Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how :)

[lowkee]

I'm looking to build a 24x60 workshop with a concrete floor and either metal or wood siding and a metal roof. Why am I posting about it instead of doing it, you ask? Well, I have no idea how

Any builders on here willing to make a to-do list (in order) as to how to go about this task? I have zero preferences, as I just want a garage to work in, store wood and power my tools. Anything else is optional.

Right now I just have a big car port and that doesn't even have power.

What I am looking for:

24x60 workshop
Smooth concrete floor
As few support posts as possible (none?)
At least 100amp service (power pole right next to building site)
Garage door
Sliding barn door (or roll up) (for wide loads)

Now, if you were to build this same garage as cheaply as possible, how would you go about it? Now, keep in mind, I've never built anything more than an oversized shed before, so this will be a new experience for me, so please be specific and maybe include a few 'whys' in there, too.

Thanks in advance

 

[JRJ]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

I'm not a builder, but I recommend a door high enough and wide enough to get any boat or RV you could possibly want through. Have fun.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

First draw up some plans, needed for material list and possible permits. Stake out the area, then if needed for code, dig the rat-wall then build floor forms...pour cement, float cement, place anchor bolts while cement's still workable for wall hold-downs...build walls {I would go wood for sound insulation}, add rafters or truss's as required for tin roof, install door's window's etc, crack open a cold one, enjoy!
FYI, as you probably guessed, I'm no contractor/builder, just a git r done sort

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Engineered roof trusses will eliminate the need for any support posts. 24' isn't much of a span. The extra cost is well worth it to simplify construction and eliminating the need to cut and set rafters. Not that easy of a job for someone with little carpentry or construction experience.

 

[rbh]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Heated or not (in slab heating), do you need an overhead crane for pulling motors (you need to pour a good base), 2x4 or 2x6 walls??? what pitch roof (do you get lot's of snow??) and don't put your big door under the roofed side, put it on the gable end if you get lot's of snow.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

if this is going to be free standing, you might want to consider two overhead doors, one on each end...nothing beats being able to drive thru or not have to move everything out to reach what you need. Also no trying to back the trailer in after a hard night's fishing

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Future Steel is a company that sells AND erects if you need them to, metal arched roof buildings. I know of two in my immediate area that look great and are HUGE inside because there is no traditional "frame". Lots of door styles and sizes to choose from. I have a buddy that uses one for a hanger for his plane. Doors open full width of the building.

Take a look here for more info.

http://futuresteel.com/

 

[lowkee]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Post consolidation..

 

[lowkee]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Engineered roof trusses will eliminate the need for any support posts.

I'll definitely go this route, as there could be 9" of snow on the roof at once, which isn't much in the grand scheme, but I don't want to risk it, either.

do you need an overhead crane for pulling motors (you need to pour a good base)

I would likely want to be able to flip a hull inside the garage, so this would become an issue. What is needed to make this possible? Can normal rafters take the added 600 +/- lbs? If not, what's needed?

if this is going to be free standing, you might want to consider two overhead doors, one on each end

I plan to put the carport (freestanding metal building) beside it, so this wouldn't be possible. That would be awesome, though.. pull the truck and trailer right through.

Future Steel ... metal arched roof buildings.

My carport looks exactly like these guys' buildings. It is a 24'wx20'dx12'h and likely costs more than I want to spend on this workshop .. maybe I can sell the carport to fund the workshop

Here is what I am picturing in my head (welcome to my head, Mwahaha )

Imagine the above with a roof like this:

in order to accommodate higher garage doors without making the entire building taller.


How much am I looking at for something along this line? I'm trying to keep within $8,000, so this may not be possible, but I'm expecting to do most of the building myself and only hiring out for the concrete pour/float, circuit panel install and trusses (pre-made trusses). I don't see much of an issue with anything else, but if I'm missing something big, please let me know. There is no zoning here, so very little outside interference.

Are full metal buildings usually cheaper or more expensive? I'd love to have all metal siding/roof and insulate, then (later on) put up some normal gypsum board for interior walls. I figure that would give a nice outside appearance and still have good sound (and heat) insulating ability.

 

[solar7647]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Here is what I am picturing in my head (welcome to my head, Mwahaha )

How much am I looking at for something along this line? I'm trying to keep within $8,000, so this may not be possible

Well they may get you the floor, add more for a nice smooth finish. 24ft x 60ft and 6in deep considering you will be putting vehicles on it, your looking ay about 26 yards of concrete. You could bring that down to 17 yards by making it 4in thick but you will have to add a small gauge re-bar. Around hear they use a 1/4in steel fencing like what you would use as a cattle fence. Then theres labor and inspection. I hate to say it but I dont think that budget will cut it.

My brother is a concrete contractor and I once did a 14 yard driveway with him and he bid 15,000 and got it because he was cheaper by 3,00- then the next lower bid.

Are full metal buildings usually cheaper or more expensive? I'd love to have all metal siding/roof and insulate in order to put up some normal gypsum board for the interior walls (maybe a later project, after the building is up). I figure that would give a nice outside appearance and still have good sound (and heat) insulating ability.

Well I have been looking into building a pole barn and the coman price for a hole kit 20x40 is about 5k. That includes everything you need with metal roof and siding. They pull up a flat bed unlaod and a group of five can put it up in a week or less. Then you can just throw down a stone floor till you can get concrete. that can be added to the barn after its up no problem.

a steel building is about 20k

like these

http://diypolebarns.com/kits/

 

[lowkee]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Well I have been looking into building a pole barn and the common price for a whole kit 20x40 is about 5k.

Hmm, that place does seem to have good prices. I just got a quote for $6,600. I can just add the concrete later on as you mentioned. Then for $2,000 I can have it erected for me.. perfect!

Of course, then I still need power.. It never ends!

 

[j_martin]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

If you plan to put in an overhead rail, be sure to tell whoever is engineering it where it will be and what the load will be. They can engineer the trusses to do it.

I got into a house addition with a get it done'r carpenter that figured he could stick tie the roofs together. When I figured out the loads, including snow, it didn't add up. I figured out the loads, called the truss company on the day before the 30' trusses for the addition were coming, and they had an engineered truss to do the job on the load, along with installation instructions. The engineering paper work caught up about 3 weeks later.

If I remember right, the load was 6000 lbs on a 30' truss. That durned thing was heavy and in 2 pieces. Deflection/distortion after 10 years is nil.

 

[rbh]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

I am not sure about the turning the boat over thing, thats more of a rotiserie (sp) thing.
If I was to start fresh and rebuild my shop I would first build/pour a good 3- 4foot pony wall, this keeps the water out in the spring (our wood wall's were built right to the floor)
I would also build it with the roof that takes 70-80* of rain or melting snow to the back of the building (your small green pic of the shop)
I would go from a 12 foot wide door to a 16 foot wide
(it has an 18 foot ceiling which I like)
And lastly, on the front of the shop were the doors are pour a 2 foot deep collection trough all the way across, it will get rid of the water and your dirt ETC, then you just lift the metal grate off every year and clean it out.

 

[mrz333]

Building a workshop/big garage

Building a workshop/big garage

Plan ahead and plan well! Learn how to lay block and look to see what kind of leftover or 2nd hand materials you can find. In your area you may not have zoning issues but you probably need a permit. Even if you don't, still build it to UBC codes for resale and insurance reasons. To avoid a deep footing you can use a slab on grade w/monolithic pour of the footings and slab. This floating slab needs extra rebar because of ice heaving. Per square foot, block is the cheapest of those methods which yield a building that is an asset. I would use a stick framed roof, ply and asphalt shingles. I used a smaller footprint to save money, standard concrete & block foundation (I rented a small backhoe) and LVL's as ridge beams so I could make a large loft. Your local supplier can deliver and lift those beams cheap. With good planning and easy access to the loft it becomes a very, very valuable storage space leaving almost your entire floor area for parking and projects. I bought lots of leftovers & seconds. For windows I used vinyl replacements for home depot, closeout doors, stuff on Craig's list , E-bay and sale items. Stucco the exterior or use 5/4 furring inside and out for vinyl siding, cheap 1" sheet foam insulation inside, 6 mil plastic vapor barrier and, if possible, seconds of 1/4" plywood finish paneling unless your good and rocking and taping. Rent a Ditch Witch to trench from the house to the garage, lay your direct burial service entrance cable for at least 100 Amp 220 sub panel service (larger if you can get it & buy one that comes with the breakers), 1/2" water line and a 3/4" natural gas line if you have gas for a space heater if you want it. No gas or water just use a service drop from the house. Inside, surface mount all your boxes & electrical feeds with romex (min. 12/2) drops from your roof or attic back to your sub panel. Just put the romex in pvc and strap down where exposed. Tools need juice & the shop needs lots of lights inside & out. For oversized height garage doors plan to use standard sized panels to avoid custom sizes and if you heat the space you'll need insulated doors.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage

Re: Building a workshop/big garage

mrz, you are the man!

A few questions from your posting:

Per square foot, block is the cheapest of those methods

Where would I be laying block?

You mean block instead of poured concrete for the floor? I'm confused. I've never used concrete block before, so I don't know even where it can be used. Or do you mean making the walls concrete block and stucco? Wouldn't concrete block, in that usage, be more costly than post and beam and outdoor paneling walls?

LVL's as ridge beams so I could make a large loft

What is an LVL and how does it allow a loft?

or use 5/4 furring inside and out for vinyl siding

Isn't vinyl siding super expensive? I thought getting a small house vinyl sided was ~$10,000. Is most of that price (if accurate) labor and not materials?

lay your direct burial service entrance cable for at least 100 Amp 220 sub panel service

This is greek to me. My house has 200amp service coming to it currently. Is it possible to steal 100amps from it without jeopardizing the house feed? Is wiring a breaker panel easy enough to do yourself (having never done it) or should I hire an electrician for the panel wiring? I have done everything but run breaker panel service lines and installing of panels themselves.

a 3/4" natural gas line if you have gas for a space heater

I plan on having a large wood stove, so no need for gas lines.

For oversized height garage doors plan to use standard sized panels to avoid custom sizes

Good tip, will remember.

Thanks a ton for the help!

 

[mrz333]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

Where would I be laying block?

Concrete block is about $1.50 a sq. ft. (block size 8 x 18). Get the hang of slinging block and structures go up quick and add value to your home. Rent a Kubota or hire a guy with a backhoe to dig your perimeter trench and level the site. Trench 42" deep for frost. If you use a small bucket hoe you dont have to form up the footings. 12 x 24 footings need 4- #5 rebar. Lay block from the footing to the bottom of the slab, fill cores as required. When dry backfill and tack up perimeter forms for 4" slab. Look for DIY concrete slab help on the web. You'll need tools, trowels, floats. For a big slab I'd rent a power trowel. Stucco requires a good hand. I'd cut nail and spot glue 5/4 x 3 spruce furring inside and out 16" on center. This is a fairly simple garage except for the size. Buy some cheap plans on the web. Block work is heavy work especially working on a scaffold. An alternate of 2 x 4 stud wall 16"oc with 1/2" osb sheathing is more expensive material wise but more a DIY job. Consider using 2 x 6's - stronger over distance and you can hang heavy stuff on the inside.

What is an LVL and how does it allow a loft?

Laminated Veneer Lumber. Like a composite beam - it takes the load of a vaulted ceiling. Makes all the area under the roof available for loft space. An 8 pitch roof (8" rise per foot) atop 15 courses of block is easy to frame and roof. You could use trusses but they'll take up some of that head room you'll need later. Add some simple shed dormers and windows up there and it's almost like having a 2 story building. You could frame up the loft floor at a later date with proper prep. Nothing is stopping you from having different heights between the slab and the loft floor as your needs require.

Isn't vinyl siding super expensive?

Materials are cheap - maybe $60 per square (100 sq. ft.). Stucco is cheaper but it requires good hands to do it well. Vinyl siding is a DIY project

Quote:
lay your direct burial service entrance cable for at least 100 Amp 220 sub panel service

Ask for help. You can sometimes feed a 100A service panel directly from your meter pan depending on the size of the service drop to your house. Overhead wires are not enclosed and can carry more amperage then you think. Again, let an electrician guide you and do your layouts and final hook-ups. Other than that it is a DIY.

Quote:
a 3/4" natural gas line if you have gas for a space heater

Mistake not to put it in if you have it!

 

[captmello]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

I'm also planning a new building for myself and will enjoy your story, I hope you'll keep us updated.

I think you could build something nice for 8000 but you would have gravel floors. Whats the purpose of the building? Short term? Long term? A post and beam, pole barn is going to be the cheapest way to go but they aren't as easy to finish off. In your case 2x6 stud walls would be the most practical. However I'm not sure how you'd build the stud walls without a slab?

You can buy trusses in the shape of the building in your sketch.

Heres a pic of a machine shed I'm building now. 14x36 w/ 5' rear overhang, Post and beam.





This building is going to cost around 3000 in materials with no slab, no doors, plywood on three sides and a metal roof.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

I don't have any specific plans for the workshop. I do some hobby woodworking which may turn into a business and want to be able to accommodate working on the boat, tractor, vehicles and hold some lumber for storage. I doubt it will ever become a parking area, but I may eventually restore an older Blazer in it, so it has to handle some engine lifting, at least in one section.

That building you posted is exactly what I was hoping to build, but with a depth of 24' I don't see how I'll get timber to span that distance without support posts in the middle.

Apparently I need to find some plans in order to see how building like these are constructed without support posts, as I just lack the knowledge to imagine it.

 

[captmello]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

That building you posted is exactly what I was hoping to build, but with a depth of 24' I don't see how I'll get timber to span that distance without support posts in the middle.

Apparently I need to find some plans in order to see how building like these are constructed without support posts, as I just lack the knowledge to imagine it.

This is the purpose of building with trusses. They are designed to clear span longer distances.

Pole barns are built similar to the way the one in my picture but they would use large pole barn trusses between posts instead of the tripled up beam I used.

How you build it depends greatly on how you will use it. Since your on a tight budget, maybe you want to consider building it like a pole barn and only putting a slab, finishing off, and heating one end.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Building a workshop/big garage by myself.. need to know how

I don't have any specific plans for the workshop. I do some hobby woodworking which may turn into a business and want to be able to accommodate working on the boat, tractor, vehicles and hold some lumber for storage. I doubt it will ever become a parking area, but I may eventually restore an older Blazer in it, so it has to handle some engine lifting, at least in one section.

That building you posted is exactly what I was hoping to build, but with a depth of 24' I don't see how I'll get timber to span that distance without support posts in the middle.

Apparently I need to find some plans in order to see how building like these are constructed without support posts, as I just lack the knowledge to imagine it.

You are looking to build a ~ 1500 sq. ft. building for under $8K which is less than $6- /sq. ft.
That is ambitious...

Step 1 is absolutely a check-in with your municipality and get a reality check on your site-plan ~ what CAN you build. This should help you refine your size wish into a can-do....can afford....can continue to afford... after you get the size reasonably settled and a realistic cost/sq. ft (they can advise you of some similar projects and costs) and how this will all affect your tax bill.

Once you have the scope of the project reasonably settled, put a detailed plan together....and you'll get all sorts of advice in here to help with that....you already are.