Elwood's Devil Dog House

[Elwood]

I am going to start a 28' x 48' garage in a couple of weeks. I plan on posting my progess on GJ. Does anyone have a checklist they used while building? I plan on subbing out the framing but I will do most of the rest. Included in my build will be a bathroom in the shop. I was hoping someone has created a excel type spreadsheet, I have a terrible memory and dont want to miss anything. Thanks!

 

[jtillery]

I have never built a shop from scratch, however I have been working on a complete renovation of a 3200 sq ft shop (I am almost finished). My advice is spent alot of time planning on how you are going to use each area and make sure you have plenty of electrical/lighting. It is much easier/cheaper to overdue it when it is being built, rather than wish you had it later on.

Also, build it as big as your zoning/budget will allow. No matter how big the shop, you will still find ways to fill it up.

I used a program called SmartDraw to help layout my shop. It seemed pretty easy to use, they have a free trial (I think 30 days), but I liked it enough to buy it. It was a huge help in for all the planning.

Good luck with your build.

 

[Elwood]

Thanks, the shop will be overbuilt by most standards. I have sketched out my shop but i was planning on using cad also, I will try the program you recommended.

 

[Joel Thomas]

Are you running windows or mac with the smart draw software? I'm having trouble getting the download to open (no program to open setup file with) on a mac with osX. Thanks.

Edited: found my answer: "We have no plans to ssupport the macintosh platform at this time".

I'm hoping to find out that hand-drawings will be acceptable, and that I'll be able to draw them adequately for the building permit people on my project. I am quite handy with a ruler.

 

[Elwood]

Thanks, I am running windows, I will try it today.

 

[cletus66]

Semper Fi !! And make sure you post lots of pictures.

 

[Elwood]

Does anyone know a good hurricane building best practice web site?

 

[onewaydave]

Elwood (and Cletus66), semper fi and welcome. I remember hearing that stick frame out lasted cinder block and metal after hurricane Andrew. But they say believe half of what you read and none of what you hear.

I have some hurricane Ike pics at http://igfiddles.com

I put a wood scissor-truss roof on my house a couple of years ago and was told by the mfgr that there was a specific type of metal tie down that was recommended for hurricane regions. I live in KS so I sure used them and so far they've worked.

 

[onewaydave]

Oh yeah, the check list. An old fashion spiral notebook with sections; Sequance, Time line, orders and delivery times, To do, punch....

Hey, I'm old fashion.

 

[Elwood]

The build has begun!

 

[Elwood]

Should have dirt dropped off this Monday. Then it will be leveling , footings, plumbing etc. Hope to pour concrete within the next ten days.

 

[Elwood]

The rain has set in.....project will be on hold for a couple of days.

 

[Rando]

Great start rain *****

 

[wagonmaster]

Elwood,
Ya' gonna paint all the rocks white like at Pendelton and Lejeune??
Semper Fi

 

[Elwood]

Updated photos, the slab is now poured I will post more pics today.

 

[Elwood]

New photos.

 

[falcon428]

Lookin good, keep up the good work and the pics, I love to see buildings going together in there stages of construction. When I was a builder I got alot of enjoyment of completing all the stages of construction, getting to stand back and look, saying wow I did that, they were all pieces of art to me. I could just be wierd though!!

 

[Elwood]

Me too Falcon, I enjoy the process!

 

[cletus66]

Elwood,
Ya' gonna paint all the rocks white like at Pendelton and Lejeune??
Semper Fi

 

[redjalopygarage]

A friend of mine uses Smartdraw to complete pre-plans for fire department responses.. awesome software. I am surprised they aren't supporting Mac.. too bad.