2 Car Garage with Lift Completed in Falmouth, Maine

Tom Bannen is a guy who loves restoring antique cars and trucks as a hobby. For 25 years before purchasing his 2-car garage with a lift he was working out of a single-bay garage and in his driveway where there was more light and space. 

What Started Tom’s Search for a Garage with Lift?

One day Tom was working on an antique vehicle and he decided that crawling on the ground was not fun anymore. He started thinking that it was time for a new garage with a hydraulic car lift so he could work more efficiently on his antique vehicles plus work on his vehicles year-round. 

The hydraulic lift was something Tom wanted for a while and always dreamed of having. Little did he know that soon enough, he would have one.

Where did Tom find his 2 Car Garage with a Lift?

Tom says he had a preferred local builder when we first began searching for his future garage with a lift. However, the contractor he wanted was fully booked and was not too familiar with design engineering work to specify the special scissors trusses that would be needed to accommodate a car lift.

He continued to search the web for different garage contractors or builders but could not seem to find one that suited him. Finally, Tom discovered the Sheds Unlimited website and inquired online, and fell in love with what he was seeing. After browsing the website for a while, he contacted them in hopes of starting on his new 2-car garage with a lift.

One of his big questions was whether or not they could build his garage in Maine. Sure enough! He discovered they had built other garages even further away than he was from the company.

Tom’s first interaction with Sheds Unlimited was impressive. He stated that Sheds Unlimited had a “rapid” response time, which was a big sign he was dealing with a credible and serious builder.

Every time I asked Sheds Unlimited a question, I received a prompt, accurate, and thoughtful reply. Every single time. And I had a definite answer to how much it would cost and how long it would take once the site work was ready. That was important to me.

Preparing for the Garage with Lift Project

Before purchasing his garage with a lift, Tom needed to know how big of a garage he would need in order to fit a car lift inside of it. Although Sheds Unlimited does not install the car lift, they built the prefab garage to accommodate the hydraulic car lift that was going to be installed. But one that did impress Tom was how Gideon, the salesman at Sheds Unlimited was so helpful. Not only did he assist in helping Tom figure out exactly what kind of building was needed, but every time Tome also had a question, Gideon had a prompt, thoughtful, and clear answer. 

There was certainly a lot to figure out. First, it was figuring out what the town would allow. Then it was the design and layout of the building and most important was the cost and making sure he had enough money to do the entire job.

He stated the biggest challenge of the garage was finding an excavator who had time to begin digging when the ground in Maine thawed. In the short season in Maine, local contractors are often booked out an entire year in advance. Luckily, Gideon from Sheds Unlimited offered to help find a regional contractor in PA and provided cost estimates compared to local pricing.

Tom was finally able to get an excavator who had just purchased a new Caterpillar and wanted to put it to work without all the mud. He was to do the digging and pouring of the foundation and since Tom’s ground was dry earlier than his other jobs, the contractor was able to get it done quickly.

Finally, when the site was shaped, the hole was dug, the frost wall and the floor were poured, and he had to wait 30 days for the foundation to cure. Once the cure was finalized, Tom contacted Gideon to schedule the build.

Putting The 2 Car Garage with Lift Together

One thing that impressed Tom was getting pictures from Gideon as the walls were being built in the manufacturing facility in PA and also when the prefab garage headed to Maine was loaded on the trailer.

“I was so excited,” says Tom, and also quite pleased when the crew of builders arrived exactly on time.

Tom was thrilled to see his 2-car garage with a lift go up but more amazed they could fit the entire building plus tools and equipment on a Freightliner truck and trailer.

He claimed that the building crew was the most delightful, hardest-working, organized, and skilled team that he has ever seen. Not only was it one of the hottest days of the year, but the crew was still able to work safely and politely.

The garage not only meets my expectations, but it has passed the ‘quality test’ of my friends, family, and even the nosy neighbors. Not one critical remark has been made. The garage build speed and fit/finish have impressed everyone.

Finished 2 Car Garage with Lift

Once the job was complete, Tom was amazed and thrilled at the same time. He couldn’t wait to get started working on his antique vehicles stating “The days of jacking up a car in the driveway and freezing or burning my back on the asphalt are gone. I’m also able to park our daily driving cars inside and not have to shovel snow and scrape ice off them all the time.”

“Here it is January in Maine and I am able to comfortably work on an antique car or truck with plenty of lighting, workspace, and comfort – all while standing upright!”

Since the garage was placed right where his garden used to be, another bonus is not having to pull weeds in the garden or worry about too much or too little rain. Now Tom goes to the local farm stand for carrots, peas, and cucumbers!

“Three cheers all around,” says Tom.

He finds the location of the 2-car garage with a lift to be perfect because it is placed where his old garden used to be. He is happy he does not have to worry about the weeds, or moisture on the plants, and states he now goes to the local farm stand for his vegetables!

What does Tom think of his new 2 Car Garage with a Lift?

He says for someone who is seriously considering a large prefab garage, the time and cost are definitely worth it. Having out-of-state builders construct the garage does not mean compromising communication or scheduling wishes, but the opposite. 

In just a few short months of planning, you can have a nicely built, fair-priced garage that is designed for your needs.

Toms’ Three Takeaways:

1. The detached garage got built-in far less time than a local contractor suggested.
2. It is essential to plan and anticipate all the activity that happens before and after the prefab garage is built.
3. Charge an admission fee to everyone who wants to see the final garage!

Tom recommends Sheds Unlimited to anyone interested in a new prefab garage. He hopes that one day the crew that built his 2-car garage with lift will be able to return to see all the customizations that he has added.

He installed the hydraulic car lift, finished the driveway, and finished the landscape too. He was so happy with the garage the team built that he would make the team lobster rolls and shake their hands once more!

Ready to Find Your Own Detached Garage for Maine?

Every week Sheds Unlimited is working with people like Tom to help them create the prefab garage they need for storing cars, working on cars, and many other uses. Other areas in Maine where Sheds Unlimited has constructed prefab garages include Greenwood, Kittery, Frankfort, Raymond, Thomasonton, and Waldoboro.

Get started with your custom-designed two, three, or four-car garage to be built at your home in Maine. Start by getting a Free Quote or give us a call at (717) 442-3281.