A Fortress of Solitude
Some call it a “man-cave” others call it a “fortress of solitude” while still others call it their workshop or home-away-from-home. I built my Coach House as a project, hobby, challenge to my project management skills, home for my third car in the height of a fuel price crisis; and a place to work when the weather is nice, or not so nice. I came to know Mike Sager and his crew very well, in fact we’ve been friends since the project started over 5 years ago. I have been one of the few customers to insulate, dry-wall, and paint the entire interior. I have also wired my Coach House with 20 and 30 amp ground fault outlets mounted 4 feet off the floor so I can power my toughest tools outside. I have ample attic storage and am in the process of finishing the floor with a CertaPro® coating. I have also added “gutter helmet™) to the gutters and sealed all the concrete inside and outside with an excellent product provided by Nelch & Sons by Mike Sager’s recommendation.
I think my Coach House exceeded all my expectations that “it is just a garage” because of the quality of construction and snug feel afforded me by all the comforts of home. Even though “it’s still just a garage” I believe – and just proved correct – the Coach House has increased the value of my property by at least $20,000.00 since I re-financed my home in 2004.
Recently (2007) our house experienced a flood owing to a broken cold-water line in the back of my washing machine. During the ensuing 3 months of build-back, my Coach House proved an invaluable safety net for storing valuables from the kitchen as the Repairmasters® remodeled and built-back my contents.
Everyone I meet in my neighborhood and passers-by alike stop and ask about my Coach House. It truly enhances my property and the neighborhood in general. I worked diligently with the Village of Chatham to ensure all aspects of design, development, and building were up to specifications with Maddox Garages there every step of the way.
Maddox Garages worked with my project management skills as we cut two weeks off the build process by having the garage floor and driveway poured at the same time. I was able to demonstrate the value of this process using Microsoft Project ® and have attached the output from that schedule.
My Coach House has increased the value of my property by more than 15%. It has provided me place to work and grow, and enjoy hobbies more. The Coach House has rescued us from the elements and provided a western-facing driveway that melts when the sun shines in winter saving me countless hours shoveling. My Coach House is my fortress of solitude when I’m cleaning tools, working outside, storing my snow-blower, or just enjoying a cross-breeze while working in the mild winter. It is an unparalleled design marvel, the concrete floor is stable and strong, anchored with stronger-than-code steel rods. It is as strong as my house and that lets me sleep better at night. It’s not just a garage, it’s a Coach House!
Corey Kirschner
Chatham, IL
