction helps Minneapolis–St. Paul homeowners with:

Detached garage planning and design guidance
Site review and access considerations
Garage replacement and demolition coordination
Permits and inspections
Concrete, framing, roofing, and doors
Scheduling based on real local conditions

That local experience matters, especially during the spring construction season.

Planning a new garage this spring?

If you are considering a new detached garage in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding Twin Cities area, Western Construction can help you plan for site conditions, timing, permits, demolition, and construction.

Contact us to discuss your project and request a quote.

Request a Garage Quote

Frequently asked questions about spring road restrictions and garage projects

Can spring road restrictions delay a garage project?

They can affect delivery timing, haul routes, and heavy equipment access depending on the property location and local road postings.

Do road restrictions stop all garage construction?

No. In many cases, they simply require better coordination, route planning, and timing adjustments.

Should I wait until restrictions are lifted before planning my garage?

No. Spring is a good time to start planning, reviewing your site, discussing design options, and preparing for the construction season.

Do restrictions matter if I am replacing an old garage?

Yes. Demolition and debris haul-off can be affected if heavy trucks or equipment need access during seasonal posting periods.

Who should I call if I want to build a detached garage in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

If you want a local company with experience in garage planning, permits, demolition, and seasonal scheduling, contact Western Construction to start the process.

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis 2026 Guide | Western Construction

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 21:00:02 GMT

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis: The Complete 2026 Guide

A new detached garage in Minneapolis isn’t a “simple outbuilding.” You’re balancing zoning and alley rules, a permit package the City will approve, and a structure that survives freeze–thaw cycles, snow load, and spring melt. The difference between a smooth project and months of delays is almost always the same thing: planning.

This 2026 guide gives you a practical roadmap—what to decide first, what typically triggers redesigns at the permit counter, and what Minneapolis homeowners should build differently because we live in a real winter city.

Key Takeaways (Minneapolis-Specific)

Define the job your garage must do besides parking (storage, workshop, EV, future ADU).
Get placement right early: alley access + setbacks + lot coverage drive everything. Minneapolis guidance commonly references 6 feet in typical detached-garage scenarios (lot specifics vary).
In Minnesota, your foundation plan is not a detail—it’s the whole game (frost + soil movement).
Budget accurately by understanding real cost drivers: site work, slab, doors, electrical, storage trusses, finishes.
A garage that “matches” the home appraises better, looks intentional, and often helps with accessory-structure standards.

Define Your Garage’s Purpose (for Minneapolis living)
Zoning, Setbacks, Alley Access & Permits (what trips people up)
Design for Minnesota’s Climate (foundation, shell, snow + moisture)
Budget + Style (what changes price, and how to match your house)
Your Action Plan (how to move from idea → approved build)

Step 1: Define Your Garage’s Purpose (Beyond Parking)

Start with a simple question: What problem is this garage solving—year-round? In Minneapolis, garages end up storing snowblowers, salt, bikes, camping gear, lawn equipment, kids’ gear, and often a workbench setup. Your “purpose” determines insulation, electrical capacity, door size, and whether storage trusses are worth it.

Common Minneapolis garage “use cases” we plan for

Daily-driver + winter gear storage
Workshop garage (tooling, dust, power, heat, ventilation)
Large vehicles (trucks/SUVs that don’t fit “minimum” sizes)
Future-ready (EV charging, extra circuits, roughed-in plumbing)
ADU planning (more complex zoning + life-safety design)

Sizing: what actually feels comfortable

A “standard” 2-car footprint is often cited as 24'×24', but comfort depends on what you drive and what you store. Don’t guess—measure your vehicles and plan clearance.

Add at least ~3 feet around door-swing areas so you can get in/out in winter coats without dinging doors.
If you want a workbench wall, plan for depth beyond the minimum.
If you want real storage, consider attic/storage trusses—usable space without expanding the footprint.

Pro tip: If you’re close to zoning limits, smarter layouts (door placement, storage strategy, roof form) often beat “bigger.”

Step 2: Minneapolis Zoning, Setbacks, Alley Access & Permits

This is where most DIY planning falls apart—not because people are careless, but because the rules are specific and the permit package needs to be complete. A clean site plan with measured offsets is often the make-or-break item.

The big three constraints in Minneapolis

Setbacks (distance to property lines/alley)
Lot coverage (how much of the lot can be covered by structures/impervious surfaces)
Accessory structure standards (size/height rules + when exceptions apply)

Setbacks: don’t plan around internet “rules of thumb”

Minneapolis permitting guidance commonly references 6 feet in typical detached-garage scenarios (often where an overhead door faces the alley), but the exact requirement depends on your lot, zoning district, alley conditions, easements, and design details. Treat it as a starting point—then verify for your specific address.

The permit process (what the City typically wants)

A Minneapolis detached-garage permit package usually requires a consistent set of documents, especially a site plan showing exact dimensions to property lines, alley, and the house.

Site plan (scaled, with measured offsets)
Floor plan + elevations
Structural details (especially for storage trusses or bonus-space loads)
Code-aligned documentation for the garage build

Best practice: plan your layout so the permit set is straightforward—redesigns cost time, and time costs money.

Step 3: Design for Minnesota’s Climate (Foundation + Shell Durability)

Minnesota garages fail in predictable ways: cracked slabs from freeze/thaw + poor prep, heaving/settlement from soil movement, rot from drainage mistakes, and ice problems from heat loss + ventilation errors. Build for our climate from day one.

Foundation: the “frost problem” is the whole project

In Minnesota, your foundation design and site prep matter more than almost any upgrade you can buy later. Plan for correct excavation and base prep, a slab/edge design appropriate to garage use, and a drainage strategy for snow melt and spring water.

Correct excavation + compacted base prep
Slab/edge design appropriate to loads and use
Drainage strategy (grading, gutters, downspout discharge)

Shell durability choices that pay off here

Siding & trim that resist moisture and impact
Roof system designed for snow load + ice dam resistance
Insulated overhead door if you want comfort or storage protection
Ventilation strategy if you heat the garage or run a workshop

Step 4: Budget + Matching Your Home’s Style

A garage budget should be built around drivers, not guesses. The biggest pricing swings typically come from site work, the slab, doors, electrical capacity, overhead storage framing, and finish level.

The cost drivers that matter most

Demolition/removal (if replacing an old garage)
Concrete + site work (prep, drainage, access)
Door package (insulated overhead door, opener, service door)
Electrical (sub-panel, 220V/EV readiness, outlets, lighting)
Storage trusses / higher-performance framing
Finish level (siding, trim, windows, roof details)

Design that looks like it belongs

The best Minneapolis garages look like they were always there—matched roof pitch, aligned trim proportions, correct window style, and consistent materials. This isn’t just aesthetics: an intentional design often helps projects fit within accessory-structure standards.

Step 5: Your Action Plan (Plan → Approved Build)

Final planning checklist

Purpose defined (parking + storage + workshop + future EV/ADU)
Target size based on vehicles + use
Preliminary placement chosen (alley access + setbacks + coverage)
Foundation + drainage plan considered for snow melt and spring water
Budget range set with upgrade priorities
Inspiration photos gathered (style, windows, doors, trim)

Why a specialized Minneapolis garage builder is different

A general contractor can build a garage. A garage specialist prevents the common Twin Cities mistakes: permit redesign loops, climate shortcuts that show up as cracks/rot/ice problems, and missed opportunities for storage and future-ready electrical.

Western Construction, Inc. has built detached garages in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area since 1949. If you want a plan designed to get approved and built correctly the first time, we’ll confirm zoning constraints, verify placement, and deliver a clear proposal.

Ready to Plan Your Minneapolis Garage?

Request a garage plan + quote. We’ll confirm setbacks, sizing, and permitting requirements for your specific address and layout.

Request Your Quote or call (952) 920-8888

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a detached garage in Minneapolis?

Yes—detached garages typically require permits and plan review. A proper site plan and measured offsets are usually the make-or-break items in the process.

How close can my garage be to the property line or alley?

It depends on your lot and zoning. Minneapolis guidance commonly references 6 feet in typical cases (often with alley-facing overhead doors), but the exact requirement can vary due to easements, alley conditions, and design details. Verify requirements for your specific address.

What should I have ready before talking to a builder?

Your address, photos of the current garage/site, vehicle sizes, your “must haves,” and (if available) a property survey. A measured site plan is central to the permitting conversation.

Can I build an ADU above a garage in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis allows detached ADUs under specific standards (size/height/placement), and they’re more complex than a standard garage build. If an ADU is in your future, plan the foundation, framing, and utilities accordingly from day one.

What’s the #1 planning mistake Minneapolis homeowners make?

Designing the garage size first without verifying placement constraints. In Minneapolis, alley access and setbacks can force redesigns if you don’t confirm them early.

Western Construction, Inc. — Minneapolis–St. Paul detached garage builder since 1949. A+ BBB Rated. Turnkey planning, permitting, demolition, and build.

2-Car Detached Garage Minneapolis: 2026 Permits, Costs & Timeline

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:23:56 GMT

Planning a 2-car detached garage in Minneapolis in 2026? You’re not just picking a size and color—you’re navigating Minneapolis zoning, permit approvals, lot coverage, alley access, and a Minnesota frost-ready foundation that won’t crack after a few freeze-thaw cycles.

This guide is written for Minneapolis homeowners who want straight answers and a real-world path from “idea” to “final inspection.” We build garages across Minneapolis–St. Paul every season, and we’ll show you what actually matters: sizing that works on city lots, the permit items that slow projects down, and construction details that hold up for decades.

Want a Minneapolis garage quote with permits handled?

Tell us your address + goals and we’ll recommend the best size, layout, and options for your lot.

Get a Free Garage Quote or call (952) 920-8888

Key Takeaways (Minneapolis-Specific)

Most Minneapolis delays are paperwork-related: site plan accuracy, lot coverage calculations, and zoning checks—especially with alley-facing garages.
24'×24' is the most popular “comfortable” 2-car size in the city, but lot constraints sometimes push homeowners to 22'×22' or creative layouts.
In Minnesota, the foundation is everything: proper base prep + reinforcement + drainage planning matters more than most people realize.
Turnkey matters: demolition/removal, permits, concrete, framing, roofing, siding, doors, and inspections should be coordinated by one accountable builder.

Why a 2-Car Detached Garage Is a Smart Minneapolis Investment
Best 2-Car Garage Sizes for Minneapolis Lots (Standard vs. Oversized)
Minneapolis Zoning + Permits: What Actually Triggers Delays
Minnesota-Proof Construction: Foundation, Drainage, and Materials
Our Turnkey Process (From Old Garage Removal to Final Inspection)
2026 Cost Guide: What a 2-Car Detached Garage Costs in Minneapolis
FAQ

Why a 2-Car Detached Garage Is a Smart Minneapolis Investment

In Minneapolis, a detached garage is more than “nice to have.” It’s one of the most practical upgrades you can make for winter protection, storage, and daily convenience. It also tends to hold value because many city neighborhoods expect a functional garage—especially for homes with alley access.

Real Minneapolis benefits (beyond parking)

Winter protection: less ice scraping, less salt exposure, less hail damage risk in summer storms.
Secure storage: bikes, snowblower, lawn equipment, tools, seasonal bins.
Workspace potential: a real workbench area changes how you use your home.
Future flexibility: attic trusses can add serious storage volume without expanding your footprint.

Local tip: If you’re on an alley, think through snow management, approach/drive geometry, and where meltwater drains. These details affect both usability and long-term concrete performance.

Best 2-Car Garage Sizes for Minneapolis Lots (Standard vs. Oversized)

The “right” size is a balance between lot constraints, vehicle size, and how you want to use the space. In Minneapolis, where lots can be tight, a few feet can make the difference between “parking only” and a garage you actually enjoy using.

Common 2-car detached garage sizes

20'×20' to 22'×22' (Standard): fits two cars, but tight for SUVs/trucks and storage.
24'×24' (Comfortable / Most Popular): better door clearance, easier to add shelving and a small work area.
26'×26' to 28'×28'+ (Oversized): room for larger vehicles, real workshop space, and meaningful storage.

Minneapolis sizing reality check

Many Minneapolis homeowners start by wanting bigger (which makes sense), then discover the limiting factors are:

Setbacks (distance to property lines / alleys / other structures)
Lot coverage / impervious surface calculations (roof + driveway + hardscape)
Access (alley, gate width, overhead wires, tight approaches)
Neighbor proximity (fire separation requirements can affect design choices)

If you’re unsure what fits, we can usually recommend a best-size option quickly once we know your address and goals.

Fast sizing help: share your address and the vehicles you park (SUV/truck?), and we’ll tell you what typically fits on your lot and what the city is likely to require.

Minneapolis Garage Permit & Specification Info →

Minneapolis Zoning + Permits: What Actually Triggers Delays

Permits are not the scary part—missing or inaccurate details are. In Minneapolis, the city typically wants a clean, accurate package that matches zoning and code requirements.

The items that most often slow Minneapolis garage approvals

Site plan accuracy: garage location, dimensions, distances to property lines, and relationship to alley/house.
Lot coverage / impervious surface: garage + driveway changes the math.
Height/roof form: overall height, roof pitch, and how it fits within zoning limits (varies by district/conditions).
Fire separation considerations: proximity to property lines can affect construction details.
Utility conflicts: overhead lines, buried services, easements.

Important: Minneapolis rules can vary by zoning district and property conditions. The safe approach is to design the garage around your specific lot, not a generic “typical rule.”

Permit process (simple version)

Plan + site layout (size, elevations, exact placement)
Submit permit application with required documents
City review (zoning + building compliance checks)
Build + inspections at key stages

We handle permit coordination as part of a turnkey build so you’re not chasing requirements, resubmitting drawings, or guessing what the reviewer wants.

Minnesota-Proof Construction: Foundation, Drainage, and Materials

In Minnesota, garages fail early for one main reason: foundation + drainage shortcuts. A great-looking garage with poor base prep will crack, settle, or heave over time.

Foundation essentials for Minneapolis (freeze-thaw ready)

Proper base prep: correct excavation depth, compacted base, stable subgrade.
Reinforcement: steel and mesh where needed so the slab behaves as a system.
Drainage planning: grade away from the garage, manage downspouts, avoid trapping water at the slab edge.
Apron/approach: how vehicles enter affects long-term cracking—especially with alley slopes.

Exterior materials that perform in Minneapolis

Roofing: architectural shingles designed for heavy snow and seasonal cycling.
Siding/trim: durable, low-maintenance products that resist moisture and impact.
Ventilation: soffit/ridge ventilation to control moisture and reduce ice issues.
Optional insulation: if you plan to use the garage as a shop or conditioned space.

If your goal is “build it once and never worry about it,” this section matters more than any cosmetic upgrade.

Our Turnkey Process (From Old Garage Removal to Final Inspection)

We’ve built garages in the Twin Cities since 1949. Our approach is straightforward: clear planning, tight coordination, and quality construction—with one accountable builder guiding the project.

Typical Minneapolis detached garage project steps

Onsite evaluation: lot constraints, access, and sizing recommendations
Design + selections: layout, doors, windows, siding, roofing, options
Permits handled: plans + site plan + submissions
Demolition/removal (if needed) + site prep
Concrete: slab and approach planned for drainage and longevity
Build: framing, roofing, siding/trim, doors, finishing details
Inspections: coordinated and scheduled so you’re not stuck waiting

Learn more about our full build workflow here: The Garage Construction Process.

2026 Cost Guide: What a 2-Car Detached Garage Costs in Minneapolis

Most people want a single number—but the real answer depends on scope. In Minneapolis, pricing is heavily influenced by site conditions and the options you choose.

Typical 2026 Minneapolis price range (realistic planning)

Base build range: Many 2-car detached garages fall into a broad range depending on size and finish selections.
Site-driven adders: demolition/removal, tight access, grading/drainage challenges, alley approach work.
Upgrade-driven adders: attic trusses/loft, upgraded doors/windows, electrical packages, premium exterior finishes.

Best next step: If you want a meaningful estimate, we recommend getting a quote that’s tied to your address and your “must-haves,” not an online guess.

Want a firm quote?

We’ll review your lot constraints, recommend a size that fits zoning, and outline options that match your budget.

Garage Cost Guide → | Request a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions (Minneapolis 2-Car Detached Garages)

What’s the best size for a 2-car detached garage in Minneapolis?

24'×24' is the most popular “comfortable” size because it fits modern vehicles and leaves room for storage. However, some Minneapolis lots require smaller footprints or smarter layouts due to setbacks, lot coverage, or access constraints.

Do I need a permit to build a detached garage in Minneapolis?

Yes—detached garages typically require permits and city review. The city generally expects a complete package (plans + site plan + zoning compliance). We handle this as part of a turnkey build so it’s not on you to figure out.

What causes the most permit delays in Minneapolis?

In our experience, delays most often come from site plan accuracy, lot coverage, zoning conflicts, and utility/easement issues. A clean, correct submission prevents expensive back-and-forth.

What foundation holds up best in Minnesota?

The best foundation is one built around Minnesota’s freeze-thaw reality: correct excavation and compaction, reinforcement, and—most importantly—drainage planning so water doesn’t sit near the slab edge and cause movement.

How long does it take to build a detached garage in Minneapolis?

Timeline depends on permit review, weather, and project scope. The build itself is often faster than people think; the planning and permitting phase is where timelines stretch if documents aren’t prepared correctly.

Can you remove my old garage?

Yes. We can handle demolition and removal as part of the project. If you’re exploring removal options, see our special here: Free Garage Removal Special.

Build a Minneapolis Garage You’ll Be Proud of

A 2-car detached garage is one of the most valuable upgrades you can make to a Minneapolis home—when it’s planned correctly and built for Minnesota’s climate. If you want a garage that looks right, functions well, and holds up for decades, we’re ready to help.

Request Your Free Garage Quote or call (952) 920-8888

For more city-specific guidance, visit: Minneapolis Garage Specifications & Permit Requirements.

Choosing the Right Foundation for a Garage Replacement in Minneapolis

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:10:14 GMT

If you've noticed your 1950s-era garage starting to lean, or if those deep cracks in the floor make you worry every time you pull the car in, you aren't alone. Most detached garages in the Twin Cities suburbs were built with outdated methods that simply weren't designed to last seventy-five years against Minnesota's harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Understanding the different garage foundation types is the first step in replacing a failing structure that has become a safety hazard or an eyesore.

At Western Construction, Inc., we've been helping Minneapolis-St. Paul homeowners have managed these challenges since 1949. We know that the anxiety of dealing with city permits and crumbling concrete is overwhelming, especially when you just want a reliable space that matches your home's character. By choosing the right foundation for your specific soil and lot grade, your new garage remains level and sturdy for the next several decades.

Key Takeaways

Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles require foundations built below the frost line to stop the leaning and floor cracking common in 1950s-era garages.
Modern floating monolithic slabs pour the floor and reinforced perimeter as a single unit, keeping walls from separating during seasonal ground movement.
Proper soil preparation with a compacted gravel base and drainage eliminates the localized sinking that caused your original garage to fail.
Block foundations on reinforced footings provide additional height for lots with grade changes while meeting specific municipal code requirements.
Working with experienced contractors who know your city's specific permit requirements and building codes eliminates delays and compliance issues.

Modern Floating Monolithic Slabs

Most detached garage replacements in the Twin Cities use a floating monolithic slab. This approach pours the floor and reinforced perimeter footings as a single unit, creating a foundation that moves uniformly with soil changes. The monolithic design keeps walls from separating from the floor during seasonal shifts.

We pour a 4-inch slab with 12-inch by 8-inch perimeter footings reinforced with steel rebar and welded wire mesh. The concrete sits on properly compacted gravel fill, which provides drainage that the original 1950s builders often overlooked. This modern method distributes the garage weight evenly across the soil, stopping the localized sinking that causes leaning.

When the foundation moves as one solid piece, your doors continue to latch properly year after year. The thickened reinforced edges act as a perimeter that resists pressure from shifting clay and frost. For level lots with good drainage, this foundation type offers both reliability and efficiency for garage construction projects.

Foundation Depth and Frost Protection

Footings must extend below the local frost line to avoid seasonal heaving. Building codes in Minneapolis and St. Paul require foundations that reach stable, non-shifting soil beneath where ice lenses form during winter. When footings sit too shallow, the structure lifts unevenly as the ground freezes and then drops when it thaws.

The concrete mix itself matters just as much as the depth. Air-entrained concrete with proper reinforcement withstands Minnesota winters far better than the thin, non-reinforced pads used in post-war construction. If you're dealing with an older slab showing significant cracking, you'll find helpful guidance in our article about protecting concrete garage slabs in cold weather.

Block Foundation Construction

Some local codes require concrete block walls on top of the slab perimeter for additional support. This method works well when the lot grade requires the garage floor to sit higher than the surrounding ground. The construction sequence includes:

Reinforced perimeter footing poured as part of the monolithic slab
Concrete blocks are placed on the footing with a treated bottom plate and foam sill sealer
Dampproofing is applied when blocks extend below grade
Proper backfilling to avoid moisture issues and settling

Block foundations provide a stable base for the garage walls while meeting specific municipal requirements in first-ring suburbs like Richfield and Roseville.

Correcting Soil Instability Issues

Many post-war garages were built on compromised soil without proper compaction or drainage. The original builders often skipped the gravel base entirely, pouring concrete directly on dirt. Over decades, this soil settles unevenly, causing the localized sinking you see when one corner drops lower than the others.

When we replace a failing structure, we excavate the old concrete and address the underlying soil problems. We remove compromised material, bring in properly compacted gravel for drainage, and create a stable base that won't shift. The heavy-duty monolithic slab with thickened reinforced edges then distributes weight evenly across this prepared base.

After construction, proper concrete sealing protects your investment from Minnesota's harsh conditions.

Navigating City Codes and Permits

Local building codes vary significantly between Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding suburbs. Each municipality has specific requirements for foundation depth, reinforcement specifications, and setback distances. Some cities require surveyed site plans before permits are approved.

We handle all permit requirements and code compliance for your replacement project. Our team knows exactly what specifications your specific suburb requires. You won't have to coordinate with city inspectors or worry whether the work meets modern safety standards. The permit process includes multiple inspections at different construction stages, and having an experienced contractor manage these avoids delays and rejected work.

Common Warning Signs Your Foundation Is Failing

When your garage begins showing problems, the foundation is almost always the cause. Watch for these signs:

Deep cracks snaking through the floor indicate the slab is separating
Walls are pulling away from the concrete, where the foundation no longer supports the frame
Service doors that stick or refuse to close due to frame twisting
Noticeable leaning to one side, showing compromised integrity
Gaps between the sill plate and foundation

At this stage, patching cracks or adjusting doors only masks the underlying problem temporarily. Replacing the failing structure with a foundation designed for Minnesota's climate stops these same issues from recurring.

Making the Right Foundation Choice for Your Property

The right foundation for your garage replacement depends on your specific lot conditions and local building requirements. Most level lots with good drainage work well with a standard monolithic slab. Properties with significant grade changes may need additional block height to create a level platform.

We evaluate these factors during the initial site visit to determine which foundation approach your municipality requires and your property needs. The goal is a replacement that addresses why your original garage failed while meeting current code standards. Proper foundation work now stops the leaning, cracking, and problems that plagued your old building.

Western Construction, Inc. (License BC316811) has been helping homeowners in Minneapolis and St. Paul replace failing garages with structures built to last. We understand exactly how local soils and harsh winters affect foundations over time. From the initial teardown through final inspection, our garage replacement process provides a rock-solid, permit-approved base. Your new garage will add immediate curb appeal and lasting value to your home, with a foundation designed to withstand decades of Minnesota weather. Request your free garage quote to get started on your replacement project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my old garage leaning and showing deep floor cracks?

Most post-war garages in the Twin Cities were built with shallow foundations that cannot withstand our local winters. Over the decades, the ground heaves and drops unevenly, which causes the integrity to fail and the walls to tilt. This is a common issue for 1950s-era structures that have simply reached the end of their lifespan.

What makes deep footings the best choice for Minnesota winters?

Deep footings are anchored below the frost line, which stops the soil from lifting your garage when it freezes. This protection keeps your structure level, and your doors continue to latch properly for decades. It is the most reliable way to avoid the shifting issues seen in older, shallower foundations.

Can I just patch the cracks in my existing garage floor?

While a patch might look better temporarily, it does not fix the underlying movement caused by an inadequate foundation. If your garage is leaning or the sills are rotting, a simple patch job will likely fail during the next big freeze. Replacing the foundation is the only way to get a safe, permanent solution for your property.

How do I know which foundation type is right for my specific lot?

The right choice depends on your specific soil conditions and the grade of your lot. We evaluate these factors to determine if you need reinforced perimeter footings with blocks or a different approach. Choosing the correct foundation now stops future headaches and keeps your new garage matching the character of your home.

Will a new foundation help with doors that no longer close properly?

Yes, a stable foundation keeps the frame of your garage from twisting and shifting out of alignment. When your garage stays level on a frost-protected footing, your service doors and overhead doors will continue to operate smoothly year after year. You will no longer have to worry about the structure moving every time the temperature drops.

Are permits required for replacing a garage foundation in the Twin Cities?

Navigating city permits can feel overwhelming, but they are a necessary part of meeting local safety codes for your new structure. We handle the complexities of the permit process for you so that your new garage is fully compliant and built to last. This gives you peace of mind knowing the work is done right and adds real value to your home.

When to Replace a Leaning Garage in Minneapolis

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:07:39 GMT

When homeowners step out into their driveway and notice their detached garage starting to resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa, it's time to take action. Whether the tilt is subtle or so severe the door won't close, a leaning garage points to hidden issues like foundation failure or lack of modern lateral bracing. This is a common problem we see in older homes across the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro is often caused by decades of soil movement or original builders skipping out on the support that keeps a building square.

Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. Often, a heavy windstorm or thick layer of snow could be the final straw for a weakened frame. While some homeowners are tempted to grab a truck and chains to pull it back into place, the real solution depends on whether the foundation is still solid or if decay has gone too far.

Key Takeaways

Foundation shift and sill plate rot are the most common causes in Minnesota.
Modern lateral bracing with plywood sheathing or metal straps prevents future problems.
Come-alongs and hydraulic jacks can restore vertical alignment when properly used.
The decision between repair and replacement depends on the foundation condition and the extent of decay.

Identifying Foundation Shift And Sill Plate Rot

When homeowners step inside a tilting garage, the first place to look is right at the foundation. Many older structures were built on shallow footings that don't reach below Minnesota's frost line, making them vulnerable to constant expansion and contraction of the soil. Winter and spring ground shifts can misalign the foundation and topple the whole building. Cracks in the concrete floor or gaps where walls meet the slab are clear signs that a garage has lost its stable anchor.

Once the foundation begins to move, moisture often settles against the wooden sill plate that sits directly on the concrete. This bottom plate anchors walls to the base, but it's also the most susceptible to decay. If the wood feels soft or crumbles when poked with a screwdriver, the building is seriously compromised. Without a solid, rot-free sill plate, walls have nothing to grip onto, allowing the weight of the roof to push the structure sideways.

To address these issues effectively, we focus on both stabilizing the ground and restoring the wood-to-concrete connection. This might involve installing a new drainage system or regrading soil around the perimeter to keep water away. For the framing, our concrete slab construction process includes proper footings that extend below the frost line, with pressure-treated sill plates secured with modern anchor bolts. By creating a rigid connection that resists future shifting, we help garages stay upright for decades.

Restoring Shear Strength With Lateral Bracing

Behind the walls of many older garages, something is missing that modern building codes now require. Structures built several decades ago often rely on horizontal lap siding or thin wood slats nailed directly to studs rather than solid sheets of plywood. While this look is classic, it lacks the shear strength necessary to keep walls perfectly vertical when heavy winds or snow loads push against the side of the building.

Fixing this wobble involves lateral bracing, which gives a garage a new backbone. We dramatically increase frame stiffness by installing high-quality plywood or OSB sheathing along interior or exterior wall sections. Effective bracing options include:

Plywood or OSB sheathing fastened to top plates, bottom plates, and every stud
Metal strap bracing that transfers forces from the top of the walls directly to the foundation
Diagonal wood blocking between studs for triangulated support
Corner reinforcement is where the most leverage occurs during storms

These components work by creating a rigid diaphragm that prevents wood members from shifting or folding under pressure. Think of it like adding a heavy-duty kickstand to a bicycle. Once we reinforce these weak points with modern techniques, garages feel significantly more solid and are better equipped to handle Minnesota's harsh weather.

Straightening Techniques Using Come-Alongs And Jacks

Once we've determined that a garage is sound enough for repair, the process of pulling it back into alignment begins with heavy-duty come-alongs. We attach these hand-powered winches to the top plate of the leaning wall and anchor the other end to a sturdy, immovable point like a large tree or vehicle. Working slowly and ratcheting the cables just a few inches at a time allows old wood to adjust without snapping. The creaks and groans heard during this process usually signal that the building is moving back toward its original position.

Hydraulic jacks play a supporting role by relieving pressure on wall studs and lifting sagging rooflines. If the lean has caused rafters to dip, placing a jack under a temporary support beam helps square up the entire frame while pulling horizontally. We always use a wide base plate under jacks to prevent them from sinking into dirt or cracking the concrete floor.

Once walls are perfectly vertical, the most important step is locking everything in place with permanent reinforcements. Installing plywood sheathing or metal wind bracing prevents the hard work from reversing the moment tension is released.

Know When to Repair or Rebuild

Deciding whether to save a tilting garage or start from scratch typically comes down to the health of the foundation. If the concrete base is crumbling or severely shifted, even the best framing repairs will only act as a temporary bandage. The cost of lifting the structure, pouring a new slab, and replacing rotted studs quickly approaches what a brand-new build would cost.

Signs your garage can be repaired:

The foundation is stable with minor cracks.
Lean is caused primarily by missing lateral bracing.
Wood rot is limited to the sill plate only.
Walls and roof framing remain structurally sound

Signs your garage needs replacement:

The foundation has shifted multiple inches.
Wood decay extends from the sill plates into the wall studs.
Multiple structural components are compromised.
Cost of repairs approaches 60-70% of replacement cost

Homeowners should also consider their long-term goals for the property, such as whether they need more modern height for a larger vehicle or better insulation for a workshop space.

Professional Garage Replacement in Minneapolis-St. Paul

When the damage is too extensive, garage replacement becomes the better option. At Western Construction, we've been handling complete detached garage replacements across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro since 1949, and we understand the unique building codes and permit requirements for each city. Our turnkey service handles everything from demolition and foundation work to final inspections, so homeowners don't have to coordinate multiple contractors or navigate city hall themselves.

If your garage is leaning and you're uncertain whether to repair or rebuild, we'll assess the foundation, check for decay, and provide an honest recommendation based on what makes the most sense for your situation. By weighing structural realities against budget and future needs, we help homeowners move forward with confidence, knowing their property is safe and stable. Request your free garage quote today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a leaning garage dangerous, or can I wait to fix it?

A leaning structure is a serious safety risk that should be addressed immediately. Without proper lateral support, a heavy windstorm or significant snowfall could cause a weakened frame to collapse entirely. Taking action now prevents a stressful situation from turning into a total loss.

How can I tell if my foundation is causing the tilt?

Inspect the garage floor for large cracks or gaps where walls meet the concrete slab. Many older garages have shallow footings that shift during seasonal temperature changes, which pulls the entire building out of alignment. If the foundation has moved, walls will inevitably follow that shift.

What exactly is a sill plate, and why does it matter?

The sill plate is the wooden beam that sits directly on the concrete foundation and anchors the rest of the walls. If moisture gets trapped against this wood, it can decay and lose its ability to hold the structure. When this bottom plate fails, walls lose their anchor and begin to slide or tilt away from the base.

Can I pull my garage back into place with my truck and some chains?

Homeowners should never attempt to straighten a garage using a vehicle or basic chains because it can cause the structure to collapse. Professional repairs involve using specialized jacks and bracing systems to slowly move the building back to square. This controlled approach prevents snapping weakened wood or causing further damage to the frame.

What are the signs that my garage is beyond repair?

If decay has traveled from the sill plate deep into wall studs, the structure might be too weak to save. The cost of a full foundation replacement versus building a new garage from scratch should also be considered. When damage is widespread, a complete rebuild is often the safer and more cost-effective choice.

How do I prevent my garage from leaning again after it's fixed?

The best way to keep a garage upright is to install modern lateral bracing and proper drainage around the base. Adding plywood shear walls or diagonal bracing helps the building resist wind pressure and movement. Keeping water away from the wooden base will also prevent the decay that leads to shifting in the first place.

Minneapolis Snow Emergency Parking Rules + Garage Benefits

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:58:06 GMT

Minneapolis Snow Emergency Parking Rules (Day 1–3) — And Why a Detached Garage Is the Ultimate Winter Upgrade

Updated for Minneapolis homeowners who are tired of the winter parking shuffle.

If you live in Minneapolis, you already know the routine: a big snowfall hits, the City declares a Snow Emergency, and suddenly the whole neighborhood is doing the “Where can I park tonight?” scramble.

Below is a simple, no-fluff breakdown of Minneapolis Snow Emergency parking procedures—and then the bigger takeaway: why a new detached garage is one of the smartest “Minnesota-proof” upgrades you can make.

What is a Minneapolis Snow Emergency?

A Snow Emergency is declared when the City needs streets cleared quickly for plowing. During a Snow Emergency, parking rules change by day and by street type (Snow Emergency Routes vs. non-routes). If you park incorrectly, you risk tickets and towing.

Official rules and tools are on the City of Minneapolis site: Snow Emergency parking rules and the Snow Emergency parking map.

Minneapolis Snow Emergency Parking Rules: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3

Day 1 (Starts at 9:00 PM)

No parking on either side of Snow Emergency Routes. These are plowed first.
You can typically park on either side of non-route streets (follow posted signs).
Once a street is fully plowed, you can usually park there even if the Snow Emergency is still active.

Day 2 (8:00 AM – 8:00 PM)

On non–Snow Emergency Routes: No parking on the EVEN-numbered side until it’s plowed.
No parking on either side of parkways until they’re plowed.

Day 3 (8:00 AM – Snow Emergency ends)

On non–Snow Emergency Routes: No parking on the ODD-numbered side until it’s plowed.

Fastest way to know where you can park (no guessing)

Use the City’s address lookup: Snow Emergency Parking Map
Get Snow Emergency updates: Snow updates & alerts

Why Snow Emergencies Make a Detached Garage More Than a “Nice-to-Have”

Snow Emergency parking stress is a symptom of one thing: your vehicle is living outdoors in winter with no guaranteed “home base.” A new detached garage solves that problem permanently—and the benefits stack up every single week.

1) No more ticket/tow roulette

Even careful homeowners get caught: wrong side, wrong route, street not fully plowed yet, or you simply missed the alert. A garage eliminates that risk because your parking spot is yours, every day.

2) You stop losing time every snow event

The real cost of winter parking isn’t just money—it’s time: walking blocks, scraping ice, digging out, moving the car twice, and repeating the cycle. A detached garage turns winter from a disruption into a non-event.

3) Better for your vehicle (and your budget)

A garage reduces exposure to extreme cold starts, ice buildup, salt spray, and the constant freeze-thaw cycle. Less winter punishment often means fewer headaches over time.

4) More storage + better daily living

A detached garage isn’t just for a car. It’s a Minnesota lifestyle upgrade: snowblower storage where you need it, organized tools, bikes and gear off the floor, and room for a workshop corner or attic storage.

5) Curb appeal and resale value

In neighborhoods where street parking gets tight, a well-built detached garage is a strong value signal: convenience, security, storage, and winter readiness.

If You Dread Snow Emergency Nights, That’s a Signal

If you’re done playing musical chairs with winter parking, a new detached garage is one of the cleanest quality-of-life upgrades you can make.

Want a garage that ends the winter parking shuffle?

Get a fast, no-pressure quote for a new detached garage built for Minneapolis winters.

Explore Garage Options Request a Quote

Quick FAQ

How do I know if I’m on a Snow Emergency Route?

The City marks routes with signage and also provides an interactive map where you can enter your address: Snow Emergency Parking Map.

Can I park on a street once it’s plowed?

Minneapolis guidance generally allows parking on streets that are fully plowed, even if the Snow Emergency is still active. Always confirm using the City’s map/alerts.

How do I get Snow Emergency alerts automatically?

Use the City’s snow updates page and mobile tools: Snow updates & alerts.

Related reading (recommended internal links):

Garage Builders Near Me: Why Western Construction Is Minnesota’s Top Choice

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:42:55 GMT

🛠️ Garage Builders Near Me in Minneapolis–St. Paul: What to Know

If you’ve been Googling “garage builders near me in Minneapolis or St. Paul,” you're in the right place. Whether you’re in Southwest Minneapolis, Highland Park, or a surrounding Twin Cities suburb, Western Construction, Inc. has the experience and reputation to deliver your dream garage.

We’ve been building garages across the Twin Cities since 1949. Our team understands the local building codes, weather challenges, and zoning regulations—making your garage project hassle-free from start to finish.

📍 Local Garage Contractors Who Know the Twin Cities

When you work with local experts like us, you benefit from:
- ✅ Knowledge of Minneapolis–St. Paul building codes and permits
- ✅ Weather-resistant construction for Minnesota winters
- ✅ Faster service and neighborhood-specific insights

We specialize in building garages that match the character and needs of Twin Cities homes—from classic bungalows to modern remodels.

🏙️ Areas We Serve in the Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro

- Minneapolis (Linden Hills, Nokomis, Longfellow, Northeast, Powderhorn)
- St. Paul (Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, Como Park, Summit-University)
- Nearby suburbs: Edina, Richfield, Bloomington, Maplewood, Roseville, and more

🔨 Our Garage Construction Services

- Detached Garage Builds
- Attached Garages
- Custom Garage Designs
- Garage Additions
- Concrete Slabs & Driveways
- Roofing, Siding, and Gutters
- Permitting and City Approval Assistance

We customize every garage to your property, needs, and budget—and our work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

🏆 Why Twin Cities Homeowners Choose Western Construction

- 🧱 75+ years of local garage building experience
- 📐 Thoughtful designs for your neighborhood and lot
- 🚧 Clean, efficient construction with minimal disruption
- 💬 Honest, open communication every step of the way
- 📝 Free, no-pressure estimates

⭐️ “Western Construction made the process easy from start to finish. They knew exactly what our neighborhood required, and our new garage looks amazing.” — Highland Park Resident, St. Paul, MN

💬 Start Your Minneapolis–St. Paul Garage Project Today

If you're searching for reliable, experienced garage builders near you in the Twin Cities, look no further. Western Construction is your local partner for quality garages in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

📞 Call us today at 952-920-8888 or visit https://www.westernconstructioninc.com/contact/ to request your free quote.

Hannah Chazin Meets Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 00:33:13 GMT

Western Garage Builders Minneapolis, MN

Last summer my daughter Hannah Chazin a business major at High Point University in North Carolina came home and started her (paid) internship with Western Construction, Inc. Hannah will be the third generation Chazin to run the successful Minneapolis Saint Paul garage construction company so I thought now would be as good a time as any to learn how a real business works, instead of just what you learn about business from a book.

The only problem with my plan was the President of High Point University Dr. Nido Qubein was way ahead of me. Dr. Qubein or as the students call him "Nido" already runs his school like a successful business. Everything, I mean everything they do at HPU is to Prepare Students For Life in the Real World.

Case in point, Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak. "Woz" the genius behind Apple Computer began his role as HPU's Innovator in Residence March 23rd, 2016.

Hannah Chazin, HPU student and the next generation of Western Construction, Inc. and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, High Point University's Innovator in Residence.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, the future of Western Garage Builders is bright.

I know some of you are saying, Hey Brad, what about Chazin Interiors? Chazin Interiors is my wife Steffany's business located in Wayzata, MN. Chazin Interiors is a high end furniture store, interior design studio and one of the largest real estate home staging companies in the country. Hannah has made it clear from the start, she'll be replacing both of us one day. In fact, she tells us almost dailey it will be sooner than later.

That's my Baby Girl!

True Focus Vision | A Parents Story

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 14:22:33 GMT

True Focus Vision Therapy

Update 2-1-2017 Joe Schmidt
from KSTP Sports
featured Devan Dubnyk the Minnesota Wild Goalie and Max Chazin in a story about True Focus Vision in Edina, MN.

During our New Year’s Eve dinner with friends, I was sitting next to Mike Palm, a hockey parent whose son plays for UMD. We were bragging about our sons when I mentioned the problem Max was having at the plate. My son, Max Chazin, has been training at Hit Dawg Academy, a baseball training facility in Minneapolis, MN since he was 12 years old. Shawn Wooten, Pat, Matt, and Dan have taught Max how to swing like the pros. At 12 years old, Max came in second place in the Home Run Derby at Bennett Family Park and had the second most home runs during the regular Minnetonka baseball season.

However, his batting average soon fell from over 500 with 20 home runs to 240 with no home runs. We took video of his swing and it was the best on our team, but he was missing the ball by a foot. If it wasn’t his swing, what was causing him to miss the ball by so much?
I took him to 3 ophthalmologists that summer and they all said the same thing, he had 20/20 vision. No way he has 2020 vision, he was missing the baseball ball by a foot.

Mike said there's this place in Edina that works with hockey players to improve their eye sight and it would probably work for baseball players as well. I got excited and couldn't wait for the next day. However, the next day was New Year’s Day and they were closed. I was willing to try something/anything so I spent New Year’s Day Googling sports vision information instead of watching football.

Sports Vision Therapy

I found Josh Tucker and True Focus Vision which sounded like the place Mike was talking about so I called early Saturday morning to see if Max could be tested. Josh said it was a paperwork day but we could schedule a time the following week. I was too excited to take no for an answer so when I said I had cash he finally agreed.

Max and I arrived a 1/2 hour later. Josh carefully explained what they did and how they might be able to help but there were no guarantees. He started the testing and half way through, he said out loud, “Uh oh” Max and I looked at each other and said, “that can’t be good.” You never want to hear uh oh when you’re being tested.

Josh explained that Max's eyes weren’t tracking together (among other issues). We were concerned his issue was too severe to improve.

Josh's partner is an ophthalmologist Dr. Aaron Mjelstad in Hopkins who needed to evaluate Max to make sure there wasn’t something physically wrong with his eyes. Again, first thing Monday morning I called and the appointment was set for Tuesday. There were pictures of baseball, football and other athletes lining the walls of his office which made us optimistic that this was finally the right doctor to evaluate Max.

He did the testing and said Max didn’t have any physical issues and their system would be able to help if he worked hard.

The crazy thing is, we went to get help with baseball but both Josh and Dr. Mjelstad thought this would help in school. Max had a hard time reading because he’d always get headaches. Max was diagnosed at a very young age with dyslexia. Now I’m thinking to myself, was it dyslexia or an eye tracking problem? Dr. Mjelstad was confident this program at True Focus would improve Max’s reading and comprehension. The funny thing is, Max was more excited about the possibility he’d be able to read better then improving at baseball.

Thursday, less than one week from the time I heard about this eye training thing Max put in his first hour. He had to go straight home afterword’s because he was dizzy and felt like throwing up. I was a little concerned this wasn’t the right program but in fact it was. Josh recommended twice a week but I wanted to hit it hard. The Minnetonka Skippers baseball season was starting in 2 months and we wanted to be ready. We decided on three times a week. Max started off with one of the lowest numbers you could get but little by little he was improving. Make no mistake, it wasn’t easy or cheap; but it was worth it.

Max did a fantastic job sticking with it and I can’t say enough about the care and patience Josh and David gave Max. They wouldn’t allow him to let up and were as excited about his improvement as we were.

The first positive change we noticed was when his grades went from C's and D's to A's and B's. Yep, A's!! You should have seen the confidence he was gaining at school.

Then the Skippers baseball season started and Max went from hitting 240 the year before to ending the freshman year at over 500 and was given the MVP at the awards banquet. ERA under 1.5, batting average over 500, and grades of A's and B's.

Not bad, not bad at all!

Thanks Josh!

Minnesota's Most Trusted Garage Builder

zack@westernsince1949.com (Zachary Chazin) — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 22:11:07 GMT

So, I need your help. My son Zachary Chazin like all sons will listen to just about everyone before he listens to me. He's been learning about blogging, web site content, structure and SEO. I asked him to write his first post which he did but of course he wont listen to his father when it comes to constructive criticism.

Please use our Facebook social network button at the end of the post or this link https://www.facebook.com/WesternConstruction to let him know what you think. I'll update this post as the comments come in.

Why Choose Western Construction, Inc.

My grandfather founded this company in 1949 on 2 basic principles:

“Give people what they want, and don’t charge too much.” - Milton Chazin

7 Decades and 3 generations later we still operate off these simple and basic principles. Times may have changed but our company's vision set forth by my grandfather remains untouched.

What sets us apart from our competition is also what makes us Minnesota’s most trusted garage builder.

Our concrete slabs are structurally engineered specifically for the harsh Minnesota weather. Reinforced with wire mesh and rebar. Whereas most builders will use one or the other.

Our concrete men are father son crews - who have been with our company for 3 generations and are the most skilled cement laborers in the business.

Garage Construction

My father, who I call “The Concrete Guru” knows more about cement than I think we both care to admit. He takes pride in traveling across the country to cement expos, learning about the best practices used to create a product that separates us from the rest. Like he always says “You can tell the difference between a Wester Garage and our competitors, by looking at the slab 10 years later”

Concrete is one of the most important parts of garage construction. It is our reputation and it is something we take much pride in. You can fix a loose shingle but once the slab is poured there is often no going back.

Additionally the fact that we are a family business that has been operating for 70 consecutive years, speaks volumes over our competitors. If you have a question, comment or concern. You call me direct on my cell phone or the office and are sure to speak directly to me or my father who is the president of the company. No run around. No nonsense.

When choosing between garage builders, the most important question to ask yourself is simple. Who do you trust. At western we don’t use modern day sales practices. We don’t go for the one call close, or hassle you on the phone until you buy from us. We give you a fair and honest estimate and let our work history speak for itself. Then we build you a garage that we all can be proud of. The way it should be."

Minneapolis MN Garage Building Permit Cost

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 22:25:00 GMT

How much does a detached garage building permit cost in the City of Minneapolis MN?

That depends on the size of detached garage you want to build. In the old days, the City of Minneapolis MN would base their detached garage fee schedule on the actual sale price of your garage. Since the selling price of contractors will vary, the City of Minneapolis now uses

a detached garage value based on the State of Minnesota data. That cost per square foot is $37.81.

Fore example, a 22x22 detached garage is 484 square feet @ $37.81 per square foot = $18,300.04 Minnesota valuation. Then the City of Minneapolis use's a secret formula to come up with the actual permit cost of $436.40. They're not done yet, a surcharge of $9.15 is added for a total 22x22 Minneapolis detached garage permit fee of $445.55.

For Example:

A 20' wide 22' deep two car detached garage is 440 square feet at $16,636.40 per square foot State of Minnesota valuation is $396.80 plus s/c of $8.32 is a total Minneapolis MN detached garage permit cost of $405.12.
A 22' wide 22' deep two car detached garage = 484 square feet x $18,300.04 per square foot = $436.40 + $9.15 state surcharge for a grand total of $445.55.
A 24' wide 24' deep detached garage = 576 square feet x $21,778.56 per square foot = $495.80 + $10.89 s/c = $506.69.
A 30' wide 22' deep three car detached garage = 660 square feet x $24,954.60 per square foot = $555.20 + $12.48 s/c = $567.68.

Click here for a complete list of the City of Minneapolis MN Detached Garage Fee Schedule.

Minnesota Custom Garage Builders | Western Construction Inc

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 19:12:00 GMT

I was recently contacted by a customer who asked if we were a custom garage builder? Of course, we're the Twin Cities best custom garage builders, why do you ask? He said our web site is full of garages but nothing came close to the type of custom garage he wanted.

I asked him what he was looking for and he gave me a nice list to start with.

Custom attached garage
Had to start this year meaning, winter construction
Flat roof
Custom one of kind Trex deck on top of the flat roof
Cable railing so not to obstruct the view of Lake Minnetonka
Siding had to match his historic Tonka Bay home
Field stone also had to match the era of the home
All molding had to match
Doors and windows to match his 100 year old home
Room enough for at least three cars
Insulated
Sheetrock
Taped, sanded and painted
Heated
Wiring including phone, cable and the Internet had to be hard wired

I asked him if that was all and he said that's all he could think of at the moment! I had to think about taking on this sort of custom garage project not because it was difficult to build but because it was the end of the Minnesota garage building season and I knew it would go at least until the end of February. Most custom garage builders would turn down a garage project like this but I was really excited about making my customers dreams come true. Winter construction created more issues than his wish list but this was a repeat customer and I didn't want to let him down.

New Garage Sold Home

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 14:00:00 GMT

Earlier this spring I spoke with a Minneapolis homeowner who was trying to sell her home. She was uncertain spending the money on a new garage would be a good investment.

After a short phone call she decided to have me out so we could discuss her options.

She explained that she's had several open houses and not one offer. Not even a low ball offer. Her Realtor told her it was because of the old dilapidated detached garage. Her Realtor also told her about several cars pulling into the driveway and after seeing the existing garage, backed out and drove away. She couldn’t believe no one wanted her beautiful Minneapolis home because of a stupid old garage.

I explained to Leslie that I hear that all the time and I believed a new garage would defiantly help.

Leslie thought I was just trying to sell another job. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I wanted to sell a job but if it doesn’t benefit the customer I’ll tell them the truth. Her Realtor was the one pushing for the new garage. He was tired of hosting open houses and not getting any offers.

Leslie and her husband Mike talked it over and decided to give it a try. We removed their old 16x20 detached garage. The new garage size had to be large enough to appeal to the largest number of prospects so we decided on my Realtor Special, a 20x22 two car. That’s an appropriate size for a city like Minneapolis. We didn't want to build anything too fancy or elaborate. The ROI (return on investment) wouldn't be there if we over built so we matched the color vinyl siding of the home, a standard gable roof with standard overhangs, wrapped the overhangs in aluminum for the maintenance free look new homeowners want and called it good.

The project had to be completed within 4 weeks because there was all ready another open house scheduled. The project was finished, cleaned up and ready for the open house on Sunday.

Believe it or not there was a signed purchase agreement on Monday. Leslie called to tell me the great news and thanked everyone at Western Construction, Inc. for a job well done.

I don’t want to take all the credit for this home being sold BUT!

Before the new Western Garage: Not sold

After the new Western Garage: Sold

You be the judge.

How can Western help you?

Garage Building - Plan Ahead To Save Hundreds/Thousands

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 14:26:00 GMT

The first thing you need to do when building a garage is plan ahead and visualize everything that goes into it. You'll need to do this in advance because its free to make changes before the work starts. After the work starts it could cost you hundreds if not thousands of dollars to make the same change.

Garage Building 101

What size garage will best fit your lot and storage requirements.
Would you like storage in the rafters or just on the slab.
If you store items in the rafters how will you access that area?
Do you want windows and if so what kind, what size, what style and how many?
What kind of siding and roofing will fit you're budget and home?

What type of concrete and reinforcing will I want for my new slab?
24x4 or 2x6 wall studs?
factory truss rafters or hand frame rafters?
Standard 3 tab shingles or upgraded architectural shingles?
Is a 16x7 overhead garage door large enough for my vehicles?
Do I want an automatic door opener, if so how many remotes?
Do I want an insulation, what about sheetrock?
Placement, do I want to face the alley or opposite property line?
Electric, how many inside overhead lights, wall receptacles, outside lights?

Standard Two Car Garage

Storage Truss With Floor and Ladder

Attic Truss With Floor and Staircase

Attic Truss With Dormers

Garage Builders Warning About De-icing Chemicals on Slabs & Driveways

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:00:00 GMT

At Western Garage Builders we always recommend keeping de-icing chemicals off new Minnesota garage slabs and concrete driveways for at least 12 months. This year (2014) with the below normal November temperatures its more important than ever. Truth be told, you should never use de-icing chemicals on concrete.

Garage Builders MN Warning about De-icing chemicals on garage slabs

One major problem we can’t control is what MNDOT applies to our roadways and alleys. To protect life and property the Minnesota Department of Transportation will use de-icing chemicals all winter long and we have no idea or control on what products they use.

Your vehicles under carriage and wheel wells are full of the stuff, and then it melts leaving a dangerous mix of harmful chemicals all over your garage slab.

This harmful and toxic mess needs to be shoveled out of your garage and not tossed on your driveway but put back where it came from, the roadway or alley.

There are several chemicals used in ice-melt products

Calcium Magnesium Acetate and Sodium Chloride/Rock Salt. These probably do the most damage to concrete and should never be used.

Calcium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride and Potassium Chloride are less harmful but can damage grass, plants and can be lethal to pets. Again, less harmful than Calcium Magnesium Acetate and Sodium Chloride/Rock Salt but I'd still wouldn't recommend using any of these products on concrete. Especially concrete placed in the last 12 months.

A healthy alternative to chemicals

If you really need to increase traction to your garage slab, driveway and sidewalks consider sawdust, kitty litter and what I use, sand. You can purchase sand in any big box store buy the tube or bag. It’s even great to keep in the trunk of your car for better traction and in a jam you can use it to get unstuck!

Garage Slab Construction - How To Protect Concrete In Cold Weather

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 14:02:00 GMT

Normally we're able to pour garage slabs all the way to Thanksgiving. This year however, Mother Nature didn't cooperate. This November was so cold we had to stop pouring garage slabs and wait for warmer weather. We still needed to get a couple of jobs done so we went into cold weather mode.

First, a Warning about de-icing chemicals

At this point I want to remind all my customers to keep deicing chemicals off the surface of all exterior concrete during the first winter, especially your garage slab and driveway. Deicers can lead to spalling of newer concrete. In fact I'd recommend never putting de-icing chemicals on your concrete, but that's just me!

Cold weather concrete

The first thing for cold weather construction is to protect the ground from freezing. Never, I mean never place concrete on frozen ground.

We can control the concrete temperature for proper curing but not the ground so its critical we don't allow the ground to freeze.

To accomplish this we cover the ground with insulated cement curing blankets with an R-value of 5. Then we cover the blankets with a standard blue tarp or black poly to keep any snow or rain off the area we want to work. Don't worry if it snows, in fact several inches of snow or more will act as natural insulation, keeping the ground that much warmer.

Then you pray and wait for warmer weather. As long as the ground doesn’t freeze you can still pour when the temperature gets above 32 degrees.

Once the slab has been poured we need to protect it until the concrete can handle the cold on its own.

Once the concrete has gained strength to 500-psi compressive strength it can handle the cold on its own. If the concrete stays at 50 degrees or more it should reach 500-psi compressive strength the second day. Its important to note, we're not talking about 50 degrees air temperature we're talking about 50 degrees cement temperature.

Cold Weather Garage Slab Mix

Cemstone, our ready mix producer will use hot water heated to about 65 degrees when it leaves the plant.
We'll order a slump at or less than 4.
We'll use air-entrained concrete to reduce bleeding and protect the slab from freeze thaw cycles.
Concrete accelerators may be used to get the cement to set up faster.
To make the chemical reaction hotter we'll add extra cement. Typically we'll use (high-early strength) cement, which hydrates more quickly.

In Conclusion, is a slab poured in cold weather as strong as one poured in May?

At the end of the day, after all the precautions I'm often asked if cold weather cement will be as strong as other cement? The answer is YES.

Although concrete gains strength more slowly, the overall strength of cold weather cured concrete will be the same as concrete cured at 70 degrees. It just happens at a slower rate.

2 Car 2 Story Garage Using Attic Trusses and Dormers

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:52:00 GMT

Minnesota homeowners looking to add functional square footage to their property are discovering that a 2 car 2 story garage offers far more value than a traditional home addition. While a room addition can be a substantial investment, a two-story detached garage provides both protected vehicle storage and an entirely new upper level for your growing needs.

A standard 24x24 detached two-car garage gives homeowners 576 square feet on the main level for vehicles, bikes, lawn equipment, snow blowers, and seasonal storage. When we add a second floor using 12/12 room-in-attic trusses, the upper level provides another 336 square feet of usable space. Combined, that's 912 square feet of functional area. This upper floor can serve as a home office, exercise room, hobby space, or guest suite depending on what fits your lifestyle best.

Key Takeaways

A 24x24 footprint is the modern standard for two-car garages, providing 576 square feet of space to accommodate large SUVs and trucks while allowing for clear walking paths and door clearance.
Building to a height of 25 feet doubles your usable square footage without sacrificing yard space, providing enough vertical clearance for eight-foot ceilings on both levels and the potential for ground-floor car lifts.
The second story serves as a highly versatile Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) that can generate rental income, provide a private guest suite, or create a quiet, professional home office away from household noise.
Choosing a gambrel roof over a standard gable roof maximizes interior volume and provides near-vertical walls on the second floor, making the upper level more functional for living and hobby spaces.

Choosing Between Roof Styles for Maximum Space

The roof style we build determines how much usable space the second floor will have. A standard gable roof provides a classic triangular profile that sheds Minnesota snow effectively, but the sloped walls can limit standing room near the edges. If storage or a narrow workspace is the goal, a gable roof works perfectly well.

For homeowners planning to use the upper level as a functional living space, we often recommend a gambrel roof design. This style features two different slopes on each side, creating nearly vertical walls on the second floor. The result is more headroom throughout the entire upper level, making it far easier to move furniture, install full-height shelving, or simply walk comfortably without ducking. Minneapolis two-story garages built with gambrel roofs are particularly popular among homeowners converting their second floors into dedicated work or living areas.

Adding Dormers to Expand the Upper Level

One South Minneapolis homeowner near Lake Harriet took their 2-story garage project to the next level. After the first winter using the second floor for basic storage, they realized the potential for something much more functional. We had originally built their 24x28 garage with room-in-attic trusses and a 10/12 roof pitch, then added dormers to both sides. These dormers significantly expanded the usable floor area on the second level, creating enough room for a proper home office and recreation space.

The second floor in this garage has ¾-inch tongue-and-groove plywood flooring with a full staircase for easy access. The main garage level includes our standard wiring package, while the upstairs is wired for serious use with Cat-5 internet connections, dedicated lighting, wall receptacles, and even TV hookups. This homeowner now has a 25-foot commute from the house to a fully functional workspace.

Access Options for Your Second Floor

Homeowners have two main choices when it comes to reaching the upper level. A drop-down attic ladder works well if the second floor will be used primarily for seasonal storage or occasional access. This keeps the main garage floor clear and is a budget-friendly option.

For anyone planning to use the second floor regularly as a home office, workshop, or guest space, we recommend installing a full staircase. Climbing a ladder multiple times per day gets old fast, especially when carrying supplies or equipment. Choosing between a staircase and ladder depends on how often the space will be accessed and what it will be used for.

Planning Your Two-Story Garage

When homeowners call Western Construction about a two-story garage, we start by understanding their goals for both levels. Vehicle storage needs, desired upper-floor function, budget considerations, and lot setback requirements all play a role in determining the final design. We handle the permit process for your specific municipality and build garages that meet all local code requirements.

Whether the goal is a quiet workspace away from household noise, a guest suite for visiting family, or simply maximizing storage capacity without expanding the garage footprint, building vertically makes practical sense. We've been building detached garages in all styles since 1949, and our team understands how to design a second floor that fits both the homeowner's lifestyle and the property's constraints.

If you're considering a 2 car 2 story garage for your Minneapolis or St. Paul property, request your free garage quote to discuss what options work best for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space do I actually need for two vehicles?

A 24x24 footprint is the gold standard because it provides 576 square feet of space. This size ensures you can fully open the doors of large SUVs or trucks without hitting walls or the other car. You also get clear walking paths for carrying groceries or gear comfortably.

How tall can a 2 story garage be?

You can reach heights of up to 25 feet to create a truly functional living space. This height allows for a full second story with comfortable ceilings rather than a cramped attic. It even provides enough vertical clearance on the ground floor to install a car lift for your hobby projects.

Can I use the second floor as a living space?

Absolutely, these structures are perfect for transforming into Accessory Dwelling Units or guest suites. Because you are building upward, you gain a massive amount of living area without taking up more of your backyard. It is an ideal way to host family or create a private rental unit.

Is it better to build out or build up?

Building up is the ultimate space-saving solution for smaller lots. You double your usable square footage while keeping your yard open for gardening or play. This vertical approach adds significant value to your property by maximizing every square foot of the footprint.

What are some creative ways to use the upper level?

The possibilities are endless, ranging from a quiet home office to a high-end art studio with vaulted ceilings. Many homeowners use the space for a dedicated hobby shop or a fitness center away from the main house. It provides a perfect buffer from household noise for whatever you choose to do.

Will a 24x24 garage fit my modern truck or SUV?

Modern vehicles have grown quite a bit, so the extra width of a 24-foot structure is essential. It prevents the cramped feeling of older 20x20 garages and gives you plenty of room to maneuver. You will have a stress free parking experience every time you pull in.

Sealing Your Concrete Garage Slab and Driveway

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 12:29:00 GMT

Sealing Concrete For Minnesota Winters

One of the most important things you can do to protect your garage slab and driveway investment is to get a good cement sealer on it. According to Cemstone one of our suppliers, properly sealing all exterior flat work will help maintain the appearance and durability for many years. The sealer should be applied approximately 30 days after placement. Waiting 30 days insures the concrete has had adequate time to cure.

It's very important to make sure your garage slab and driveway are sealed PRIOR to the first winter.

The purpose of sealing your concrete is to keep moisture and harsh contaminants like deicing chemicals from absorbing into the cement. Your car will pick up these contaminants from winter driving not to mention leaking motors, spilled gasoline and anything else found in your garage. MnDOT will use chemicals and salts to keep our Minnesota winter streets clear. However, these contaminates can harm your slab if allowed to soak in.

Even the best garage sealer will eventually degrade from environmental effects and no longer function as designed. Your garage slab and driveway should be resealed on a regular basis in accordance with the sealer's instructions or as needed.

Concrete Maintenance Tips

Avoid using harsh acids for cleaning. Only use products designed for use for Minnesota.
Make sure you floor and driveway are sealed PRIOR to the first winter.
Removing snow and ice will increase its service life.
Avoid using de-icing chemicals during the first winter. Instead use sand for traction.
Avoid fertilizer, fertilizers contain substances which chemically attack cement.
Always check the labels on de-icers. never use products with ammonium or magnesium. These products are often sold as deicers, but they rapidly disintegrate cement. Sodium chloride is the safest deicer for concrete.

Diana Chazin Levitt Memorial Fund

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 17:03:00 GMT

The Diana Chazin Levitt Memorial Fund Needs Your Help

Its been over 20 years since my baby sister Diana Chazin Passed away from Leukemia at the age of 30. Since her passing we've been holding yearly fundraisers in Diana's honor. This year, the 20th year will be our last.

To date we've raised over $315,000.00 and donated 100% of the proceeds to various charities including a school house in Kenya.

Pictured is Margo Levitt, Diana's daughter with her Uncle Stuart Chazin and father Alan Levitt. They helped the locals build the school house out of mud and straw which are the only building materials available in this remote part of Kenya.

On behalf of the Diana Chazin Levitt Memorial Fund we would like you to become one of our proud sponsors for the 20^th & Final Diana Chazin Levitt memorial Fund Benefit Party to be held Saturday August 16th, 2014 at Bar Fly (formally Skyway theater) in Downtown Minneapolis, MN.

To date the Diana Chazin Levitt Memorial Fund has donated over $315,000.00 to charities including:

Diana Chazin Levitt Endowment Fund, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alzheimer Association, Diana Chazin Levitt Memorial Playground, Yeshiva of Minneapolis, United Way September 11^th Fund, Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, Sabes Jewish Community Center, Michael LaBelle Alternative Medicine Fund, Aids Service Center of Pasadena, Minneapolis Heart Foundation, Diana Chazin Levitt School located at the Howie Stillman Campus in Kenya.

Our goal is to reach $350,000.00 in total donations and we cannot do it without your help!

Platinum: $1250+ / Gold: $750+ / Silver: $500+ / Bronze: 250+

By donating, your name/corporate name will reach thousand’s of people

thru facebook, tweeter, emails, etc.

Please make check payable to:

DIANA CHAZIN LEVITT MEMORIAL FUND

C/O Jewish Community Foundation of the MJF

13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 200

Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305

The Minneapolis Jewish Federation is a Section 501 c3 public charity

Federal Identification Number: 41-0693866

Your donation should be mailed by March 1, 2014

Bradley Chazin

President

Western Construction, Inc. Inc.4301 Highway 7 Suite #115Minneapolis, MN 55416

St Paul Garage Home Office

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 18:34:00 GMT

St Paul Garage Home Office

Ten years ago Western Garage Builders only built three to five detached garages a year for homeowner looking to use part of their garage for a home office. Years before that it was even less. Today we build 45-50 garage home offices a year.

If you think about the ROI return on investment for a garage home office it really makes sense. The additional cost to add a 10x22 home office is a fraction of building a room addition attached to your home with the same square footage.

For instance adding 10 more feet to your 22' deep garage will add $4,437.00. Adding a 220 square foot room addition will start at $38,000.00. Looks like a no brainier to me! In fact this morning I'm signing up a couple who live in St Paul not too far from this garage. They started looking at a 22x24 garage but after asking what they wanted their garage for we started looking at other options.

We looked at adding a second floor which would keep the garage footprint smaller but they were concerned that as they aged the stairs could be a problem. They considered putting their garage office in the back of the garage. The problem for them was it brought the garage too close to their home. The best option was to add the garage office to the side of their just like the garage in these pictures.

They decided on a 34' wide garage which is the widest garage we could put on their St Paul lot. In St Paul the side yard setback for a gargae is 3' so a 34' garage with a 3' side yard set back on each side fills out the 40'.

St Paul Garage Location Issues

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 16:47:00 GMT

St Paul Garage

As the owner of Western Garage Builders I get calls all the time about garage location issues. Theres always something in the way like a tree or garden. Then there are time where you really need to scratch your head to figure out the best way to build a garage.

Like this St Paul Garage

This garage is on Snelling Avenue in St Paul across from the fair grounds. Parking is at a premium in their neighborhood because every square inch of their yard needs to have a car parked on it during the Minnesota State Fair. The telephone pole could be moved but in this situation the cost was prohibitive.

I took out my magic tape measure to see exactly what our options were.

If you look at the first picture it appears the pole is blocking access into the garage.

If you look at the second picture which was taken straight on, the pole is actually 6" inside the line of the garage door.

Picture number three was taken from the view of a car as you would enter the garage.

In most St Paul Garage alley locations you'd be able to enter the garage from either side of the alley. In this case you will only be able to enter the garage from the south. As it turns out because we set the garage back from the alley 8' they have no problem at all getting into or out of their new garage.

The've also maximized the off street parking the have for their son, guests and all those happy Minnesota State Fair goers.

Are you planning on build a new garage this year or next? If so please contact Western Garage Builders to get more information. St Paul 651-6644-6900 or Minneapolis 952-920-8888.

Minneapolis St Paul Garage Heater Size Requirements

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:03:00 GMT

Garage Heater Size Requirements

Hey Minneapolis and St Paul homeowners. Winter's just around the corner and now is the perfect time to consider adding a heater to your garage before winter.

One of the most commons questions I get about garage heaters is, what size garage heater should I install in my new Western garage?

The answer as always is, it depends.

What size garage are you building?
Is your garage insulated or not?
Do you have a ceiling?
Did you insulate the garage slab?

Minneapolis St Paul Garage heater size recommendations,

1 to 1-1/2 car garage 30,000 btu/hr
2 to 2-1/2 car garage 45,000 btu/hr
3 to 3-1/2 car garage 60,000 btu/hr

Be sure to tell Western Garage Builders you're going to be heating the garage before the garage building process begins.

You want to make sure ice and water shield is installed prior to the shingling of your roof to prevent ice dam damage. Minnesota code currently does not require ice and water but all Western garages come standard with ice and water shield.

When you insulate make sure you have ventilation from the eaves pulling cold air up and out your roof vents or vented ridge vent. This will help prevent ice dams and all the problems associated with ice dams.

A insulated garage door is a must if your going to heat your garage.

Garage Heater

Don't forget about the concrete. Insulating your concrete floor is expensive but its a great idea if your going to be working in there all winter long.

If you need more information about garage heater size or heating a garage contact Western Construction today.

Minneapolis Garage Builder Found and Gave Back $7000.00

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:30:00 GMT

Minneapolis Garage Builder Found $7,000.00?

In 1974 there was s sign that hung on the wall in the principal’s office at the St Louis Park High School (so I was told) that read;

The true character of a man is based on what he would do if he would not be found out.

I've often thought about that sign and recently I had a chance to apply it first hand.

We built a detached garage in South Minneapolis. The owner was a elderly man who had numerous health issues so his daughter moved in to take care of him. They now needed a two car garage and after many years of procrastanation they decided to build their dream garage

Six weeks later we finished their garage and of course they couldn’t have been happier (they were Western Garage customers after all!). They were so happy they paid for the garage before we had a chance to bill them.

Several months later as I was balancing the books and noticed a $7,000 discrepancy. The good news was I had $7,000 more than I thought I should have. However, everything needs to tie out so after hours of going over several months of bank statements I discovered the error.

Those wonderful people in South Minneapolis with their dream garage had over paid. I couldn’t believe it. In the 64 years Western Garage Builders has been building garages no one has ever overpaid nearly that much.

Now, here is when the sign comes in.

I thought to my self, what should I do with the extra money? I could keep it and no one would be the wiser (remember the sign) or I could do the right thing and return it. My father always taught his children to do the right thing so returning the money was the obvious choice. And then that sign came to mind and I started laughing. My diving coach and principal Mr. Wanio would be so proud to know 40 years later his favorite student (I’d like to think so) is still thinking about that sign.

I had a 4′ replica check made up and my son and I presented it to the homeowners. They had tears in their eyes. They were so happy and appreciative that anyone, especially a contractor would return that much money. All you hear about in the media these days is about the contractor’s that take advantage of the elderly. You never hear about the honest Minneapolis builders that protect the elderly. Western Garage Builders is definitely one of those good Minneapolis Builders.

Click here to read their Thank You Letter and to see a picture of the $7,000.00 presentation.

Garage Roof Collapse Season is Almost Here

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 21:53:00 GMT

Garage Roof Collapse

How does the word collapse pertain to garage roofs.

To fall down or inward suddenly; cave in.
To break down suddenly in strength and thereby cease to function
To fold compactly

Winter is coming to Minnesota and garage roofs all over the Minneapolis St Paul area will be collapsing.

While this is good news for Western (we build a lot of new garages due to garage roof cave in) its bad news for Minnesota homeowners. Your car and belongings are often damaged beyond repair and the process of fighting with your insurance company to get everything replaced is a daunting one.

You can eliminate all those headaches by replacing your old worn out garage with a new Western garage this fall.

There is still time to replace your garage but time is running out.

Western Garage Builders

This picture reminds me why Western Garage Builders puts so much thought into the engineering of every garage and garage roof we build.

This is what happened;

The garage slab has a large crack that has been separating for many years due to insufficient steel reinforcing
This caused the walls to sink and bow out at the bottom
Which helped the garage roof rafters under heavy snow load to separate resulting in the collapse

Is it time for your new Western Garage?

Fill out the contact form on the right or call Western Garage Builders at Minneapolis 952-920-8888 or St Paul 651-644-6900 for more details.

Western Garage Builders Cruise Giveaway

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:04:00 GMT

10 Cruises for 10 Customers

Western Garage Builders has been recognized as the leading Garage Builder in the Minneapolis St Paul area by our supplier. To celebrate we were awarded 10 cruise vacations to give out to our next 10 customers.

Whats really cool about the cruises is they are a "thank you" gift, so if you don't end up using the cruise certificate, you can give it to a friend, family member, co-worker or even donate it to charity of your choice.

Western Garage Builders works really hard to make each and every garage we build the best built garage in the Twin Cities. To have our supplier award us with these 10 cruise certificates to give away is a real honor.

A few sample ocean cruise options:

Mexican Riviera: From Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Southern Caribbean: From San Juan Puerto Rico to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, Aruba
and 2 days at sea.

Exotic Western Caribbean: From Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or Tampa to Key West, Belize, Cozumel, Progresso and 2 days at sea.

Eastern Caribbean: From Miami, Ft. Lauderdale or Port Canaveral to San Juan, St. Thomas,
St. Maarten and 3 days at sea.

With NO “black out” dates, Customer may select from available 4, 5 or 7 day cruises on Royal Caribbean, Carnival or Norwegian Cruise Lines. All travel must be booked at least 90 days in advance. Customer must provide transportation to and from departure port.

Minneapolis St Paul Garage Builders

Western Garage Builders has been building garages in the Minneapolis St Paul metro area since 1949. Its quite an honor to be singled out by our supplier as the best Minneapolis and St Paul Garage Builder and the 10 cruises are just icing on the cake!

Western Garage Builders only has 10 cruises to give away to our next 10 customers so please contact us right away at 952-920-8888 for more details.

Due to the limited supply this offer is for new customers only.

Garage Parking Mat

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 14:35:00 GMT

Garage Parking Mat

Western Garage Builders is often asked, what size garage do I need to fit my car? Of course the answer depends on the type and size of car you want to put into your new Western Garage.

According to Wiki Answers the average length of a car is 13.5'.

When we discuss garage sizes we want to remember we're using outside dimensions. A 20x22 garage has 2x4 walls sitting on top of 6"-8" wide blocks. This makes the interior dimensions 1' less front to back and side to side. Therefore the actual interior dimensions of a 20x22 garage is 19x21.

There are many products on the market which can help you with this parking problem. I goggled garage parking mats and found a mat made by Maxsa which sells for less than $19.99.I go into garages everyday where a average size vehicle (13.5') is pulled almost all the way to the back of a 22' deep garage leaving little if any garage storage space. You should have 2-6' of storage depending on the size of your car.

Maxsa Product Description

Park your car safely and easily with the Maxsa Red Parking Mat. Roll over the first hump and be stopped by the second to know that you have parked in the exact right place, every time. The Red Parking Mat allows you to park safely and easily so you don't damage your vehicle or your garage. The included anti-skid tape prevents the mat from moving, and a reflective strip provides high visibility, even in low light.

How did we come up with the average car size?

According to the web site Wiki Answers there was a study done in Portland, Oregon to find the average length of a car. They wanted to see what size parking spaces would be needed to accommodate people.

They measured 390 vehicles (Front bumper of the body to the rear bumper) and found the average length of 13.51706036745407 feet. This is the average size for midsized sedans/coupes.
A vehicle over 16.40419947506562 (5.0 meters) would be considered a large sized truck or SUV (Usually Commercial sized heavy duty diesels, like the Ford F-350-450).

Garage Door Threshold Minneapolis St Paul

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 31 Aug 2013 14:19:00 GMT

Garage Door Threshold

The other day I was flying home from Boston to Minneapolis and I happened to see a add in the Delta Sky Mall magazine for garage door thresholds.

All though this type of product isn't new I think its overlooked as a simple solution for wind blown water, snow and debris.

You could spend thousands of dollars replacing your garage floor, hundreds of dollars on epoxy products that will only last a few years or you could spend less than a $100 on a garage door threshold.

There are several manufactures that make similar garage door threshold products. I goggled garage door thresholds and Tsunami Seal Garage Door Threshold showed up first on Amazon so I've taken that information and listed it below. Western Garage Builders dosen't endorse any product, this is for information purposes only.

From the Manufacturer

The Tsunami Seal Garage Threshold Door Seal mounts to your garage floor creating the perfect seal between your door and your garage floor. The Garage Door Threshold Seal creates a tight seal for your garage door which will keep leaves, dirt, water and snow from being blown under the garage door by the wind. Also, if you have a sloped driveway or an uneven garage floor and water is seeping under your garage door, the Door Seal adds a 1/2-Inch tall barrier to the garage floor. The Door Seal will also help keep out unwanted insects and snakes. By creating a better seal, your garage will stay warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer, helping to keep your energy cost down.

Product Description

Tsunami Seal Garage Door Threshold Seal. The Tsunami Seal Garage Threshold Door Seal mounts to your garage floor, creating the perfect seal between your door and your garage floor. The Garage Door Seal creates a tight seal for your garage door which will keep leaves, dirt, water and snow from being blown under the garage door by the wind. Also, if you have a sloped driveway or an uneven garage floor and water is seeping under your garage door, the Door Seal adds a 1/2" tall barrier to the garage floor. The Door Seal will also help keep out unwanted insects and snakes. By creating a better seal, your garage will stay warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer, helping to keep your energy cost down. The Door Seal works great with all types of garage doors including roll-up doors, hinged wood doors and walk-through doors. The one-piece strip is permanently secured to the garage floor with the included Liquid Nails Polyurethane Adhesive. Kit includes the one-piece Door Seal, Liquid Nails Ultra Duty Poly Adhesive, and a metal caulking gun. The unique vinyl polymers used to produce the Tsunami Seal Garage Threshold Door Seal, in conjunction with the outstanding properties of Liquid Nails Ultra Duty Poly Adhesive, allow Auto Care Products, Inc. to create a product that is so durable that we can offer a lifetime warranty. Dimensions: 10' Kit - 120.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 5.00 lbs. 16' Kit - 192.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 8.00 lbs. 18' Kit - 216.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 9.00 lbs. 20' Kit - 240.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 10.00 lbs. 50' Kit - 600.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 25.00 lbs. 100' Kit - 1200.00" L x 3.50" W x 0.50" H; Weight - 50.00 lbs

Garage Floors & Construction

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 17:46:00 GMT

Western Garage Builders learns about Garage Floors and Garage Construction

Besides 64 years of experience placing Garage Floors and Garage Construction Western Garage Builders wants to be in the forefront of any new trends in Garage Floor construction technology. One of the events we go to for education is the World of Concrete.

My wife makes fun of me because while in Las Vegas I actually go to 40 hours of concrete education every year.

The World Of Concrete is a five day cement construction event where they display the latest technologies, resources and education the concrete industry has too offer. With all the changes in our industry it's critical to be on top of those changes.

Some of the cosponsors;

American Concrete Institute
Portland Cement Association
Wire Reinforcement Institute
American Concrete Pavement Association
American Pumping Association
American Society of Concrete Contractors
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association
International Concrete Repair Institute
Fiber Reinforcement Concrete Association

If you have any questions about garage floors or garage concrete construction this is the place to be. Please direct your questions about Garage floors Construction to, Western Garage Builders Minneapolis 952-920-8888 St Paul 651-644-6900.

Two Car Garage Fall Special | Time Is Running Out

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 22:48:00 GMT

Two Car Garage Fall Special

The proof is in this picture of a beautiful maple tree outside my office. The calender might say its summer, the weather forecasters on TV may say its still summer but Mother Nature is always right and she says fall is fast approaching and winter can't be far behind.

The Minneapolis St Paul Garage Building Season is Almost Over

In Minneapolis - St Paul the Garage Building season is fast coming to a end.

One of the most often asked questions this time of year is;

I want my two car Garage before the snow flies, how late in the year can you pour Garage Slabs and Driveways?

The answer is until Mother Nature tells me I can't pour anymore. The actual date varies from year to year but we're usually done with Garage Slabs around the first of November.

Why can't you pour Garage Slabs all winter? The answer to that question is in the concrete it's self.

A Garage slab is 11% Portland Cement
A Garage Slab is 6% air
A Garage Slab is 41% aggregate
A Garage Slab is 26% sand
A Garage Slab is 16% water

Its the water in the Garage Slab that causes winter placement problems. Once the ground freezes and the frost gets several inches deep we have to stop placing concrete for Detached Garage Slabs and driveways. If we placed wet concrete on frozen ground, the water would freeze and turn into ice, then expand causing the surface of the concrete to flake off. This would be structurally OK but not acceptable ascetically.

There are things we can do to keep the Garage Slab from freezing. We insulate the ground with cement blankets until we're ready to pour. We pull the cement blankets, pour the slab as quickly as possible and cover the slab with the same cement blankets we used to keep the frost out of the yard. All this comes at a expense so its not done very often.

If you want a Detached Garage Built this year you should place your order with Western Garage Builders ASAP. Time is Really Running Out!

Call 952-920-8888 or click now for your Free Detached Garage Quote

Minneapolis Garage Moving Requirements

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 01:38:00 GMT

Minneapolis Garage Moving Requirements

The City of Minneapolis requires building permits and inspections in order to move a garage from outside or within the City of Minneapolis to and from another address.

It probably should go without saying but the garage to be moved must me in good condition. Check the roofing, siding, soffit /fascia, framing and bottom plates for signs of rotting. If the garage has wood siding make sure the paint isn't flaking and or peeling prior to moving.

Garages Mpls

If your moving a garage to a new address in the City of Minneapolis you'll most likely be putting the garage on a new garage slab. Make sure you obtain a building permit prior to pouring the new slab and for the placement of the garage. If you're hiring a contractor make sure they pull all aplicaple building permits before any work starts or money changes hands.

Minneapolis Garage Requirements

City of Minneapolis Garage Moving Permit
City of Minneapolis Garage BUilding Permit
City of Minneapolis Garage Electrical Permit
Don't forget to call for all inspections including the final inspection.

Or you could contact Western Garage Builders at Minneapolis 952-920-8888 St Paul 651-644-6900 for a free quote on a new garage. Call today!!

Garage Replacement Minneapolis St Paul

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:43:00 GMT

Garage Replacement Minneapolis St Paul

Western Garage Builders has been your garage replacement Minneapolis St Paul contractor since 1949.

Spring time in Minneapolis St Paul isn't just for planting your new garden, it's the best time for garage replacement.

Material prices are the lowest of the year.
Garage prices are the lowest of the year
The air is cool and damp for the best concrete curing of the year.
Your garage slab will have months of curing before we head back into a Minnesota winter.
The overall construction time is the shortest of the year.
Best reason of all, you get to use your new garage all summer long.

Garage Replacement Minneapolis

Material prices therefore the overall garage cost will be the lowest of the season in the spring. Its a simple supply and demand issue. Winter is the season with the least construction activity so garage replacement cost will be the lowest. Fall construction activity will be the highest so of course garage replacement cost will be at a season high.

Garage Replacement St Paul

Western uses 4,500 psi concrete for our garage slabs. Concrete comes out of the truck at 0 psi and takes 28 days to achieve the desired 4,500 psi strength.

Concrete continues to cure and month after month and will continue to gain strength for many years. The stronger your garage slab is going into the first winter the better.

You also need enough time to seal your garage slab. Most cement sealing manufactures call for the concrete to be cured 28 days before applying their product. This again another great reason to have your Minneapolis St Paul garage replacement done early in the season.

Garage Electrical Service Issues

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:21:00 GMT

Garage Electrical Service Issues

When Western Garage Builders comes to your home to make a site inspection there are several items we need to look at. One of the items is how your main electrical service is brought into your home.

Garage

Most of the time the main electrical service is brought from the power line in the rear yard and connected to a mast on the back of your home. Normally this doesn't create a problem but from time to time it does. Especially when were building a storage truss or attic truss garage.

State code requires the power line to be three feet above the garage roof deck. Most of the time this isn't a problem but when it is there are several ways we can handle the issue.

Have Xcel move the line
Have Xcel tighten the line
Have Xcel bury the line
Put a post on the garage to raise the line
Raise the mast on the home

The first thing we want to do is to have Xcel out to look at the problem and see if they can do anything that wont cost my homeowner anything. Trying to get Excel to do anything is often slow and costly but we need to contact them first.

Electrical Service

Putting a post on the garage is usually the best and most efficient way to go. Its fast looks good and is inexpensive.

The next most popular way to resolve the electrical service issue is to raise the mast on the home.

If you have any questions about how to handle a garage electrical service please give Western Garage Builders a call at Minneapolis 952-920-8888 St Paul 651-644-6900.

Garage Ceiling Storage Lift

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:38:00 GMT

Garage Ceiling Storage Lift

There are times when garage storage cannot be accommodated in the attic of a garage for numerous reasons. For these situations and others a garage ceiling lift may be the perfect solution.

Today's detached garages are built with standard 8' walls which leaves plenty of room for a ceiling lift to be used. You can create and additional 16 square feet of storage without effecting anything stored on the garage slab. Your snow blower, lawn mower and bikes are all unaffected by a garage storage lift.

The garage storage ceiling lift can hold most small and bulky items that normally take up so much floor space. Outdoor furniture, tires, boxes of seasonal holiday stuff like Christmas Decorations just to name a few.

The garage ceiling storage lift has a unique pulley system that can hold up to 250 pounds. You can raise and lower the garage ceiling lift with either a hand crank or a power drill.

Pictured is PHL-1R Ceiling Storage Lift made by Racor Home Storage Products.

Garage Room In Attic Truss Staircase v/s Ladder

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:02:00 GMT

Garage Room In Attic Truss Staircase v/s Ladder

Over 35 years ago when I started selling garages for my fathers construction company Western Garage Builders, we only built one Room in Attic style garage a year. Today were getting several requests a week for room in attic truss garages. There are many reasons for this but the main reason is in-expensive storage or living space.

Garage Staircase

The two most common ways to access the attic space is by staircase or ladder. It really depends on how the space will be used.

If you're going to use the 2nd floor for a home office, exercise room, play room for the kids, mother in-law apartment or any style room where you will be accessing it daily, then you want a full staircase.

Garage Ladder

If you're going to use the 2nd floor for storage and won't be using it every day then the folding attic ladder will do the trick.

Room additions attached to your home will start around $200.00 per square foot finished. A 12x24 room addition = 288 square feet @ $200.00 per square foot = $57,600.00

A 12x24 garage attic room unfinished @ $26.00 per square foot = $7,500.00. You can finish the space yourself for a lot less than a remodeling contractor could saving you tens of thousands over the attached room addition.

You may not need the living space yet but want the additional storage a attic truss provides then a staircase still is a great idea. The staircase does cost more but down the road you'll be glad you did.

In conclusion, a staircase is a better option in most situations.

Affordable Minneapolis 2 Car Garage

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 20:00:00 GMT

Affordable 2 Car Garage

Western Garage Builders has been building affordable 2 car garages in the Minneapolis and St Paul area since 1949.

Most of the garages built in the Twin Cities are on alleys. The cities have strict setback requirements form the property lines and the alley right of way.

Affordable Garages

The garage pictured is a very popular and affordable garage style. Its a 20'X22' detached garage. The rake or front and rear overhange is 0" with a 4" eave on the sides. This enables the garage to be located as close to the lot line as city code permits saving precious square footage in the rear yard.

The siding is a double 4" vinyl with wood soffit and fascia saving hundreds of dollars over other types of siding and eave coverings.

2 Car Garage

The garage door is a 16' X 7' steel raised panel uninsulated overhead garage door. By using a uninsulated overhead garage door you save hundreds of dollars over other styles of insulated garage doors. If you're not going to heat your garage, why spend the additional money for a insulated door?

If you're in the market for an affordable 2 car garage then Western Garage Builders is the company for you.

Please give us a call at Minneapolis 952-920-8888 Saint Paul 651-644-6900 or simply fill out the contact for on the right.

Xeripave Pervious Pavers Video | Cool New Home Improvement Product

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 19:04:00 GMT

Xeripave Pervious Pavers For Home Improvement Projects

[Begining of Audio]

This is a Xeripave pervious paver.

What you see here is a 12 x 12 x 2 inch thick paver. It’s made from natural aggregate that’s dried and processed with a proprietary polymer, molded, and then de-molded to give you these paver-sized squares. It comes in 12 x 12 or 16 x 16. Perfect for most home improvements that use concrete or asphalt.

Xeripave Pervious Paver Flow Through Rate

The major thing about Xeripave pervious paver's is a flow through rate of over one gallon per second per square foot. As you can see right now, there’s about that amount of water coming through the tube and it flows directly through. So it solves a lot of the problems that we’ve got right now with storm water run-off and just a fantastic product for a whole variety of applications.

[End of Audio]

Cool Garage Storage Solutions

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:42:00 GMT

Garage Storage Solutions Car Lift

As president of Western Construction, Inc. I'm always looking for cool garage storage solutions to recommend to my loyal customers. One of the more unusual options is a car lift or car stacker. You can turn any two car garage into a three car with the flip of a switch. More storage per square foot, more toys.

The City of Minneapolis has a 10' wall height maximum so a car lift will work with some smaller autos. I just built a garage in Coon Rapids with 15' wall studs. You could stack a full size Ford f150 and a Chevrolet Suburban with no problem there.

Garage Storage

Each city has different maximum wall height requirements so check with yours before you consider purchasing a car stacker or contact a Western Garage Builders representative to take care of it for you. Minneapolis 952-920-8888 St Paul 651-644-6900.

Affordable Detached Garage Builder | Single Car Garages

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 02:45:00 GMT

Affordable Detached Garage Builder

Western Garage Builders has been building affordable detached garages in Minneapolis and St Paul since 1949.

This garage is situated on a very small lot in South Minneapolis near lake Calhoun. The Lake Calhoun area is home to many newly remodeled McMansion type homes so the owners wanted their new garage to fit in.

A standard two car garage wouldn't fit in this very small back yard so the owner opted for the more affordable 16x22 single car detached garage. This is a one car family so the more affordable 16x22 works out perfect.

Affordable Single Car Garages

This garage was also made affordable by using James Hardie smooth lap siding instead of redwood. Once this garage was painted its almost impossible to tell the difference between real wood and fiber cement siding.

The overhangs or what we call the soffit and fascia were covered in Aluminum. This also keeps the garage affordable and eliminates the need for painting.

The overhead garage doors believe it or not are steel. Real redwood or cedar garage doors are not affordable and hard to come by so steel is a great option.

We ran an underground electric line from the home to the garage providing a 20 amp service. Inside the garage were one overhead light, one overhead receptacle for the garage door opener, one wall receptacle and a lantern style light by the service door.

There is also a very affordable LiftMaster electric overhead door opener with two remotes and a key-less entry on the outside.

If your looking for an affordable garage then Western Garage Builders is the garage builder for you. Please give a call for a free affordable garage quote.

Minneapolis 952-920-8888 or st Paul 651-644-6900

Garage Construction Price Alert

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 15:36:00 GMT

Important Garage Construction Price Developments

As the leader in Minneapolis and St Paul Garage Construction, Western Construction feels its our responsibility to inform you of significant changes in the Garage Construction Materials market.

We have received notices from all of our roofing shingle manufactures about the price increases that are going into effect this spring. Our vinyl siding manufactures have sent notices for increases as well.

Roof Shingles and Accessories will go up 10%-13% Effective February 1st
Vinyl Siding and Accessories will rise 6%-8% Effective March 1st

Please be aware that we are receiving other price increase notifications from our manufactures for late spring and early summer.

Construction Prices Going Up

I believe this is only the beginning. There are many reason for this but its a simple supply and demand issue. The long depression in the housing industry has led to the shut down of many manufacturing plants thru-out the country because the demand for those construction materials hasn't been there.

Now that the economy seems to be making a come back, the construction materials manufactures are still unwilling to open the closed facilities because of uncertainty in the housing recovery. As long as there is uncertainty, we can assume the increases will continue for some time.

Garage Construction Savings

Western Construction, Inc. has made special arrangements with most of our garage construction material suppliers to honor the price of our garage packages the day we get the order not the day the material is delivered. This arrangement can and will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the size of your garage construction project.

Building A Garage Is An Necessity

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:38:00 GMT

Building A Garage?

I've been in the garage building business for most of my life and believe it or not I still really enjoy what I do. Helping family's make winter a little easier has its rewards and in some circles pretty popular.

When you live in Minnesota a garage isn't a luxury anymore, its a necessity. In fact, today the high temperature will only reach 5 degrees above zero!! That can have adverse effects on everything from your car to the plane that was supposed to take me from Minneapolis to Las Vegas today. Something froze on the plane this morning so Delta had to go to one of their hangers and bring us a thawed out plane. I think of an airplane hanger as a big, really big Western Garage. We were delayed two hours but better safe than sorry. Thanks Delta!

Anyway,

The good news for Western Construction is, on days like today the phone rings off the hook with people who have serious problems and building a garage is no longer an option.

Building a garage is a good idea,

Dead car batteries because of the extreme cold
Snow emergency so vehicles need to be moved off street
Frozen car door locks and windows
Your car may not heat up until you arrived at work
Security

I could go on all day but I think you get the idea.

The first step to building a garage is to have a site review done by Western Construction. You can give us a call at 952-920-8888, 651-644-6900, email or fill out the contact form on the right. You'll be glad you did!

How to Build a Garage Yourself – Free DIY Garage Plans

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:53:00 GMT

DIY Garage

Free DIY Garage Plans – Download Your 12-Page Building Guide

If you’re planning a DIY garage project in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the Twin Cities, the best place to start is with a reliable set of DIY garage plans.

Building your own garage can be fun and rewarding, but it’s also easy to make costly mistakes if you don’t build garages every day. That’s why Western Construction, a trusted Twin Cities garage builder , is offering a free set of professional garage plans to help you get started the right way.

Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for scaled drawings, you can download our 12-page garage plan for free directly from our website.

Why We Offer Free DIY Garage Plans

Many companies charge hundreds of dollars for garage blueprints. We believe homeowners across Minneapolis and St. Paul should have access to professional resources at no cost.

Our hope is simple: if you decide to hire a contractor instead of building the garage yourself, you’ll consider Western Construction, serving the Twin Cities since 1949. In the meantime, our free plans give you the confidence to start your project the right way.

DIY Garage Plans vs. Paid Garage Blueprints

Paid garage plans often cost anywhere from $1,000–$2,500 and may only include basic layouts.
Our free DIY garage plans are designed by professionals and include foundation specs, framing details, and Minnesota building code guidelines —at no cost.
Whether you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or the surrounding suburbs, you get the same level of detail you’d expect from purchased plans, without spending a dime.

What’s Included in the Free 12-Page Garage Plan?

Our detailed garage guide provides everything you need to get started:

Garage slab foundation specifications
2-car garage elevation drawings
Detailed framing layouts
Braced wall diagrams
Complete garage construction details

How to Use These Free Garage Plans

Download the plans – Click the link to access three different garage designs.
Review specifications – Study the foundation, framing, and elevation details.
Plan your project – Use the drawings to prepare for permitting, materials, and labor.
(Tip: review our guide to Minnesota garage permit requirements before you begin.)
Decide your approach – Build it yourself or hire a Minneapolis–St. Paul garage contractor with confidence.

You can download one—or all three—plans. The choice is entirely yours.

Start Your Minneapolis–St. Paul DIY Garage Project Today

Whether you’re in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or anywhere in the Twin Cities metro, starting with a solid set of plans is the key to success.

Download your free 12-page garage building guide today and take the first step toward a strong, safe, and functional garage.

Detached Garage Builders

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:41:00 GMT

Detached Garage Builders

Western Garage Builders is the oldest family owned Detached Garage Builders in the Twin Cities. Since 1949 we've seen thousands of detached garage builders come and go. That's why when your in the market for a new detached garage, Western Garage Builders is the one to choose.

Over 64 years in business
Financial Stability
Licensed Bonded and Insured
A+ BBB Rating
Impeccable References
Dedicated Partnerships
Standards of Excellence
Worker Professionalism
Daily Job site Cleanup
Price Integrity
Unmatched Guarantees
No Sales Pressure Pledge

Detached Garage Builders Minneapolis Saint Paul

If your looking for detached garage builders, then look no further. Call Western Garage Builders today at 952-920-8888 or 651-644-6900

Garage Construction Plans

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:43:00 GMT

Garage Construction Plans

Western Garage Builders is giving away several different styles of garage construction plans as a way of saying thank you Minneapolis and St Paul homeowners for making us the Top Detached Garage Builder for 67 years.

The first step in building your new garage is to decide which style garage is best for you and your home.

Western Construction has a website full of garage plans, styles and cost to suit every taste.

Free Garage Plans

It doesn't really matter if you plan on building a garage yourself or hiring a licensed, insured and bonded contractor like Western Garage Builders. The first step is always the same. Applying for a building permit with a great set of garage plans. Western Garage Builders has chosen the most popular style garages and made garage plans available for immediate download.

Garage plans for a two car garage with a standard gable roof truss are available for download.

Garage plans for a two car garage with a storage truss roof truss are also available.

Garage plans for a 24x24 garage with attic trusses are available for down load.

Since 1949 Western Garage Builders has been serving the Minneapolis St Paul metro area with free garage plans and estimates. After 64 years we have the best FREE garage plans on the Internet.

LP SmartSide Siding Stronger than James Hardie Siding Video

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:50:00 GMT

Is LP SmartSide Siding stronger than James Hardi fiber cement siding?

At the 2013 International Builders Show in Las Vegas, LP SmartSide siding was put to the test against James Hardie fiber cement siding to see which siding was stronger. Watch this 22 second video to see the winner.

2 Car Garage Gable Roof Style vs Reverse Gable Roof Style

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:51:00 GMT

Minneapolis 2 Car Garage Gable Roof Style vs Reverse Gable Roof Style

As president of Western Garage Builders I'm often asked whats the difference between a gable roof garage and a reverse gable roof garage?

A reverse gable roof garage you drive in under the eave side of the roof like the picture on the top right.

Minneapolis Garage

A gable garage you'll drive in under the gable end side of the garage like the lower picture.

Reverse gable roofs styles used to be popular back in the 50' and 60's when Minneapolis and St Paul were building their first tier suburbs.

In the 70's, 80's and 90's you were more likely to match you home roof than not.

Minneapolis Roof Styles

Today almost all of the garages in Minneapolis and St Paul being built are being built with gable roofs.

Some of the reasons are;

Gable roof garages, the water drains to the side walls instead of the driveway. This eliminates ice buildup on the driveway.
Gable roof garages are less expensive because there's no need for gutters.
Gable roof garages are less expensive because of the header system being used.

DIY Garage Slab Repair Video | Sakrete Flo-Coat

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 19:41:00 GMT

DIY Garage Slab Repair Video Sakrete Flo-Coat

Sakrete Flo-Coat is a flowable product used to rejuvenate old concrete surfaces like garage slabs and driveways. It's a great alternative to expensive concrete replacement.

[Start of Audio]

If your garage slab or cement driveway had too much salt applied to it or you have a surface that’s ten or twenty years old and just beginning to look faded and you just want to bring it back to life a little bit. You want to smooth it out. Flo-Coat concrete resurfacer is the product. Flo-Coat is designed to be used on garage slabs and driveways that are structurally sound. If you’ve got a concrete garage slab or driveway that’s a disaster, it’s broken in many, many, pieces and there’s stones popping out, the cure for that is called a jackhammer. There’s nothing’s gonna fix that. Flo-Coat won’t fix it. Nothing’ll fix that. If your garage slab and driveway is in good shape and intact Then Flo-Coat is an excellent product for that.

Garage Slab Repair

If your garage slab or driveway has some cracks in it. What you want to do is repair the cracks first. You can use the Flo-Coat. You’re going to see here in a minute when Lee pours this out, this is a very fluid material. It’s not a true self-leveler, but it is a very fluid product. What I would do if I had some cracks in my garage slab, is I would widen the cracks, depending on what size they are. I would take the same material. I would mix it up a little stiffer. I would fix it with a trowel, and I would fix those cracks first. Then I would apply this. Lee, why don’t you go ahead and pour that out? Mike’s going to come over here. There’s really a couple of ways to do this.

First, you’ll see that right now Mike, in his hand, has got a gauge rake. For those of you who are in the flooring business, you’re familiar with gauge rakes. You just set the cam on either side to give you the exact same distance. If you don’t happen to have a gauge rake however, you can use a trowel. So Mike’s gonna shift over here now, just to grab a trowel, I mean, excuse me, grab a squeegee. The thing that I really like about Sakrete Flo-Coat is, I’ve been playing with concrete for a lot of years now. And the difficulty that I have with my age, and my knees, and my back, is I’m really tired of getting down on my hands and knees to do any kind of repairs.

Garage Slab Repair Video

The nice thing about this squeegee is it allows you, you can see Mike is able to just kind of pull that. He’s not getting down on his hands and knees. And the nice thing about that is how much territory you can cover in a relatively short period of time. If you were going to do this—I can personally cover a pretty good-sized garage slab, as long as somebody else is doing the mixing, and I’m running out of the gauge or the squeegee, I can cover a very large area in a fairly short period of time. You need to pour a little more in there maybe?

The coverage on this—we had that gauge rake set at an 1/8^th of an inch. The coverage at 1/8^th of an inch for a 40-pound bag, is about 36 square feet. That means you’re looking at about 50 cents a square foot for the material itself. The labor, the time that it takes to do it, very, very quick. Now at the moment, we have just a little bit on the stiffer side, and the reason we do is so that we don’t make a huge mess. If you’re doing a job, and you’re out on the jobsite, and you’ve got a nice flat surface, I would wet it up a little more than this, and let it flow. If you’ve got a surface that you’re doing that’s got some pitch to it—let’s say you’re doing a garage slab or driveway, patios tend to be flat, but driveways often have quite a slant to them. What you want to do then is either one, stiffen it up, or two, go ahead and wet it up, but before you pour it out, let it stiffen in the container. Now, it’s not a fast-setting material, but it will most certainly begin to stiffen up after about 15 or 20 minutes.

Now, if you’ll notice, Mike is continuing to work on this, and each time he does, it has self-healing properties. The material is kind of flowing back in on itself, so when he’s done, you won’t see squeegee marks. You wouldn’t see gauge rake marks. If you’re doing a large job, if you’ll notice, when Mike picks that squeegee up, there’s a little bit dropping off of there. If you were doing a real big job, periodically I would take a rag or something and clean that off. The product is about a 4500 psi material, so it’s plenty strong. It is designed for use, I would say, in residential areas, garage slabs and driveways. That’s pretty good, Mike. That’ll do the trick.

I would not use it in an area where you’re going to put heavy industrial traffic in a warehouse, like with a forklift or something. But for residential garages where you’re pouring something subject to light car traffic, light truck traffic, an excellent material. The preparation—I was talking with this gentleman before we got started—the preparation required for this—if your driveway or your garage slab is really in good shape, then what I would do is I would simply use a garden hose. If you’ve got something you need to get up—you’ve got sap, you’ve got oil, you’ve got that sort of thing—then I would consider pressure-washing the garage slab before I would do that.

So there’s really two ways to do this. One is if you’re just trying to cover, and you do it like this. Now, if you want to really make it look nicer, you want to make a concrete garage slab look like it has, like it is a paver patio, then you can spray the material. Mike and Lee right now—go ahead gentlemen—are going to spray this material. I mentioned earlier—some of you weren’t here—these boards that over here—there’s three boards right over here. If you look at the far side of those when you leave, you’ll see the finished product for what Lee is going to do right now. Simply taking a spray gun that is really designed for shooting plaster on walls, but we’ve taken these—we’ve taken it and turned the nozzle so that it sprays down, and Lee is using a circular motion and he’s simply spraying the stencil that we have there.

After he’s done, we’re going to pull that stencil. Now, the nice thing about this—the coverage out of a 40-pound bag, by spraying like this is between 150 and 180 square feet. That’s a lot of coverage. When you look at it that way, the raw material cost is only about ten to twelve cents. A very economical way to do this. You all right for material there? As you can see, he’s continuing with a circular motion. There’s a couple of things you can do with that when he’s done. One of the things you can do is simply leave it rough. It depends on the texture that you’re trying to achieve. If you want something with a little bit of texture to it, then you go ahead and leave it the way that it goes down.

If, for some reason, you wanted it very smooth, you could take this thing we typically use, just pull it across that paper—it’s a paper stencil—before you pull that stencil up, and it’ll put a nice smooth finish on. I know when people have used it around swimming pools, and around swimming pools, you might want a smoother surface. But if you’re looking for traction, actually like at ___’s house, they did it around a swimming pool and they left it rough. They said it’s really much better, because when the kids are running around, you don’t have any—quite the slip hazard that you do when you’re around the swimming pool. Need some more material, or are we good?

After he’s finished with that, he’s going to immediately pull that stencil up. Oh, ___ compressor on. There’s a sign on the back of the panel over here that we’ve built, and it says, ‘You are limited only to your imagination.’ What we’re doing right now—you can see on the countertop right over here is a box of factory color. That’s what Lee is spraying right now, is that red color. That’s an iron oxide pigment. We sell a half a dozen different colors. The nice thing about this is you’ll see some of the ones that Lee did in the back are very creative. He has used different colors. He’s used multiple colors. He’s done all sorts of different things. Lee, I don’t know whether it’s possible for you to stand up there and tilt that board up. Is that—for the folks in the back to be able to see a little bit?

This is something that is easy to do. It’s economical to do. You can make the material looser or tighter depending on what kind of look you want. Right now you can see we’ve got kind of some little larger blobs. You can put it back down—stand it up against the—very good. You can see on there, there’s some blotches. We did that intentionally. If you didn’t want those, you can make the material a little bit looser. You’re really only limited to your imagination. You can use different colors. Unfortunately, because of our limited space here, we weren’t able to do this. But one of the things that can be done is now to immediately take another color, and spray on top of it using a much lighter pattern than what Lee did here, where he saturated the whole thing. If you do that, you’ll see that on those boards back there. It really makes it pop when you put a second color on.

Yeah. If you’re doing a—Lee just pointed out those larger blobs, if you’re doing what we call a knockdown, where we’re just going to grab it with a squeegee and just pull it down. The gizmo that we’re using right over there is that hopper, is available in a number of places. You can get it at Depot. You can get it at Lowe’s. Some hardware stores have it. Kraft Tool Company has it, just right down the aisle here. Not hard to get a hold of. They’re in the $50 range. So you’re not talking about an expensive proposition here, for taking a surface—a worn, tired, concrete surface—and turning it into something that looks like that. There’s really not a lot of time, and not a lot of expense. Fairly easy to do-

[End of Audio]

DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Sealer Video

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:20:00 GMT

DIY Garage Floor Epoxy Sealer Video

Use QUIKRETE^® 2-Part Epoxy Garage Floor Sealer to achieve the toughest garage surface in one coat. A water-based, two-component epoxy that delivers a coating that is two times stronger than concrete, 2-Part Epoxy Garage Floor Sealer is fortified with a new, heavy-duty resin technology that provides superior durability and protection against damage caused by hot tires, gasoline, oil, scuffs and wear and tear.

Garage Slab Sealer

[Beginning of Audio]

The entire Quickrete garage floor sealer project is available in one kit. What you see here is our garage floor cleaner, d-greaser and etcher. This is a product you take, and mix with three quarts of water, then put it on the garage slab surface, scrub it in using a scrub brush. When this is being activated, it will start to foam. Once it’s finished foaming you want to take a water hose and get all the debris out of the garage. You’re going to continue to wash over the garage slab surface washing off all of the excess concrete that’s turning to dust.

You’re also going to be able to feel that the garage floor concrete has been etched. One of the things that this will do is it will help the garage floor concrete accept the epoxy sealer as you put it on. The great part about this is its going to resist hot tar pick up. Everyone’s seen where garage floors have been finished but they haven’t been done properly, you drive a car into a garage then back the car back out of the garage, and you’re tires grab hold of the epoxy and rip the surface right off. This etcher will keep that from happening.

Garage Floor

Now we’re going get all of the debris off of the garage floor, you can feel that it’s ruff, and you know it’s clean. Next you’re going to take the sponge and mix it up, take the part A and the part B of the epoxy, mixing them together. Then what Keith’s going to be doing is just going around the surface and cutting in near the edge. Just make sure you can get the product all the way to the edge of your garage floor. While he’s doing that, I’ll step back and tell you a couple more things about this product.

Each one of these garage floor sealer kits will cover 250 foot of floor, so roughly a one-car garage. If you have a two-car garage your going to need two kids. These kits retail at around $72.00, so you’re talking about for under $150.00 you can give your garage floor that extra pop. And one effect that we have noticed in this day and age when spec homes were being built and people were looking for a way to have their home set apart from the other homes that were being built, putting our epoxy on the garage floor is a inexpensive way you can get this beautiful look your house.

Now after this has been cut in your garage you can see that the edges are all taken care of. We’re going to come back across the garage slab using a roller, and we’re going to roll this in two different directions. You’re going to have about an hour and a half to work with it, but it goes on really fast. As you can see, what we’re doing is we’re doing about a two foot by a four foot section. The reason you want to do this in two foot by four foot sections is the next step that you’re going to do is going to be spreading the decorative flakes. You’ll want to make sure you can reach across the area to get to the decorative flakes.

Brian is going to spread decorative flakes across the garage floor. The flakes serve a couple of different purposes. One is strictly decorative. The other is it gives an anti-skid to the surface of the garage slab. You can put on as much or as little as you would like. You can see the applicator that we’re using that comes in the kit looks very simple like a pizza cheese spreader. You can put as much or as little as you like on the garage slab so you can kind of create the effect that you want.

Garage Slab Epoxy

One of the other great things about these decorative flakes is they will hide any imperfections in the garage floor. They will also make it to where the garage floor doesn’t show dirt as easily.

Now you can stop at this point and you have a beautiful garage surface, or we have another kit which is our premium garage floor kit. The sample that’s over here on this far side, half of the sample was done just with this and we stopped. The other half we used our premium epoxy. This premium epoxy is a high gloss sealant that gives any garage floor a showroom finish, a really high gloss finish. One of the other additives that comes with this product is a little packet of silica. The silica will be mixed in with the product to make sure it has an anti-skid surface.

So that addresses some of the problems that you might see on a typical garage floor and some of the things that you’d want to do to protect your garage floor.

[End of Audio]

Rain Water Pillow Video | Minnesota Home Improvement

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:03:00 GMT

Minnesota Home Improvement

I see a lot of rain barrels on Minnesota homes around the Minneapolis and St Paul area these days. I was walking the floor at the 2013 International Builders Show in Las Vegas and I saw this new innovative product you might be interested in. You could use it in conjuntion with your new Western Construction Garage!

[Beginning of Audio]

Good morning, this is the Original Rainwater Pillow. Perfect for any Minnesota Home Improvement project. It’s an innovative rainwater harvesting storm water managing system. It’s designed to go in horizontal wasted space that’s already available in many homes and and perfect for any Minnesota Home Improvement Project. The pillows in a residence go under the crawlspace or under a deck. In a commercial building they go in the basement of the building, out in the parking garage or behind an industrial building.

We build custom-size pillows up to 200,000 gallons, any footprint you need. So if you have a space that’s 23 feet by 46 feet, we can build one unit to go in that area, which will maximize your water collection volume.

Typically the water is collected off the roof. You can collect it from the ground, from like underground or the surface, but surface water is a bit more dirtier than roof water. So the water is collected off the roof, it goes through a pre-filter, which removes any leafs or roof sediment. It’s a gravity fill into the pillow.

And then attached to the pillow is a pump, and the pump pulls the water out. And there’s different types of pumps you can use. Anywhere from a half-horsepower pump to a pressure pump to a solar pump.

And once the water comes out of the pillow it is non-potable. You can also add a secondary filtration for potable drinking water that you can bring back into the home or building to flush toilets or any other home use.

The secondary filtration system is typically four-stage. It is a 25-micron filter, a 5-micron filter. So once the water goes through those four stages it’s very nice clean drinking water.

[End of Audio]

LP SmartSide VS Fiber Cement Siding Video Builders Show

Brad@WesternConstructionInc.com (Bradley Chazin) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Minnesota Made LP SmartSide Siding vs James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding

Minnesota Siding

[Start of Audio]

All right, many of you are probably wondering what the differences are between a fiber cement siding product like – James Hardie Siding, CertainTeed Siding, MaxiTile and a real wood siding product like Minnesota made LP SmartSide siding. If you look at the backside of a piece of LP SmartSide siding you might wonder what it is? The reality is, there isn’t any cement in the LP SmartSide siding. It’s a treated engineered wood product, and all the wood flakes are coated in a wax resin, so it’s very, very moisture resistant. LP SmartSide had zinc borate in the board, which makes it rot and air resistance. Minnesota Made LP SmartSide can offer a 50-year warranty on this siding product. Compare that to fiber cement siding brands on the market, which only offer a 30-year warrantee. Most homeowners choose LP SmartSidie siding over fiber cement siding products because it has a 50-year warranty versus a 30-year warranty.

LP SmartSide siding products also come in 16-foot lengths, whereas the fiber cement panels are only 12’. With Minnesota made LP SmartSidie siding your going to have a lot less seams. Folks also really like our deep embossed wood grain that you see with our product. Fiber cement siding textures don’t look nearly as realistic. Another reason Western Construction recommends LP SmartSide siding is also made locally Minnesota and Wisconsin, which makes it a very green product. LP SmartSide Siding is made from Aspen trees, which is a very, very fast growing tree species. The fastest growing exterior siding produce on the market right now is LP SmartSide, and we know you’ll like it on your house.

Garage Builders and Construction News

Frost Heave in Minnesota | How It Affects Garage Construction

What Homeowners Should Know About Frost Heave Before Building a New Garage

What Is Frost Heave?

Why Frost Heave Matters for Garage Construction

Common Signs of Frost Heave Around a Home

What Causes Frost Heave to Get Worse?

How Good Garage Construction Helps Reduce Frost-Heave Problems

Why Spring Is a Good Time to Evaluate Your Site

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

Final Thoughts

Get a Quote for a New Detached Garage

Spring Road Restrictions and Garage Construction Minneapolis–St. Paul

What spring road restrictions mean for garage construction

Why this matters to homeowners

Best practices when planning a garage during road restriction season

Start planning early

Choose a builder with local experience

Talk through demolition and hauling up front

Allow for delivery and access coordination

Build flexibility into the timeline

Does this mean you should wait to plan your garage?

Why homeowners choose Western Construction

Planning a new garage this spring?

Frequently asked questions about spring road restrictions and garage projects

Can spring road restrictions delay a garage project?

Do road restrictions stop all garage construction?

Should I wait until restrictions are lifted before planning my garage?

Do restrictions matter if I am replacing an old garage?

Who should I call if I want to build a detached garage in Minneapolis–St. Paul?

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis 2026 Guide | Western Construction

Planning a New Garage in Minneapolis: The Complete 2026 Guide

Key Takeaways (Minneapolis-Specific)

Table of Contents

Step 1: Define Your Garage’s Purpose (Beyond Parking)

Common Minneapolis garage “use cases” we plan for

Sizing: what actually feels comfortable

Step 2: Minneapolis Zoning, Setbacks, Alley Access & Permits

The big three constraints in Minneapolis

Setbacks: don’t plan around internet “rules of thumb”

The permit process (what the City typically wants)

Step 3: Design for Minnesota’s Climate (Foundation + Shell Durability)

Foundation: the “frost problem” is the whole project

Shell durability choices that pay off here

Step 4: Budget + Matching Your Home’s Style

The cost drivers that matter most

Design that looks like it belongs

Step 5: Your Action Plan (Plan → Approved Build)

Final planning checklist

Why a specialized Minneapolis garage builder is different

Ready to Plan Your Minneapolis Garage?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a detached garage in Minneapolis?

How close can my garage be to the property line or alley?

What should I have ready before talking to a builder?

Can I build an ADU above a garage in Minneapolis?

What’s the #1 planning mistake Minneapolis homeowners make?

2-Car Detached Garage Minneapolis: 2026 Permits, Costs & Timeline

Key Takeaways (Minneapolis-Specific)

Table of Contents

Why a 2-Car Detached Garage Is a Smart Minneapolis Investment

Real Minneapolis benefits (beyond parking)

Best 2-Car Garage Sizes for Minneapolis Lots (Standard vs. Oversized)

Common 2-car detached garage sizes

Minneapolis sizing reality check

Minneapolis Zoning + Permits: What Actually Triggers Delays

The items that most often slow Minneapolis garage approvals

Permit process (simple version)

Minnesota-Proof Construction: Foundation, Drainage, and Materials

Foundation essentials for Minneapolis (freeze-thaw ready)

Exterior materials that perform in Minneapolis

Our Turnkey Process (From Old Garage Removal to Final Inspection)

Typical Minneapolis detached garage project steps

2026 Cost Guide: What a 2-Car Detached Garage Costs in Minneapolis

Typical 2026 Minneapolis price range (realistic planning)

Frequently Asked Questions (Minneapolis 2-Car Detached Garages)

What’s the best size for a 2-car detached garage in Minneapolis?

Do I need a permit to build a detached garage in Minneapolis?

What causes the most permit delays in Minneapolis?

What foundation holds up best in Minnesota?

Update 2-1-2017 Joe Schmidt
from KSTP Sports
featured Devan Dubnyk the Minnesota Wild Goalie and Max Chazin in a story about True Focus Vision in Edina, MN.