How do you raise a garage?

Question

I have a 20 x 30 garage shell, from the floor to the ceiling it is 8ft, I would like to raise it 2 - 4 ft.

Answer 1

I raised mine with post and hydraulic jacks ,
went around raising it 1.5 inches at a time .had a 4x4 across the ceiling hoist and a post to the jacks to get the lift started. Cut all the bolts off with a saws all. After the first lift ,I started using a pry bar ,a 8ft long solid steel with a pipe over it tomake it even longer. Lifted and had a helper put 3/4 boards under the sill. until I had it 1 ft off the ground .then concrete blocks and a new pressure treated sill plate , wasn't fun but it helped .

Answer 2

I would detach it from the foundation with jacks raise it up on all sides and build a low block wall around bottom for stability.

People have houses raised all the time I know someone that put an entire above ground basement / garage under there ranch.

Answer 3

I would recommend you talk to a contractor. If its just an open building on a concrete slab, it might be possible to raise it up and put one or two rows of block between the slab and the building. With subflooring or partitions, it may be easier to raise the roof. Again, I recommend a contractor.

Answer 4

hot shot is right, I would use 2x4's in an x pattern from upper corner of side of garage to lower corner of the other end to stabilize the building to keep the rafters from cracking

Answer 5

Look into the asbuilts on your original blueprints or request them from the builder, this floor thats poured over a crawl space has to be an engineered approved project.

Answer 6

Buy a doghouse and feed it everyday, burp it, and before long it will be a full grown garage.

Answer 7

I think you should just hire a architect or get a free qoute to figure out how to do it.

Answer 8

just like you would if you were relocating your house a house jack