Finally building a shop

[willf650]

I've been in my new house for 2 years. It's a nice house but not my dream house. It was bought in an effort to have my elderly father move in with me but that never materialized as he went down so quickly after my mothers passing and passed the following year.


Enough with the sadness, I had to make the decision to either build a garage or move. I moved 3 houses in the past two years and I'm done with that for the time being so I decided to attempt to build a garage.


I live in a deed restricted community so I didn't think a garage would fly but I got a couple bids and submitted a rough rendering to my civic association and hoped for the best.

Surprisingly they approved it and I was off to the races. Due to the fact I'm on a corner lot and have less than 2 acres I had to make some compromises. I couldn't go with the loft I wanted because according to the county I was restricted to 20' in elevation. I also couldn't set it where I wanted due to frontage set back on two sides of my lot. I wound up going with a 30 x 36 that's 12 tall. It has an 18 x 11 main garage door and a 10 x 10 in the back so I can pull straight through to gain access to the back yard.


Unfortunately I don't have allot of pictures because I work and have night school 3 nights a week. Basically I leave before light and get home from 10:00 to 11:30 pm depending on day of the week. My girlfriend would send me pics when she got home.

Day -1

I put in a silt fence the weekend prior to the contractor starting the build. I also cut down two trees and ground out the stumps a couple weekends prior.

Day one

Day two

There were only two Amish/Mennonite guys knocking this out. I honestly think they got the trusses up by hand. I wasn't there to see it happen.

Day three

In comparison to other days they appeared to slow down. I think that may just be an illusion as they did the facia, window, doors and all the soffits. I imagine there is more work in that then it would appear in comparison to throwing up the framing.

Weekend one/day six

This is where I jump in and try and get some ultlities in before the floor gets poured or the ceiling get put in. I'm doing 100 amp sub panel and also put in an additional 1 1/2 conduit for a future gas line and a 1" conduit just because.

Day 9/10
The two guys finished skinning the building and pulled out for the concrete guys.

Weekend two/ day 13/14
Since the ceiling wasn't in I put in insulation baffles and started pulling additional power for stuff I don't even have. I roughed in a 30 amp circuit for a fictitious two stage air compressor. I also roughed in for two cord reels hanging from the ceiling. I put two outlets on every pole, they are each powered from a separate circuit. The thought being I can plug two high amp loads at any receptacle location. The main reason is so I can plug in my current air compressor any where and still have a usable outlet. I could also do the same with my smaller welder for that matter.

Third week

The pad got poured and at the end of the week my garage doors went in and my gutters got put up.

Weekend 3

No pics but I got all my electric devices installed minus lights and my feeder pulled from a junction box in the house to the garage subpanel. I'm done with school for a couple weeks until next semester so I can devote some evening time this week and more weekend time because finals are done. I hope to have all the lights hung and the panel trimmed out this week. I will pull my SER feeder a across my basement and crawl space this weekend and have my final electrical inspection next week.

Christmas/New Years will be me doing final grading. I'm thinking about renting a bobcat as I have a big pile of sod I have to bust up and spread. I also have to blow insulation in the attic at some point and to decide if/how to finish the interior walls.



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[kd3pc]

Very well done, sir!!

Almost time to enjoy it.

 

[gt3 racer]

Crank the heat and start the Projects!

 

[Sunbimmer]

I'm impressed, very nice building . Please show us what you're going to do with the inside.

 

[willf650]

The inside is pretty plain right now. It's not complete. I have a ceiling but no insulation to speak of yet. The walls are lined with some very thin faced fiberglass bat. Basically enough to protect from the sun beating on the metal walls and roasting you.


Like I said I deviced out all my electrical three days ago and have been working on lights the past three evenings. I've got all three rows hung at this point and two rows completely trimmed out and bulbed. I managed to put in 32 tubes with out breaking any. Even though there is no power out here yet I couldn't resist firing up the lights to see how bright it is. It's awesome, the picture doesn't do it justice.

I'm trying some new Zwave switch modules to control the exterior lights with my home automation system. I also did all three ways so I can turn on lights from either man door.

I have a line on a used Reznor unit heater I hope to check out. I talked to the guy today and he is a small contractor and put it in and replaced it shortly there after with a larger unit. I hope it works out as it's about half price.


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[flyin99]

Awesome, sir!

 

[Bib Overalls]

Did you consider putting a switch in the house on the lighting circuit? That way you could turn on the lights before you walk out and off when you return to the house.

In any case, I'm impressed with your building and your stamina. You must be young. School, contracting your own garage and working a job at the same time would kill me. In fact, any of the two would most likely do me in.

Corner lots are neat.

 

[Catadj78]

Great looking build

 

[willf650]

Did you consider putting a switch in the house on the lighting circuit? That way you could turn on the lights before you walk out and off when you return to the house.

In any case, I'm impressed with your building and your stamina. You must be young. School, contracting your own garage and working a job at the same time would kill me. In fact, any of the two would most likely do me in.

Corner lots are neat.

I didn't consider adding a switch in the house as it would have been a fair amount of work. My exterior lights on my house are automated. I will be able to control the exterior lights on the garage from my phone. I also plan on linking the back yard side exterior light to my back porch light. When I turn on the porch light on the house the flood light on the side of the garage will turn on. I will also program the drive way side flood light to come on when the garage door opens and its nighttime. This will all be done through my automation system.

I'm lazy as hell. The guys busting *** where the two Amish guys that threw this thing up, all I did was sign some checks.

I've just been working on this on weekends. I cut down and disposed of two trees, pulled out 6 fence posts, removed a section of fencing, put in 100' of silt fence, ground down the tree stumps, did the electric and insulation baffles. Basically all the minor site work. The majority of the work was done the contractors. They only do pole barns and are very good at it.

School was particularly rough this semester as class let out at 9:30 two nights and at 10:50 the third. Next semester I'm only taking one class and it's earlier. I'm 39 so I guess that may be young depending on your age.

Thanks for the compliments. This garage and build is tame compared to most here.

I am a gluten for punishment. I'm going to buy a used rototiller tommorow and am going to attempt the grading with a wheelbarrow, shovel and a rake. We will see how much stamina I really have. You can see the edge of the pile of sod I have to spread in this photo.

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[willf650]

I finally finished up my electric this week. I took my time on it for the simple fact I hate working in my crawl space. It's relatively nice for a crawl space but being a fat guy it is not my friend. I pulled 120' of SER cable one night, made up a 12x12 splice box another and tied it into my house panel today.

Now that I finally have power I added a LiftMaster MyQ control pad to the opener on the main door. If you guys don't have these I suggest you check them out. It allows you to monitor and open and close your door from your phone or computer. More importantly you can set it up to send your alert if the door opens during times it shouldn't. It one of the best values out there for what you get.

Next on the agenda is final grading. My girl friend is having surgery tommorow and I will be off for the next week playing nurse so I will be home. I'm going to get up-close and personal with a shovel and a rake. I bought this used rototiller one evening this week. They don't make them like they used too. This thing isn't that big but it weighs 300#. It has a real gear box and this is the first tiller I've used that the tines spin backwards when you put it in reverse.

If I manage to get the grading done I'm going to make some free standing shelves 10' tall. These brackets are something I've seen posted on this board. They seemed to make an adjustable freestanding shelving unit that was easy to build.

In the next month I'm going to look into insulation and getting gas out to the shop. I think I will have to replace a segment of gas line in my house with a larger size to accommodate a unit heater. If that's the case it may have to be put off until spring so I can do it without affecting the heat in my home.

Merry Christmas guys.


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[hicketts]

Do you have an more details on how you installed you sub-panel? I know the basics, but your setup is just like I am dealing with now. What cable did you use MHF or SER? How did you exit the house above ground and then bury or direct under.

Thanks

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice work and looks fantastic.

Many thanks for posting..

 

[willf650]

I think I bit off more then I thought. My girlfriends surgery was postponed until Monday so I spent the past two days from about 11:00 until dusk moving dirt. I first moved all the fill that was brought in to level the site and let be outside of the building footprint. Then I started with the arduous task of disposing of the pile of soil and sod that was left behind. I had to topple it to the ground and grind it with my newly acquired rototiller and then move it a wheelbarrow at a time. I wish the soil was a little drier because there nothing like dealing with soil that sticks to all your tools.

I'm about 1/3 through my pile of soil spoils.

I'm going to keep going because I'm already 2 days in. In hindsight I probably should have rented a machine to do this but I don't know if this sod would have been able to be spread evenly with a bobcat. I've come to the realization my yard won't be right for a year. I'm just going to level out and put erosion mat down. I also have to cut a new swail in my yard for drainage and I'm going to put one of my house downspouts into a pipe under ground and run it under the upcoming driveway.


On a better note I calculated my gas consumption and my house's existing gas line is large enough to just extend the piping.

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[willf650]

Do you have an more details on how you installed you sub-panel? I know the basics, but your setup is just like I am dealing with now. What cable did you use MHF or SER? How did you exit the house above ground and then bury or direct under.

Thanks

I ran #1 SER from my house panel through my basement and crawlspace. I came into my crawlspace under grade from the garage with conduit. I didn't want to see the pipe come into the house because I'm probably going to put pavers down from my back door to the man door on the garage. The grass would probably die from foot traffic and it would be a pain to mow in that little cubby.

I mounted a 12 x 12 x 6 junction box where the 1 1/2" conduit entered my crawlspace. I spliced the SER cable to individual aluminum XHHW conductors.

There is no direct bury cable as there is 1 1/2" conduit in the ground.

I used SER cable because I got it on a spool and set up spool jacks in the basement. I then strung it through my basement and crawl space. Once I had it run I came back and strapped it up with one hole straps.

I did it all my self. I couldn't have pulled #1 conductors through a conduit by myself. I also would have had to have two pull boxes in the run. The run through the house is like 100+ feet. My house panel and the new garage are on exact opposite corners and I have a pretty big ranch house. It couldn't have been any farther of a run.


You need #1 aluminum conductors for a true 100 amps. #1 conductors will fit in an 1 1/2" conduit. You will need two ground rods 6' or more apart with a continuous grounding electrode conductor. If your inspector reads the line of the law you will need tamper proof outlets for anything less than like 5'5" off the ground. I don't know the exact height without looking it up.

Anything more you want to know?

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[hicketts]

It's funny that when i was coming up with my plan to run power in the spring this is pretty much my exact plan. I have a two story colonial with a full basement, but the layout is like yours. I was also planning on doing a paver patio between the house and shop. I am fairly up to date with code, however in my area I only did the framing and final inspection, and the township signed off. If you don't mind me asking what area of Delaware are you in? I ask just because I am close and spend a lot time in your state.

 

[willf650]

I live in middletown. I haven't passed all my inspections yet. I have gotten rough electrical, footings and framing. I will get my electrical final this up coming week. I need that and have my grading done for my building final.

After I get co I will pull a permit for gas and HVAC when I do my unit heater. I will probably have at least the gas done by the end of January.

Electrical inspections are handled by a private entity and the electrical permits are from the state. All other permits and inspections are done through the county. Unfortunately once you start doing electrical it has to be done before the county will pass your inspection even though they are two separate governing bodies and inspectors.


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[TurboMustang370]

Nice looking build.

 

[Bricen18]

Such a great shop. It's coming out great. You did a fine job with the electrical. We're/ are you an electrician?


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[shadyluke]

I'm not too far away right on the hump in PA with MD and DE. I have a contract with a company from Dover to build mine. Who did yours?

 

[willf650]

Such a great shop. It's coming out great. You did a fine job with the electrical. We're/ are you an electrician?


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I guess I'm an electrician. I have my masters license but now program building automation systems. I haven't actually really worked with my hands wiring in 6 years. Even when I worked as an electrician I never really did what your typical electrician did. I always worked on motors, controls, boilers, pumping skids and such. I would occasionally fill in with other electricians in the company I worked for when I was between projects. When I was playing fill in I normally got shoved on the fire alarm crew. This is probably only the third panel I've ever put in and I pulled more romex in this building then I've done in my life.

I was waiting for the why didn't you use conduit post to come up.

I passed my electrical inspection today.

I'm not too far away right on the hump in PA with MD and DE. I have a contract with a company from Dover to build mine. Who did yours?

I used Diamond State Pole Buildings. I got two quotes and they were about the same price as the other quote although I think they may have been slightly higher. They did work with me a little more and priced all my options as an add on. They also gave me an elevation drawing to submit to my home owners association with no fuss. The other company seemed like they wanted a signed contract before they would give me any drawings. In the end I went with every option and then added some as well.

I would suggest you get the pent eave if this thing is close to your house or you have to deal with a HOA. It makes the building look not as tall. The wainscoting helps allot as well to make it look not so big.

 

[shadyluke]

I don't have an HOA to worry about and its 200' behind my house. My neighbors won't care. I've done too much for their property values already. I'm glad to hear a good experience with my builder. I haven't found any feedback good or bad about them.

 

[hicketts]

One last question. How did you make your connections in the 12x12 box?

I don't have an HOA to worry about and its 200' behind my house. My neighbors won't care. I've done too much for their property values already. I'm glad to hear a good experience with my builder. I haven't found any feedback good or bad about them.

Would you happen to be in Landenberg?

 

[willf650]

One last question. How did you make your connections in the 12x12 ?

I used cu/al rated split bolts, self fusing tape and finished it off with a topping of good electrical tape. Polaris taps would be a lot quicker but they cost a lot more.

Don't forget you will also need exterior lighting by any man door by code.


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[willf650]

I've been off this past week but my girlfriend has been in the hospital. She came home Wednesday afternoon so I had Thursday and Friday for garage work/nurse maid.

When she got home Wednesday I spent the early evening working on my shelving while she slept. I got all my wood cut to length but I'm waiting for some spare time for assembly.

My main priority is getting the grading done so I can have my final inspection

It was supposed to be raining by 11 this morning so I was out at sun up tamping all the dirt I put down so far. I thought I was sore enough as it was but a couple hours with a home made tamper and a whole new muscle group is hurting.

I managed to get all the dirt tamped and my dirt pile covered up by the time I felt the first drops. I'm 4 days and a couple hours in to this and my dirt pile is down to the last 1/3. I figure I have 3 more days with a shovel to finish as long as the ground isn't mud or frozen.

After this dirt work is done I'm moving on to the gas line. I need to make it out to the supply house and get some black pipe. I bought a couple 10' lengths from Lowes when I replaced my furnace and hot water heater and that stuff is junk. I will hopefully get my shelving unit done in the mean time in the evenings and rainy days.. I've also decided to put an opener on the smaller rear door. I only put one on the main door but I've been using the rear door almost as much as the front.

Even though they built the pyramids by hand I wish I rented a bobcat.

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[shadyluke]

Skid loaders really tear a yard up. For finish work like this a small 30 HP Kubota or John Deere is the way to go.

 

[willf650]

I finally brought some of my stuff home from my other house and my buddies shop were I was storing it. I went as big as I thought would fit with the house but the garage is full in one shot. I still have an small aluminum boat I was hoping to squeeze in. I need to get some pavement happening this spring. I had to set up ramps to get the boat in over the apron in front of the garage door.

I bought a couple cameras to install and I also bought a ladder rack for my box trailer. I no longer have a work van so I need a ladder rack to get my gas pipe home.

Does any one have any first hand opinions on ip cameras. I bought two hikvision brand to try. I intend on putting 6 in total at some point over the next year over my property. I hope I don't need them as this is a much better neighborhood than where I moved from. Someone left a truck unlocked and stuff was stollen out of it last week. Funny thing is that was in a the newer more expensive section of the neighbor hood.


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[willf650]

Here's a little update. I've gotten my co a couple months ago and they have already re-assessed my property to get their taxes. I got my drive way repaved to connect to the garage.

My lawn is about 90% back in shape. I still need to patch in my post and rail fence but since all the vital work for using the garage is done stuff just gets nibbled on here and there to do more fit out.

I did add a storage lift off to the side of the main door and liked it so much I ordered a another one.

Also completed my 8' wide by 10' tall shelving

Also made a 4 place kayak storage rack to store my yaks. Priorities have shifted to fishing these past couple months.

Still on the never ending todo list is insulation, security cameras, natural gas line and a unit heater. I have already christened the floor with half a quart of used motor oil so that's out of the way.


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[willf650]

A year later I finally got around to putting a fence and a gate in at the front of the garage to enclose my back yard after the fence was removed to install the garage.

The pocket screw jig is one of my favorite tool purchase's in a long time. It has taken my carpentry skills from zero to nill.

I attached the gate post to the foundation of my house. Pic also shows I need to pressure wash the back side of my house again.

I bolted a knee wall down to the edge of my garage's apron. The wall is floating 1" off the concrete on some composite post bases.

The finished product. It looks decent and is level. There is a 2" dip in the center of the walkway from the left side an 1" dip from the right.

Now all I have to do is get out the post hole digger and complete the post and rail fence at the back corner of the garage. Looks like my garage might be done in 2016, two years after it was started.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Looks like my garage might be done in 2016, two years after it was started.

Not so fast blue crab boy. Garage projects are never finished. There is always one more thing that needs to be done. And after that, one more thing, ......

I will say that what you have accomplished is impressive and you have neat toys.