Advice needed on shop/aprtment

[cjohnson1120]

Hello. So glad I found this forum. I've been searching all over for info on pole barns and metal buildings and just keep getting more confused. So here's my story; I just spent the last 4 years in Iowa going to chiropractic school and recently graduated. My wife and I are moving back the Sturgis, SD where we are from. We plan to build a house on my family's ranch but are going to hold off on the house until we can afford what we want. Right now we're thinking about building the shop first and putting an apartment in it. I have no idea where to start. Is it better to go with a pole barn or metal building and what brand or company is best? I would like to put the apartment above the shop, but is that more difficult or expensive? Any information would be extremely helpful since I know almost nothing right now. Thank you.

 

[rieferman]

there's a build in the garage gallery.. I think the guys posting goes by bigorangecountry or something like that. It's within the first couple pages someplace. Anyhow, they're doing what you're talking about, so check out that thread for some ideas.

(edit: here's the link to that thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27885)

In terms of pole buildings and the apartment idea..
- In my opinion, pole buildings are such an easy structure to build, that you'll have many choices of quality companies. In fact, I don't remember hearing of a bad experience from any of the companies on a bunch of forums that I visit.

- It's far more expensive with pole buildings to do two stories than 1 story. The whole logic of how the buildings work changes when you start trying to support people up above. Also, incorporate getting plumbing up to that height etc. and it's just more complicated, more resources.

- Also, there's lots of codes I believe regarding living above garage space.

- Therefore, I think I'd make a bigger footprint and carve out the living space on the first floor. (which will later on make a nice office space for your shop too)