Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT Build Thread: 20x40x12

[jasondavidmann]

Here is the loop drawing for the radiant heat. You can see the catch basin and the pads for the two post lift.

 

[jasondavidmann]

We also finished assembling my friend’s micro excavator. It was a bigger project than we anticipated and some details got lost in the French to English translation as this was shipped to my house from France.

 

[andyvh1959]

THAT looks like fun! Guys love moving dirt around, like having an adult giant sandbox.

 

[Riley]

Great project! Love the micro-x, any idea who manufactures it and what it runs? Might be a good alternative for a "hydraulic shovel" than a used one.

 

[grant00]

Nice progress! What are you going to do with the water that ends up in the catch basin? Can you not drain that to daylight as a floor drain? If it's for vehicle parking that's usually what is done for snow melt off the vehicles. Good idea keeping the back 20' flat for working area.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Great project! Love the micro-x, any idea who manufactures it and what it runs? Might be a good alternative for a "hydraulic shovel" than a used one.

Mini excavator Phoenix 400 - 9.5cv - en

Mini excavator phoenix 400 Starting at 8 275 $

www.hho-canada.com

That is the website my friend ordered from. Prices are listed there but I think he is into it for a fair bit - should do the job he has in mind. He is digging underneath his cabin that is on a hill.

 

[Krfjkm]

Looks great! You’re a talented dude!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Nice progress! What are you going to do with the water that ends up in the catch basin? Can you not drain that to daylight as a floor drain? If it's for vehicle parking that's usually what is done for snow melt off the vehicles. Good idea keeping the back 20' flat for working area.

I am not permitted to drain to daylight, so I’ll pump it out with a roofing pump whenever it is full. I won’t be parking my daily driver in here regularly but will thaw out the truck/snowmobile after ice fishing.

the catch basin is 20 USGAL so it holds a lot.

Wish I could drain to daylight for sure.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Insulation on the pad is complete. Removed two sections of insulation to allow for a thicker pad (10”) for a future 2 post lift.

Depending on the wind I will hopefully get the poly done today as well.

 

[Riley]

Mini excavator Phoenix 400 - 9.5cv - en

Mini excavator phoenix 400 Starting at 8 275 $

www.hho-canada.com

That is the website my friend ordered from. Prices are listed there but I think he is into it for a fair bit - should do the job he has in mind. He is digging underneath his cabin that is on a hill.

Thanks for the link! That's a neat little machine. Great progress, getting close to the pour date!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Vapour barrier is done and I started the rebar. The perimeter 20m rebar is done and so are all of the stirrups.

I should have the rest of the rebar done by the end of the weekend.

 

[grant00]

Looking great! Can't wait to see walls start going up!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Thanks grant, I also am ready to be done with the pad! But hopefully a good foundation will make for a better building.

I finished all of the rebar yesterday and today I am moving the piles of dirt I put in the wrong place so that there will be room for the concrete trucks down the side. I also need to move some scrap lumber piles.


I’ll start laying the pex loops tomorrow.
Concrete is coming July 8th so I’m in a good position timeline wise.

 

[jasondavidmann]

The 3 loops pex lines are complete and currently holding pressure steady at 40psi.

I’m trying to find someone to take a drone photo of the pad before covering with concrete, it would be nice to have something as a reference.

*note that the pex lines would look much better if they were red lol.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Not much to update today other than the Pex Pal through floor fitting is done. Also the system is still holding steady pressure.

I am nearly ready for concrete next week. A few things I want to do is a tiny bit of back filling around the forms, clean up the yard site and form up an extra sidewalk for if there is extra concrete. Current estimate is 20m3

 

[jasondavidmann]

I went on the roof of my attached garage and took some photos, I don’t think a drone is going to work for what I wanted. So I’ll get out my pad of paper and take some good notes.
Other than attaching the drain line (for future proofing a condensing boiler) to the catch basin I am ready for concrete.

To say that I cannot wait for the concrete work to be over is an understatement!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Not much to update today. I formed a small sidewalk that will be for any extra concrete. I can cap off the end whenever the extra is used up. Note that both ends are off until the pad is poured just in case we need to get the skid steer through.

Concrete trucks start arriving at 8am tomorrow

 

[Riley]

Woo Hoo! Good plan with the sidewalk. Nice to you've scheduled it well so that you avoid the last minute all niter.

 

[captain14]

I’m liking the extra pour spot for excess concrete. Beats having to pay a dumping fee or they take it away and sell cheap to someone else for a quick deal.

Neighbor had forms set up so when the local concrete drivers had some left over they would dump it in the long sidewalk forms. Even trained his wife to do finish work.

 

[jasondavidmann]

A short update tonight because I’m tired and pretty sore.

Everything went according to plan with the concrete today, such a relief. We put down 19m3 and had less than a wheelbarrow left over. So didn’t end up doing the sidewalk.

We were done placing by 10:15am and the last pass of the power trowel was at 5:30pm.

 

[jbrentd]

Congrats! Looks great and quite a milestone.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I cut the concrete this morning. Divided the pad into eight 10x10 sections. I was too nervous to cut very deep, I only cut 1/2” to 5/8” and really for a 6” pour it should be 1.5”. I think my pex lines are just over 1” under the slab and I was not taking any chances.

Pex is still holding pressure, so as far as I am concerned I am out of the danger irreparable portion of concrete work.

I’ve had the sprinkler going almost consistently since last night and will for another day or two. So far it looks like the pour is perfect, the back half of the shop is level and the front is all going to the catch basin.

 

[captain14]

With the current heat wave going on, what is the cure time for your project?

And how soon can you start the next stage of construction?

 

[jasondavidmann]

With the current heat wave going on, what is the cure time for your project?

And how soon can you start the next stage of construction?

As far as cure time I don't know enough about concrete to answer that so feel free to comment. My contractor said to hose it down a few times a day for the first 3 days. I also know that you cannot over water concrete...

I'm going to take a few days off from the build, enjoy some extra time with my kids who are on summer vacation from school. After removing the forms I'll work on the perimeter insulation and backfilling. So it will be a little while before framing begins.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I removed the forms today because I’ve found someone to buy them. It will be nice to get that money back right away.



Did someone say heatwave! I would rather be in the cold than the heat so this last while has been difficult! I am a sweaty person but I’m tired of sweating through my hat and my jeans before 11am each day.


I realize I have not really made a proper introduction to myself. I am well into my mid-thirties and consider myself a chronic DIYer. I find it difficult to hire someone to do something I could learn to do myself, I’m willing to make some mistakes while learning.

My background is as a diesel mechanic but for the last while I have been a stay at home dad. This career change has allowed me to learn so many things around the house and cabin.

As a mechanic I am still using my skills as part of a dirt track racing team (amateur level). Otherwise I am big into fishing both summer and winter. So those are some influences as to what will happen in the shop.

Above all else I am a God loving family man and hope our shop will be a congregating place for our family and friends where we can positively influence others.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Yesterday I finished the vertical insulation and pressure treated plywood. Today I started the wing insulation.

 

[jasondavidmann]

All of the insulation is done.

I added some weeping tile between the attached garage and the workshop. Also put 4” drain lines for the house gutters.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Finished the temporary driveway today, which will likely be there for a few years before we can put a concrete pad in front of the shop for washing vehicles etc.

One of the rare occasions that I had some help today.

 

[grant00]

Nice looking slab! Looking forward to seeing walls start to go up!

 

[Mr.zippy]

It looks like your attention to details will give you a very nice shop/garage. Looking very nice so far!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Another milestone in the build progress today! The first wall is framed. Each section is 10’ long and I could probably stand them up myself but I’m going to see if a friend or two wants to come by.

If I can get some help I’ll frame 3 of the 4 walls and get them to stand and plumb everything with me.

I don’t have much time to allocate to the shop in the next week but things should move pretty quickly after that.

 

[mannydantyla]

Excellent work on that foundation! Hopefully the hardest part is now behind you. I think you'll find that the framing goes a lot faster than the digging! BTW, plywood sheathing just dropped $15usd per sheet in my area (the midwest)

 

[jasondavidmann]

Excellent work on that foundation! Hopefully the hardest part is now behind you. I think you'll find that the framing goes a lot faster than the digging! BTW, plywood sheathing just dropped $15usd per sheet in my area (the midwest)

Thanks Manny, I purchased all my lumber in April so I'm still ahead of the current pricing. But that is a serious drop in price, we can only hope for more.

 

[rmckee]

Really impressive work Jason! Awesome that you are able to be so hands on with the whole build. I weighed out doing ours myself, but realized quickly it'd be a 2+ year project to get it constructed if I tried by myself/with the help of friends.

Looking forward to seeing what's next!

 

[jasondavidmann]

Thanks @rmckee, although it is taking a long time I’m not sure we would have gone ahead with the build if we were to hire out. In addition I am learning a lot along the way.

Today’s report is that the walls are (almost) done. I have a friend coming Wednesday to help stand them up and it should really take shape after that.

After checking with a friend who knows what he is doing I framed the garage door 10’x10’ opening today. Unfortunately while packing up I realized I cut all the jack studs 3” too short. It is actually the same mistake I made on my last shop - but this time I’m going to tear it apart and get the full height of the door.

 

[jasondavidmann]

Another milestone day, the walls are vertical! I knew 12’ would be tall but wow this is awesome.

I had a friend come over and we worked hard all day. All of the wedge anchors are in and the walls are braced to plumb in every direction. Only places that will need some attention will be the sidewalls but that will be addressed when I set the rafters.

 

[jasondavidmann]

I will post an update with sheeting tomorrow, but for today here is the racetruck I get to work on. A rare occasion to have it at my house and nice to have my son helping wash it.

 

[Kevkx125]

Looking good so far J, can't wait to see update pics of progress.

 

[loganb]

Just found this one, awesome progress so far and looking forward to following along!

 

[jasondavidmann]

The first two rows of sheeting are complete. Also the window and door headers are all in. I still have a lot of little things to do in order to finish the wall framing but it seems I should book an evening with a friend to do trusses soon.