Building a shop, Whats the good the bad and the ugly? Options

[cassidy_bolger]

You should proably check with the county to find out their permitting requirements first. That may drive what type of builiding/construction you choose. For example, can you bring them purchased plans from a company that are "permit ready" engineered and ready to go? Or, do you need to hire someone to design and draw something in a way that proves it meets local code and won't fall down? Seismic and snow loads are not insignificant in these here parts, and one wall of nothing but garage doors can rob you of needed lateral load capacity....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

[Mr.C]

I've been on the garage journal too. I'm thinking of going with something like this.
Pole barn designs seem to be the easiest for the do it yourself guy.

[PeeGreen 914]

I guess down in California you can get away with that, but up here you should have it heated. Plus, the pole barn thing looks so cheap. Build something that is more secure and finished properly.

[Mr.C]

Here's the outside and the thread from the garage journal http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthr...light=pole+barn

[TeenerTim]

Buy shop lights with "electronic" ballasts. They're more expensive but the cheap ones don't work in the cold. My cheap ones would cut on and off at random.

Space your bays far enough apart so you can open the doors on both cars in adjoining bays.

Make it deep enough so you can close the garage door and have room to walk behind the car and room to walk in front between the car and workbench or toolbox.

Buy insulated garage doors. Well worth the extra cost.

[dlo914]

What kind of lifts are you planning to install? I always liked the 2 Post Car Lifts over the in ground hydraulic ones. (IMG:http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/photos/TP7A-2.jpg)

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

I've been on the garage journal too. I'm thinking of going with something like this.
Pole barn designs seem to be the easiest for the do it yourself guy.

Unless they added more, there are NOT enough lights in that garage!

When I bought my house the garage had two florescent lights of 2x4' design. I've seen votive candles put out more light. So I put in seven and have a lot more light. But I wish I had more...however, though I insulated my walls I did not sheet rock them. BTW, R-13 insulation made a noticable difference! Definitely insulate.

I also added additional outlets to my garage and am very glad I did. Remember, you can never have too many outlets and lights!

[Wilhelm]

2 pole lifts make a lot more sense rather than 4 pole drive on ramp lifts. With 2 pole lifts you've go access to the wheels, axles and brakes as opposed to the 4 pole ramp lifts where the car is essentially sitting on its wheels at a higher level. Granted, 4 pole lifts seem safer to be under, but I don't think you gain much other than ability to work under the engine. All I need to do is find a 2 pole lift wide enuf to stick the car in sideways so I can make a rotissere attachment to twirl and spin the car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Wilhelm]

You should proably check with the county to find out their permitting requirements first. That may drive what type of builiding/construction you choose. For example, can you bring them purchased plans from a company that are "permit ready" engineered and ready to go? Or, do you need to hire someone to design and draw something in a way that proves it meets local code and won't fall down? Seismic and snow loads are not insignificant in these here parts, and one wall of nothing but garage doors can rob you of needed lateral load capacity....... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Don't even get me started!!!! I designed and built my own home. The company that cut the sips (western insulfoam) provided the engineering, fastner requirements and wind/earthquake tie down engineering. This was not good enough for the local building dept. I had to pay an extra grand for outside engineering which resulted in 5 grand of extra steel in the foundation and comercial type foundation ties into the concrete. When the building inspecter came out to look, he said "whats with all the steel?" I wanted to 'Hoffa' him into the foundation. My biggest issue is really that I'm in a scenic area and this adds a extra thousand dollars to the application process and 5 months to the application for them to review everything and ensure my structure (which by the way is surrounded by farms and orchards) is "visually subserviant" to the surrounding area when viewed from the 'scenicivista' in the area that it is visible from: 5miles away, across the river in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees. Oh, but don't get me started.......

[Mr.C]

Check this site out. www.barnpros.com They have some of the most beautiful barns/shop kits that I have seen on the net. This may be what your after.