Building a building in my backyard for a shop seeking advice

[AccelR8]

Something I have learned in my 68 years on this side of a dirt nap. Whatever size you think you will need double it. Because after 5 years you will remember this and know I was right.

Applies to money too apparently.

I guess I'm a little behind the times because I just finished a meeting with a contractor. The cost is about double what I was anticipating. Not quite but almost. (edit; 33% more actually)

My wife, of course is insisting that it's too much. I remind her that in the past, when she insisted on the low bid, we were always SORELY disappointed and had many fights with contractors.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you are doing the work and do not have much experience framing, there is a step that is not shown much in videos. After the walls are up, we would plumb and align the walls, and use long lumber to brace them so that they were held in position while we framed the roof and sheeted it. Typically for the outside walls we would use let in bracing and would secure the bottom end and use bent nail to retain the 1x brace. after someone with a long level would square the wall so that its ends were vertical and someone else would nail off the brace, which would run diagonal to the studs from top plate to bottom. If you are involved in pouring the slab, take care that your forms are checked for level, straightness, and squareness, using corner to corner diagonal measurements for that. If someone else is pouring the slab, I would check them anyway. An inexpensive way to check level accurately is a water level. You don't want the mud to be too soupy because it will tend to crack more and not be as strong. and don't short yourself on reinforcing just to save a couple of bucks. Whatever else, I believe that slabs are better if built to code.

 

[enrique]

Not sure how much money in you project but try to limit 2x4 lumber for interior walls and use more 2x6 as someone stated earlier that way your shop last forever. Also, if you use blown in insulation on roof double it as that is where you will lose or get most heat and will make it easy on your ac or heat bill. I used an R-value for Alaska/Antarctica and sure stays cool. However, I feel sorry for whatever poor sucker (electrician) that ever has to climb in my rafters. He will need a snow shovel :0 Also, a big circuit box with plenty of extra space for adding more circuits as it is easier to have a larger on installed earlier than later if you decide to add more lines/amperage

 

[BigBolt]

Applies to money too apparently.

I guess I'm a little behind the times because I just finished a meeting with a contractor. The cost is about double what I was anticipating. Not quite but almost. (edit; 33% more actually)

My wife, of course is insisting that it's too much. I remind her that in the past, when she insisted on the low bid, we were always SORELY disappointed and had many fights with contractors.

I built a 26'x26' attached garage 28 years ago. I did all the work myself and with the help of wifey and the 2 teenage boys. From the slab to the roof, power and all materials I spent 20K, including insulation and sheet rock. It is all relative back then on military pay it was 1/2 my yearly salary. If I built it today it would cost me 60K.

 

[Rampsey]

Aa a long time builder/contractor.
For a small sq footage hobby shop/,work shop.
2 options
1- these lightweight steel tube framed metal buildings (28x32 or so with doors/windows installed on your slab around $10000.
But that's unfinished inside, and on your slab.

#2- for looks. Insulation, sound proof?
I'd put up a white cedar Log wall exterior, on a slab, conventional roof frame/trusses and insulted ceilings
Your sideing is done
Your framing is done
Your insulation is done
Your interior wall and finish is done
Warmest homes or buildi gs I ever been in
Absolutely the quietest if you want to keep noise inside.
Easiest to keep warm or cool
Easiest to mount or hang anything you want on walls securely.

And typically look better than a sided or metal building.

At say 28x32?
Approximately $14000 for walls

Just my opinion

 

[Sniperhandle]

Aa a long time builder/contractor.
For a small sq footage hobby shop/,work shop.
2 options
1- these lightweight steel tube framed metal buildings (28x32 or so with doors/windows installed on your slab around $10000.
But that's unfinished inside, and on your slab.

#2- for looks. Insulation, sound proof?
I'd put up a white cedar Log wall exterior, on a slab, conventional roof frame/trusses and insulted ceilings
Your sideing is done
Your framing is done
Your insulation is done
Your interior wall and finish is done
Warmest homes or buildi gs I ever been in
Absolutely the quietest if you want to keep noise inside.
Easiest to keep warm or cool
Easiest to mount or hang anything you want on walls securely.

And typically look better than a sided or metal building.

At say 28x32?
Approximately $14000 for walls

Just my opinion

white cedar Log wall exterior?

Very expensive upkeep.

 

[Rampsey]

white cedar Log wall exterior?

Very expensive upkeep.

Upkeep?
Lol
Depending on region, sunny or shady environment?
Premium stains like Sikens will stay bright on cedar for average 10 years bfore fading .so I'd say that's simple n cheap upkeep

 

[Sniperhandle]

10 yrs? Lol

I want something that's at least 30, Wood sucks!

 

[urbanrifleman]

My new shop will basically be a large shed in comparison to most of the posters here.

And I will say this I think a lot of people haven't priced anything lately posting here. Some of the shops that you guys are proposing would cost $100,000 in 2023 dollars. As prices have pretty much doubled in the last 5 years on just about everything building wise.

The shop I'm looking at will be a glorified shed. Standard 2x4 frame like any house. A sheet metal roof. A garage door, a man door, and a window. My budget is about $30,000. I might be able to make my budget all wired up and insulated for a 20x24. Maybe.

Honestly that's more than enough room for me. My operation does not require an industrial setting.

 

[LVLAaron]

If you're going "standard 2 car garage" size - Don't overlook places like Menards and your local hardware store (real hardware store, not a big box)

They'll have pre-designed buildings, kits, and inclusive prices for all of the materials.

 

[urbanrifleman]

If you're going "standard 2 car garage" size - Don't overlook places like Menards and your local hardware store (real hardware store, not a big box)

They'll have pre-designed buildings, kits, and inclusive prices for all of the materials.

That's essentially what I'm having built in place.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Sure wish we had Menard's here in Florida.

 

[JFrank]

Bradley,
My best advice to anyone that ask me is to get a detailed scope of work and hard cost up front , whether turn key contract or pieced out per sub. None of these hand shake and we’ll work it out deals that end up in court or lost friendships.
Jim

 

[urbanrifleman]

Bradley,
My best advice to anyone that ask me is to get a detailed scope of work and hard cost up front , whether turn key contract or pieced out per sub. None of these hand shake and we’ll work it out deals that end up in court or lost friendships.
Jim

That's good advice.

 

[AccelR8]

My new shop will basically be a large shed in comparison to most of the posters here.

And I will say this I think a lot of people haven't priced anything lately posting here. Some of the shops that you guys are proposing would cost $100,000 in 2023 dollars. As prices have pretty much doubled in the last 5 years on just about everything building wise.

The shop I'm looking at will be a glorified shed. Standard 2x4 frame like any house. A sheet metal roof. A garage door, a man door, and a window. My budget is about $30,000. I might be able to make my budget all wired up and insulated for a 20x24. Maybe.

Honestly that's more than enough room for me. My operation does not require an industrial setting.

24'x36' 2x6, 9 ft. sidewall, scissors truss, 3 overhead doors, 5 service doors, 5 windows, 220V fully wired (outlets, lighting, etc,) all inclusive (concrete/foundation, drainage etc)-122K. And I don't have to build it

oh yeah includes teardown of existing building and hard fill to raise the grade

 

[urbanrifleman]

24'x36' 2x6, 9 ft. sidewall, scissors truss, 3 overhead doors, 5 service doors, 5 windows, 220V fully wired (outlets, lighting, etc,) all inclusive (concrete/foundation, drainage etc)-122K. And I don't have to build it

I wish I had 122k to spend on a building. Unfortunately, since I'm paying cash and not financing it my budget is relatively small.

 

[AccelR8]

I wish I had 122k to spend on a building. Unfortunately, since I'm paying cash and not financing it my budget is relatively small.

The wife is now shopping contractors. Here we go...(see my above post about low bidders)

 

[Rampsey]

10 yrs? Lol

I want something that's at least 30, Wood sucks!

So I guess you'd only have a steel framed, steel sided building, that fades and rusts and the fastener holes get bigger each year and metal gets looser each year.
Yeh
I guess that's better if that's your choice

 

[Rampsey]

24'x36' 2x6, 9 ft. sidewall, scissors truss, 3 overhead doors, 5 service doors, 5 windows, 220V fully wired (outlets, lighting, etc,) all inclusive (concrete/foundation, drainage etc)-122K. And I don't have to build it

oh yeah includes teardown of existing building and hard fill to raise the grade

28x32, 10foot high walls
2x6 frame
40 year steel roof , facia. Soffit.
Grade build up
Slab
Block
200 Amp
Log siding
Pella windows/door
Shell was 65k
Not sure your location but I do this everyday and would love customers with your budget!
Lol.

 

[Sniperhandle]

28x32, 10foot high walls
2x6 frame
40 year steel roof , facia. Soffit.
Grade build up
Slab
Block
200 Amp
Log siding
Pella windows/door
Shell was 65k
Not sure your location but I do this everyday and would love customers with your budget!
Lol.

Looks very nice, Just not for me. Yes metal roof, and siding is the way to go in my book, Your building does look very nice though, Good job!