34x54x16 Shop Build

[goldenfab]

Hi All,

Wanted to share my build and a bit of an introduction. I'm a long time lurker on the forum but have not posted much. I'm an engineer by trade turned entrepreneur. I resigned from my day job to do design work and machine work from home. I outgrew my 3 car garage so we bought 4 acres in a more rural area and am building a house and detached workshop. The biggest headache was financing and permitting. I got my grading permit spring 2018 and building permit that summer. Financing didn't come until October. I'm not using a GC doing all the work I can only subbing out things I can't like large concrete pours. Not using a GC is a major headache with the banks but I finally got it done.

Here is an aerial view of where it is being built before I started.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/51353653_10101639702590058_8554318120431386624_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-1.**&oh=c7e929c5280d6a0e78148231b377d476&oe=5CF728FA

My brother took some cool aerial shots with his quad copter when I was in the process of grading it.

Here is a draft of the floor plan. The last 14' is going to be an "apartment" I'll be living in while I build my main house. When the house is done I'll keep it as a guest house but if I ever need more shop space I could always tear it out.

 

[goldenfab]

Right not I have the frame for the shop done and am working on sheeting it. Here are some pics after grading but before breaking ground on the foundation up through framing the building.

 

[goldenfab]

Here is a time lapse video of the foundation work up through most of the framing. It is close to four months worth of work condensed into a minute.

 

[LXCam]

Congrats on the new place, I really like the layout you have planned and will certainly be following along for a couple reasons. First just cause it's cool. But more importantly we're in the process of getting out of here and heading your way. Dewey, Chino valley and a couple other areas right around the valley are all in the good to go list.

I do have a question though. I'm hoping to find the right place with a shop that's the right size. However there's also a chance I'll probably have to build what I want. How was the county or city to deal with for permitting. Were there any crazy requirements or costs for plan check and permitting? Also what drove the structural material choice. I had figured I'd do a red iron structure but yours appears to be a slightly lighter gauge frame. I've considered if acceptable a pole barn type building but haven't a clue if that would be allowed.

Anyhow your insight would be greatly appreciated and good luck on the build.

Cam

 

[el monte slim]

Wow, I love it! Your workshop layout would be my dream area for design and construction of all things related to metalworking. I looked closely at the drawing, but couldn't identify two of the machines. They're separated by a tool cart, with one sitting next to the mill, and the other sitting next to the lathe. Are they surface grinders?

 

[protegeV]

Love the time lapse!!

 

[goldenfab]

Congrats on the new place, I really like the layout you have planned and will certainly be following along for a couple reasons. First just cause it's cool. But more importantly we're in the process of getting out of here and heading your way. Dewey, Chino valley and a couple other areas right around the valley are all in the good to go list........
Cam

Dewey has been good to me so far. They use IRC/IBC 2012 with a few amendments like not needing fire sprinklers unless you are over 5,000 ft^2 . They will let you design your own place (provided it meets code of course) and build it without a contractor provided it is for your personal use and you don't plan on selling it (a lot of AZ is like this as far as I know).

A steel building is usually going to come with engineered plans so that should not be an issue (don't opt out of engineered plans). I forget the number but if your doing a detached garage and you are under a certain size all you need is a zoning permit vs a full building permit (this can save you on building fees and needing inspections).

Versatube is nice because it is smaller lighter pieces that are easier to handle by yourself. I have never done a red iron type so I have nothing to compare it to though. If you want to go red iron I would check out Bunger Steel (they make everything here in AZ). I almost went with them only reason was I thought Versatube would be easier for a one man team putting it up.

Things like snow load, wind load, seismic load are nothing special. The only thing I know of that can be a problem is the soil. Some areas have a lot of clay. If you are in Yavapai counties jurisdiction they will make you do a soil test without exception and depending on the results you may need to do extra stuff with your foundation like digging out the footers deeper and then adding an engineered fill. I'm in Yavapai county but Dewey has jurisdiction and they'll let you go without a soil test so long as the inspector looks at it and does not see a need.

The other issue with the dirt is septic. A lot of times you need and 'alternate system' which adds cost. Probably goes without saying but AZ is dry so make sure you have enough water for your needs. Some areas don't have very good wells.

Permits for the shop and a 3,600ft^2 house was close to $6,000 if I remember right. I heard Prescott Valley is a lot more. I think I heard Dewey uses the same permitting pricing as Yavapai County. I don't know about Chino. If you build in Prescott in what they call Urban Interface Area (or something like that) they have some special requirements like building for fire and stuff that makes building more expensive.

If you are tired of big city CA yes this place is the way to go. Might also check out Cottonwood Camp Verde area too. If you move here just do us a favor and not vote in any of the CA nonsense over here!

Wow, I love it! Your workshop layout would be my dream area for design and construction of all things related to metalworking. I looked closely at the drawing, but couldn't identify two of the machines. They're separated by a tool cart, with one sitting next to the mill, and the other sitting next to the lathe. Are they surface grinders?

It is just a tool cart. No surface grinders planned.

Love the time lapse!!

 

[LXCam]

That you much for the insight, that was very helpful. And no worries about this guy doing anything to upset the balance. We're leaving for a reason and if anything I'll bust my *** to circumvent the trend.

 

[goldenfab]

Here are some pics of the sheeting progress...

 

[goldenfab]

I had done a fair amount of the side sheeting by myself but it was not easy. I got some help to do all of the roof sheeting and roof insulation so we could get it knocked out in a few days. We finished the last panel on Saturday last week. There were some light snow flurries on and off during the day so we had to take a few breaks and wipe off the panels with towels a few times so we wouldn't slip and fall but we got it done. The next day I went out and put on the ridge cap trim. It started snowing about half way through so I had to keep a towel with me everywhere I went on the roof to wipe off a path to step. We got a light snow three inches or so this Monday before I finished getting the overhead doors in. Tuesday and Wednesday I managed to get the last of the overhead doors in. Good thing I got the building dried in when I did because we got a big storm here that hit Wednesday night.

I measured 15" on the ground outside the shop yesterday. My guess is we got about 18"-20" in two days which is a lot for this area. I have been living here for five years and the most I have seen at once was probably less than 6". I heard the last storm that wasn't even this big was back in 80s. I have 35" mud tires on my 4x4 and good thing too. Some of the drifts on the road and my driveway were probably closer to 2' or more. Someone else stuck their 4x4 truck with highway tires and he had to leave it and get some snow chains to get it out.

 

[LXCam]

The building looks great bud. As I was reading your story I kep thinking "wonder if he beat the big storm"...guess so eh. Our friends in Prescott were sending us updates thru all that. The wife is now freaked out about the possibility of me being out of town and her getting snowed in. So I told her to stop worrying, you'll be fine for a couple days at home and so will the shoe stores. She didn't appreciate my humor.


So back to the building. What's next, obviously power but any other big expensive plans?

Oops I forgot you're also building the apartment in there. So I guess it's time to start making some sawdust now.

 

[Jon In Tucson]

Subscribed! Looking forward to your build. Have been interested in the Versatube product. It looks as though you got plenty of snow, for sure. Even the desert floor got a couple of inches, LOL.
Jon In Tucson

 

[Toomanytools?]

Interesting but why pour the 15 or so Sono tubes and not a continuous footer? Sure a bit more concrete but way easier.

 

[goldenfab]

The building looks great bud. As I was reading your story I kep thinking "wonder if he beat the big storm"...guess so eh. Our friends in Prescott were sending us updates thru all that. The wife is now freaked out about the possibility of me being out of town and her getting snowed in. So I told her to stop worrying, you'll be fine for a couple days at home and so will the shoe stores. She didn't appreciate my humor.


So back to the building. What's next, obviously power but any other big expensive plans?

Yes just in time. What a relief too. Even with a big storm like this here worst case scenario you wait at home a couple of days with a big blanket and clean out the pantry. Next up is insulating the side walls and framing the interior rooms so I can live in it. I went and got the lumber before it snowed. I hope to be moved in around April so I can get to building my house.

Subscribed! Looking forward to your build. Have been interested in the Versatube product. It looks as though you got plenty of snow, for sure. Even the desert floor got a couple of inches, LOL.
Jon In Tucson

I heard about the snow in Tuscon, my wife is from there. Crazy! There is a video Tucson PD did about a white powdery substance that has been making the rounds on the internet.

Interesting but why pour the 15 or so Sono tubes and not a continuous footer? Sure a bit more concrete but way easier.

Short answer is that is what was on the engineered plans. I regret doing it this way. Like you said a footer would have been way easier and not much more mud.

 

[LXCam]

Just wondering how things are progressing GF. I’m temporarily in black canyon and we’re on the hunt for the next house in Prescott.

 

[goldenfab]

It is going slow but steady. I have a few more pieces of trim on the exterior I need to get to but for the most part the steel portion of the building is done. I am happy to be finished with the the insulation. I am finishing up the electrical and plumbing this week..

I wish you luck on the house hunt!

 

[goldenfab]

I finished up a timelapse video of the complete build. About 10 months compressed into 60 seconds...

 

[rattle_snake]

Cool. What type of stuff do you machine?

 

[HOTFR8]

Impressive. I like the look of the inside and the way you are setting it out.

 

[LXCam]

I finished up a timelapse video of the complete build. About 10 months compressed into 60 seconds...

Kickass GF, that turned really nice.

 

[goldenfab]

Cool. What type of stuff do you machine?

Nothing right now as I'm busy building the main house but I had been doing a lot of one-offs and prototype work. I also offer design services. I have a CNC knee mill, manual lathe, and welders etc. I resigned from my engineering job a few years ago to try and fulfill my dream of making a rotary valve engine and it morphed into a machining business. After I started getting some traction I felt I outgrew the garage so I decided to build the new shop. I hope to get back to the rotary valve project and machining jobs next year when the house is done.

Impressive. I like the look of the inside and the way you are setting it out.

Kickass GF, that turned really nice.

https://scontent-lax3-2.**.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/s960x960/14884526_1282859418423136_4878102524189959049_o.jpg?_nc_cat=111&_nc_ohc=U-DfeDlv7E4AQlnGT0bXIg1KhY8sY5Spkt2qfTAlqLvven-YPzWSeVzaw&_nc_ht=scontent-lax3-2.**&oh=77177a24d3a08f8bddfc0f062e366d6f&oe=5E8AA664
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