Gary Thomas · publisher

Projects that fit one bay and a small yard.

Bay One is a home and DIY library for a one-car garage and about a quarter acre — layout, storage, mowers, grills, and when to stop and hire a licensed trade. No fake product labs. No contractor license on the masthead that is not real.

Browse the library When to call a pro

What this site will not do

Invent a general contractor credential for Gary Thomas.
Publish wiring diagrams or unlicensed electrical how-to.
Rank tools from tests we did not run.
Make Lowe's the only buy button (24-hour CJ cookie).

Affiliate links are disclosed in the header and at the top of every guide. Read the FTC page.

Project library

Nine guides, one small property

Filter by garage, yard, buying, season, or safety. Empty results are unlikely — every category has at least one guide.

Garage12 min

One-car garage workshop layout and a honest budget

How a 12×20 bay can hold a car, a folding bench, and a walkway — with planning ranges, not a contractor bid.

Updated 2026-08-01

Garage11 min

Garage flooring, wall storage, and lighting that fit one bay

Tiles vs paint vs epoxy, track storage vs cabinets, and shop lights on the circuit you already have.

Updated 2026-08-01

Garage9 min

Workbench kits for a bay that still parks a car

Folding vs fixed, depth vs door swing, and how to read a weight rating without pretending we load-tested it.

Updated 2026-07-20

Yard10 min

What size mower for a quarter acre

A 21-inch walk-behind is the usual class. Riders are the exception, not the default.

Updated 2026-07-12

Yard10 min

Gas vs pellet grill on a small patio

Weeknight speed vs set-and-hold. Power, clearance, and smoke — not a taste-test trophy.

Updated 2026-06-28

Buying8 min

Overstock vs Lowe's vs Amazon for garage and yard gear

Pickup, returns, shipping, and cookie windows — including Lowe's 24-hour CJ cookie.

Updated 2026-08-10

Buying9 min

Store pickup vs delivery for garage appliances

When a dolly is enough, when freight is the grown-up choice, and what to measure in a one-car bay.

Updated 2026-07-02

Seasonal8 min

Spring and fall checklist for a small yard and one bay

A quarter-acre calendar: mower, hose, grill cover, mice, and the garage floor — not a 2-acre estate plan.

Updated 2026-03-15

Safety8 min

When to stop DIY and call a licensed pro

No unlicensed electrical how-to. Panel work, gas, springs, and wet-location wiring are stop lines.

Updated 2026-08-12

DEWALT FlexTorq 40-pc impact bits DWA2T40IR

KNIPEX 87 01 250 10 in Cobra

Rubbermaid FastTrack 5-piece rail+hook kit

Seville Classics 5-tier NSF 48x24x76 black

Weber Premium 22in charcoal grill cover

Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver

IRWIN Utility Knife, Fixed Blade (2081101), gray

Amazon Basics Handheld LED Flashlight, 200 Lumen, IPX4, Black

3M Safety Glasses, Virtua CCS, Anti-Fog Clear Lens, Blue Frame, ANSI Z87

Komelon SL2825 Self Lock 25-Foot Power Tape

3M Cable Tie CT8BK50-C, 8 in, 50 lb Tensile Strength, Black, Bag of 100

Command Small White Wire Hooks, 28 Hooks, 32 Strips

3M Safety Glasses, Virtua CCS and Virtua Sport CCS, Anti-Fog, Clear Lens

GORILLA Duct Tape, Heavy Duty and Weather Resistant, Black, 1.88" x 35 yd

3M Safety Glasses, Solus 1000, Scotchgard Clear Lens, Blue/Black Frame

Amazon Basics Micro-Foam Nitrile Coated Safety Work Gloves, Nylon Liner Fiber, Touch

Amazon Basics gel knee pads, 1 pair

Mechanix Wear Original, Large, Black

Scott Shop Towels Original, 12 rolls

Amazon Basics Micro-Foam Nitrile Coated Safety Work Gloves, Touch Screen, Nylon Liner

3M Safety Glasses, Virtua, ANSI Z87, Unisex, Gray Hard Coat Lens

3M Safety Glasses, Virtua, ANSI Z87, Unisex, Anti-Fog Gray Lens, Gray Frame

Lithonia Lighting TruWrap 4 Foot LED Ceiling Light Fixture, Low-Profile Wraparound LE

IRIS 27-gal totes 4-pack

3M Safety Glasses, SecureFit 400, Clear Lens, Green/Black Frame

Command Small Clear Wire Hooks, 10 Hooks, 12 Strips | Damage-Free Hanging, No Tools Wall Hooks for Hanging Decorations in Living Spaces...

Command Large Utility Hooks, 7-Hooks, 12-Strips, Organize Damage-Free | Damage-Free Hanging Wall Hooks with Adhesive Strips, No Tools Adh...

Command 20 lb X-Large Picture Hanging Strips, 16 Pairs White Command Strips Heavy Duty Picture Hanger

Command Medium Designer Hooks, 9 Hooks, 12 Strips | Command Hooks For Hanging Accessories, Holds Strongly, No Tools Needed, Good For Clos...

Command Medium Clear Clear Hooks, 7 Hooks, 12 Strips | Damage-Free Hanging Wall Hooks with Adhesive Strips, Wall Hooks for Hanging Decor...

Command Indoor Large Replacement Strips, 20 Strips | Replacement Strips, Holds up to 5 lb, Damage Free Wall Hanging, Re-Hang Large Hooks...

Command 8 lb Universal Hangers, 3 Hangers, 8 Strips | Universal Hangers for Sawtooth, D-Ring, Wire, Keyhole and Other Frames, Damage-Free...

3M Outdoor Safety Eyewear, Anti-Scratch, Black, Gray Lens, 4-Pack

Amazon Basics Micro-Foam Nitrile Coated Safety Work Gloves, Nylon Liner Fiber, Touch Screen Compatible, Grey, Size 9, Large, 6-Pack

EVEREADY LED Flashlights (4-Pack), Bright Flashlights for Emergencies and Camping Gear, Flash Light with AA Batteries Included, Blue/Yell...

Komelon SL2816; 16' x 3/4" Self-Lock Tape Measure

Komelon 30-FT Tape Measure with Self Locking Blade, Retractable (SL2830)

Komelon 25' Retraction Control Tape Measure | Retraction control disc

Klein Tools 32500SDKIT Multi-Bit Screwdriver and Nut Driver Set with Cushion-Grip Handles, Includes Stubby, 11-in-1, and 4-in-1 Electroni...

Mechanix Wear Original Touchscreen Work Gloves, Large, Black

Amazon Basics Self-Locking Tape Measure with Belt Clip, 16-Feet (5-Meters), Inch/Metric Scale, MID Accuracy, Black, Yellow

Amazon Basics Self-Locking Tape Measure, 25ft (8-meters), Accurate Dual Scale inch/metric, MID Accuracy, Extendable, 2-Pack, Yellow

Lithonia Lighting 4' Low-Profile LED Wraparound Light Fixture, 4000K, 120V

Lithonia Lighting 4' Wraparound LED Shop Light, Adj Brightness, 3-in-1 CCT

KNIPEX 87 01 150, 6 in. Cobra® Water Pump Pliers, Capacity 1-1/4 in

KNIPEX 87 00 100, 4 in. Cobra® XS Water Pump Pliers, Capacity 1 in

KNIPEX Tools 87 01 300 Cobra Water Pump Pliers, 12-Inch

Klein Tools 32313HD 13-in-1 Multi-bit Ratcheting Screwdriver, Double-Ended Impact Bit Set, 12 Impact Driver Bits and 1/4-Inch Nut Driver

Amazon Basics 42-Piece Impact Screwdriver Bit Set with Phillips, Slotted and Torx Bits, Portable Storage Case

Amazon Basics 6-in-1 Multi-Bit Screwdriver and Nut Driver Tool with Cushion Grip Handle, Slotted and Phillips Bits, Multicolor (Pack of 2)

Lithonia Lighting 2' Low-Profile LED Wraparound Light Fixture, 4000K, 120V

Command 5 lb Universal Hangers, 3 Hangers, 6 Strips, 6 Stabilizer Strips

Klein Tools 80065 Schrader Driver Kit with Multi-Bit 11-in-1 Screwdriver/Nut Driver and 2-in-1 Nutdriver, Hex Head Slide Drive, 2-Piece

Amazon Basics Micro-Foam Nitrile Coated Safety Work Gloves, Touch Screen, Nylon Liner Fiber, Machine Washable, Grey, Size 8/M, 12-Pair

Lithonia Lighting 4 Foot LED Light Fixture, Low-Profile Linkable LED Wraparound Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Adjustable Lumens, Selectable White Color, 120V, 48-I

Amazon Basics Picture Hanging Hardware Assortment Kit, 220 Piece Set, Brass

Amazon Basics Double-Sided Heavy Duty Adhesive Clear Mounting Tape, Transparent, 118.2" L x 1.18" W x 0.07" H

VELCRO Brand Industrial Strength Tape, Black, 2in x 4ft Roll

WypAll GeneralClean X50 Cleaning Cloths, Jumbo Roll, 1100 Towels (35015)

Methodology

When to stop

FAQ

Sister briefs

Lowe’s and Overstock

Projects that fit one bay and a small yard.

Nine guides, one small property

Projects that fit one bay and a small yard.

Nine guides, one small property