FINALLY building my shop... 30x40 in NC

[ncfireman1918]

I'm finally getting to build my shop. We custom built the house on 4 acres in 2010, and the shop has always been a moving target. My wife would say "Well, when the mortgage is below this amount we can do it", then "When we are done paying for college we can do it" (my son turns 11 in August...).

Since we moved in, I have been trying to buy the perfect piece of land from my wife's great uncle and aunt. It is about .5 acres just to the left of my driveway. It is a perfect location for running utilities, and I can just tie into the existing drive. They have refused to sell to me for 9 years, until May. All of a sudden, they were willing to sell, so I jumped on it. I'm sure I paid too much, but it is exactly where I wanted the shop.

My father-in-law owns a big commercial construction company, so within a week he had a 30x40 metal building on order from one of the companies they use (Premier Building Systems out of GA). It will be one of the red iron beam metal buildings, 12 foot walls, and 3 10x10 doors on the 40ft. side. I'm doing a man door just around the corner. The building will be delivered in August, and we are about to start grading soon. Plans are to do a 4 inch slab, with a 6 inch section in the middle for a 2 post lift (in the center bay). I'm keeping the floor plan wide open, and will adjust as I get a feel for the space. No real pics to share right now, but I'll snap a pic of the building location later, and will keep this updated as I start to make some progress. For now I'm just excited to share this with a group of people who understand the value of having a place to work on stuff!

-Chris

 

[DynoDave]

Sounds like a sweet arrangement. Looking forward to seeing it built.

 

[Toolfool]

Congratulations. Subscribed.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I guess I got a little excited and started my thread a bit prematurely. Since posting the only thing that’s happened is 811 utility marking, but that all changes tomorrow. We start excavation for the slab in the morning. I’ll be sure to grab some photos because threads are worthless without pics! I’m stoked!

 

[ncfireman1918]

The concrete crew got the piers and footers dug yesterday, and started putting down stone. It's a 4 inch 3000 psi slab. They are doing 2 4ft x 4ft squares at 6 inches to accommodate the 2 post lift that I plan to eventually install. Today the rebar and wire mesh are going in, and the pour is scheduled for tomorrow morning. A plumber is stopping by to rough in some pipes for a sink and toilet. No idea if I'll end up doing a bathroom, but it is on the list of maybes, and I figure that pipes are cheap to add right now. I finally snapped a few pics...

View looking towards the house. The shop will be just to the left of the driveway.
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This is where the shop is going.
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Partway through the day
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Same progress, different view
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End of day 1
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Another view
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Moving dirt isn't super exciting to watch, but it's exciting to see some progress. I'll share more after I get home to take pics of today's work. Tomorrow is concrete day! It's also my son's 11th birthday. He didn't think it was funny when I told him that he's getting concrete on his birthday!

 

[ncfireman1918]

Yesterday was a big day. The slab was poured and finished, and it looks really good. The crew that did it subs a lot of work for my father in law, and did the concrete for his 3900 sq ft shop a couple of years ago. I didn't update from Wednesday when they did all of the rebar, mesh, vapor barrier, etc. so I included a few pics from then as well. It ended up taking 36 yards of concrete all said and done. Should last for a few years...

Wednesday pics:
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Yes, they installed the final piece of mesh just before they left for the day. They were waiting for the plumbers to show up to rough in for a small bathroom. Unfortunately the plumbers didn't make it, so we did a 2" PVC sleeve with a 90* for water in (probably PEX), and a 6" PVC sleeve through the footer for drain/sewer. I have no clue how that works in the long run, but if my FIL says it will be fine, I trust him. The concrete was scheduled, so it is what it is.

On to the concrete! This is from yesterday.

First truck:
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A bit later in the morning:
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Almost there, 6 yards to go:
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And we've got concrete:
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After finishing:
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I found out last night that the steel will be here next Friday morning, and the crew will be here the following week to put it up. Two weeks, and I'll have a shell.

I've got a long way to go still, but it's finally feeling real. I'm super excited that I'll finally have a building right where I've wanted it for 9 years!

 

[DynoDave]

Slab work looks good!

 

[ncfireman1918]

Thanks Dave. I’m pleased with it. They used a cure and seal, and I’m not sure that I’m happy with the result. I understand that a curing agent is needed, unless I was wet curing (possible, but a pain in the *** in NC in the summer). I’ve been watering the slab, and stepped on it today. It is as slick as an ice skating rink when it’s wet! I had been planning on ghostshield before I found out that they were putting down the cure and seal. Now I’m thinking that a bit of grinding and resealing are in my future. It’s all good. I’d rather have good concrete work, and have a minor detail to address than have poor quality concrete work and a mess on my hands.

 

[Toolfool]

You're off to a good start.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Friday was a big day... The steel showed up. It's like when presents start showing up under the tree. It's not quite Christmas, but you know it's coming! I talked with the erection crew, and it looks like they may get started at the end of the week or possibly next week, depending on how things go with the job they are finishing. Either way, I should have the shell of a building soon. I'm insulating as well, they will call to have the insulation delivered when we are close to needing it. That way the insulation rolls don't sit outside for too long. On with the pics!

Truck showed up just after 8am:

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It's a tiny little pile of steel! Amazing how little space steel for a 1200 sq ft building takes up.

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The walls will be Rustic Red:

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And the roof/gutters/downspouts will be Burnished Slate.

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And the steel chilling in the shade on the far side of the slab. I've got some grading to do, and needed it out of the way.

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Hopefully the next set of photos will have some steel in the air. It feels like a snail's pace, but it's coming together. I've waited 15 years for this, a couple more weeks won't kill me.

Chris

 

[ncfireman1918]

It’s been a few weeks of little progress, aside from a little grading, but the crew doing assembly dropped off a couple of scissor lifts on Friday, and showed up bright and early this morning to get started. Unfortunately I had to drive to Atlanta for work, so I won’t be around to see the progress. Made my wife promise to send pics, and I’ll post as I get updates. For now, this is how it looked as I left:

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It feels like a huge step forward even though it’s only a few pieces of steel. I’m getting excited now! Hopefully more progress pics later today...

-Chris

 

[Ronin22]

Nice to see the beginning of the building! You'll have a nice present when you get back home! Keep us posted!

 

[Toolfool]

Getting vertical !!

 

[ncfireman1918]

My wife texted me earlier. Here is the final progress on day 1 of steel erection:

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[ashtonwhitley]

Very nice

 

[HoundOfDoom]

No worries on the pace. I really like the design.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Today’s update: it looks like they got the door frames in place and the x bracing. I’m hoping to see some roof and/or siding go up tomorrow. On with the single pic!

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-Chris

 

[Boosted1]

Nice lot / location for your shop.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Nice lot / location for your shop.

Thanks, Boosted1. I enjoy it out here.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I didn’t get an update from my wife yesterday, but just got home from Atlanta to find that there has been some good progress. They got the front and rear walls on, and are doing both sides this afternoon. Unfortunately, the crew can’t work tomorrow, but will be doing the roof on Monday and Tuesday, then it will just be garage doors and I’ll have a closed in building. I’ll post another update tonight, but this is what I found when I came home:

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[ncfireman1918]

It’s funny how when you pour the slab you think, “is that it? I thought it would be bigger”. Then when you start getting vertical, it feels a lot bigger than you thought it would... (just re-read this and realized it’s a “that’s what she said)

 

[chilow]

Nice. Wish I could get something similar. Living in the city ***** sometimes.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Exciting!

 

[kszach]

So what does something like this cost to build? I realize it all depends on location but I'd like to get an idea.

 

[Beal095]

Very nice!

 

[Ronin22]

This is going quick!
What are your plans for the interior, once the exterior is finished?

 

[ncfireman1918]

So what does something like this cost to build? I realize it all depends on location but I'd like to get an idea.

I don’t have the final tally yet, but the steel building itself was $16k. The slab is probably in the $10k range, plus labor. My father in law is a commercial contractor, so my price isn’t “retail”.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Here’s where we ended up today:

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The personnel door was apparently damaged from the factory, so Premier (the manufacturer) has shipped another. It should be here tomorrow. My guys will be back on Monday and Tuesday to get the roof installed, then it will be on to fun things like garage doors, paneling and electrical. Good times!

-Chris

 

[ncfireman1918]

This is going quick!
What are your plans for the interior, once the exterior is finished?

Ronin, I’m planning to panel the interior with either plywood or OSB (depending on cost differential), which will be painted white - or another light color. I’ll be doing surface mount conduit for electrical, and will surface mount any air lines or plumbing. I’m not framing in any interior walls, as I want the space as open and flexible as possible. I’ll likely build a solid workbench for it, and will be putting some pallet racking in for storage. The original plan included a bathroom, but since I’m only 75ft from the house, I’m holding off for now. I’ll do a utility sink of some sort for washing hands and other stuff. I’m sure it will be filled up fairly quickly, but I hope that this is an area that I can work on for years without needed an expansion.

 

[_Stang_]

Looks great! I'm jealous... I have the land here in PA in an awesome 2 street neighborhood but with a loose HSA just tight enough not to allow for a steel building. I'll basically have to build another small house at 4X your cost.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Ronin22]

Ronin, I’m planning to panel the interior with either plywood or OSB (depending on cost differential), which will be painted white - or another light color. I’ll be doing surface mount conduit for electrical, and will surface mount any air lines or plumbing. I’m not framing in any interior walls, as I want the space as open and flexible as possible. I’ll likely build a solid workbench for it, and will be putting some pallet racking in for storage. The original plan included a bathroom, but since I’m only 75ft from the house, I’m holding off for now. I’ll do a utility sink of some sort for washing hands and other stuff. I’m sure it will be filled up fairly quickly, but I hope that this is an area that I can work on for years without needed an expansion.

Great!

 

[ncfireman1918]

No pics yet, but when I left for the airport this morning, my crew was starting the roof. They told me that the roof would be on today, and they will come back tomorrow to trim it out. On to garage doors and everything else after that! I’m relying on my wife to text a couple of pics tonight, I’ll post up when I get them. I can’t even relay how excited I am now that it’s almost a finished shell!

-Chris

 

[ncfireman1918]

My wife just texted me. Apparently the steel crew finished up today. Garage doors have been measured and will be installed the first week of October. I have to figure out which electrician I’m using and will have to line that up. It’s progress and I can’t wait to get back home to check it out. Better pics tomorrow when I get home, but here it is!

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[Bib Overalls]

I prefer OSB over plywood. I expose the textured side (the one with the nailing lines) and prime with two coats of oil base Kilz followed with ordinary interior latex. Generally a much better finish that you can achieve with comparably priced plywood. I would stud up 8 feet to cover the insulation. I like the look and strength of 16" centers but studs on 24" will work. 7/16" is fine as long as you hang/anchor heavy loads (shelves/cabinets) to the studs.

 

[ncfireman1918]

I prefer OSB over plywood. I expose the textured side (the one with the nailing lines) and prime with two coats of oil base Kilz followed with ordinary interior latex. Generally a much better finish that you can achieve with comparably priced plywood. I would stud up 8 feet to cover the insulation. I like the look and strength of 16" centers but studs on 24" will work. 7/16" is fine as long as you hang/anchor heavy loads (shelves/cabinets) to the studs.

Good points. The cost of the materials will probably somewhat influence my decision, and I have to bear in mind that this is a workspace, not a showplace. I’m ok if it does not look perfect, as long as it is functional.

 

[JDMopar]

That's very nice! Looks like it will be easy to get in and out of too. Are you going to have a separate meter for it, or feed it from your house? I put a separate meter on my garage, and looking back...I wish I had just replaced the 200 amp meter base on my house with a 320 amp base, and fed my garage from the house.My house is closer than what yours appears to be though. If I don't work in the garage much, and don't use much electricity, The Evil Empire (Duke Energy) still charges me a $27 service fee! My house is closer than what yours appears to be though. Good luck with the rest of he build....and have fun!

 

[ncfireman1918]

That's very nice! Looks like it will be easy to get in and out of too. Are you going to have a separate meter for it, or feed it from your house? I put a separate meter on my garage, and looking back...I wish I had just replaced the 200 amp meter base on my house with a 320 amp base, and fed my garage from the house.My house is closer than what yours appears to be though. If I don't work in the garage much, and don't use much electricity, The Evil Empire (Duke Energy) still charges me a $27 service fee! My house is closer than what yours appears to be though. Good luck with the rest of he build....and have fun!

JD, the current plan is to pull service off the house so I don’t have to get a second meter. If I end up needing new service at some point, the building is about less than 40 feet from the pedestal transformer that feeds my house. It would be fairly easy. The house is only 100 feet (or so) from the shop, and the meter/breaker panel are on that side of the house. Should make pulling power fairly easy.

 

[ncfireman1918]

Here’s what I came home to today. Just snapped a couple of quick pics, but you get the idea.

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[perolere]

That was fast!

 

[Viper32]

Nice shop....