36'x96' Shop Build, Where do I start?

[hcir]

I want to start construction on a 36'x96' shop with 2x6 framing on a concrete slab foundation. I'm comfortable doing the framing work myself but where do I start in terms of having someone determine the specifics of a concrete slab/footings and rough in plumbing? Am I best off hiring an engineer or an architect to create a blueprint for all of the specifics?

 

[billconner]

I wonder if you are comfortable framing why you feel you might need a design professional. You don't mention height or where you are or if you will have it permitted, but load bearing stud walls over 12' usually require stamped drawings. Just not clear on what specifics you are unsure of.

Would you contract the slab? Are you planning on heating/cooling the building? Restroom?

 

[firebirdparts]

Start by figuring out whether anybody will be inspecting, and also whether or not you have any reason to have "exotic" foundation requirements, such as extreme freezing, how deep is the frost line, earthquakes, whatever. What is the local authority going to look at. Around here, you could ask any builder what sort of foundation they'd put under a building like that. That used to be a very simple question, and whether it's simple or not depends on the degree of scrutiny and your location.

Requirements are going to be 100% local and I think you'll want to flee the internet and walk into your local permit office and talk to the people in there.

There is no practical reason for engineered blueprints for what is essentially a farm building, and it's not really normal to make that a requirement. if you're building it yourself, and you're a reasonable person, then you can obviously tell yourself what to do. So "best" might mean different things here. Architects are for making buildings pretty, so that is a very good idea if you want a pretty building. Some of the shops here are very attractive and some are industrial-looking and some look like farm buildings. It varies.

Plumbing, I think, is fun to do and super-easy, so I can't really tell you how much help you need there. The main thing is to decide what you want installed and where, and then the plumbing just results very naturally from that. If you can't figure that out then I would think an ordinary plumber would be wildly overqualified to advise you.

 

[billconner]

Architects can do a more than "making buildings pretty". Many can design structure, especially for smaller buildings. Building codes don't distinguish architects from engineers - they are all "registered design professionals". Besides pretty, architects also can make buildings functional, like keeping rain out and heat in. Also pretty good at negotiating codes and permits.

You may not need an architect, may not even care if building is an eye sore, but make an educated choice at least.

 

[Glemon]

Start by figuring out whether anybody will be inspecting, and also whether or not you have any reason to have "exotic" foundation requirements, such as extreme freezing, how deep is the frost line, earthquakes, whatever. What is the local authority going to look at. Around here, you could ask any builder what sort of foundation they'd put under a building like that. That used to be a very simple question, and whether it's simple or not depends on the degree of scrutiny and your location.

Requirements are going to be 100% local and I think you'll want to flee the internet and walk into your local permit office and talk to the people in there.

There is no practical reason for engineered blueprints for what is essentially a farm building, and it's not really normal to make that a requirement. if you're building it yourself, and you're a reasonable person, then you can obviously tell yourself what to do. So "best" might mean different things here. Architects are for making buildings pretty, so that is a very good idea if you want a pretty building. Some of the shops here are very attractive and some are industrial-looking and some look like farm buildings. It varies.

Plumbing, I think, is fun to do and super-easy, so I can't really tell you how much help you need there. The main thing is to decide what you want installed and where, and then the plumbing just results very naturally from that. If you can't figure that out then I would think an ordinary plumber would be wildly overqualified to advise you.

All very good advice l, I chuckled about the plumbing being easy statement. Most all my young life I lived in old houses. Plumbing work involved corroded fixtures and pipes, having to dig back further to get past the corrosion, which got you to cutting into walls and of course trying to find obsolete parts.

Since then I have lived in newer places and installed stuff from new, whole different world, anyway this guy would be working from new so not taking issue with your statement at all, but just couldn't help but comment on "plumbing" and "easy" being very dependent on the environment you are working in.

 

[NUTTSGT]

What do local codes permit/allow ? Do you have a permit process ? First stop should be the AHJ.

 

[Smoker]

Architects can do a more than "making buildings pretty". Many can design structure, especially for smaller buildings. Building codes don't distinguish architects from engineers - they are all "registered design professionals". Besides pretty, architects also can make buildings functional, like keeping rain out and heat in. Also pretty good at negotiating codes and permits.

You may not need an architect, may not even care if building is an eye sore, but make an educated choice at least.

Do architects carry a PE stamp? I'm more on the commercial industrial side and it's all civil/structural engineers with a stamp. I had my plans stamped by a civil engineer and the city didn't question a single thing. I do think its important to have some kind of design drawn up even if its a sketch. Winging it as you go can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[billconner]

The IBC and IRC don't distinguish between engineer and architect - both are "registered design professionals".

 

[Garcky]

I want to start construction on a 36'x96' shop with 2x6 framing on a concrete slab foundation. I'm comfortable doing the framing work myself but where do I start in terms of having someone determine the specifics of a concrete slab/footings and rough in plumbing? Am I best off hiring an engineer or an architect to create a blueprint for all of the specifics?

Well, that's kind of a big building for a solo DIY build, I think. It's also not something you can just design as you go, either. So, you're going to need a design of some kind, with details like the slab foundation fully explained. Same with plumbing and electrical. It will also probably require an engineered roof design at that width.

So, probably the best start will be do see what you can find in the way of designs already created or hire someone in your area to design it for you. It's not like building a backyard shed, I'm afraid. Best of luck with your project.

 

[billconner]

Not sure on your preference for studs over poles, but you can find complete plans on line. Google agricultural building plans. Maybe add state you live in. I found s 36 x 48 which would seem simple to turn into 36 x 96.

If you do consider post frame, your dimensions would work well with Hansen Pole Buildings, who work on a 12' module. https://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/

 

[-Stew-]

What are you doing that you need that much space?

That will effect many variables of your build from beginning to end.