Budget pole barn/shop build

[ahastings]

Ive been reading garage journal for yrs but havent posted so Thought I would chronicle my pole barn build and get any tips from those of you that have done it. We just bought a house a few months ago with no garage so of course first order of business is to get a garage built. Ideally I was looking to have something built about 1000 sq ft or so. Unfortunately in my county a detached structure can be no more then 50% of the footprint of your house. My house footprint is slightly over 1300 sq. ft. The biggest shop I can build is 24x27 so that's it.
I decided to go with a pole barn as it seems the cheapest way to go. I am hiring Dutchway pole barns in Pa to build the structure and concrete and I will finish it out myself.
Since I couldnt make it as big as I wanted I went taller and am getting 12' high walls with scissor trusses so I will have plenty of room to build a loft later on.

 

[rburke65]

You might want to consider laminated treated 2"x6" posts or perma-posts..?.. Concrete posts. Even the treated posts I'll last 40 years but the others a lot longer. Good luck.

 

[cj7jeep81]

You might want to consider laminated treated 2"x6" posts or perma-posts..?.. Concrete posts. Even the treated posts I'll last 40 years but the others a lot longer. Good luck.

I second the perma-columns idea. Not exactly a budget item (added about $100 per post in my build), but wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Ideally I was looking to have something built about 1000 sq ft or so. Unfortunately in my county a detached structure can be no more then 50% of the footprint of your house. My house footprint is slightly over 1300 sq. ft. The biggest shop I can build is 24x27 so that's it.

If you've been reading for years, you should know that one of the first things is to try and seek a variance for a larger structure. Even going to a slightly larger structure, 24x30 instead of the 24x27 will greatly increase working area inside.

Before you start making plans or finalizing any details, stop by the county building department and ask about getting a variance.

Sweet talk them or whatever you have to do, advise them it will only add 72 sq ft to the foot print of the building.

 

[ahastings]

I asked about variance. They told me on size not likely, possibly could get one on setback. In my County to get a variance u have to apply and get .turned down first for not meeting code then after that you can request a variance but need a good reason for variance

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[ahastings]

This is a budget garage so not sure about laminated posts or anything extra. Just whatever Dutchway uses, I think 4x6 treated posts. I'm 54 yrs old so I am sure standard posts will last my lifetime.

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[ahastings]

I've been working on clearing and leveling the lot. Had to cut down 4 tress and dig up the stumps. Luckily I have a friend that is letting me use his mini excavator .

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[ahastings]

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before
after

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[bczygan]

Ive been reading garage journal for yrs but havent posted so Thought I would chronicle my pole barn build and get any tips from those of you that have done it. We just bought a house a few months ago with no garage so of course first order of business is to get a garage built. Ideally I was looking to have something built about 1000 sq ft or so. Unfortunately in my county a detached structure can be no more then 50% of the footprint of your house. My house footprint is slightly over 1300 sq. ft. The biggest shop I can build is 24x27 so that's it.
I decided to go with a pole barn as it seems the cheapest way to go. I am hiring Dutchway pole barns in Pa to build the structure and concrete and I will finish it out myself.
Since I couldnt make it as big as I wanted I went taller and am getting 12' high walls with scissor trusses so I will have plenty of room to build a loft later on.

2 possible solutions.

Increase size of house footprint.

Attach to house.

 

[ahastings]

2 possible solutions.

Increase size of house footprint.

Attach to house.

There was no room on driveway side to attach to house even if so then get into much more expensive build. Not in the budget to build an addition on the house to increase footprint. I'm on a tight budget want to be all in for less then $20k when done.

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[John in OH]

Just a fuzzy thought .... Maybe you could argue this with the building dept ...

Since the length of a 24x27 structure is not an even multiple of 4', but 28' is, perhaps you could get them to agree to a 24x28 structure. You will have to buy the same material for either a 27 or 28 size so maybe you could convince them it would be totally wasteful to scrap 1' of material just to meet a code restriction. Not much better, but I'd take 24x28 over 24x27 any day!!

Another thought ... if a loft is desired, attic trusses may give you a better loft structure than scissor trusses.

 

[ahastings]

Just a fuzzy thought .... Maybe you could argue this with the building dept ...

Since the length of a 24x27 structure is not an even multiple of 4', but 28' is, perhaps you could get them to agree to a 24x28 structure. You will have to buy the same material for either a 27 or 28 size so maybe you could convince them it would be totally wasteful to scrap 1' of material just to meet a code restriction. Not much better, but I'd take 24x28 over 24x27 any day!!

Another thought ... if a loft is desired, attic trusses may give you a better loft structure than scissor trusses.

The building is already ordered. I looked into attic trusses but with that the loft would just be narrow down the center and would have cost more.

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[ahastings]

So far I'm up to $14,100 .
$9600 for the building installed with one walk in door but no garage doors just openings.
$4000 for 4"concrete which includes 3' skirt in front of garage doors.
$500 for two 8x7 insulated garage doors with openers I found used on Craigslist I will install myself.

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[ahastings]

Make that $15000. I forgot to add. Building permit was $400 and the county made me get engineer stamped plans which was another $500

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[NC-Shaun]

Subscribed, as I am fairly close to you and may go the pole building route myself. I am out of the city limits and have no size restrictions.

 

[ahastings]

The size restriction doesn't have to do with city limits. It's Montgomery County, MD rules . Only way around it in this county is if it is designated for agricultural use

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[Mr.wolf]

I had the same issue and gained a couple hundred sf by meeting the requirements for a "detached garage" . The supervisor at the office got called over to the the desk when I was totally blown out of the water and asking for options. But this was on my second visit. So it was a lifesaver. I still ended up 240sf smaller than I planned but much bigger than I thought I was confined to. I did have to get engineer prints which ran over $1000 but it was worth it. Maybe ask around? He was one a few very helpful people, there were some others not so helpful. The inspectors ended up being very cool and helpful.

Just an idea,

Z

 

[lakeroadster]

The size restriction doesn't have to do with city limits. It's Montgomery County, MD rules . Only way around it in this county is if it is designated for agricultural use

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Food for thought: At the place we used to live the guys were getting more Sq-Ft by including huge lean-to's on the side of the building as part of the original build. One guy had a roofed area with concrete slab on the side of his building that was the same size as the building, essentially doubling the building size.

 

[ahastings]

I had the same issue and gained a couple hundred sf by meeting the requirements for a "detached garage" . The supervisor at the office got called over to the the desk when I was totally blown out of the water and asking for options. But this was on my second visit. So it was a lifesaver. I still ended up 240sf smaller than I planned but much bigger than I thought I was confined to. I did have to get engineer prints which ran over $1000 but it was worth it. Maybe ask around? He was one a few very helpful people, there were some others not so helpful. The inspectors ended up being very cool and helpful.

Just an idea,

Z

I'm not sure what u are saying here. $1000 sounds high for engineered plans. Mine were only $500. I've already got my permit and the garage ordered so can't change size at this point. There isn't any difference for garage designation in my County for detached structure

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[ahastings]

Food for thought: At the place we used to live the guys were getting more Sq-Ft by including huge lean-to's on the side of the building as part of the original build. One guy had a roofed area with concrete slab on the side of his building that was the same size as the building, essentially doubling the building size.

I'm on that . I added 2 lean tos carports that I am going to put up myself later on for extra storage after the main building is done. The builder charged me $1300 ea for the materials 12x20 on each side.

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[Mr.wolf]

OP, understood. Yes the drawings were expensive but it was late November and I wanted it framed before the weather got to bad so I rolled with it. In my case our county allowed exactly 24x30 regardless of other factors for a detached garage. The people at the desk didn't know this and my outbuilding was only going to be allowed to be a certain size. Don't remember exactly but the detached garage allowance got me reasonably close to what I wanted. Good luck to you I'm sure you will make it work. Dealing with size restrictions regardless of location, property sie etc is very frustrating.

Z

 

[ahastings]

They came out today to get started and dug the holes for the posts but the county inspector refused to inspect the holes as he said they won't pass them if it's under 28 degrees. Builder had never heard of that before. Supposed to warm up wed so inspector will be back out

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[olytdi]

Wow. That sounds like an inspector who may end up being a stickler for who knows what!

+1 on adding roofed areas on the sides of the structure. I was limited to a 28x28 structure on my build (I wanted to go bigger) and to a 16 ft ridge. I ended up adding an concrete apron on the man door side of the structure and then had them put in a roof. Now there is an outdoor but covered work space and dry parking for my utility trailer.

I also like the idea of covered but open areas around the shop's perimeter -- think covered wrap around porch on a house -- helps protect the the core building and opens up a bunch of possibilities.

 

[rburke65]

WTF.....does his eyes freeze shut at 28*? Never heard of such a thing.

 

[ard]

Vapor barrier and steel in that concrete cost?

 

[lakeroadster]

... inspector refused to inspect the holes as he said they won't pass them if it's under 28 degrees.

Does your drawings call for poured concrete in each hole?

We all know that footings cannot bear on frozen soil. The only control the inspector has is to therefore not approve the holes until the weather warms up.

Unless the plans call for precast concrete pucks, in which case he should then just approve the holes if they are deep enough.

 

[ahastings]

Does your drawings call for poured concrete in each hole?

We all know that footings cannot bear on frozen soil. The only control the inspector has is to therefore not approve the holes until the weather warms up.

Unless the plans call for precast concrete pucks, in which case he should then just approve the holes if they are deep enough.

It says dry mix. The company that builds these does them a lot farther north then here. They told me they do dry pour so they can do it regardless of temp

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[ahastings]

Vapor barrier and steel in that concrete cost?

It's vapor barrier and fiber mesh?

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[ahastings]

I just thought about this if anyone reading this decides to use Dutchway for a pole barn please give them my name (Arnold Hastings) ask for Richard Zimmerman, he said I would get a referral bonus for any referrals

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[ahastings]

Here is details on build
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-49WGpgtVNecjBMbW4wWUp0Mzg/view?usp=sharing

 

[ahastings]

It's starting to go up today



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[dirt_dobber]

love the height of that garage - going to be great. Thanks for the pics.

 

[rburke65]

You're going to love it when it's up and finished. We will wait for the photos!

 

[ahastings]

Yeah I can't wait. It's probably going to be a year long process to finish it out inside as I'll be doing it all myself in my limited spare time after they finish the shell and floor

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[Mr.wolf]

You will love it! I'm sure you will get plenty of advice if the inspector is troublesome. On the other hand I was told I had to have 48" holes...yea. Then the inspector who came out (cool guy) measured and said with wide eyes "well that's sure deep enough! I've never seen anyone do 48" holes!"

My advice plan ahead as far as possible. Planning for more and doing less is WAY easier than the alternative.

Nice looking build so far.

 

[ahastings]

It's up. Took 4 guys 2 1/2 days. Now I have to get some fill it's a little low in the corner and then the concrete. Debating on doing heated floor

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[ahastings]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VKv_Q6twpYA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

here is a quick time lapse of the build

 

[lakeroadster]

Cool time lapse. What's your next step?

 

[ahastings]

Cool time lapse. What's your next step?

Have to do some grading then gravel base

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[ahastings]

Have to do some grading then gravel base

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got some warm weather and had the concrete poured on fri
Now I can start installing my craigslist doors I bought cheap

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