Getting started with my shop build

[airmissle]

I recently purchased a house here in California and I am starting to plan my shop build. I have a few questions about how to get started.

1. Attached vs Detached shop? If I go with attached I can get around some of the lame building codes(12ft max height, 75ft setback) that I have to abide by with an "accessory structure." How much more complicated & costly will this make the project?

2. Do I need an architect, or just a contractor?

Thanks!
-Clark

 

[bowhuntr311]

If your gonna do an attached garage I would atleast get someone to do up a setup elevation plans so you can see what your house will look like with the addition.
And does your new house lend itself to having an attached garage (ex entry layout, noise/smell)

 

[Falcon67]

You should ask the locals - sometimes "attached structure" amounts to no more than a breezeway between the two.

 

[matt_i]

However you do your plans they should be scaled and representative of what you intend to build, see also, local requirements. You don't need an architect but do need someone to make many decisions about details related to the foundation, framing, etc, that get baked into the drawings.

 

[Toomanytools?]

Not enough facts to help you much. A good contractor might be all you need but for permits you still need a set of approved drawings. Some contractors can do that if it's not too involved. Some HOA's will consider a breezeway an attached garage just need to make sure your county does also. So how big is this said garage, if it's 40'x60'x16' tall attached to a 1200 square foot home it may look out of place.

 

[airmissle]

Thanks for the input. I will check into whether or not a breezeway qualifies as being "attached."

In terms of what I want out of the shop/addition they are as follows:

1. Space for parking all of my vehicles(Chevy Kodiak, F250, Hummer H1) with room for more
2. Lift for the F250 and Hummer. Lifting the Kodiak would be cool but I fear the lifts start getting significantly more expensive.
3. Welding area
4. Air compressor room
5. Bathroom
6. A small kitchenette area with a beer fridge.
7. A few multi-purpose/storage rooms that I can use for engine assembly or painting or whatever project I am working on.
8. A room for gym/exercise equipment.
9. High ceilings(16') with the ability to add a gantry crane later.
10. radiant heat would be nice.


My plan is to build as large as I can as you never have enough room. I was thinking 2500-3500 square feet. The house is 2 story with 2300sq/ft, so I do need to be careful about how this will look if attached to the house.

Does anyone have a rough approximation of the cost differences between a 3000 sq/ft steel building vs a 3000 sq/ft stick built garage?

Thanks!
-Clark

 

[matt_i]

12ft max height

High ceilings(16')

These two things are very far apart in my opinion. I think that drives you without a doubt into an "attached garage", however you can integrate that into your lot. I would stick with standard residential stick frame construction at that point, duplicate exterior cladding and finishes. My personal feeling is that if you use A/C in your house 6 months of the year, then radiant heat which is on 24x7 during winter is not cost-effective. But, perhaps reducing cost is not the highest priority.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I would go with an attached garage as long as it looks alright with the house. I constantly find myself wanting an attached garage, and I've never been glad that I have a detached garage.

 

[Catadj78]

Detached all the way! You do not want to make it convenient for the wife to stick her head in the door for a honey do chore! Phones don't work in the shop due to the industrial type insulation used to make it a "safe" working environment. (That's what my wife thinks at least for some reason)

 

[Toomanytools?]

I have been getting quotes for a pole building not red steel if that is what you mean. It has some upgrades: Perma Columns, wainscoting, 24" enclosed overhangs, cost is running about $24/sqft I'm at about 3000sqft. I had a bid done for stick built same treatments overhangs and wainscoting came in at about $10 more per square foot. I'm in Eastern Washington sure CA is a bit diff but gives you and idea. You can expect 20-40% higher cost in stick frame. That is what I have found. If I could I would go stick but that extra $30K can do a lot of other stuff in the shop.

 

[airmissle]

Okay, I am making progress with the county on getting approval. There were some questions about lot lines and things like that.

I am now trying to find someone willing to erect a pre-fab metal building and I am coming up short. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who can erect a steel building in the Bay Area?

Thanks,
-Clark

 

[Farrier]

Okay, I am making progress with the county on getting approval. There were some questions about lot lines and things like that.

I am now trying to find someone willing to erect a pre-fab metal building and I am coming up short. Does anyone have any recommendations for someone who can erect a steel building in the Bay Area?

Thanks,
-Clark

Google "Bay Area Steel or Metal Buildings"