1200 sq ft Morton type building questions

[sti491]

I am considering purchasing this property in central NC that has a well maintained late 80's ranch house with a 600 sq ft attached garage, and a detached 1200 sq ft "Morton type building" that the current owner built for his motor home in 2010, wired with 100 amp service, 220 outlets and with two 12' double doors. I have been looking for a house with an attached and detached garage for some time now, however all the properties I've considered have had smaller, more like 24x24 conventional stick built detached garages.

This is the Garage Mahal of garages that I have found in my price range! WAY larger than I anticipated ever getting. But, of course the current owner is proud of his property and it's reflected in a relatively high asking price, one that may not appraise that high.

I have done some research on these type of buildings, but I am looking for advice on it's pro's and con's. It has 6" concrete floors and a very high ceiling, so adding a lift should be no problem. It's WAY bigger than anything I have seen. It has a wood burning stove and looks to be insulated. I am wondering how well that wood stove would do keeping it relatively warm when it's in the 30's outside? Also, is there any reasonable cost way to cool part of it where a workbench would be in the heat of the NC summer when it can be high 90's. Maybe fans are my only option?

My son looked at this property for me, I have not been there yet, but I'm planning to take a serious look next week.

What do you think of it from the pictures? Anything I should look for in particular in my visit? Any idea what it would cost to build this building, as is with driveway, insulation, electric service, lighting, doors, windows. etc? It sure looks nice!

 

[evildky]

"Morton Type Building" Never heard that one, I've always heard this type construction referred to as a "Pole barn", which I guess is a reference to the poles that make up the structure.

 

[sti491]

Morton is a manufacturer of pole buildings from I have read. Hoping to get some input from somebody with one, as to my questions and/or comments on the build quality from the pics.

 

[OneOfEm]

It appears to have a wrap just inside the steel. It's not really insulation - at least not any R-value that amounts to anything.

Scissor trusses are a bit of a plus.

The cost to build one doesn't equal appraised value. It's a bit complicated with a pole building. It is attractive to someone who wants such a building, but limits the pool of potential buyers in many cases (seriously limits in some cases).

It's a nice looking shop.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

That is a nice looking pole barn. I'm guessing 12ft walls. Check the thickness of the steel, some use thicker steel than others. It doesn't appear to have any insulation (yet).
I'd also add more outlets.

The wood stove probably does OK to heat it to "working temps" at 30 degrees. Standing by it will be a nice place warm up if it really gets cold. If you add insulation it would help too, also to keep it cool in the summer.
It appears to be somewhat shaded and has a door on the back that should allow a coupe fans to get decent air flow.

 

[lawfarm]

Our farm shop is the same construction.

For heating, we have a large propane shop heater in it. We used to fire it up when it was really cold out and we were working. Heater would kick on and off every 5 minutes or so to keep 55-60 degrees inside.

Then, a few years back, we put corrugated steel up on the bottom of the trusses and laid insulation on top of it. We then insulated the interior walls and put steel on them as well, and replaced the rollup door with an insulated model.

Now, when we're going to be working outside, we leave the heater set at 50 and turn it up to 60 or so when we're actually working in there. To hold 60, the heater runs maybe 5 minutes out of every 60-90 (depending on outside temps). It's pretty economical to keep the shop warm overnight, so the tractor you're working on is warm and easy to work on in the morning. It made a huge difference.

I can't see even starting to heat it with a wood stove.

If you're thinking occasional heat, the "insulation" in there will work. If you're thinking of working in there on a daily basis, plan on more insulation. Of course, you're in NC and we're in IL...

 

[sti491]

I think its a pretty great looking building, just a lot bigger and taller than I was anticipating. Why do you say that scissor trusses are a plus? What I would like to hear from a garage member that has knowledge, is what they think it cost to build this particular pole building, with the driveway and elec service? I know its not worth what he paid to build it, but I am curious!

 

[Fueler]

Too big, too tall said no shop/barn/garage owner, ever.

Trust us, it will magically shrink internally as you move in.

 

[rburke65]

A Morton building is "supposedly" a well built building. The scissor truss is a plus if only because of a taller ceiling and especially if you would ever want a lift....which are quite reasonably priced today and are very handy. That is a nice building. Forget about what it's worth and the metal thickness....you aren't boing to be tearing it off reguardless if it's 26 or 29! It's there, it's built, permits, etc are all done. You could finish the inside and insulate but inNC I don't think you will freezing even without heat. The very least you could line the ceiling with metal and blow insulation on top and that would make a big difference. Nice shop. Nice color. Good luck.

 

[n20junkie]

That woodburner will be an insurance no/go from what I have seen.

 

[Dragfluid]

It's a pole shed, like many of us here have. Morton built that one. They've been around for many moons, and they're pretty proud of their buildings. They're high buck. What the current owner is telling you for value is probably spot on.
As has been said, it's built, it's permanent, it won't fall down. Write out the check and move in.

I would put steel panels on the ceiling and blow it full of cellulose. Then install a couple of ceiling fans. That will help with heat as well keeping it cool in summer.
The wood stove will be frowned on by insurance.

1200 sq ft is fair size, but it's not gigantic. You'll find out soon enough how small that can be.

 

[kbs2244]

Do not let on that you like the shop.

"I don't know what I would do with that thing"
I don't plan on an RV and I am too old to do any big projects."

Garage Mahal's add nothing to the market value.
It is too much of a narrow market.
In fact it may be a drag on the broader appeal.

 

[SPDMETL]

Wonder if the owner's on this forum???

+1 on what a nice building it is...this is the cheapest way to get one!

 

[sti491]

Thanks everyone. I am looking at it tomorrow. I think it's a great building for my needs. However, it all comes down to price. The property has to appraise for a mortgage . The house only "sort-of" meets our needs, and the location has pros & cons for us. We'll see. At the right price my interest level is high enough to drive 4 hrs to go see it! The owner seems like a very nice guy.

 

[sti491]

I bought it! Very nice owners. We negotiated the price in their living room without any real estate brokers. Wrote the contract on their kitchen table. Reviewing with my attorney this morning. Now we just have to clear the inspection which should be no problem, and the mortgage appraisal. I will be back on here when we move in and start to configure the garage, and shopping for a lift...We are sooo happy!

 

[58Yeoman]

Congratulations on the purchase. I bought my house in '08, and it has a 960 sq. ft 'pole building', 24x40, but not a Morton. The Morton hdq. aren't far from me, and they've been a great building ever since I can remember. My ceilings are ~9', and I don't have/need a lift. When I was still working, I acquired a lot of 52"x48" sheets of osb that would've been scrapped, but in excellent condition.

I put up the osb on the ceilings and walls, after insulating with 1 1/2" of rigid foam. I caulked the joints and painted. IIRC, my propane heater is 75,000 btu, and will heat the building to comfy levels fairly quickly. I have one 16' and one 8' door, both insulated. I can park 3 cars in it and still have room for work benches and too much other junk.

Your new property looks great from the pix you uploaded, and I think you'll really like your new shop.

 

[Dragfluid]

Congratulations on the purchase!
Enjoy!!

 

[TractorJeff]

Morton does sell that "Wrap" as an Insulation! There is an "R" value to it but I don't remember what it is exactly? They are expensive but well built buildings.
Congratulations!

 

[Donald Cook]

Morton is very popular in the midwest, a Quality building. nice size, and shouldn't detract value at all. Good luck.

 

[rburke65]

Hey!.....good for you. Looks like a nice lace. Hope things go well for you at the bank.

 

[sti491]

Congratulations on the purchase. I bought my house in '08, and it has a 960 sq. ft 'pole building', 24x40, but not a Morton. The Morton hdq. aren't far from me, and they've been a great building ever since I can remember. My ceilings are ~9', and I don't have/need a lift. When I was still working, I acquired a lot of 52"x48" sheets of osb that would've been scrapped, but in excellent condition.

I put up the osb on the ceilings and walls, after insulating with 1 1/2" of rigid foam. I caulked the joints and painted. IIRC, my propane heater is 75,000 btu, and will heat the building to comfy levels fairly quickly. I have one 16' and one 8' door, both insulated. I can park 3 cars in it and still have room for work benches and too much other junk.

Your new property looks great from the pix you uploaded, and I think you'll really like your new shop.

That's a great spot you have there!