Fire house and garage

[onemoretry]

one of the coolest builds i seen on here! im looking to build my second garage next spring and this is exactly what i want to build. where are you located? im in keene nh.

To reiterate what Bull has already said, George is near there and very willing to build in the area. Check out his website and give a ring, he is surprisingly affordable.
www.geobarns.com

 

[toadjammer]

That stairway is pretty cool. Does anyone know which build that was from? I looked at some of the builds on Georges site but didn't find it.

 

[Ggg]

onemore
When you get a chance, give me more details on the clutch sticking. Will it not release, or will it not grab? Will the pedal not push down, or stay down on the floor when you take your foot off? How does the clutch brake work?
The Detroit engine you have can run in both directions. If you bog it down too far starting from a dead stop you can momentarily stop the engine just before TDC on a cylinder and then the pump injects fuel and it ignites pushing the piston back down, but because the piston is BTDC it goes down turning the crank backwards. I remember the first time that happened to me (LOL) I thought WT%! I had 5 reverse gears and one forward.
I will check out that Geobarn site, I only heard of them in the New England area.

 

[onemoretry]

George's prices are extremely reasonable. If you are interested, I highly recommend giving him a call. Also, if you are like me, and want to be a part of the build, but don't have the skill or time to do it yourself, George is a great option. I have been working with them almost everyday and have been loving every minute. I can't think of another building experience where it has gone so smoothly. I don't want to jinx myself, but we are also a little ahead of schedule and dead on budget. How rare is that?

I should also mention that George sends out daily updates on his projects, so while I was deciding on getting a geobarn, I was able to track the progress and see how everything would shape up. Today I will just quote what he sent out and post his pictures (which is what I do everyday.)

George:
In just three hours we were roofed and ridged--what more can I say than
thank you to our wonderful clients and crew for their hard work and to
God for a perfect day for roofing...sunny, still, and cold--so at least
we did not sweat and burn our hands on the roofing as we tend to do in
the summers.... =-O

I am on my way home for two days--can't wait to get back...

george

 

[onemoretry]

The members here with Geobarns have some danged nice structures so I would say you won't be let down. If I remember right, they won't give you much time for progress pictures, one day, the footers, next they have the roof on. Okay, maybe an exaggeration but from my memory they don't fiddlefart around like most contractors.

I would have to say that is the case. They have been here a week and a day and a half, and the roof is on ... in a custom built post and beam structure. Not as fast as a pole barn, but darn near. I am truly happy with the progress thus far.

 

[Bull]

George's prices are extremely reasonable. If you are interested, I highly recommend giving him a call. Also, if you are like me, and want to be a part of the build, but don't have the skill or time to do it yourself, George is a great option. I have been working with them almost everyday and have been loving every minute. I can't think of another building experience where it has gone so smoothly. I don't want to jinx myself, but we are also a little ahead of schedule and dead on budget. How rare is that?

This was really important to me. Most builders aren't going to want you helping because unless you are skilled you might be considered a pain in the ****. George encourages it, and it allows you to both save money AND feel intimately connected to the construction of YOUR barn. Working with the two guys on my crew each day of the build is one of the best experiences of my life.

 

[onemoretry]

onemore
When you get a chance, give me more details on the clutch sticking. Will it not release, or will it not grab? Will the pedal not push down, or stay down on the floor when you take your foot off? How does the clutch brake work?
The Detroit engine you have can run in both directions. If you bog it down too far starting from a dead stop you can momentarily stop the engine just before TDC on a cylinder and then the pump injects fuel and it ignites pushing the piston back down, but because the piston is BTDC it goes down turning the crank backwards. I remember the first time that happened to me (LOL) I thought WT%! I had 5 reverse gears and one forward.
I will check out that Geobarn site, I only heard of them in the New England area.

It goes in any gear well when first turned on. When I take off, first and second are fine and then in third, the clutch just seems to stay engaged for a long time. After it has been warmed up for about 20 minutes, it doesn't seem to go in gear as well.
I knew it can run backwards, but that is not the case here. I need to crawl under it and take a look. The yard has been a mess and I haven't had the time to play yet. I will report back when I get it figured out.

Thanks, and please do check out the website. I don't want to sound like an advertisement, but it has been great fun, and the building is certainly quality this far. Good luck.

 

[onemoretry]

This was really important to me. Most builders aren't going to want you helping because unless you are skilled you might be considered a pain in the ****. George encourages it, and it allows you to both save money AND feel intimately connected to the construction of YOUR barn. Working with the two guys on my crew each day of the build is one of the best experiences of my life.

The crew has been great. We have had a good time, and they even helped me clean my gutters today...
can't beat that.

 

[onemoretry]

I have been out of town on business, so haven't kept up with the day to day stuff, so today, I will just quote George and show his pictures.

Today we completed the lower level and one of the upper gables--working all day in freezing rain, snow and sleet and the lats hour in the dark on an iced up ladder 20' off the ground with my headlamp on to complete the upper gable--the guys nailed most of the day so it was my turn at the end for the last couple of hours :-D ...and all we have to do is one upper gable and we are sided and can move on to the windows, trim and cupola and call it a good run...

I am whipped from driving 650 miles yesterday and my waterproof pants are covered with mud--it was quite a nasty day but not too cold...you know...hence the mud...

 

[onemoretry]

Just got back into town, and wow, the building looks great. They are finishing the cupola today and the lumber for the second building was delivered. I will post George's pictures from yesterday here, and will post again tonight with today's pictures. Lots of pictures today. The third photo is the scrap for the entire project, including the rafters that were built on site...

From George:
Today we got the rest of the siding done, the rake and eave soffits, and
the corner boards--it was a great day and most of all we got to see some
SUN--how about that? ...wow--it felt good to actually be warm and
take off some of our cold weather gear....totally awesome. The guys
were great although we caught Jon laying down on the job and Ryan
standing around looking good--it is so tough to work with these prima
donnas when all I get is muddy and tired.... :-D

I am so grateful that we have been able to hang in there--it rained more
this morning and then started to clear. Tomorrow is supposed to be
precipitation free--which will be the first day without rain or snow or
sleet in almost a week.

george

 

[Bull]

The third photo is the scrap for the entire project, including the rafters that were built on site...

Your barn looks beautiful, man.

The scrap pile is impressive, and I know George prides himself on avoiding as much waste as possible.

 

[Junkman]

That is absolutely awesome!!! I would love to have a building like that on my property. What is the ceiling hight of the first floor? thanks Junk..

 

[onemoretry]

Your barn looks beautiful, man.

The scrap pile is impressive, and I know George prides himself on avoiding as much waste as possible.

It has been pretty amazing to watch. They seem to take their time and plan the cuts so that there is as little scrap as possible from each board. Even though they take their time, they have also moved incredibly fast for three guys and sometimes the wife and I.
Thanks Bull.

 

[onemoretry]

That is absolutely awesome!!! I would love to have a building like that on my property. What is the ceiling hight of the first floor? thanks Junk..

If you are thinking of building, it wouldn't hurt to call George. He is surprisingly affordable and certainly does a great job.
The first floor is a little more than 9 feet I think. I will have to go out and measure. The second floor is about 9 feet as well. The upstairs space is incredible. I will add pictures of that soon too.
Thanks for the compliment...

 

[Bull]

He can accommodate different ceiling heights, too. Two bays of my three downstairs have about 9', but then he framed one bay in the back at a full 12' to leave me the option of a lift.

Junk, he's not only affordable, he is one of the best people you'll ever talk to. So passionate about what he does and there are none more honest...just a rare kind of guy in today's world.

Onemoretry, are the guys on your crew local to your area, or did George "import" them from up here?

 

[onemoretry]

He can accommodate different ceiling heights, too. Two bays of my three downstairs have about 9', but then he framed one bay in the back at a full 12' to leave me the option of a lift.

Junk, he's not only affordable, he is one of the best people you'll ever talk to. So passionate about what he does and there are none more honest...just a rare kind of guy in today's world.

Onemoretry, are the guys on your crew local to your area, or did George "import" them from up here?

My second building is getting the same treatment, higher in general and a section that is 12 feet for a lift.

One guy is from California, and one from up north but originally VA. They are both great guys, young, but incredibly enthused and hard working. One of the guys is a potter by training and both are a lot of fun to talk with (not what I would say typical builders).

 

[Bull]

Yeah, my two guys were both younger, artistic types, very easy to get along with and to work with. I agree that they are unusually good crews that George has.

I wonder how he finds good crews all over the country to work on these projects...guys who can maintain the Geobarn ethic?

 

[onemoretry]

Yeah, my two guys were both younger, artistic types, very easy to get along with and to work with. I agree that they are unusually good crews that George has.

I wonder how he finds good crews all over the country to work on these projects...guys who can maintain the Geobarn ethic?

The potter I think he found when building a kiln building for the pottery group, and the other guy is the brother of one of the other potters at the same place. George is such an excitable person that obviously loves what he does, I imagine the artistic type would work well with his ethos.

 

[Junkman]

My shortest car is 6' 7" and the hightop ambulance is 8' high, so I will need a 16' bay for the lift to accommodate the cars. I'm thinking that 4 bays would be nice, but retirement and the falling stock market, is going to make this a tough decision to make. I figure that I have at best 10 more years that I can turn a wrench, before I will not have the strength to even pick up a wrench, no less use it. I will need at least 30' depth and 48' width to make it work for me.

 

[onemoretry]

My shortest car is 6' 7" and the hightop ambulance is 8' high, so I will need a 16' bay for the lift to accommodate the cars. I'm thinking that 4 bays would be nice, but retirement and the falling stock market, is going to make this a tough decision to make. I figure that I have at best 10 more years that I can turn a wrench, before I will not have the strength to even pick up a wrench, no less use it. I will need at least 30' depth and 48' width to make it work for me.

My second building is a 30 by 48, and I think George can make them at the height you need... just sayin'

 

[onemoretry]

I returned from travel today and found a lot done since I left. I'll post what George wrote again, as he says it better than I...

Well--today was quite a day--mixed--wonderful at its best and completely
frustrating at its worst....we got the cupola built except for the
windows and louvers and earlier--offloading the second tractor trailer
for the upcoming fire engine barn--we wallowed, struggled, got the
forklift stuck and cursed in the ubiquitous mud....I was fit to be tied
by late morning--almost eleven and not a board of framing to show for
it. What we did have to show were even deeper ruts than the day before,
muddy and slippery forklift that pretty much only drives downhill, and
lots of mud on our bodies, our clothes, our tarps and even some of our
lumber....sigh.... ..it was a real test this close to the end of the
project. Fortunately--with Jon's aptitude with the forklift, [onemoretry's]
return and smarts with the bobcat, and ryan's indefatigable good
humor--they pulled the forklift out of the mud and me out of the doldrums.

Oh yes--I forgot--we also got all our windows today and the cupola--in
spite of all the above--really is a gem. God is still good even when I
get pissed... :-[ ....I am grateful for that.

george

 

[T1704]

Wow! Great craftsmanship!

 

[volvo]

.
Thats one nice group of projects...H... Its great to hear about another happy geo barn build...

 

[onemoretry]

New day, almost finished. Really just install the doors and electric, and a little bit of the clean up left. I actually got to help again today (it is more like I was able to get in the way again).

From George

Well--we started midday Thursday two weeks ago and are finished today on
Friday evening--it has been a wonderful run, thanks to the hard work and
resilient spirit of the crew and the generous hospitality and
encouragement and hard work alongside us of our clients--what a blessing
they have been.

Today we did the stairs, installed the windows, finished the cupola,
caulked a few knot holes and made and installed the door--al in the
rain--but most of this was indoor work--for which we are grateful. We
are excited about coming back right after the new year to build the fire
engine barn--over 50% bigger than this one and about the same
proportions--as in simply a larger version. The weather may be worse
later into winter but it is hards to imagine it being harder on us than
this past week with constant rain, mud, sleet and freezing rain to coat
us and our tools with ice....

Nonetheless--the joy and warmth of what we do and for whom we do it
keeps us alive and enthusiastic for the next build...


george

 

[PurdueSD]

Looks really great! I love the style. That's super cool of your contractor to email you updates everyday with pictures!

 

[onemoretry]

Looks really great! I love the style. That's super cool of your contractor to email you updates everyday with pictures!

Thanks for the compliment, I will also pass it along to George. Although, upon reading back, I sound like a commercial for Geobarns, I can't tell you how nice of a job they do. George really takes into consideration all of the details including the daily emails that really make it easy for me to make these posts... If you are even remotely thinking of putting up another building (though after reading your build thread, I understand you likely won't), I would highly recommend just calling George. His theories on craftsmanship, customer service, and strength of construction are refreshing...

Enough of a commercial, wife and I are Purdue grads too.

 

[onemoretry]

Well apart from the things I need to finish (electric, bay doors, and landscape), the first building is done. I will post here as I get the doors done, do the floors, do lighting etc., and I will start a new thread on the firehouse that links back here. I think this one might be getting too long and the firehouse will be lost here.
I hope to order doors next week, and start electric soon thereafter. I am leaning towards Raynor doors, I would be interested in any opinions. I have also been thinking about how to insulate. I love the diagonal framing so much that I want to keep the look, but I would also like to insulate. George has recommended spray in wet cellulose, that when applied properly could be left unfinished. I kind of like it, but wanted to know if anyone else has any opinion at all.
Pictures today show the the steps, the upstairs, an incredible space, and the person door that was built on site.

 

[Vernmotor]

Just awsome ! I love the looks !

 

[LAWFISH]

WOW, very nice barn, shop. How many building are you doing? Very nice views as well.


DAVE

 

[onemoretry]

WOW, very nice barn, shop. How many building are you doing? Very nice views as well.


DAVE

Two. The garage from above and a firehouse that you can kind of see the foundation for in a couple of the muddy pictures. Geobarns is doing both. Before they left for the holiday yesterday, they got the sills on for the firehouse...
We fell in love with the view when we first pulled into the driveway. I still get up in the morning, look out and smile.

 

[stinkythings.com]

Magnificent !

 

[tkeahi]

Awesome...just awesome. Ask George if he wants to come build a barn in Hawaii!

 

[onemoretry]

Awesome...just awesome. Ask George if he wants to come build a barn in Hawaii!

I'll bet he would...
His crew gets here tonight, and he gets back in a couple. The next build will go on another thread.
Pretty exciting stuff.

 

[onemoretry]

So I decided to start the second building on another thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=366786&posted=1#post366786

I will update here as I add the doors and electric...

 

[onemoretry]

So the garage doors were delivered today and about half of the install is done. The door openers and trim will be done Monday. I decided on the Raynor Affina stile carriage doors. They look good and solid, time will tell. I went with the Raynor openers as well. I am told they are made by liftmaster which is I am told one of the best brands. I will report back after I use them a bit.
Here are some very poor pictures taken with my cell phone. I will use the nice camera when the trim goes up. I even have a nice shot of the finger in the last picture, sorry about the quality.

 

[onemoretry]

More door pics

 

[onemoretry]

Well George finished the second build (he will be back to add a couple of details that I have asked for in addition) and completed the trim work on this build now that the doors are hung. It has been a great experience.
The door guy added the trim bling to the doors today. Looks good in my biased opinion...

 

[onemoretry]

Well we added a couple of details this week including the stair railing, banisters, and a little shop clean up. I thought I would post some more pictures for those that care. I updated my other thread too, link in my sig.

 

[Bull]

You decided on an interior finish yet? My idea of barn boards has one little problem...it will be expensive!

 

[onemoretry]

You decided on an interior finish yet? My idea of barn boards has one little problem...it will be expensive!

I am still thinking but will wait until after electric and insulation to decide. Keeep me in the loop on what you pick.