Mistakes to Avoid When Revamping the Garage

After careful consideration and budgeting, you?re finally ready to take the plunge and transform your garage into something more than a dumping ground for tools, equipment and bottles of chemicals. Before you write that check, here are some common and potentially costly missteps to avoid, says Gene Meken, owner of GarageTek, a company that specializes in garage organizational systems for residents in Connecticut and New York?s Westchester County.

Cull before organizing
Before your cabinets and other storage units are installed, take measure of what?s in your garage and decide what should be kept and what can be thrown away or donated. The first step to organizing any space is to de-clutter.

This also helps you determine where similar items should be placed. The Westchester garage organization systems expert recommends locating frequently used tools and items in easy to reach areas while seasonal and infrequently used things should be stored in less accessible areas, like the ceiling.

?GarageTek carries overhead storage racks that mount securely into the ceiling joists and can hold up to 300 pounds,? he adds.

Hiring the wrong expert
Installing a garage organizational system is different from revamping your closet. Materials must be waterproof, weatherproof and easy to clean given the location. The fiber board or melamine that many closet renovating companies use for cabinets and shelves will not stand the test of time in a space that can be damp and experience temperature extremes, warns the Westchester garage storages business owner.

Opt for a company like GarageTek that offers a thermoplastic system with easy to move accessories made of heavy gauge metal with powder-coated finish to resist rust. ?Our TekPanel system, accessories and floor tiles are backed by a lifetime warranty,? he adds.

Going for the gold
It may be tempting to select the least expensive system. It is the garage, after all. But since the room attracts the most foot traffic and tends to hold your home?s heaviest equipment and most dangerous chemicals, invest in a well built system that will last, recommends Meken, who has been in the Westchester garage storages industry for eight years.

Plan to store as much off the floor as possible so family members won?t trip over things. Arrange to have dangerous chemicals and household items locked away or in places that cannot be reached by children. Select a system with accessories that can be moved depending on your changing needs. ?Storing garden tools on makeshift brackets and nails can be a dangerous and costly mistake,? says the Westchester garage cabinetry expert. ?Items that are not securely stored can easily fall and damage vehicles.?

Choosing smartly will not only keep your family safe, it can add to your home?s resale value.

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