thoughts or opinions on a shop build

[thejudges69]

I know a lot of people on here have done garage or workshop builds. So I'm asking opinions.

I live in NE Ohio I'm looking at putting up a large shop, 48x96 if it's stick built or 48x100 if its steel construction. It will have 16' ceilings, 2 14'x14' doors and 2 man doors. Fully insulated heated floor with a trench drain down the center of the building. All steel siding and roof.

What I'm asking is different opinions about the construction. I have a turn key price of just above 150k for a steel building which is only 40x100 so the added width will change the cost some. The cost break down is 48k for the building erected, 28k for 8" of concrete, 15k for the heated floor, 10k for the electric, 34k for excavation (which I think is to high) and there are a few other minor things that add to the cost.

I'm not liking the pricing I got for the steel building. I'd like to keep this build around 100-110k

So what I'm asking is this...

What are thoughts on putting a package together myself and paying the Amish to construct it. For example buying permacolumns, trusses, siding and roofing. I'm wondering if a bunch of money could be saved. Has anyone done a kit on there own and noticed a significant savings.

Thoughts on a quonset type building? They make quonsef buildings with straight sides now so I'd get my inside width and height. Pros and con's to these buildings.

Are there any other options for buildings other then what I've listed? Keeping in mind I live in the rust belt and we get snow so I don't think any type of soft sided building would work.

I'm open to thoughts. I won't make the building smaller at this point so that's not an option. I will be putting my truck and trailer in this shop so please don't question why so big and yada yada. Ultimately I'm looking to save money without sacrificing quality not shrink the building for a savings.

Thanks in advance.

 

[russellmn]

I've built a few shops/garages and refuse to pay someone else to do it for me. Put together a plan of what size building you want and go to a few local lumber yards and get material quotes. For that size building, pole construction may be your cheapest option. I'm starting a 36x72 pole barn this summer, looks like it'll be a bit cheaper than stick built and WAY cheaper than steel. Also talk to local builders about quotes for them to build it. $15k for heated floor seems awful high to me when they're already saying $28k for the slab. It's just a bunch of Pex tubing (cheap) and the boiler to run it ($4-5k??)...

 

[thejudges69]

I got a quote from a local heating guy of my own for 9k to do the heated floor he was at 9k not including the boiler which I'm looking at oil heat since we don't have natural gas.

My problem is I can't take the time off to build this. The several weeks I lose of work will cost me just as Much as having some one else erect it.

My issue with local builders is if they short change the build some how to save money on there end. I'm asking around from local people but not really getting anywhere yet.

 

[James-W]

I have no experience with Amish builders, but I have heard they are very honest and dependable. I would say if you can find an Amish building crew, I would get a firm price from then and if the price is acceptable, go with it.

 

[tommudd]

I've used Amish to help build 3 garages , nothing as big as you are wanting but they can handle that size.
One downfall was I had to go pick them up for the price we negotiated, if they got their own transportation it would of been almost a 1000 more.
They work hard and are pretty honest

 

[thejudges69]

I've used Amish to help build 3 garages , nothing as big as you are wanting but they can handle that size.
One downfall was I had to go pick them up for the price we negotiated, if they got their own transportation it would of been almost a 1000 more.
They work hard and are pretty honest

Apparently a lot of people around home have used them as well. Again I haven't been able to nail any names or contacts down. I can't take the time to pick them up so I'd have to pay for them to get transportation. The one neighbor said I need to be close by though to keep an eye on them so I need to find out about that. I want to be able to go to work while they build.

Now do the Amish use levels and so on to keep things straight? I don't know what they can and can't use that's why I'm asking.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I haven't been too impressed with some of the stuff members have posted on here showing some of the Amish builds. Keep in mind there are Amish and Mennonites, similar but with different beliefs, that allow them to different equipment. I watch a crew vinyl side my parent's house in December, about 15-20 degrees and a stiff breeze. I was impressed, those boys went at it and were enjoyable to talk too while they eat lunch.

Alot of the building built around here get their materials from a place in Shiloh, just north of Mansfield off St Rt 13. They roll their own steel, have a truss shop also and should be able to hook you up with a crew. One of the guys at the FD uses them and damn near has a retirement job set up with them as a salesman.

If you want the name and number, shoot me a PM and I'll try to get the guy's name who runs the place.

 

[Strouty]

The problem I would see with any quonset hut is trying to insulate it. The way the ribs are you would have thin and thick areas unless they have changed the design. My father has had a 50 x 100 quonset hut for almost 40 years, we put it together in house, but we own boom trucks. I really can't think of any leaks or issues we have had, except when the snow piles up on the hillside, then when it melts it will come under the flange on the top of the concrete wall, but that is not the fault of the building.

I would want a steel building that has an integrated design for a full length and width bridge crane. That is what my dad is doing, but then he went 20' ceilings because of that. You may also want to consider going with a wider door, he has a 20' by 16' and loves it. You can park a semi in the middle and still get to either side with ease.

 

[thejudges69]

The problem I would see with any quonset hut is trying to insulate it. The way the ribs are you would have thin and thick areas unless they have changed the design. My father has had a 50 x 100 quonset hut for almost 40 years, we put it together in house, but we own boom trucks. I really can't think of any leaks or issues we have had, except when the snow piles up on the hillside, then when it melts it will come under the flange on the top of the concrete wall, but that is not the fault of the building.

I would want a steel building that has an integrated design for a full length and width bridge crane. That is what my dad is doing, but then he went 20' ceilings because of that. You may also want to consider going with a wider door, he has a 20' by 16' and loves it. You can park a semi in the middle and still get to either side with ease.

I'm not going wider then a 14' door. I'm doing 2 bays not just one. I'm not wanting to have to back or pull in around a truck or have to come in with a wide piece and maneuver into one side of the building. If it was a single bay shop I could see having 1 wide door but the case is different here. Also I'm looking at putting a small trolley crane on a post at 1 end of the building. I will pour a large slab to support it when it comes time for that.

What seals the quonset to the slab? They have insulation packages now but I never considered what you said about thick and thin areas. That's an interesting thought to ask the manufacturer.

 

[thejudges69]

I haven't been too impressed with some of the stuff members have posted on here showing some of the Amish builds. Keep in mind there are Amish and Mennonites, similar but with different beliefs, that allow them to different equipment. I watch a crew vinyl side my parent's house in December, about 15-20 degrees and a stiff breeze. I was impressed, those boys went at it and were enjoyable to talk too while they eat lunch.

Alot of the building built around here get their materials from a place in Shiloh, just north of Mansfield off St Rt 13. They roll their own steel, have a truss shop also and should be able to hook you up with a crew. One of the guys at the FD uses them and damn near has a retirement job set up with them as a salesman.

If you want the name and number, shoot me a PM and I'll try to get the guy's name who runs the place.

Mansfield is a haul. I'm closer to Youngstown I need someone closer to me. I have a truss manufacturer about 15 miles from me. I haven't had a chance to call them yet but they are on the list. I can get permacolumns pricing on there website. But steel siding and insulation I need to find a supplier.

What were some of the things you didn't like about the Amish builds? Were the Mennonite builds better or worse?

 

[Strouty]

I'm not going wider then a 14' door. I'm doing 2 bays not just one. I'm not wanting to have to back or pull in around a truck or have to come in with a wide piece and maneuver into one side of the building. If it was a single bay shop I could see having 1 wide door but the case is different here. Also I'm looking at putting a small trolley crane on a post at 1 end of the building. I will pour a large slab to support it when it comes time for that.

What seals the quonset to the slab? They have insulation packages now but I never considered what you said about thick and thin areas. That's an interesting thought to ask the manufacturer.

The way ours is, there is four feet of concrete wall before the quonset hut starts. The building has the long side cut into a sloped hill. There was ledge, so it is not going to erode down, but snow can and does build up in that area. The sealing we used was just foam like used under a bottom plate when building a stick built setup. Like I said we have had no issues other than that and we created that problem ourselves.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Mansfield is a haul. I'm closer to Youngstown I need someone closer to me. I have a truss manufacturer about 15 miles from me. I haven't had a chance to call them yet but they are on the list. I can get permacolumns pricing on there website. But steel siding and insulation I need to find a supplier.

What were some of the things you didn't like about the Amish builds? Were the Mennonite builds better or worse?

I realize that Mansfield is a haul for you but wanted to throw that info out. I already sent it in a PM, I'm sure you received it.

I remember one member they put up the wrong color metal and were't either square or had something not level. I believe somebody else had some hacked up metal. Granted, any contractor or builder can do nice or hack work.