Bighead38
Well-known member
Been involved with professional landscaping for almost 20 years now. I LOVE good grass and understand how insane it is to keep maintained.
Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT ZMotorsports Home and 50x60x16 Shop/RV Garage
- Thread starter zmotorsports
- Start date
Workspaces between 705 and 1200 squarefeet.
Been involved with professional landscaping for almost 20 years now. I LOVE good grass and understand how insane it is to keep maintained.
OP
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks. I am no professional landscaper by any stretch but I too LOVE the look and feel of good quality grass, even though that probably didn't sound right. For anyone unknowing you would think I am in Colorado having a discussion.
Even though my neighbors and wife are quite pleased with how our lawn is looking, it is still not up to my standards. Nowhere near as nice as my last lawn, but I have to keep telling myself it was only laid in mid-June (backyard) and mid-July (side yard) so should be mindful of that. The seams from the sod sections have barely disappeared completely about three weeks ago.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
I've been re-reading through the whole thread and drooling over your garage, which I've followed (mostly) silently since you started. Really great job on everything.
Got time for a question? How'd you get your rapidair tubing so straight? Mine sags, and if I cut it short enough so that it doesn't, it pulls out of the connectors. It looks like you have pretty similar spacing on your holders that I do. Did I just get a bad kit, or do you have a trick for me to try?
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polexican23
Banned
what blend of grass were the sod rolls? Seeing this, makes me want to rip out my lawn and start over. (actually have wanted to do that since we moved it, but the CFO wont allow it, with all my other irons in the fire.)
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you very much for following along and for the generous comments.
As for the air system, I didn't use the RadidAir system. I used the AirCom system which uses rigid aluminum piping in 6'6" long lengths. I used the 1" (25mm) system.
Thanks again for commenting.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think it is just merely Kentucky Bluegrass, nothing special. It is a cool weather blend according to the lady I placed the order with at the sod company. I can definitely tell it likes the cooler temps as compared to the summer months. Could also be because I didn't have my sprinkler timer and patterns/nozzles correct for the first part of its life and is now liking the tweaks I've made to them.
Thank you for the comments. I do have a couple of areas that I would like to throw some seed down on within the next week or so to fill in but for the most part I am quite pleased with as far as the yard has come since we purchased it.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I walked outside this morning while waiting for my wife to go to breakfast and noticed we had our first frost of the year.
Pretty good layer of frost on the roof of the house, shop and even my lawn.
After breakfast we went for a walk down to the new subdivision about 3/4 mile west of ours where some friends/old neighbors from our old neighborhood are building a new home. They too had obviously tapped out and got tired of the declining state of our previous neighborhood and are building a new home.
After touring their new place and walking home I told my wife that I am very happy for them but in the same token I am SOOO glad we are at the finished stage rather than a year ago just beginning the moving and construction stage.
Pretty good layer of frost on the roof of the house, shop and even my lawn.
After breakfast we went for a walk down to the new subdivision about 3/4 mile west of ours where some friends/old neighbors from our old neighborhood are building a new home. They too had obviously tapped out and got tired of the declining state of our previous neighborhood and are building a new home.
After touring their new place and walking home I told my wife that I am very happy for them but in the same token I am SOOO glad we are at the finished stage rather than a year ago just beginning the moving and construction stage.
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I just finished reading through this thread and the shop projects thread over the last two days. Dang....
The shop.. the house.. the view.. the toys.. In a neighborhood but not stacked on top of your neighbors. Man, I'm telling ya, I'd NEVER move. You nailed it with this one buddy.
The shop.. the house.. the view.. the toys.. In a neighborhood but not stacked on top of your neighbors. Man, I'm telling ya, I'd NEVER move. You nailed it with this one buddy.
Paxtonshelby
Member
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2017
- Messages
- 8
Even more amazing than the end result of the garage, new home, and yard...is the relentless tenacity and heightened level of mental and physical toughness that Mike showed over this very long haul. Talk about impressive! After perusing all 91 pages over the last 4 hours I need a long nap...during which I will dream about someday having my own dream garage. Cheers Mike! I feel like I know you more than a little after all of this. Your wife, family, friends and neighbor's are some lucky folks!
Now...get out there in the shop and build something really cool!
Now...get out there in the shop and build something really cool!
OP
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Even more amazing than the end result of the garage, new home, and yard...is the relentless tenacity and heightened level of mental and physical toughness that Mike showed over this very long haul. Talk about impressive! After perusing all 91 pages over the last 4 hours I need a long nap...during which I will dream about someday having my own dream garage. Cheers Mike! I feel like I know you more than a little after all of this. Your wife, family, friends and neighbor's are some lucky folks!
Now...get out there in the shop and build something really cool!
Thanks guys. I am extremely flattered by your comments. My wife and I feel so very blessed to have been able to find this place and turn it into our dream home. We drove past a house that we looked at last year and almost bought but it had a couple of things that weren't exactly what we were looking for. After we drove past my wife turned to me almost in tears saying she was so glad that I had the vision on this place when we saw it because I saw what it "could" be vs. what it was at the time.
It was a lot of hard work and a year worth of stress and worry but I am so glad we made this move. I am so glad my wife convinced me we needed to make this big decision now in our life rather than wait.
Thanks again for your kind words and for taking the time to read through my shop build thread.
I have a small enclosed shop area (33x18) in my storage barn that I am looking at finishing (insulating, air, relocating electrical, etc...) and decided to look at the garage gallery for inspiration.
Holy cow inspiration from this build. Took me hours and hours to get through the whole thread! Thank you so much for all the detailed posts and pictures, so many great things to make note of. I can't compliment your build (and thread) enough.
While my budget for finishing will be much more limited than yours, the attention to detail in your build and your thought processes are truly motivating for me.
I thought I'd comment on the "****" thing because I understand both sides of this one. My personality definitely aligns with yours: think it through, do it right, follow the plan... but my life: those close to me, the scale of my country acreage project and my "limited" budget have taught/forced me to make compromises that in an ideal world, I am not ok with. In general though I get made fun of for being **** as well, but honestly, I truly feel the way I think comes from a logical/rational place, so just let me be me; it isn't hurting anyone.
I have a few general contractor buddies and you are the dream client: someone with a vision and a detailed plan, that is prepared and thought out before the project starts. Also, you are willing to both ask and pay for quality...
That said, you are certainly an exception to the norm. Most clients are either unprepared and opinionated or simply don't have any input. It always amazes me when I check out a build and the homeowner is letting the electrician or the GC just pick whatever lighting they want for the garage. Or worse, the electrician is just installing standard spacing electrical outlets and doesn't even know the customers' plan for the space. As a customer I would definitely be letting everyone know what my plans were (in fact I would probably pick all my outlet types and locations and draw them out just like you did).
A few other thoughts:
- During the driveway pour I thought that might be visually way too much concrete, but with everything all buttoned up and that beautiful privacy fence, you definitely made the right choice, it's perfect.
- I totally would have laid that last bit of sod myself over the $60 as well. Principles still matter people...
- Your lawn with all the mow strips and excellent sprinkler placement is a long-term dream of mine. It's funny how much pleasure one can get from mowing a lawn like that, it's almost not a chore...
- What's your long-term plan for the RV storage attached to the house? That is a pretty big space...
Holy cow inspiration from this build. Took me hours and hours to get through the whole thread! Thank you so much for all the detailed posts and pictures, so many great things to make note of. I can't compliment your build (and thread) enough.
While my budget for finishing will be much more limited than yours, the attention to detail in your build and your thought processes are truly motivating for me.
I thought I'd comment on the "****" thing because I understand both sides of this one. My personality definitely aligns with yours: think it through, do it right, follow the plan... but my life: those close to me, the scale of my country acreage project and my "limited" budget have taught/forced me to make compromises that in an ideal world, I am not ok with. In general though I get made fun of for being **** as well, but honestly, I truly feel the way I think comes from a logical/rational place, so just let me be me; it isn't hurting anyone.
I have a few general contractor buddies and you are the dream client: someone with a vision and a detailed plan, that is prepared and thought out before the project starts. Also, you are willing to both ask and pay for quality...
That said, you are certainly an exception to the norm. Most clients are either unprepared and opinionated or simply don't have any input. It always amazes me when I check out a build and the homeowner is letting the electrician or the GC just pick whatever lighting they want for the garage. Or worse, the electrician is just installing standard spacing electrical outlets and doesn't even know the customers' plan for the space. As a customer I would definitely be letting everyone know what my plans were (in fact I would probably pick all my outlet types and locations and draw them out just like you did).
A few other thoughts:
- During the driveway pour I thought that might be visually way too much concrete, but with everything all buttoned up and that beautiful privacy fence, you definitely made the right choice, it's perfect.
- I totally would have laid that last bit of sod myself over the $60 as well. Principles still matter people...
- Your lawn with all the mow strips and excellent sprinkler placement is a long-term dream of mine. It's funny how much pleasure one can get from mowing a lawn like that, it's almost not a chore...
- What's your long-term plan for the RV storage attached to the house? That is a pretty big space...
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bernie, I appreciate your comments and especially for taking all of the time to go back and read through the entire thread.
I see that you have been a member for nearly 7 years and my shop/RV garage thread was where you chose to make your first post, that makes me especially flattered.
Thank you for commenting about the concrete, that was one big concern of mine because I knew it was a lot of concrete. I think everything looks proportionate now that I can stand back and take it all in. I didn't really have this anywhere except in my head so it's nice when a plan comes together.
As for the large third bay on the house, it measures about 12'7" wide and 50' deep with a 9'x11' insulated garage door. Currently I have my lifted 2006 Chevy Duramax in that bay now with all of my lawn & garden equipment at the far back of that bay where I can take them out the back door. I hope to someday build another hot rod/muscle car and I will have room in front of my Duramax to park it. It may take a bit to get my funds built back up after this latest adventure though.
Thanks again for checking out my build and for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it.
OP
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Well in a couple of days (December 7th, 2016) it will be exactly one year since my beautiful, wonderful wife and I took possession of our new home.
The past year of building the shop and putting my yard in has been a LOT of work and seemed like it was dragging at times, between the amount of work and the contractor and weather delays. It had me questioning our decision at times and now looking back has seemed to have flown by.
My wife and I just stayed home yesterday and relaxed around the fireplace while it snowed off and on. She mentioned several times how much she loved our new home and how wonderful it has turned out. I am so grateful for her and for how happy she seems to be.
We awoke to the first snow on the valley floor this morning. I went outside and shoveled the driveway for the house before leaving for work and then arrived home to finish up shoveling snow. It was just a skiff, less than an inch, but WOW, that is a LOT of concrete to clear.
I thought I would post up a few pictures from this afternoon with everything snow covered.
Thanks for looking and especially a big thank you for those who have followed along for the past year’s adventure.
The past year of building the shop and putting my yard in has been a LOT of work and seemed like it was dragging at times, between the amount of work and the contractor and weather delays. It had me questioning our decision at times and now looking back has seemed to have flown by.
My wife and I just stayed home yesterday and relaxed around the fireplace while it snowed off and on. She mentioned several times how much she loved our new home and how wonderful it has turned out. I am so grateful for her and for how happy she seems to be.
We awoke to the first snow on the valley floor this morning. I went outside and shoveled the driveway for the house before leaving for work and then arrived home to finish up shoveling snow. It was just a skiff, less than an inch, but WOW, that is a LOT of concrete to clear.
I thought I would post up a few pictures from this afternoon with everything snow covered.
Thanks for looking and especially a big thank you for those who have followed along for the past year’s adventure.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yeah, I think it looks quite proportionate. When looking at the shop alone it seems large but when the house is in the picture it looks about right.
Thanks for following along and commenting.
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shortykorte
Well-known member
Brrrr looks cold. Beautiful but cold.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks Shorty.
YES, it is cold. We had temps around 60*F on Friday and Saturday (short-sleeve temps and had the shop doors open on Saturday) then by Monday only a high of 35*F with overnight lows around 20*F. This morning driving to work it was a whopping 22*. COME ON SPRING!!!! Funny, back when we snowmobiled heavily I couldn't wait for the snow to come and now I absolutely despise the ****.
C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I despise snow too...a little bit more the older I get.
Looking at your photos, it's great how much you have accomplished there in a year. The place looks fantastic, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!
Looking at your photos, it's great how much you have accomplished there in a year. The place looks fantastic, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I despise snow too...a little bit more the older I get.
Looking at your photos, it's great how much you have accomplished there in a year. The place looks fantastic, thanks for taking us all along for the ride!
Thank you. I appreciate the comments and for you taking the time to follow along.
It sure has been a hell of a year but looking at everything and how it has transformed, I'm pretty proud of the job and very happy with the way it has turned out.
I just finished reading the entire 91 pages and several of your other threads & just had to commend you on your wonderful accomplishment! The house, yard & (of course) the shop are fantastic. I applaud you for sticking to your guns with all that seemed to question your vision and expectations!
Btw... I think you and I would get along well as I literally laughed out loud when I read this anecdote from way back on page 1,
"My wife tells me that I need to allow people to get to know me before I start interjecting my humor into conversations with people. Maybe she's right, who knows. Anyway, the first week we were here working on the house I had the neighbor across the street come over and welcome us to the neighborhood. He almost immediately asked what we were going to do with the large concrete pipe in the back yard. Without missing a beat I told him I had a guy I work with that is going to take it as it is way to small for me. I told him I was putting a larger one in with larger rocks to play on with my Jeep, kind of a backyard obstacle course if you will."
Btw... I think you and I would get along well as I literally laughed out loud when I read this anecdote from way back on page 1,
"My wife tells me that I need to allow people to get to know me before I start interjecting my humor into conversations with people. Maybe she's right, who knows. Anyway, the first week we were here working on the house I had the neighbor across the street come over and welcome us to the neighborhood. He almost immediately asked what we were going to do with the large concrete pipe in the back yard. Without missing a beat I told him I had a guy I work with that is going to take it as it is way to small for me. I told him I was putting a larger one in with larger rocks to play on with my Jeep, kind of a backyard obstacle course if you will."
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Dangit, why can't you be my next door neighbor so I can use your skills to learn more? This was an awesome read for 91 pages. We bought our first travel trailer this year and now desire a Class A. Of course I'm going over to read that thread on IRV2. Absolutely love your build it was very entertaining and I'm glad I have it forever when I win the lottery and can build my own. Thanks very much for the time you took to document.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you very much for the compliments. I also very much appreciate you taking the time to read through the entire build thread, I'm sure that was time consuming.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you very much for reading through the shop build thread.
Congratulations on your first RV purchase. I wish you many happy and safe, trouble free miles in your RV.
My coach thread over on IRV2.com documents the changes our coach has gone through in the 11-years we have owned this particular rig. I have been messaged from multiple people now to do a "walk-around" video or short documentary showing our coach and reviewing the mods/upgrades that we have done to it over the years. I think as soon as I get the upholstery back and reinstalled I will be doing a video on it and posting to my youtube channel.
Thanks again for taking the time to read through my shop/RV garage build thread.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Happy New Year!!!!
I want to wish all of my fellow garagejournal forum members a very safe, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2018!!!
It was exactly one year ago on the 27th of December that my wonderful wife, son and I moved into our new home. Looking back it has seemed to have flown by and I feel so blessed and grateful each and every day as I pull into our driveway to see what we have created and how it has transformed from what we purchased last year.
I want to thank all of my fellow forum members for taking the time to follow along on this journey of ours and for all of the wonderful comments along the way.
God Bless and prayers to you and your families as we leave 2017 behind and embark into 2018.
I want to wish all of my fellow garagejournal forum members a very safe, prosperous and Happy New Year in 2018!!!
It was exactly one year ago on the 27th of December that my wonderful wife, son and I moved into our new home. Looking back it has seemed to have flown by and I feel so blessed and grateful each and every day as I pull into our driveway to see what we have created and how it has transformed from what we purchased last year.
I want to thank all of my fellow forum members for taking the time to follow along on this journey of ours and for all of the wonderful comments along the way.
God Bless and prayers to you and your families as we leave 2017 behind and embark into 2018.
shortykorte
Well-known member
Congrats on your first year in new place. Do you remember how worried you were then. With the finished product and your hard work, that worry is a fading memory I’m sure and well worth everything. Hopefully I can stop by once my wife and I retire.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks Shorty, you and your wife are welcome any time to stop by.
Have a Happy New Year my friend.
Hey Mike, I was bragging about your Jeep & shop build to my dad (he’s 72 yrs old) and told him about your trip in Moab in October. My dad lives in coeur d'alene ID (I adamantly want to move there btw) and he was in Moab the same time as you. He thinks he was a few spots down from you at the camp ground. He has a white ‘16 Rubicon 4-door lifted and dolled up that he took down 3.5’s & a couple of 4’s. They just got into the Jeep scene a couple of years ago, and he has gone head first into it. He & my mom go all over the northwest and then Arizona (they winter in AZ). My pops is pretty cool btw. (I have a 1974 Bronco, personally).
Here’s a pic of my dads rig and Jeep at the camp ground.
.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Well it’s a small world. I do remember that coach and 4-door Rubicon. If memory serves they were on the row directly behind us and a few sites down. We had some other friends that were a couple of sites from your parents that we were hanging out at their site in the evenings.
That stinkin’ Moab is definitely addicting. [emoji12]
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^^ Gahhhh!!! Cool! He said the same... folks nearby were acquaintances of yalls.
I’ve gotta get the bride to let me get the out of the humidity belt and up to the Northwest. I’m closer than I’ve ever been. Our ‘Baby’ is almost 20 and getting close to a college degree. I’m hoping to finally have empty nest and the wife & I can fly north (& west).
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I’ve gotta get the bride to let me get the out of the humidity belt and up to the Northwest. I’m closer than I’ve ever been. Our ‘Baby’ is almost 20 and getting close to a college degree. I’m hoping to finally have empty nest and the wife & I can fly north (& west).
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sounds like your mind is made up and just have to get a couple more ducks in a row.
Good for you.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Okay, so only going to bump this in order to post up new and update pictures seeing as how the shop is now officially complete with the workbenches and overhead cabinets completed/installed that I would post up a few pictures of the finished product in this thread as well as my Shop Projects 2.0 thread.
Here are my work benches completed with the aluminum doors installed on the two benches.
Here are my work benches completed with the aluminum doors installed on the two benches.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Here are my freshly installed New Age Pro 3.0 overhead cabinets installed over my work benches. I installed a total of four over the 12' workbench and two over the 6' workbench between my toolbox and lathe.
Again, I have these on my Shop Projects 2.0 thread but seeing as how these are the last piece of the puzzle on my shop/RV garage build, I figured I would post them here as well to show the completed product.
Two cabinets hung over the 6’ bench.
Four of them hung over the 12’ bench.
Thanks for looking.
Again, I have these on my Shop Projects 2.0 thread but seeing as how these are the last piece of the puzzle on my shop/RV garage build, I figured I would post them here as well to show the completed product.
Two cabinets hung over the 6’ bench.
Four of them hung over the 12’ bench.
Thanks for looking.
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don long
Well-known member
Hi Mike
I had to go peek at your pic. album shots of your new garage last nite
Very nice and I'll bet you really enjoy working in it.
I had to go peek at your pic. album shots of your new garage last nite
Very nice and I'll bet you really enjoy working in it.
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice job Mike! 
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Nice job Mike!
Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments.
I'm lovin' the new digs so far and at this point very happy we made the move.
WhiffySpark
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 22, 2009
- Messages
- 6,252
Cabinets look awesome. Any plans for the attached garage?
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thank you.
As for the attached garage, fund permitting, this spring I would like to have the guys that taped/mudded my shop come back and finish off the garage so I can then epoxy the floor.
That's really about it, nothing major in the attached garage. I just want it clean and organized when completed.
C_F
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I just noticed that your blue drink bottle got itself worked into exactly half of the photos you just posted. You should name it Waldo. 
The place sure looks great!
The place sure looks great!
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I just noticed that your blue drink bottle got itself worked into exactly half of the photos you just posted. You should name it Waldo.
The place sure looks great!
You know I had to go back and look because I never noticed that it was so prevalent. My trusty Nalgene water bottle definitely gets used quite often.
Thanks for picking up on that. I’ll try to move it out of the way before taking pictures next time.
Quick question about your concrete pour, Mike. You referenced that your contractor got your location for the lift post so he could do additional work (I searched but couldn’t find it again). Did he do thicker concrete, special rebar work, or both? I’m trying to do some work so I can add a lift into my little home shop, but my concrete isn’t nearly thick enough (4’ish inches). So I’m in the midst of cutting, removing and digging out the area so I can redo the concrete and be safe to have my rotary lift functional. Any help is greatly appreciated
Ed
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Ed
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