First Post, First House: Baby Steps...

[iBuckethed]

I am finally at a point in my life where I can buy a house and settle down with my family. The home that my wife and I decided to purchase came with an extra lot attached to the backyard which conveniently has a powered workshop. My wife has generously 'given' this extra lot and workshop to me, and the control to do whatever I want with it.

It is not much to look at, yet. This will be a long-term project and I will be making numerous posts along the way as I make the much needed additions to the workshop and lot. The pictures below are of the workshop as it sits RIGHT NOW with some of the current owner’s belongings still inside. As you can see, it needs some love. I will not be able to start any projects until June. As for why I posted this now, I suppose I’m just excited….

I’d like to thank all who contribute to this site and I hope my contributions will help someone too!


Respectfully,

iB

 

[Gareth]

You are in what I found to be the most exciting time, the planning. As exciting as the building actually is, the accompanying stress (especially if you are doing a lot of the work yourself) takes the edge off the enjoyment.

Looks a fantastic set up. Are you planning on extending the driveway, or is there access at the back of the plot?

What are you planning on using it for in particular?

 

[John in OH]

I can sure understand your excitement about getting a posting up. It's very rewarding to hear the comments, thoughts, and suggestions offered by the members here. It's always nice to have another set of eyes looking at your plans.

Gareth has a good thought regarding a driveway extension. How far into the yard is that electric pole? Can you work a driveway around it?

Also, love the wood floor in the shop! Is the shop heated?

 

[Hud]

Looks like a great place....enjoy!

 

[Gareth]

Gareth has a good thought regarding a driveway extension. How far into the yard is that electric pole? Can you work a driveway around it?

It's always best to get 'permission' at an early stage!

 

[JC23]

Be smart. Plan many things over a time period - execute once.

Think how you want the place to end up and reverse engineer it.

And welcome aboard, iB!

 

[iBuckethed]

You are in what I found to be the most exciting time, the planning. As exciting as the building actually is, the accompanying stress (especially if you are doing a lot of the work yourself) takes the edge off the enjoyment.

Looks a fantastic set up. Are you planning on extending the driveway, or is there access at the back of the plot?

What are you planning on using it for in particular?

First of all, when I say this is my first post I mean just that. I'm learning the basics, like doing this reply with a quote. So… if I break any rules or I do something less than efficient please let me know.

Ok, to address your reply.... I plan to do the majority of the work myself. Building ‘stuff’ and rebuilding/repairing anything that is broken are my hobbies. The challenges I run into actually relieve stress for me.

Driveway…
This is actually on my 'challenges to solve' list . An extended driveway is a must; I will probably go with a non-concrete type driveway through the backyard. Unfortunately, there is not rear access to this lot. Bottom line, the workshop is in a bad place for my plans-to-be. Speaking of bad placement, the power-pole is strategically placed RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of a straight path from the driveway to the back lot . If I were “king for the day”, I would move the workshop over to the left, and I would get the power-pole moved to the corner of the wooden fence.

Plans for use...
Soon after I move into this house I will start college and I will use this area to make extra cash. I will probably pour a small concrete slab next to this workshop at first so that I can work on cars and use the workshop as a 'clean-room' to work on engines etc.. Rather than blowing my savings on a 30x40 shop, I will ease into it and finance the build with profits made along the way.

I have some designing to do, and some decisions to make in order to solve this puzzle.


I have the following 'scores' that I found on craigslist that I will repair and use profits to finance the concrete slab.
2001 Subaru Outback Limited Sedan: Paid $1750.00, needs head gasket.
2003 Subaru Outback Limited Wagon: Paid $2200.00, needs head gasket.

Total cost to fix: ~$600.00

 

[iBuckethed]

I can sure understand your excitement about getting a posting up. It's very rewarding to hear the comments, thoughts, and suggestions offered by the members here. It's always nice to have another set of eyes looking at your plans.

Gareth has a good thought regarding a driveway extension. How far into the yard is that electric pole? Can you work a driveway around it?

Also, love the wood floor in the shop! Is the shop heated?

Thank you for the comment on the floors, I'm a fan as well. My great-grandmother's entire house had floors like this. As a kid, I was always scared to visit that place due to the creepy sounds the floors made .

Pole distance in the yard....
I can only judge by the looking at the pictures my wife sent me. I'm in Afghanistan, which is why I have to wait until June to start any projects. It looks to me like it's roughly 6' from the fence bordering the right side of the lawn. I will look into the costs of getting the pole moved; I would rather have a straight path going from the driveway into the rear lot.

Heated workshop...
If it's not now, it will be soon after I get back home .

 

[iBuckethed]

Looks like a great place....enjoy!

Thank you! I sincerely appreciate your positive comment!

Respectfully,

iB

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Congrats to your "own" shop/lot/manspace!
Looking forward to see the progress.

 

[steven083008]

Congrats. That place looks like it has amazing potential.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Lots of potential. And lots of help here when you are ready to make improvements.

I appreciate your service. Come home safe!

 

[Showboy]

As the others have said, you have already got a great place ---- plus you have a lot of potential to make it your own.

Best wishes and keep us posted.

 

[mrstang69]

Congrats on the new place.

 

[royalton10]

I'm in Afghanistan

Thank you for your service. Be safe. Great ideas you already have.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

I'm in Afghanistan

Thank you for your service. Be safe. Great ideas you already have.

If the house is a keeper, you might look at the slab as a start on the "new" shop in the location you want.

 

[ddawg16]

How many of us would be so greatful to have something like that to start off with....

You have the right ideas so far....no doubt your plans will change 50 times....but that is the fun of it.

On that pole....maybe consider going buried? It would cost a bit...but cosidering what it might cost to move the pole....buired may not be much more...

Or....run the power to the shop where the main panel would now be....then go buired cable to the house.....

 

[iBuckethed]

Congrats to your "own" shop/lot/manspace!
Looking forward to see the progress.

Congrats. That place looks like it has amazing potential.

Congrats on the new place.

Thank you for your comments!

 

[iBuckethed]

Lots of potential. And lots of help here when you are ready to make improvements.

I appreciate your service. Come home safe!

Thank you for your support!

As the others have said, you have already got a great place ---- plus you have a lot of potential to make it your own.

Best wishes and keep us posted.

Will do, and thank you much!

I'm in Afghanistan

Thank you for your service. Be safe. Great ideas you already have.

Thank you too, for your support and for your positive comment!

 

[iBuckethed]

If the house is a keeper, you might look at the slab as a start on the "new" shop in the location you want.

You hit the nail on the head! I plan to install a vehicle lift inside the 30'x40 shop after it is built. With that said, I will probably pour the 'starter slab' extra thick with plenty of reinforcement and just install the lift there. So... to clarify;

Step 1: Pour the 'Starter' Slab. (this slab will be able to support a vehicle lift that will be installed later down the road)

Step 2: Take down, and/or move the small workshop. (this will make room for the larger shop)

Step 3: Pour remaining concrete to form a slab large enough to hold a 30'x40' workshop. (the new shop will be 'drive-through' design with roughly 12'x12' doors on each end)

I attached a rough sketch below...

How many of us would be so greatful to have something like that to start off with....

You have the right ideas so far....no doubt your plans will change 50 times....but that is the fun of it.

On that pole....maybe consider going buried? It would cost a bit...but cosidering what it might cost to move the pole....buired may not be much more...

Or....run the power to the shop where the main panel would now be....then go buired cable to the house.....

Thank you! I agree with the changing of plans many times! I think I'm past 50 already, though.

I have not thought about buried cable, great idea! I have some investigating to do, because my wife mentioned something about the house being on city utilities, and the rear lot being on county utiliites. I'm not sure if this will affect anything at all, but I still have to check all the angles before I make changes with the power, etc.

 

[bobemmerich]

1) Congrats on the house/shop
2)Thanks for serving and come home safe
Thats a nice set up you've got there. Keep us posted

 

[slimpickins]

That looks like a nice building. It would be a shame to take it down as it looks to be in very good shape. It looks like there's a covered area on the side of the building. Is that a porch or patio or something? The floor looks like its raised with space underneath - could be a hideout for critters?

It also looks like you've got enough room on the lot to put up your 30 x 40 shop without removing the small one. What if you leave the small shop and build a bigger one as well. Might have to convince the wife of the benefit of having that much shop space. If you do any wood working or painting, a second building/separate space is a must for dust control.

I look forward to seeing more!

 

[iBuckethed]

1) Congrats on the house/shop
2)Thanks for serving and come home safe
Thats a nice set up you've got there. Keep us posted

Will do! Thank you for your support, and comments!