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New from Arkansas and Florida

Showboy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
125
Location
Florida and Arkansas
As I'm not good at this "Introduction" thing, I'll likely stumble through it and confuse everyone ---- but here goes...

Though I've spent most of the last several years living full time in Florida, I've now bought a house in Arkansas ---- which is near my family ---- so now I split time between the two states. The "new" house (in Arkansas) is the reason that I've come to this forum. It's essentially a single story that has a walkout (partly finished) basement. When I bought it, there were four bedrooms and three bathrooms ---- but I've been knocking down walls. The main level is roughly some 1800-1900 square feet and the lower (basement) level is roughly 1750 square feet.

The house sits on the side of a hill with a small lake (or big pond) in the backyard. This makes the walkout part on the end of the house ---- and not on the back like many houses. This is actually what brings me to this forum. There used to be a two-car garage with a entrance on the front side of the house on the lower level ---- but the previous owner closed the garage door. I want to re-open it and allow enough room for three vehicles side by side. The rest of the basement will be essentially just a gym / gameroom and the one bathroom that's already there.

The next step that I'd like to make will be a two-story extension / addition to that end of the house that would house additional garage space for four cars in a two-by-two configuration on the lower level and more bedroom / living space (maybe a train room) on the upper level. Two of the bedrooms that I have already eliminated were on the lower level.

At this point, I'd have protected and climate-controlled parking for seven vehicles ---- but, as you see by my signature, I could use even more. Yep, I'm a car buff.

I don't want to just continue signing checks as I've always done in the past with projects like this one. Instead, I really want to become involved ---- and likely end up spending less and getting more. I got this inspiration after paying a contractor friend of my family about $800 a day for a project plus materials. It's not an interesting story ---- but it did catch my attention after signing that check.

So that's the start of my introduction. The new basement / garage project won't start for a while since I am at the start of car show season ---- which takes up a great deal of my time. Since I'm OCD ADHD, I can be involved in one project on one day and completely switch to something else the next day.
 
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Showboy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
125
Location
Florida and Arkansas
There's a wealth of knowledge on here Showboy. Grab a chair and take it all in!
Welcome from Western NY

Thanks! I heard of this 'site a couple of weeks ago or so ---- and did some lurking ---- actually hours and hours and hours of lurking. You are right. There are some knowledgeable people here ---- as well as some very creative ones. I tend to get carried away with stuff like "automobilia" (car posters, signs and all kinds of other stuff to hang in a garage).

I've also got a bunch of old license plates that will now get a spot on the new garage's wall. I notice that you have lots of cool stuff in your garage as well. I like that gasoline pump ---- and that black beauty of a ride!

Thanks again for the welcome.
 
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thrifty bill

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
490
Location
The Mountains of North Carolina
Without knowing the layout of your lot or house, I have a friend that did something pretty cool on his house with a walk out garage on one side of his house on a sloping lot: he added a garage on the main (upper) level, at the opposite end of the house (the higher side of the lot). The garage at the main level functioned as the car garage, walk right into the house with groceries, or whatever, while the lower garage became a dedicated workshop. Then I would be gutting that basement (except for the bathroom), and turning it into a 1800 sq ft workshop/car storage area.

I had a house with back side walk out with a "boat door". In my case, the upper garage on the main level functioned as the garage, and my lower level walkout basement (1800 sq ft) functioned as a workshop. I had room to add additional garage doors across the back, and the basement had a generous ten foot ceiling height. That house was the best layout I have ever had. Boy, I miss that house, but I do not miss Atlanta. Moved before I could take full advantage of the space.
 
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Call me the Breeze

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
1,385
Location
Sebring Fl
Thanks! I heard of this 'site a couple of weeks ago or so ---- and did some lurking ---- actually hours and hours and hours of lurking. You are right. There are some knowledgeable people here ---- as well as some very creative ones. I tend to get carried away with stuff like "automobilia" (car posters, signs and all kinds of other stuff to hang in a garage).

I've also got a bunch of old license plates that will now get a spot on the new garage's wall. I notice that you have lots of cool stuff in your garage as well. I like that gasoline pump ---- and that black beauty of a ride!

Thanks again for the welcome.

Thanks. There's enough stuff to do in the shop, to keep me busy for years. Are you addicted to the site yet?
 
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Showboy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
125
Location
Florida and Arkansas
Yeah, you sit down for an hour and then eight hours later.... :D

Welcome from Norway. :beer:

Thanks ---- and you described it perfectly!


Without knowing the layout of your lot or house, I have a friend that did something pretty cool on his house with a walk out garage on one side of his house on a sloping lot: he added a garage on the main (upper) level, at the opposite end of the house (the higher side of the lot). The garage at the main level functioned as the car garage, walk right into the house with groceries, or whatever, while the lower garage became a dedicated workshop. Then I would be gutting that basement (except for the bathroom), and turning it into a 1800 sq ft workshop/car storage area.

Your description is essentially what the previous owner did. He closed in the lower level garage and poured a new driveway and added one on the other end (upper level).

Your suggestion is essentially the same as my sister's recommendation to me. As good as it is, I believe that I'm going to turn the upper level garage into a Florida Room / Sunroom ---- and completely remove the new driveway ---- as there is nothing worse than being able to tell that a garage has been enclosed.


Thanks. There's enough stuff to do in the shop, to keep me busy for years. Are you addicted to the site yet?

Yes! Absolutely! There is so much good and detailed information.

It's a GREAT site.
 
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Showboy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
125
Location
Florida and Arkansas
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