3500ft Shop Build Thread!

[Busflyer]

Well first off I'd like to introduce myself here, my name is Spencer and I live in north Phoenix, Az. Although I'm just about finished with my twenties, it has always been my dream to build a giant shop in my backyard where I can enjoy my many hobbies and, of course, build stuff. My wife and I bought our dream home 3 years ago which is a custom 3300ft home built in 2000 on a 1.2 acre lot with incredible panoramic mountain views with the exception of west-northwest.

Here are some of the key points I'm after...
Size: Looking to build 50x70 and maximize my zones 30' max overall height. Also considering adding a one bedroom casita to the structure. Breezeway between casita but roof attached to help insulate sound. Id like to rent out the private casita as an apartment to help to eventually recover some of the costs over time. I'm on a corner lot, so private access without ever seeing the tenants is possible.

Cost: I'm budgeting $150,000-ish. I just sold my rental property and can do this amount in cash. I would take an additional HELOC (im going to build a resort style pool as well) out if I had to but I would imagine by the time this nears completion ill have more funds available.
I've seen people build from $30/ft and up. I am planning on doing quite a bit of work myself including all the finish work and framing inside. I have connections with concrete work, framing, electrical, plumbing, septic and industrial polymer coatings. (yes i get around )

Finish: It needs to look as good if not better than my house-sand finish stucco and tile roof is a must. No HOA to contend with, but I am going to battle with the city on getting a variance for setbacks. My zoning is 30' from side and rear property lines- I would like to be in the 12-15' range as to preserve views.

Applications: I enjoy building and flying remote controlled jets, so i'm allotting a 750ft area on the southeast corner so im closest to the house and can enjoy the incredible views from my property (1.2 acres). Opposite the hobby room will be a 750ft wood shop that will be enclosed to contain dust. The rest of the shop will house a full paint booth, 4 post car lift, metal fabrication area and finally a large enough area to build a 4 seat airplane.

Location: I would like to situate the building in the northwest corner of my lot as much as practicable to preserve my views. As stated before, I have some decent arguments to propose to the city in order to obtain a variance. Wish me luck...

Material: Many people are trying to talk me into going with a metal building and finishing it both inside and out. Others say framed. Id like input on the pros and cons of each!

Sorry for the novel, but i feel if I give you guys enough background information, it will improve the accuracy of your generous responses. Im looking for comments and opinions from those of you who have build a shop and wish they could've done something different. I'm all ears and reaching out to the experts on here! Let the games begin!

 

[Busflyer]

Here are a couple renderings of what my property looks like now, and the superimposed pool/ shop location. On the northeast corner of the property there is a 16' sliding RV gate to allow easy access from the side street. One picture shows 12' setback (my goal) or the standard 30' setback if I loose the battle with Phoenix.

Also included is what I have so far in the shop floor plan. Comment away!

 

[OzarkMan]

Welcome to GJ BusFlyer!
I Live in East Mesa and your build sounds exactly like what I want to do on my 1.1ac property. I originally wanted to go with block construction with a small 900sq ft apartment for rental income. Steel can be built at the least cost and finished in and out. Our issue out here is the voracious termites that will find their way to a wood structure quickly.
I envy your jet aircraft hobby. I always found that fascinating. Best of luck in your endeavors and I'll definitely follow your build.

 

[j p smith]

Busflyer it looks like your neighbor has a building built right off the property line so there are probably others also. One thing I ran into when we started, I had found a 50 x 100 building and was thinking of going with metal. The building was very tall as I remember, they would let me build it if it was NOT in the setback. If I wanted to use the set back I think it was a 18foot tall max

 

[rattle_snake]

Welcome to JG from Chandler.
The planning stage is extremely important, it looks like you have a good start on it. How do you plan to access the building? Is there are road on the left side? If you plan on getting trailers back to it a loop or turn around would be helpful. Once construction starts it is much more difficult to change things.
I think $30/sqft will be hard to achieve even if you get a good deal and do a lot of work yourself. I think you could spend up to $50/sqft for finished interior with plumbing after murphy's law and feature creep. You can start getting quotes with basic plans before you have a full set or approved ones.
If you plan on finishing the whole interior and having insulation for A/C I think stick frame is the way to go.
What is your electrical service to the home? 200 or 400A?

 

[Busflyer]

jp: the building he has there was built before our properties were split and it slipped through the cracks at PHX. go figure... Also that neighbor is a total ***, a story for another day.

rattlesnake: exactly, which is why i want as many wrinkles ironed out before i break ground. access will be though the 18' gate on the NE corner (sliding gate). I will attach a pic of it! I want to insulate the **** out of it and im already leaning towards stick. My house currently has 200A service. Im planning on installing 400A on the house and moving my 200A panel to the shop. In the future Id like the ability to add solar once the technology gets a bit better and go solar>shop>house>grid.

This forum looks like it hosts images in terrible resolution. Am i doing something wrong or do i need to use a 3rd party host from here on out?

 

[drivesitfar]

Bus: i use the paperclip just above where we write our posts that attaches pictures (thumbnails) sort of like you'd attach pictures to emails. you can post 7 pictures per post and if anybody wants to see them full size all they have to do is click on them twice or three times.

best of luck with the big build and are you sure you want to spend all that money on the place if you have a crappy neighbor already?

 

[James-W]

Welcome to the forum from S.E. Wisconsin.

 

[j p smith]

Spencer, 30/sqft might be light today. We did ours for that but did it between 2003 thru 2009. We put the shell up and finished the rest as we had the money. Stick frame, insulated, drywall, 2 coolers, bathroom/shower, 2- 12 X 24 storage rooms, 1- 18 x 24 show & tell room and 2000 sq feet of shop space. I should be home this weekend if you have time to come over, be gone sat evening (after 4pm)

My neighbor has a 50 x 60 we can look at also.

 

[Cyberbear]

I believe that stick frame is always better for residential use and metal for agricultural purposes. Depending on how you believe your inherent property rights can be nullified by administrative agencies, will help determine how you deal with county issues regarding building codes. From personal experience, I've found no one actually knows how the county obtained jurisdiction over you or your private property. They claim jurisdiction but never seem to prove it, other than lies and distortions, until you do your own due diligence and discover the true extent of their claimed jurisdiction. Most people find it easier to simply roll over and simply go along. Hint: the difference between public and private jurisdiction is great. Good Luck !!

 

[j p smith]

Hey Spencer. Any updates or are you still on info overload from last week, LOL. It was good to meet and spend some time with you.

 

[ducksface]

You mention and remention views.
Will your neighbors fight to keep theirs?

A couple of restriction to check.
14.1 feet might be your max height.
IBC has a maximum on out buildings.
I don't remember if 3000sqft or 3800sqft.

 

[Busflyer]

my zoning is s-1 (rural residential). I talked with the city a few weeks ago and theres no ordinance for preserving your neighbors views, nor is that an valid argument in the city's eyes (go figure). Their accessory building already completely blocks their view, so it would be silly for them to argue that. My max height is 30' and no more than 20% lot coverage... I have a 51392 sq ft lot, and my house is 4150 under roof. Lots of wiggle room.