Hi Glen..
I built a 800 sqft garage in north van a few years ago... I was allowed 800 sqft and 15 ft to the peak. things I did that I would do again...
1. hip roof. allowed me to have two trusses that were designed for 2000lb point load. good for hoisting things.
2. extra wide door. my door is 18ft wide by 9 ft high, no chain, very quiet. means you can get the cars in with out having to lose space between the wall and the opening.
3. gas heater. works very well, heats up in no time. but does produce hot and cold areas.
4. large overhand on the roof. keep the rain away form doors and windows.
5. 200 amp service.
6. what you really need to do is park your trucks on the grass, draw a box around them for all the space you want to have, then figure out what that is, that space less 800 sqft will be attached to the side of the garage... see pictures it makes more sense.
7. most important!!! have a free span for the door. I put in a very large paralam beam so I can have a 18ft wide opening. that way there is no post in the middle of the garage.
8. you must have water and a sink, also if you can a 2" sanitary draing if possible.
THINGS YOU DONT WANT TO DO....
1. scissor truss...they do not get you anymore usable space, and you can not hoist of them. use a standand trus with the smallest pitch allowed. I have about 11 ft of wall height. and have two trusses that can hoist 2000lbs.
2. gas heater.. good and bad, in floor heating in think I would do , the only plus with the gas is the heat is almost instant, but you cant paint in that garage with the open flame heating system....
3. don't bother plumbing lines in the walls, with 800 sq ft you only need a few lines and you have total coverage.
4. put a hose bib outside...
5. GET TH BIGGEST DOORS YOU CAN... I have two, 18ftx9 and 10ft x 8
6.let me stress this again.... free span the opening on the big door!!!!