Carp's Backyard Shop Build

[Carp]

Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

It's finally happening! We've broke ground on my future shop, a 30x30 metal building with a 4" concrete slab. This shop will be my little spot to work on my rigs, namely my 87 FJ60 Land Cruiser. The future plans include a 2 post lift, 240V MIG welder, loft space for storage, and some benches and shelving.

Here's the location for the build, should have good shade from the pecan tree in the morning and the forest will provide afternoon shade. Hope that helps with the cooling bill.

First day of grading:

Footer dug:

Footer poured:

Stem walls built:

We'll have some grading to get the land to match up to the apron, but since there won't be a driveway, I'm OK with that.

Looks like we'll form Monday/Tuesday, and pour on Wed, then 2 weeks of cure before the building is erected. I'll post more as we progress. So excited to get this moving.

 

[LXCam]

Congrats and good luck!

 

[HOTFR8]

Building on that slope looks a challenge but I can see this will be interesting to follow.

 

[dadsEH]

Why is the extended wall so far out of whack?

 

[anotheroldguy]

Don't two post lifts want at least 5" of concrete at the post areas?

 

[dfiler2]

Looks great, congratulations!

 

[Carp]

Thanks for the encouraging words all. I'm super excited, if not a little scared. Biggest project I've lead on my own property. Building a $2M test track, no problem, but pouring a 30x30 pad.

Building on that slope looks a challenge but I can see this will be interesting to follow.

It is challenging, worst part is that this area looked flat before we got started

Why is the extended wall so far out of whack?

The "out of whack" part is the apron to the shop. I'm going to re-seed grass in front of the apron, but I wanted a place to be able to park parallel to the building in case I needed to wash a car or something.

Don't two post lifts want at least 5" of concrete at the post areas?

Most lifts only call for 4", at least for a 9k lift, but I just marked 2 3'x3' squares tonight to dig down an additional 2" for the lift pads. Thanks for checking up on me.

Now, for today's progress included back-filling the pad and starting the approach.

The future approach should look more like this (I apologize for the crude Paint pic)

Going to pour the pad and apron tomorrow.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I would be paranoid about those wall holding back that dirt long term without "tie backs".

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

No progress today, couldn't get the concrete delivered. Looking like Friday for the pour.

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Progress was made last Friday, as we had plenty of visitors.







And now, the finished product:



Got a call on Thursday asking if they could deliver the building this coming week, but unfortunately, the recommendation is to wait 2 weeks for curing of the concrete. So, gotta wait another week, but it's fast approaching. Better figure out how to grade the approach.

In a slightly unrelated note, my three older kids (8, 7, &5) can't stay off the new "stage" I've built them. They're starting to boycott the rest of build.

 

[venturesomerite]

I would be paranoid about those wall holding back that dirt long term without "tie backs".

I also noticed, I did not see any deadmen in the wall. Since the wall is not stepped, and is straight up, I would also be concerned.

 

[HSpencer]

You have a beautiful location for the shop, and a 30X30 is a great size to build. 30X30 works really well in almost all cases. With that much space, and if you can budget the cost, I would want to consider a bathroom in the shop. A potty comes in really handy on those cold days you don't want to make a run for the house.

I look forward to seeing your building up and running!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[Carp]

It's been a busy few weeks. A few Saturdays ago, I stopped by the Habitat for Humanity restore and was able to pick up some goodies for the electrical part of the build.

14 double gang metal boxes, plates, 28 20A outlets, couple of long sweep 90s, all for $40. Granted the outlets were used, but they're high quality outlets. Using a little bit of rubbing alcohol used to clean them up.

Before

After

Still need to do continuity checks on the outlets before I install them, but for the price, it's worth the risk.

 

[Carp]

But the big news happened last Wednesday. Got the call that my building was in the neighborhood.

Here's where we started at 11:30

Progress Pics:

And here's where they left it at 6pmish.

The next morning they started around 8 and by 9, they were pretty far along.

By 11:30, they were done.

Inside Shot.

Really happy, now to get the grading up to it, and then get it wired. Very Excited!

 

[venturesomerite]

Nice. That was a quick *** build!

 

[HOTFR8]

You have to love it when it goes up like that so quickly.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Nice, that sure did come together quickly! Can't wait to see the progress. What are your lighting plans?

 

[Carp]

Time for an update. Slow and erratic would be a good way to describe the build once I've taken over the lead from the builders.

First order of business was to fix the approach to the shop, as the concrete guy kind of left me high. No problem for my Land Cruiser, but not for most anything else.

About 2 days after these pics, the Southeastern Monsoon Season started. Luckily, the rye grass seed has come up, but it has shown me that the red clay doesn't drain quite right, as it's dying from too much water. Probably looking at some French drains this spring/summer.

 

[Carp]

Over Thanksgiving, I did my floor epoxy. Went with the Rustoleum Professional Garage Epoxy Kit, because I got one kit for free from my BIL, so it was hard to beat the price. Took 2 kits to do the whole floor. We used light gray without the flecks. Looks nice and industrial. Hope it holds up.

Didn't take any pics of the floor work, but I'm sure it'll show up in future pics.

As the weather started to cool off, I noticed that I was getting some serious condensation in this shop. Decided to put the electrical on hold until I could get some reflective barrier insulation up on the bottom side of the roof.

Went with the Reflectix foil bubble insulation. Took a while to get it up by myself, but was able to attach it to the purlins on the roof to create the air space between the barrier and the metal roof.

Had to fold the ends in a few inches, tape it down, and slide it between the beams and the roof metal, Then once I got it in place, unfold, cut around the beams, repeat.

Just realized that I didn't capture a finished pic. I'll remedy that tomorrow night when I'm back in there. You might see it in the next pics.

Working on lighting now. Using 4' 2 bulb T8 fixtures on each beam. Going to do both bays and determine if I need a middle "row" of lights.

Almost half done. Using a drop cord from the house to power things down there until I can trench and bury the feeder line (hoping next few weeks).

Hope to keep making slow progress.

 

[G8rDuc]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Awesome! My 30x30 metal garage begins tomo and they planned two days. I'm about to order the Reflectix insulation, too! Any close ups on how you attached it? Are you going to do the walls.


Jimmy
Go Gators!

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Awesome! My 30x30 metal garage begins tomo and they planned two days. I'm about to order the Reflectix insulation, too! Any close ups on how you attached it? Are you going to do the walls.


Jimmy
Go Gators!

Unfortunately no up close pics, but I'll grab a few tomorrow night while I'm in there.

 

[Carp]

Time for a REAL TIME UPDATE!!

First car related project happened tonight. Needed to replace the headlight on my Mazda6. Not real difficult, but so nice to not have to lay down on the asphalt millings known as our driveway. The best part of this was that it was the first time I've had a vehicle in for size/context. Got to say, I LOVE IT!!

Ton's of room to work in front of the car.

Once I got the light replaced, it was back to interior lighting in the garage. Got one side up and functional. Lots of light from the 5 4' T8 fixtures. Maybe I should have done this step first before getting the car in for repair.

This thing will rival an operating room when I get the other side up. Just what I wanted. Tons of light already on the "dark side".

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Awesome! My 30x30 metal garage begins tomo and they planned two days. I'm about to order the Reflectix insulation, too! Any close ups on how you attached it? Are you going to do the walls.


Jimmy
Go Gators!

Ok, I used these TEK self tapping screws to secure it to the purlins, like the second picture. I then used the foil tape to secure the joints.

This is at the peak, easier to see the purlin.

Reminder, I have the vertical roof, so my sheet metal joints run from the peak to the soffit. If you've speced the joints to run the length of the roof, you probably won't have purlins.

Also, if you can afford it, have the installers put the insulation on. They can do it so much easier. Probably have about 30-40 hours putting up insulation. Not a quick job.

Can't wait to see your build.

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Went out last night to work on the lights, and had a light dew on the floor and heavier dew on objects higher off the ground. But only in the front half of the shop, and not on the walls.

We had a lot of rain yesterday and it was foggy and humid if it wasn't raining. I think that my two 3" x 10' gaps at the top of my roll up doors are letting the humidity/dew in. Gotta order some seals today.

[emoji34]

 

[G8rDuc]

Great pics, thank you! Mine is also vertical...they made my studs 5ft apart though, not the standard 4ft, so I'll have to do some modifications. Unfortunately, they can't install the insulation for me. They're on a tight schedule and they're already behind cause of the heavy rains .

Check my build here.

 

[Carp]

My studs are at 5' spacing, but the purlins were on 4' spacing, so I just ran it across the top of the studs, attached to purlins.

Thanks for the link to your build. Looking good.

 

[theoldwizard1]

When I see buildings like this, I am always surprised that there are not more of them. Then go up quick which should be a big cost save. Maybe people don't like the "style" of the finished sheet metal skin, but that should be easy to change.

OP - Do you have any idea what the cost difference between this building and the same sized "stick built" would be ?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Awesome! My 30x30 metal garage begins tomo and they planned two days. I'm about to order the Reflectix insulation, too! Any close ups on how you attached it? Are you going to do the walls.

Please take some close up pictures when you get to this point in your build. I did not exactly follow what the OP was saying about folding, etc.

 

[G8rDuc]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Please take some close up pictures when you get to this point in your build. I did not exactly follow what the OP was saying about folding, etc.

Will do.


Hey Carp,

I'm interested to see what you're going to do for walling. Since most boards are 4x8, it's gonna be tricky. Who did your build?


Jimmy
Go Gators!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Just one fantastic build, I really luv an all metal garage and yours is looking great.

Regards

 

[G8rDuc]

Hey Carp,

I thought I read that you're supposed to have about a 1" gap between the reflectix and the wall/roof. Is that right?

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

OP - Do you have any idea what the cost difference between this building and the same sized "stick built" would be ?

I checked on some pole barn buildings, and it was about $5k cheaper, if memory serves. The few stick built guys I talked to didn't seem real interested in my "small" project and really jacked prices.

Please take some close up pictures when you get to this point in your build. I did not exactly follow what the OP was saying about folding, etc.

Because my purlins are 4' on center and about 4" wide, I needed to make the 4' wide roll of insulation shorter to get it to slide between the roof sheeting and the steel beam where the purlin intersected the beams. In order to do that, I filled each side of the insulation over about 3" and taped it over with masking tape, making it narrow enough to fit on the hole. You can see the folded insulation and how I slid it through the opening in the following pic. Hope that is clearer.

 

[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Will do.


Hey Carp,

I'm interested to see what you're going to do for walling. Since most boards are 4x8, it's gonna be tricky. Who did your build?


Jimmy
Go Gators!

I've thought about walling mine and I'm still undecided. My preferred plan now is to get some of the corrugated silver metal for the first 4' up. Then I'd really like to find some reasonable melamine panels for the next 4', so I can use the entire shop as one big whiteboard. Over that, I'll probably leave exposed insulation, except near the proposed pallet racks.

In either case, I've considered buying the metal studs and running them horizontally every 4' up the wall when I do the walls. That way, I can attach top and bottom of the panels, and secure vertically on the existing beams. Works in my mind, but haven't tried it yet.

As for my builder, I used http://www.steelbuildinggarages.com/. I liked the fact that my beams are 2x3, instead of the 2x2 normally found out there.

 

[Carp]

Just one fantastic build, I really luv an all metal garage and yours is looking great.[emoji106]

Regards

Thanks!

 

[Carp]

Hey Carp,

I thought I read that you're supposed to have about a 1" gap between the reflectix and the wall/roof. Is that right?

Yeah, read that too. In reality, the purlins are 1" thick, so I'm hoping that will help. Also I'm counting on air moving in the raised ribs of the roofing. I do know that when I was installing the stuff, you could feel cooler air between the roof and the insulation than on the interior side of the insulation. So here's hoping it works.

 

[G8rDuc]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Another question if you don't mind me asking: how much did the reflectix cost you in total? Are you doing the walls? I'm debating spray insulation


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[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

I got the 25' rolls from Lowe's, mainly because it was available over Christmas break and I wouldn't I have to wait. Can't remember cost, but no discount. :-( Not sure about the walls, would like to do roll insulation, but not in the plans now. Going to go with it "naked" for a while.

No pics, but got the remaining 5 lights up, looks like an operating room in there. Now into the electrical outlets.

Question for those out there, going to put outlets up every 10', would you go doubles there or just a single? That will put me with 3 boxes on each wall, and one on the front wall, plus the drop reel in the middle of the ceiling. Thinking singles would be enough.

 

[HSpencer]

Carp

I have been using that Reflectix for a while and really like it. I did my uninsulated garage doors with it two years ago and it made a real difference. I also have used it in the crawl space of my house along the block walls. It is a real good product, and I highly recommend it.
Your place is looking super!!

Best Regards
Herb

 

[G8rDuc]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

Carp,

I'd go double outlets. That's what I'm doing


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[Carp]

Re: Carp's Backyard 30'x30' Shop Build

All inside lights wired to the drop cord, looking good. Now to conduit to breaker box, and then outlets.