My Texas Dream Garage

Nighttrain · Aug 27, 2009

New poster here but like others have been seeking out ideas for my garage. Quick history behind my build. Retired this year from the military and have had numerous types of garages over the years and have tried to roll in all the best to my build. As with all my other homes/garages there was always a need for more room. Hopefully with this retirement will come a house and dream garage which I can stay with for more than four years.

Enough with history. Here is my plan. Metal Mueller weld-up 40x60x16 main shop with a 15x60 lean-to for the Toy hauler and then a 8x40 lean-to on the opposite side for a covered porch. Only one "Big Door" 12x14, a 6x8 rollup people door and three man doors. Windows are four fixed double pane 3'6"x6' windows. Inside will be a 12x16 office with a bathroom next to it then a 12x16 "Casita" for visiting friends. Plan on decking above these areas for storage and as an ammo reloading area. Most of my hobbies consist of woodworking and motorcycles. Do plan on re-doing cars and old tractors and possibly an old Peterbilt to haul the Toy hauler with later down the road. I’ve been meaning to post earlier when we had the excavation and slab poured, and will catch up with those later. Today the first metal columns where welded up and I have those to post tonight. I find it interesting to see how garages around the country (and the world) are built using different techniques. I am acting as the GC on this build and am planning on all work beside the slab and metal building (welding etc).

Hope you like the build and I will do my best to describe in detail the process.

OK tried to upload photos but I received a security token msg. May be due to the computer I am on tonight. Promise to upload pictures from the beginning tomorrow. (I hate threads without pictures also).

Nighttrain · Aug 27, 2009

OK, I played around and think this will work. Here are several of pictures from day 1 and 2 of the welders. The second and third pictures are where all my tools are being temporarily stored. (Wife wants HER garage back, so this is helping me finish mine quickly) :beer:

nathank · Aug 27, 2009

Look forward to seeing the progress.

What part of Texas are you in?

jj3 · Aug 27, 2009

That's going to be something! I'm trying to figure out which part of TX as well...I have a couple guesses judging from the soil and flora.

Nighttrain · Aug 27, 2009

• Its a little dry in the Gateway to the Hill Country isn’t it? I am in Dripping Springs and since we moved here in June I have yet to see any water dripping: spit:, The welders just showed up to start installing the rafters today so I will be out with them. I have several photos I will be posting tonight of the foundation, plumbing etc. Another 100* plus day. Almost 70 days straight in triple digits. For those of you wondering the garage will NOT be heated but will have insulation.

jj3 · Aug 27, 2009

Oof, yes you have been very dry out there. When I drove over Pedernales River in June it could be crossed on foot and I presume it's probably worse now. It has been brutal in Houston as well with 100+ heat index since the 2nd week of June (makes sense for no heat, but a/c?)

Can't wait to see the pictures and see how this turns out.

Nighttrain · Aug 27, 2009

Catching up on this post. Here is the foundation being constructed. They had to raise the back much more than I expected. I wanted the front to be at least 6" above the driveway. Went with 4" cement and rebar. The beams run around the edges and two main beams 2' deep across the two center columns. No need for any insulation below the cement. I ran the plumbing and it all pressure tested good. I will have a bathroom with shower/toilet/sink and a urinal. The Casita will only have a sink. Also ran a sewage pipe over to the edge of the RV lean-to so I can connect the camper up to sewage. I am running the 4" pipe on a 1/8" grade over to the aerobic septic system on the other side of the house. Drop from pad to this side is 2'. The run will be about 150'. Does anyone have experience running a ground pipe this far? The concrete contractor allowed me the use of his Bobcat for the week while he was there. Made great use of it trenching the 200' electric run and generally tearing up the yard.

. Only problem I had was my rain water (only source of water for the house) supply pipe ran under the slab. We cut it trenching the beams on the slab and I had to reroute it around the garage. Not too big of a problem since I will be tying in the garage to this system to capture rain. I have a 30K gallon holding tape just beyond the garage. It’s great living out in the country. Only a $30 building permit and no codes except the aerobic septic system will be inspected when I tie it in. I do plan on using a Licensed Electrician which will over see the project allowing me to do all the grunt work.

More later.

Nighttrain · Aug 28, 2009

Fourth day of welding and the main structure is up. They are placing the purlins up today and plan on working this weekend to have all the welding/structure completed. The plan was to spray the red oxide primer and go with that. After seeing a garage on here and the metal painted black, I went and picked up ten gallons of oil based enamel to coat the red primer. Plan on painting from the 8' line and above. I plan on framing in and sheet rocking 8' and below.

Nighttrain · Aug 28, 2009

Friday night update before I go to work to help pay for this thing. All the roof purlins are in place and the two end columns for the RV lean-to were put in. I had planned on placing a window unit air conditioner in the office and one in the casita. The welder mentioned that he could frame up a opening in the wall so we would not have to use the windows. (prior to me buying the fixed pane windows I have now) I think this will look nice. I helped a neighbor at my last house down in Houston do this to his garage and it looks great. Also having a stand alone window AC comes in handy when the electricity goes out for days after a Hurricane. Simply plug into the portable generator.

Hope to have all purlins welded up tomorrow and most if not all frames set up for the windows and doors

rustyfords · Aug 28, 2009

This is looking great, and is very similar to what I'm envisioning in my mind for my future shop. I'll be following along as you go.

BTW...I'm in Texas too, except the trees here are all of the pine variety.

Nighttrain · Aug 31, 2009

Monday morning update. Came back from being out of town on Sunday afternoon and the welders were busy finishing up the framing and doors. Today they are here early to paint all metal. The may even start the sheet metal later this afternoon. The builder is going to allow me to spray the metal gloss black using his equipment. He allowed me to use his sky crane, I have done about every job possible with it while its here like moving old tree stumps to the burn pile. I should have thought about ordering my 4 post lift and having it delivered sooner. This crane would have made it quick job of unloading it and placing it in the garage

e-tek · Aug 31, 2009

Sweet size!!! I could fit a few projects in there!!

TejasBimmer · Aug 31, 2009

Looking great!
Can't wait to see it all finished!
BTW - here in San Antonio we had well over 55 days of 100+ degree temps so far.

Nighttrain · Sep 1, 2009

The welders are all complete with the frame. They installed the 8x40 lean-to porch on the South side today. I think I am going to fill this area in with cement. I thought about a wood deck under this porch, but everyone I talk to, says to go with cement. I can etch the cement to match the wrap around porch cement on the house. Also plan on trimming out the metal on the porch in cedar to match the house.

The inside of the garage is going to be fun to build. I have taken numerous pictures of "Ice Houses" here in Texas and plan on bringing that idea into my garage. The office and guest room will be faced with old barn wood and galvanized metal. I am looking at making all the cabinets also in this style around the garage. The back section of the garage will be the woodshop area and metal working. Towards the front I will have my lift.

Being a hobby garage and also being a place the kids, dogs and I will be spending a lot of our time, I want to bring in a relaxed/recreation feeling to it. We are looking at a pool/ping pong table in one corner.

Yeah it may not be the most traditional die hard working garage but at this point in my life the kids are still young and want to be out there with me. And so does the old lady. So that's why we are making it as much as a recreation area as we can. O did I tell you there will be a kegerator with the spigot coming through the wall from the guest room out to the work area and a poker table?

:beer:

Couple of pictures of all the metal work completed. Tomorrow the windows are going in and the sheet metal. Couple of pictures of some of my toys and the hauler. The hauler will find its new home under the 15x60 lean-to.

Nighttrain · Sep 5, 2009

Friday update. The metal is all up and the building is 90% closed up. The builders will finish the trim in the morning and install the big doors. Couple of lessons learned for anyone looking at metal buildings.

- Go with the insulation at the build. Cost is a minor price at this time ($1400) for my building for R-13. This insulation will help out in the summer just as well in the winter. The crews did a great job pulling it tight and it looks great inside.

- The crews pre-drilled all the sidewall sheets. This made all the screws line up perfect along the walls. Looks very nice.

- I installed quality double pane windows. Got these for a great bargain at a window supplier. They were even cheaper than the single pane windows of a much smaller size the building manufacture offered. The builder can weld up any size windows if you get them prior to build. Also I purchased two AC window units which they framed out for me.

- Add a lower purlin to the wall. Most buildings only have a pulin at the 7’ level then one above that towards the roof. (Depending on wall height). I added one at 4’ and also a L bracket at the floor to support the 8’ wall material I will be adding.

Can’t be happier wit the construction and attention to detail from the builder. I have been receiving quotes for cement and pavement for the drive way. Here is what I have. Driveway from street to front of the house is 1400’. Then another 300’ around the front of the house to the garages.

Quotes I have so far are: 50 cents a sq ft for rock chip.
$1.00 a sq ft for asphalt.
$2.80 a sq ft for 4” concrete.

Will probably eventually do the chip coat from street up to house. Asphalt around house then cement for the entrance to both garages and area in front. (about 2500sf)

Next on agenda is the wiring, lights and start the office and Casita.

Have a great Labor Day weekend in your Garages! :beer:

Ugh just tried to load up the pictures and the camera died. At work now and the charger is at home. Ill post pictures of the walls and roof in the morning. :headscrat

Nighttrain · Sep 6, 2009

Here are the pictures of all the metal up. The contractors forklift starter died and it is now stuck in place. They were not able to hang the doors. Will be back Tuesday with a new starter and finish up. I finally was able to get the Toy hauler under cover.

Had to make the approach a little wider than I expected to back it up, but this is the time to do it before we have the driveway poured.

jmscalf · Feb 22, 2010

Did you ever complete this? Just curious

rushmtrsports · Feb 23, 2010

I've been considering using mueller for my building as well. I don't think I'll start construction until 4th quarter this year though. I'm looking at a building with very similar specs to yours. What was the delivered cost of your building, and what did the construction labor cost you?

swhite832 · Feb 23, 2010

Im just south of you in Wimberley. I built a 30x50 Mueller. It was the biggest I could fit on the property. I wanted it big enough so I didnt have to move projects and material around. Well, guess what? Im moving stuff around. I wish I would have gone with lean-to's as well, but I shoehorned this building in its spot so there was no room. I did get some plumbing in for an apt. though. I wish I had a concrete apron and at least one 12ft door. Those bids you are getting are great. I assume its for a large amount of sq. footage? Good luck with the project.

Nighttrain · Feb 24, 2010

Thanks for the replies. It has been slow but progress has been made. This fall I finally ran power to the shop (200') and have one quad plug in place. That’s one very expensive outlet.

I plan on finishing the interior walls and office before I run the rest of the outlets. As for the price of the building delivered it was 21K. That’s for all the material including insulation and doors. I purchased the four windows separately. This was not a bolt-up engineered building. Not required out here. I paid 15k for the welding and construction. So about $9.60 sf for building installed. The slab 2400sf was 13k so that brings the total to about $14sf for the building minus electric, water and my finishing up the inside. Building permit was $35. I just had to throw that in there for the guys on here that pay BIG $$$$ for permits. (sorry) :thumbup:

Before everyone mentions how much floor space I took up for the office/bathroom/guestroom, that was one of the reasons for going for this size of a garage. I look at it as a gained another 640sf above the office as out of the way storage. I still have 1760sf of garage floor space let alone our 2 1/2 attached garage for car/motorcycle overflow.

As for Mueller Buildings I could not be more happy with the quality of material. Can't think of much more that I would change in the design or construction of the building.

Titus · Feb 24, 2010

Looks very nice! I am a little confused on your costs... 21k + 15k + 13k = 49k / 2400 sqft = $20.42 sqft?

R1chy · Feb 24, 2010

Nighttrain - I see in one of your pictures a set of Dewalt battery chargers. Check to make sure they are not part of a recall, a friend of mine lost his garage and a lot of his house after his Dewalt charger caught fire. Sorry I don't have more info on this, but he only found out about the recall AFTER the fire.

R1chy

Nighttrain · Feb 25, 2010

Titus - Dont forget the 15x60 Lean-to and the 8X40 Lean-to porch. Brings the sf up a bit. This is all under roof sf I calculate.

R1chy - Thanks, I had not heard of that recall. I will look it up today.

HIRISC · Feb 26, 2010

Looks great - nice big build. Have fun in there!

Nighttrain · Feb 27, 2010

HIRISC -Thanks. I have been keeping an eye on your build also, very impressive. When I lived down in Houston there was a place similar to yours. Although, not as nice of a layout. Mostly used for workshops and storage for folks that outgrew their garages at home. Very neat idea! I imagine you are anxious for the warmer weather to arrive to fully enjoy you new haven/heaven.

408Chevelle · Jul 5, 2010

Nice build Nighttrain! Have you finished the inside yet?

Nighttrain · Jul 7, 2010

Thanks for asking. It’s been a little slow on the interior but I have made some headway. I have the power ran to the main panel and to a secondary panel. I am still debating what to line the interior walls with. I would like to use sheet rock for fire resistance but then I like the look of T-1-11 sheeting. I will be placing a work bench the entire lengths of the south wall and the back wall. My office/bathroom/spare rooms are all framed up. I just finished the decking above for storage. Over the last few months we have been doing a lot of yard work and other projects. I should be hitting the garage full time again here shortly.

arbee · Jul 7, 2010

Nice! I built and RV lean to onto mine as well:

Nighttrain · Jul 8, 2010

RB, I took a look at your garage build. Very nice as well! I really wanted to do a stick build garage also but just had to go with metal for this size. Having a lean to on the garage for RV storage is priceless. For years I paid to have covered storage for boats and RV's. I figured the cost for the additional material for the lean to is paid for within a year or so of not paying for storage.

What I would give for some of your trees.

JC23 · Nov 13, 2010

Nighttrain,

Any updates on your palace. Very curious on how it was finished.

Nighttrain · Nov 17, 2010

JC23, Thanks for asking. I’ve posted a couple on a "updated Texas Dream Garage" but will get this one up to speed. I need to combine them into one and add it to my signature. Ill figure this out tonight.

As far as the office, bathroom man cave I have the exterior complete and will be finish up the insulation on my next week off.

Here is the sink. I am thinking of using this blue tile. It was leftover tile from our pool at our old house.

From the storage loft above office to future motorcycle fab area.

All space above office is storage.

Rest of the inside walls will be sheet rock up to 12'
:beer:

Canadian Charlie · Nov 17, 2010

Nice build, very impressive

SteelArt · Nov 17, 2010

Cool build I like the look of havinga building inside the building as opposed to stock standard walls etc, give it that sort of mivie set feel

Nighttrain · Jan 21, 2011

I figured I better update some of my work over the last several months. Seems like it is taking forever to get my garage up to where I want it. This last October we adopted two boys. Chance and Raggs are two horses we had been promising my daughter for a while. Anyways what does any horse need? A barn, I call it my future tractor and old truck storage facility. Is it bad that I am waiting for my daughter to get tired of these horses? :wtf:

So anyways I have been building a 24' x 32' pole barn. This is my first attempt at a pole barn and it is coming along pretty good. Best part is the kids have been really helping me with everything so far except the trusses. Couple of neighbors came over and helped lift those up.

Hopefully I will have all the metal up this week and will be able to get back to the garage.

I did have sheet rock delivered at the same time the pole barn lumber was delivered. After hanging two sheets of dry wall myself I just gave up. With the barn going up I just wanted to get the sheet rock done. Found a crew to hang, tape mud and texture for $20 a sheet.. So my office and man room are done. :thumbup:

Also got a new compressor for Christmas so that is in the works to be hardwired and plumbed in. Thinking PVC (just kidding)

Anyways here are some pics.

Dug holes down 4' with a bobcat.

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Used 6"x6" for all main post and 4"x6" for stall dividers and doors.

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Chance

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Used a double 2" x 12" header on the two outside walls and a double 2" x 10" header down the center.

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Went with the same Mueller 26 ga steel as my big garage. I also went with a 36" wains coating for the barn. Wish I would have done this on the big shop.

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92 sheets of sheetrock.

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Looking at using a plywood wainscoting in the office. Still deciding on the colors for the office and mans room.

408Chevelle · Jan 22, 2011

Really cool design for the office area!

bww_mnm · Jan 22, 2011

how about some pics of the lil' honda CB/CL?

Great build. Like others have said, the structure inside the building is impressive.

Mr Mushman · Feb 8, 2011

Great build Nighttrain ! ! ! man I wish I had this much space to build, it would have been awesome. I like the "building within the building" very cool idea, I thought about doing that also in my garage but VERY QUICKLY ran out of space ... so I had to go another direction ... Once again very nice job ! ! !

David79z28 · Feb 8, 2011

Awesome building!!! Mueller makes nice buildings, so I hear...

Nighttrain · Feb 8, 2011

Thanks for the nice comments guys! The CB-100 is a 1972 which my dad bought for us kids for Christmas that year. All original and still running, ill try to get some better pictures of it.

The weather has really slowed me down on the barn build. I did get all the siding and roof up and the stalls completed in time for the cold weather. This will be easy to close in at a later date and install doors when the horse’s move out. :lol_hitti

Also stopped by the local State excess property and found this nice microfiche cabinet. 10 drawers all on real nice ball bearing sliders made by Russ Bassett. I looked up the company in California which sells these. They are listed for $2900 each. I suppose because not many people use microfiche anymore. Anyways I got it for $100 and plan on painting it and using for hardware.

They have some other cabinets which I am going to try to get for storage of paint etc.

Once the barn is 100% I am hoping to finish the bathroom and floors in the office.

Call me the Breeze · Feb 8, 2011

Quite the place you got going there Nighttrain! I really dig it!

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