HeffNeils 40x60 Building

heffneil · Oct 23, 2016

Hey all! I am excited to let you know I just ordered my building from Buck Steel. It has been a long evolution and it will take quite some time to get everything completed. I will try to be thorough and I am happy to share all the details I can including pricing if anyone is interested for the sake of budgeting. Just an FYI I live in SWFL so pricing is probably higher than most other parts of the country. Construction is out of control in our city and its difficult to find contractors who are reliable and good but they are all expensive.

A little history:

I originally bought the house next door to me about 7 years ago and I was going to tear the house down after building a substantial garage. I had the architect who designed my home (I didn't build it I bought my main home) design a mega garage. It was pretty awesome and had one huge price tag. It was 12,000 square feet under air with a future apartment, office and dry second story storage. I took it out to bid and it was $750,000 and I just couldn't see spending that kind of money on some broken down old John Deere tractors (I collect them). I said it was an awesome tomb for a bunch of junk. Anyway I looked at the house next door and found a large window that was 7 feet wide and we took it out knocked the wall below the window out and I put in a garage door... This became my garage up until this past summer. My father-in-law had a heart attack and my wife and I agreed it would be good for him to be closer so we started refurbishing the master bedroom and bathroom and I rented a 40' x 8' container to store some of my junk. I also compressed a lot of stuff in to the other side of the house, listed some of the tractors for sale and finally threw quite a bit of junk away. It is so hard to throw stuff away that could be useful!

More to come!

heffneil · Oct 23, 2016

So I have about 3.5 acres in the property and it is pretty green and well manicured. I didn't want a big box sitting in the middle of the yard. The plan is to put the the building on my north side property line. My original plan was to stucco the south side of the building to make it more homogenous with the other buildings (main house and guest house) in the property. The problem with that plan is that stucco isn't cheap, it cracks (especially on a metal building) and you have paint it, and paint it often in the Florida sun. I met a local gentleman locally who builds buildings. He convinced me to go from a 40x75 which was my original plan to 40x60 because he does them often and has a cookie cutter design. I asked to see something under construction and he showed me a beautiful building he was putting up that was 40x100 and 20 x 100 of it would be a horse stable and the other 20 x 100 was a living quarters for the person taking care of the horses. What I really liked about the building i saw was a porch that was about 10 - 12 feet deep. This quickly became my plan - to put a porch on the South side instead of stuccoing. The problem was hte local guy's price went through the roof when I added this option. I went out to shop for buildings. Thats when I found Buck Steel to quote out my building. What I liked about them was that they could provide a rendering for me to look at. So I could see what we were talking about and that made a big difference for me. In the next post I will post the renderings for all to see. I ended up selecting a 8 foot deep porch with a man door centered and and 3 windows flanking either side. The roof is a 2:12 pitch and 16 foot sides. The porch is about 12' tall from the bottom and despite not needing columns to support the 8 foot depth I wanted them for the look. I planned to matching the columns with the same stacked stone we have on the house which I might still do or do a combination of wood (or composite) and stone.

More to come...

cbacres · Oct 23, 2016

Look forward to your build. Where in SWFL are you located, I'm in the Ft. myers area.
Can you post up your renderings/drawings?

heffneil · Oct 24, 2016

Thanks for the interest! I am down in Naples just a few miles south of you!

I am going to post the renderings now!

heffneil · Oct 24, 2016

So here are the renderings of the building! I am super excited once I saw them!

heffneil · Oct 24, 2016

So none of the red except for the vertical beams will be seen. There will be a soffit panel underneath the porch and I will put recessed lighting in there for night time. I might put a sconce on either side of the man door. The plain side of the building is the far corner of the property and for security purposes I didn't put any entrances. I plan on installing my home automation / alarm system in here as well but I didn't think it was necessary. I also wasn't sure if I should install gable vents to get air flow but I do plan on air conditioning down the road...

cbacres · Oct 24, 2016

That's a nice looking layout. How come so many roll ups along the side, the three doors? Now this is just me speaking, but I would not want to lose the wall space.

I really like the overhang on the front and I would of also used the columns , you really need them for the wind lift here.

heffneil · Oct 24, 2016

Thanks!

I am planning on the garage being a real garage for cars and such. I thought it made sense for entry and exiting to have space for all that stuff and on a cool day like today I could open it all up?

I agree wall space is important and I will struggle with that. One of the things I just at the last minute decided to do was install a 20 x 40 mezzanine running overtop of the man door and windows parallel with the building:

The bottom of this image is the garage doors. The top of the image is the man doors and windows

heffneil · Oct 30, 2016

So I took your advice and I eliminated the one garage door on the right end (west in this case) and then I am going to turn the mezzanine the other direction! Thanks! It reduced the price a little (less than $1000) but it will also not cost me another door and I think I will still have plenty of access in and out!

heffneil · Oct 30, 2016

My original garage plans were in the 750k price range. It was 12,000 square feet of concrete block construction. No tear down was in the price. That was stucco-ed, spray foamed and of the same caliber of a real home not a typical garage construction. Also the second story was finished space (if not painted, at least drywalled).

cbacres · Nov 14, 2016

Any updates?

heffneil · Nov 14, 2016

Building is in engineering. Did I tell you I took your advice and removed the third door? I am pushing to get the engineering done.

Today I had my irrigation out to remove and call all pipes where the building will go. Also I had 5 trees moved that were in the building envelope or nearby and the driveway area. So we are preparing for the bringing in of fill. Looks like I need 32 loads of dirt and 6 loads of lime rock. I am hoping that we will remove the turf for the driveway starting next week and the first week of december I will get my lime rock in for the driveway. If that works out second week of december I can have my 32 loads of soil brought in which will be great and by then I will be fighting with the county over the building plans. We decided to build out a stem wall to shore up the West side of the foundation as it lands right on the tennis court and there isn't anyway to get a decent slope!

Thanks for asking! I took some pics of the trees moved and I hope to post them soon!

heffneil · Nov 23, 2016

So we laid down 6 mil plastic all over the existing driveway and placed 7/16" osb all over the driveway and I had the guy screw the corners down as the stuff curls real fast. It cost me a good fortune for the materials and labor but they did a good job. I was hoping I could get the guy out to start cutting out the driveway but that didn't happen

He said he would be out next week so we will see.

I contacted a local company for a damper / fan product for ventilation. The darn thing is like $1400 uninstalled - I think this is super expensive and not sure its the best way to spend money... I am still researching options.

I am working with my electrician to determine the best path for bringing service to where the building will go. I think we will run the service right from the meter and not sub it off the existing house panel. Keeps inspectors out of the house and out of my hair. Also I think there isn't a lot of room inside the panel to sub off of. I think I would like a 200 Amp panel. I don't think I need bigger but I am open to suggestions if there are any

Oh and I got my review set of drawings. There were many issues. One of the things I didn't want was cable bracing. I requested rod bracing. The metal wire looks like fishing line - its cheap and thin and I didn't want that in my building so I replaced it with the bracing. Also there were a couple other issues that need clarifying but the set is 28 pages long and pretty overwhelming for a guy who doesn't read plans from the ground up. I can read interior plans - but nothing structural. I am learning more as I read them and becoming more comfortable with the plans.

Thanks!

Neil

cbacres · Nov 23, 2016

200 amp should be plenty, but think about any future adds you may do to the building.
I think next step up is 320 amp, but I'm not sure.
What I've seen done before is a 320 amp meter base with double tap lugs.
Set up a 200 amp disconnect off that and you can tap into meter base later iff needed.

On your drawings, is there a mid height girt on the wall, about 4' high? I belive its part of wind code here in Fl.
Also, they can sub wind columns for the bracing if bracing conflicts with openings.

heffneil · Nov 23, 2016

Where there are openings they have installed portal frames as they are called. The bracing is on the walls without the openings. I hate the metal wire so I called it rod and yoke since it is adjustable but they just call it rod. My contract states rod but now it shows metal wire. Im not happy and it appears a little like it was snuck in so I am making sure they get it right...

cbacres · Nov 23, 2016

When you layout your slab, you may want to consider running some of your conduits underground, it'll save you running across the roof and walls, not every single circuit, but a hand ful of home runs.

heffneil · Nov 23, 2016

Yeah I think thats a good idea. I figured I could get a lot of stuff all around but under the slab is the fastest.

I was going to run a drain line - main about 10 feet off the one line and then rough in at least a bathroom. I would probably have to add extensive septic system additions - not sure I want to go to that expense now. Ideally I am going to get the building up and running - and then consider AC and insulation.

heffneil · Nov 27, 2016

Here is a view from inside my property looking out at the street

And here is looking towards where the building will go. There will be a pavered driveway up to it:

There is a manual bi panel gate that we will probably pull up all together and then I noticed I am going to pull the entire fence to the right and the shrub covering it to give me more access to the building.

So that double gate and the shrubs to the edge of the property will be removed all together. I will add fencing to the building and behind the driveway to re-enclose the back yard leading up to the building.

heffneil · Nov 27, 2016

Here is my site plan relative to the previous pics.

Where the tree icon is - is where the fence is. Its all gonna get pulled. I think I have a better drawing with the driveway I will post next.

heffneil · Nov 27, 2016

Here is the preliminary driveway plan but I am going to remove that fence so it will help with the angling quite a bit. I have to avoid the septic (marked in the above site plan) but there are two big trees the one royal pointciena and the cuban laurel.

heffneil · Nov 27, 2016

This is the location of the where the building is going. You can see, if you look close, the far right stake for the corner of the building. Between the building and the tennis court will require a stem wall since we can't ramp up the terrain with the building so close.

heffneil · Dec 7, 2016

My lime rock was delivered and the one guy supposed to spread it never showed up after cutting out the turf. I called my concrete contractor and he showed up a couple more hours later. We removed the fence and gate along with the ficus in front and behind them.

I have called the county two times now to find out what I need to bring with me to get my permit and make sure my ducks are in a row. Also we discovered that the surveyors didn't measure the crest of the road when they did the topography. I called them and I am waiting for an updated topography so we can get our final site plan completed along with the slab plan.

Below is pics of the driveway getting leveled out and some of the fill being delivered!

Very exciting!

Dave_Car_Guy · Dec 7, 2016

The site plan looks great for your beautiful property. It looks like you'll have about 25-30 feet of turning area on the pavers as you come around the roll-up side of the garage? Not sure how much any set-back will take from that, but it looks like a nice open space. Great stuff! I hope its moving along!

heffneil · Dec 7, 2016

Thanks for the encouragement! Yes its about 30 feet because I think the setback is 25 feet so make it a bit wider to be safe for any screw ups. That is a nice home for sale next door. They won't be pleased as this progresses more and more but oh well

I'm very excited to clean up everything and try to have some organization to the stuff I keep for all the projects!

My wife is concerned about the aesthetics of the metal building relative to the rest of the property. I spend every day improving and maintaining the property - so I plan on keeping it looking really good!

GLTHFJ60 · Dec 7, 2016

Looking forward to the build!

heffneil · Dec 7, 2016

GLTHFJ60 said:
Looking forward to the build!

Thanks! Looking forward to it also! I need to start researching floor treatments.

My electricity budget was blown after I got a quote - $6800 to deliver power to the building. Turns out I need a Meter / Main combo which isn't a cheap part - about $2000. This will provide a 200 amp service to the building and a 200 amp to the house...

Dave_Car_Guy · Dec 7, 2016

heffneil said:
My wife is concerned about the aesthetics of the metal building relative to the rest of the property. I spend every day improving and maintaining the property - so I plan on keeping it looking really good!

I'm sure it will look great! I would think you can landscape around the corners to soften some of the non-door areas, and if it were me (too much advice at this point, I know), I'd try to make the face of the building as you approach look a bit retro with some good vintage signs, so the metal building looks more like it was there first, before the house, rather than added later. With your great greenery and mature trees, you could make it look like anything from a vintage airfield hangar to a garage to a 1950's diner! Or you could just soften it all with landscaping string lights around the perimeter (the women in my life love string lights - it reminds them of every romantic movie filmed in the last 10 years... ever notice how many weddings/parties happen under string lights in movie garden settings?).

heffneil · Dec 7, 2016

I was thinking ranch like and that was why I put the porch on. The columns aren't necessary but I planned on dressing them up. One idea was to do it like this:

I like the wood columns of this one:

heffneil · Dec 8, 2016

So I got 10 loads of fill delivered yesterday and need at least another 10. Here is the pic of the 10 from the porch side (a new perspective I haven't shared yet)

heffneil · Dec 8, 2016

Oh and I put together a spreadsheet since I am paying by the ton and delivery by the ton. The 10 loads was 290.0408 tons delivered yesterday!

Sunbimmer · Dec 8, 2016

heffneil said:
....One idea was to do it like this:

Very stylish this I love it :thumbup:

heffneil · Dec 8, 2016

My roof isn't pitched like that but this is a south carolina look I would call it. a little brick or stone on the bottom and then wood wrapped with some decorative detail

heffneil · Dec 9, 2016

So My contractor came out and flattened out the 10 piles delivered the day before. The traucking company force shipped two loads of top soil. It will come in handy but its trying to find a place to put it so we stuffed it under the banyan for the time being.

readhead · Dec 9, 2016

That's going to be a good looking building. However the building erector in me is curious about how you are going to put a 53' trailer and tractor in the site. If you need to off load off site and transfer all the material you should probably start getting those ducks lined up. Depending on distance you might need two forklifts.

heffneil · Dec 9, 2016

yeah I am not sure - really it is the responsibility of the erector. No one has been here to evaluate the site. The dump trucks have successfully been able to get in there. I would think that they could get a trailer to the area where the new driveway meets the old one?

I did get a big shipping container in the other entrance so they should be able to get one in the last entrance but again I guess a skid loader of some sort? Not really sure about those logistics.

Dave_Car_Guy · Dec 9, 2016

Coming along nicely! You can always find a way to put that new topsoil to work!

I was looking again at your plans and etc details you want to do on the columns. I like your idea of the "y" details at the top and maybe a small brick/rock base finish at the bottom. Looking back at your renderings, I was wondering if you'd also consider any sort of embellishment on the roof itself? I wonder if Buck Steel will do any sort of "dormer windows" (like the ones in one of your other garage photos). Also, apologies if I overthink it, but having a bit steeper pitch to the roof might help offset your wife's concern that it could look too industrial. Just a couple examples from Buck Steel below. The color helps soften the look, the roof pitch and texture makes it look more home-like, and the detail on top gives it some visual interest. Just a thought...

heffneil · Dec 9, 2016

The roof is Galvalume so I don't have an option on the color for that unfortunately. I don't think I can add the dormers but I think its a nice look - its kinda late with the plans and my roof is flatter. I did similar to you last photo and extended the roof past each wall 18" so its not just a metal box. We have a turret on our house that is stacked stone. So at a minimum I might just wrap the columns in the stacked stone to keep some of the similarity?

cbacres · Dec 9, 2016

Looking good. How long before build starts? Is your site contractor compacting before concrete is placed?
Look forward to more.

Dave_Car_Guy · Dec 9, 2016

heffneil said:
The roof is Galvalume so I don't have an option on the color for that unfortunately. I don't think I can add the dormers but I think its a nice look - its kinda late with the plans and my roof is flatter. I did similar to you last photo and extended the roof past each wall 18" so its not just a metal box. We have a turret on our house that is stacked stone. So at a minimum I might just wrap the columns in the stacked stone to keep some of the similarity?

I think the stacked stone would look great at the column base. I'd think you could do the same thing around the base of the building, also, but not sure how that might look. The picture below is steel building with wooden posts and stacked rock.

I've seen steel buildings by Walters Buildings that have dormer windows and stacked rock bases and they look less like steel buildings.

My advice to you, even though you didn't ask: do not settle for anything less than you want. You are going through a major process and spending lots of money and it is permanent. So make sure you consider all your choices and even if it sets you back a little timed money, get the design you want. I made a couple choices during my build that I wish I had taken the time and money to reconsider, so I speak from experience!

heffneil · Dec 9, 2016

If you look at the first pic thats the guy compacting so we are compacting and I have been considering running sprinklers to get best compaction!

I will take a picture of the turret so you can see. It is a man made product and when I designed my dream garage we included the corner section of the right angle to have the turret. Having the roof at a different pitch I don't think the dormers would work. If I want to add it later I bet I could have them manufactured and put in. might be more costly but still possible. I also thought about stacking the stone on the wainscoting on the south wall facing the entire property. Im still debating if I do roll up or sectional. I can get insulated doors that are sectional and thats not hard and looks better but then you have to deal with a door hanging on the ceiling a bit...

The picture looks great. I should put a chimney!

HeffNeils 40x60 Building

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