36x54x14 in Ohio... Finally!

[D94R]

I've been a member here since 2014 when I moved from Utah to Ohio and I started planning and dreaming. That was the only thing I could do till my house in Utah sold to finance the barn in Ohio.
The market finally caught up in Utah and allowed us to make a tidy profit on the Utah house and finance the build.

So, whats a guy with the money and a dream do? Start calling builders and suppliers for quotes. That's about where this dream almost didn't even get off the ground.

Building prices all over the place. Cost to build prices all over the place. Lead times out to October. "We only build, we don't supply" or "We supply and build but don't do X" responses. Incorrect quotes. A billion phone calls with no responses at all. Wet weather all spring/summer.

Now I'll admit I'm kind of impatient, so I was getting antsy. With finally accepting the fact I was going to have to build this myself (with help from buddies (me, buddy, and buddys buddy) to get it done sooner rather than later I designed and purchased my barn from Menards. During the wait-for-it-to-arrive phase I sketched up the house and barn to make sure it would look good where I was proposing to put it.

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Then buddy's buddy got kinda ****** about building it so he was dropped from the "crew" and I knew two guys building this was going to be an ordeal. Then FINALLY, a local guy and his crew were free'd up so I went with them to build it but I had to wait 3 more weeks. That kind of sucked with the barn kit already on site sitting there but I really had zero options.

So that brings us up to July 3rd when the building started.

And then Photobucket threw the entire internets a fist full of FU with their image imbedding policy change which killed the chances of this thread... till now.

 

[D94R]

Day One Progress:
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[D94R]

Day Two Progress:

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[D94R]

And that catches us up to today. They are to start the metal today and finish today or tomorrow.

Concrete is going to wait a bit I think. Like the barn/builders, I have quotes all over the place in price, and having this builder build the barn is a bit more than I originally budgeted, plus his quote on concrete is on the higher end of the quotes I've recieved.

 

[jfreeze]

Subscribed! Looking good, I bet you're anxious to get in it already!

 

[D94R]

Anxious is understating it. However I still have to have restraint as I need to keep it cleared out for my wife's graduation from Nursing school in a month. Plan to use it for the party center with or without concrete.


And as for plans for the inside, I don't have anything set in stone, but do have where I want the eventual 2-post lift to live. Located so I can drive/back straight onto it and allow another car to get into the rest of the building. That side load door is 16x10, and the rear door is 10x10. The bendpack mid lift I currently have will go next to the 2-post lift. It currently resides in the 3 car garage's 3rd bay.

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[AFBud78]

Why so close to the house with such a big back yard?

 

[D94R]

Convenience primarily, land slope secondarily.

Center of back yard directly behind the house is the leach field. Pool and kiddo's playhouse is in the lowest area of land as it drains that direction so that wasn't a good place to put it.

I was originally going to put it straight back about 50yrds from where it is now. However, the slope of the land there was going to require about $6000 in fill and earth working to get proper base and drainage. That was pretty much out of question.

The only other "high spot" in the back yard area would be behind the pool and to the right of the picture of the back side. But, I have other plans for that area (railroad caboose), and getting a driveway/electric to a barn out there meant having a driveway where I wouldn't want it.

And since I'll be using this as my garage I didn't want to be walking much further in the winter or rain.

 

[AFBud78]

Makes sense. Leach fields really take up good real estate. Best of luck to you on the build.

 

[D94R]

Thanks!

The weather today kept the workers from starting the metal work. This weather stuff is like a running gag joke this year.

 

[D94R]

So, my job is the last job of the building "season" this builder took on until the "crops are done". I'm not a farmer so I don't really know what that entails as the corn and soybeans aren't nearly ready around here, other than I know half his crew disappears here soon (presumably the Amish half).

Friday it rained, so no work.
Saturday and Sunday were perfect for tossing around sheet metal, and no work.
- Honestly, I don't like working weekends either, but I would have thought he'd want to take advantage of the weather to wrap this build up
- Unless he'd already lost half his crew to the crop
Today it's raining already.
Through Friday it's supposed to rain/storm.




For about 16 seconds on Saturday I contemplated starting the metal work myself and cutting the builders loose as-is. Really the hard part, or what I perceive as the hard part (setting the 6x6 beams and trusses) is done. All that is left is framing in the man door (easy) and starting sheet metal (seems easy with help from buddy).

I paused and let it sink in that was my impatience getting to me, but man the waiting game *****.

 

[D94R]

The weather held out today and the siding went up. It should be another half day or so of work and they'll have it completed.

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[OH_Varmntr]

Nice looking build going on here. Gotta love the space a leech field takes up. I've been fighting that and property line setbacks to get my building placement finalized.

I'll be following along here closely. What are your plans for lighting?

 

[D94R]

Thanks!

Luckily setbacks here aren't egregious at 15ft from side property lines. I did stay about 50ft from the side though just to keep peace with the neighbor. He's a great guy that let me hook up to his NG line through is property so I didn't have to go propane, so I'm kind of permanently in his debt for that!

And yes, leech fields are space hogs, but even so I couldn't really build towards the rear of the property just because back there it stay's damp/squishy for a few days after rain because of the "farm field slope" to it. There are some old field tiles out there (hit one trenching for power when I built the house) that move some serious water, but not enough quick enough.

For lights I plan to use the Strips and LED Lamps from Beeslighting.
My post from the "Best Light Fixture Ever" thread

At least 3 strips per truss for 15 total. Those will be split up and on two separate switches so I don't have to have them all on at once.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

Sounds like you have a good plan going. I've been looking at low bay LED UFO type fixtures but I'm rather concerned about only having 6 fixtures causing shadows.




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[nomadskidoo]

Nice Red !Love it!I wish I could get my 40'x60'done in 12 weeks?Builder worked 12 days,too many delays,wet/dry/windy/no helpers/I had referances but not the right Ones!Contract means nothing,they moved onto other areas,contact BBB before getting a Permit,been there done that,hope for the Best,ARMY we said "Deeds Not Words"!Best of wishes!Thanks for your Service(1971-1975)

 

[D94R]

Thanks, I really like the red too. It's a few shades off of the house, but what can I do if I didn't put the same vinyl siding on? The color difference is most notable at dusk and really doesn't bother us. Between this and fire engine red, it was this.

The builder has been here two full days, and two half days. He stopped by last night to go over some questions I had about the trim around the doors (turns out Menards sold me on one style but sold me a different style, and didn't include enough for the man door) and said if it doesn't rain hard today (it was sprinkling all the way into work this AM) they will likely get the roof on today, if not definitely Friday. He wants paid as much as I want it done.


What Menards showed me for the door trim:

What I paid for and got:

Wasn't something I could catch on the BOM just by looking at it when I bought the materials as I didn't know. And don't have a leg to stand on to go back at Menards because I got what I paid for. It's honestly not a big deal, but I liked the more finished appearance of the other trim. I might replace it later.

 

[nomadskidoo]

Nice Red!As every job you become the 1 in charge ,attourney,designer,banker,so you've got to know more than the counter guy(not that there bad people)Good Luck,looks nice!

 

[D94R]

They are DONE!

I have the garage doors, just have to find someone to hang them, and start bidding out the concrete.

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Now, what do I do with that throw-together shed? All its contents (mower, garden tools) will reside in the barn. The wife wants to use it to shelter chickens and/or goats... I'm not sure she knows what she's requesting

 

[Wooden Skye]

Nice Barn build! Why move that stuff to the barn, keep it where it is. Plus then you don't have to take care of the chickens or goats. You know it will happen.

 

[GRN96WS6]

Shelter shed or whatever it is seems like a damn good bonfire/beer/cigar night for the boys!

 

[D94R]

Lighting has been bought from beeslighting. Shipping is 5-7 days so hopefully I have them by the weekend. I need to run to Menards to pick up the electrical supplies (main panel, wiring, boxes, switches, etc) to take advantage of their 11% rebate going on again.


I won't burn the shed, it was a throw-together in a weekend build for the mower while building the house, but it was built with quality materials. If anything I'll tear it down and reuse the wood.

Next is to start installing the overhead doors. I watched some videos on it and it looks easy. Absolutely nothing can go wrong, nothing.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

Good to hear about progress! More pics!!!


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[D94R]

So I waited for concrete before installing my garage doors.

Friday they brought in stone for the base and packed it. It looked good. They laser leveled out the height of the concrete, and on a grid through out the gravel they drove stakes with height marks (screws in the stake). They all measured out to be 4-5" of concrete depth. Great, I was paying for 4" @ 4000 PSI.

They poured yesterday. Looked good, initially. I did ask them what time they thought they'd wrap up and the guy said probably around 3pm. At 4:45 they were still there power troweling the last section that was poured. By 5pm they were done, and gone by 5:02.

I had went home at noon yesterday and checked in on them a couple times just to see the process... I know next to nothing about concrete. He'd power trowel from the earliest pour into the latest pour and the freshest stuff was still slopping about a half inch (but dry enough to walk across). So he'd break for a while and go back, continuing the process. Near the 5 PM mark though he looked rushed. He wasn't very methodic with the power trowel either at this point and went over the remaining bit pretty quickly. It was no longer too wet and the smooth finish looked right to my eye.

Till I checked it this morning by flash light.

It looked like I was looking at a topo map of the Rockies.
Half payment was made up front for the rock/compact/concrete pour and finish, and half due when they saw cut.
Today they are supposed to saw cut. I'll be there to discuss the floor with the concrete guy before handing over that final payment.
I know at this point, it is what it is as there doesn't seem to be anything that can be done to level out the hills and valleys short of self leveler, or rip out and re-pour.

I also know the flash light can over dramatize and exaggerate but I could tell by my eye that it just didn't look right.


Any opinions other than diving off the deep end and demanding his head on a stick?

Pics from the last section poured. But for the most part through out the slab the surface looks like mashed potatoes. The light contrast might be amplifying the effect so we'll see when I meet him at noon today.
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[MagKarl]

Lay a long straight edge down and measure the gaps.

 

[CoogarXR]

I don't know anything about concrete either... But that picture makes me upset, heh.

 

[D94R]

I will with the contractor. Hopefully I'm just being picky, but the flatness is no where near my attached garage concrete.

 

[D94R]

I don't know anything about concrete either... But that picture makes me upset, heh.

You and me both, but I'm keeping it cool for the time being.

 

[Deezler]

Oh dear. Good luck with whatever happens now. Hard to tell exactly from the dim pics, but that kind of uneven surface is clearly unacceptable for a working shop. Demanding a full removal and re-do is a very hard line to take, but clearly the best outcome for you. If you don't care how the surface looks, they could grind down the high spots and probably make it pretty level. Then with some paint or epoxy you'd never know the difference? Just a thought.

 

[Scout3918]

Garage looks great, hopefully you get the floor lined out.

 

[D94R]

I stopped by at lunch, concrete guy was supposed to be saw cutting then. He had already been there and gone. At 7AM though he requested the balance check left for him in the barn or mail box this morning. Yeahhhh, that wasn't going to happen.

Pretty frustrating for him to do that though when I clearly told him I'd be there at noon to discuss the concrete.

However, the first pics do exaggerate the floor a bit. But, there are a few 'bowls' in the concrete ranging from a 1/4" deep (acceptable) to 3/8" deep.

Here you can see where the low spots are:
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(looking back other direction)
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That big lake is the worst of it at 3/8" deep. Reflection of the water makes it look a bit deeper. That's also a 8ft metal stud for a straight edge, so its a wide area and not short choppy areas at least.
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Overall after I watered it, which helps hide the dips. I don't think I'll get any 3 wheel motion out of tool chests and what not rolling it across the floor, but I wouldn't be proud of it if it were my business.
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[D94R]

15 T8 LED strips hung.
3 wired and functional because I ran out of wire, but the ones on the rafters are wired together at least.
Need to pick up some more 14-2 wire to run them to the switches and be done with that part.

This is with just 3 of the lights wired up. I think once all 15 are working I'll have plenty of light. I may need to add a few in the corners but I'll decide that when done.

It is also ZERO fun climbing 14 ft to install lights.

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[jabin]

Would any type of grinding smooth that out?

Overall it looks great, very happy for you.

 

[Q777]

I've watched a power trowel closely over the last 2 weekends with my slab being poured in 2 halves. My friend kept saying that everyone wants their concrete to look polished to perfection from the power trowel. Instead, he says the aim is to float the cream to the top, then he focuses on a flat surface rather than a smooth surface. The surface is almost like a very lightly brushed or non-slip texture.

On an 1830 sqft slab, there would be a maximum variation of 1/8".

I hope your discussion with the contractor goes satisfactorily.

 

[D94R]

If you can spot grind, probably, but I have no idea. I do understand that spot grinding may show the aggregate in those locations which I don't want unless the whole slab does.

I was hoping for flat and not mirror finish as well. But the current finish when dry is good, but when wet is slippery as hell. I understand that may come from salt in the water (I'm have softened water).

Overall most of the low spots are probably within 1/8th, there are just the two larger spots (that held pools of water for 3 days before finally drying) that are 3/8".


Concrete guy wanted to just have his guy stop by to go over the slab, probably the same guy who was doing the troweling that appeared to be in a hurry to leave by 5 to drink beer. Final payment isn't being made till he's there with me, not his worker.

 

[D94R]

Lights are hung and all working.


Beeslighting.com LED T8 Tubes (DIVA Light)
Qty of 30 = $254.70

Beeslighting.com Strip (Diva Light)
Qty of 15 = $224.55

Shipping = FREE

Grand Total to my door from Beeslighting = $479.25

One arrived busted and they promptly replaced it!


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9:00 shot with the dual row of lights on.
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And with all lights on.
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I went back out at about 10:00 to see how bright they were and they are impressive. With the lights laid out in that pattern I have no real shadows and the coverage is pretty great. I'm happy with them.

 

[cros13]

Nice build so far mate!

Don't worry, i hear ya bud, it seems no matter where in the world you are, people have stopped giving a hoot about quality and pride in their work.

I had the same issue when my garage slab was poured earlier in the year. Young bloke, heaps of positive reviews, professional website, stellar communication did my job. My old boy told him:

"do you want me to set the forms up for you to the correct height while your not here? then you can just pour and level off to top of formwork"

"nah nah" he said. Said that we all use lasers to level out the slab nowdays, his way was too old school.

Well my slab looks similar to yours, i must admit not as noticeable. execpt at the most critical part, right under where the roller door is, is a low spot that allows water to pool into the middle of the slab!

Call the guy back out " oh its within acceptable industry tolerances" wiped his hands clean, i had already paid him, so i was left bent over the barrel.

Don't give in, dont pay him a cent more until he rectifies the issue. I have a feeling the best solution would be concrete diamond grinding the whole slab flat, which will be ****** expensive!

Looking foward to updates,

Rudi.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

The lighting looks nice! I think you've got me convinced to go with those Diva lights as well.

 

[D94R]

The concrete guy and I talked it over and settled on him supplying some gravel to build up the driveway where it enters the barn. Rip and replace of the Crete was not really an option that I wanted and self leveler would look patchy.

I did manage to get to get one of the two goose neck lamps mounted. I quickly saw the one over the 10x10 will land squarely on a rib.... what do I do? Mount that one offset?

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