Building ideas and advise needed

[IngrahamS]

How’s it going guys,
Looking at putting up a large shop with living quarters next year and could use some advice/insight on a few things. I’m building in southern New Hampshire and I’m looking at something in the 50X60-60x80 size depending on cost difference and lot size. I originally talked with Morton like most do when doing a google search and was quoted $64,000 for a 30x60. Since that I decided I wanted more space and steel buildings are looking a bit better. I am looking at purchasing 5-8 acres in the spring, this will be my first land/home purchase so this is all very new to me. At this point I’ve talked with the bank and they are on-board with my idea/plan so it only leaves a few questions.
-Can anyone from the New England area recommend a building manufacturer and builder?
-Benefits or disadvantages going with steel over wood?
-Any links to similar builds for ideas
-Any advice on building size (advantage / disadvantage)
I work overseas so I won’t be able to do much of the build myself other than some site prep when I am home so I will need a good GC to keep an eye on things and to keep the bank happy. Thanks
-Stew

 

[IngrahamS]

first post and I just noticed it is in the wrong section.....Can someone move this for me please?

 

[Farrviewsouthfarm]

I would suggest you definitely contact AB Lumber in Pembroke and Center Hill Barns in Chichester.

I went with Center Hill with mine after doing the research a few years ago and was very
happy with their work

 

[NUTTSGT]

first post and I just noticed it is in the wrong section.....Can someone move this for me please?

Welcome to GJ, it's now moved.

-Benefits or disadvantages going with steel over wood?

Some finding finishing different on the inside... with wood, stud walls can be built between and using the poles. Steel, depends how it's set up, you might have to work around the steel framing and possibly tension rods. Maybe Readhead will chime in, he has experience with the steel bldgs.

-Any links to similar builds for ideas

Start spending some hours going through builds in the Gallery Section.

-Any advice on building size (advantage / disadvantage)


Start with a pencil and paper, start drawing layouts of what you need and what you want. Single story or two story living quarters ?

A 60x80 with 20x60 living area at one end will yield you a 1200 sqft living area. Make it two story and it becomes 2400 sqft. If you only use half the second story as living and the rest as storage area, you still have 1800 sqft which is a lot of space.

 

[IngrahamS]

Thank for the info guys, I don't need that much living space as I am only back home four months a year and I go on vacation for about 1 of those months. This is mostly for storing my two f350's, 28 foot PJ GN trailer along with my tools, 2-post lift and all the other junk my friends have thrown into my current 50x20 rented space. The living quarters will be re-purposed down the road when I get sick of the expat life so it doesn't need to be too extravagant just a place to call my own until a house gets build beside it.

I will definitely check those local guys out.

-Stew

 

[IngrahamS]

Anyone in NH have any dealings with Dream Barns LLC out of Mason NH? Talked with him last night about what my plans were and he was more than helpful answering all of my questions. I've been looking through gallery and I am confident a 50x60 will be more than enough for my current and future plans. Just need to buy the land in the spring....

 

[MushCreek]

Do some research to make sure that you will be allowed to do what you want. Before you buy the land find out who the local building department is, and ask them if you can do what you are proposing. A lot of areas get weird about having living space in a workshop or barn. A lot of land has rules tied to it. When we searched for a parcel in SC, many places required a minimum of 2500 sq ft for a house- about double what we wanted or could afford.

As far as materials and methods, learn how to build an energy-efficient structure. There have been huge gains in this area in recent years. Sure, you can slap up a cheap metal building, but can you afford to heat it? You pay for insulation once, you pay for utilities forever.

 

[red61cj5]

As has been said already, the living quarters can change everything in the eyes of an inspector. Now its a home, and all that goes along with it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Regardless of your choice (steel vs wood), I would recommend that the living quarter basically be built as a "building inside of a building" or as an addition. It will easier to properly insulate and heat and cool.

 

[readhead]

Talk to some local metal building contractors. There are some things you can do to the building now that will save on the build out. Where you want finished spaces have girts and purlins spaced at 2' on center so you won't have to frame walls inside. Use a simple saver insulation system in the roof for maximum insulation. Please no spray foam. Make sure interior clearance is workable. Eave height can be misleading.

As others have mentioned check with the building department before you get to far along to make sure you can mix the two uses.

 

[matt_i]

I think the biggest details that need to be addressed are 1) foundation (ideally want all wood out of the ground with concrete as the material of choice. 2) insulating walls and ceiling...making sure you have enough structure and a close-enough span to be able to hang the ceiling.

As mentioned trying to combine a residence and a shop is going to raise a lot of concerns in the eyes of inspectors and plan-approvers. Don't be surprised to have to put up double Type X drywall layers with all seams taped all the way to the peak of the ceiling as a firewall betweeen the two sides.

I would do a couple of things to help protect yourself. Develop detailed drawings and specifications that can be referenced later as a standard. Have a friend or someone local that you can employ to go and take hundreds or thousands of pictures of daily progress, again to verify workmanship.

 

[IngrahamS]

I've been doing my best to get in touch with the building inspectors in the towns I'm looking at but it's proving difficult being on the other side of the world and them only being in the office twice a month. The one inspector I have been able to contact had no issues with my plans but it is a more expensive area. The builder I talked to recommended a traditional wood structure over steel due to the insulation characteristics of a steel building. I found 15 acres for sale only a few towns over for about half of what other 5 acre lots I've looked at cost, the land is part of a large farm that is being split up so it is 80% field which will cut down on site prep.

I have to wait until I sign another 2 year contract over here before I can purchase the land and start the build so it will be April before I can start making offers. Thanks for the help and I'm sure I will have plenty of questions in the coming months.

-Stew