How big to build??

[the lone]

getting closer to getting my metal building. just looking for suggestions on size....i have a little over an acre. there are no restrictions. i plan to retire here so this is the end of the road, i want to do this 1 time. i plan to park 1 boat, (18ft) 1 travel trailer (about 25ft long) i want room for 2 cars and 1 chassis build area. 1 lift. and atleast 20x10 space for the work bench and tool boxes etc. its not commercially used, its just for me, any suggestions, ive been thinking 40x60.....?? feedback with what you guys park in your garage and how much space you have is appreciated.

 

[bgarrett]

Correct answer--Its NEVER big enough

My garage is 40 X 135 and I wish I had two more that size. I could easily fill them with my stuff that sits out in the rain now

 

[the lone]

yeah i hear you, thats expected. but i also have a 2 car garage on house...im in the 25 to 30k range....dont need heat...dont really NEED plumbing, but it would be nice...

 

[raddksn]

do the math figure how big you need then double it should be close!

 

[the lone]

double without double price,,,,now we are talking.

 

[malibu101]

This is coming from a guy with a 2 car garage at home and parents with a barn close by that let me use part of it as a storage unit.
No matter how big it is it's never enough.

That said, if I had money and space to build a building, I would build as big as possible and let things fall into place over the years as deals and money permit.

And as was mentioned above about plumbing- Being able to take a piss in the shop would be great! THAT I would spring and plan for on the front end.
And of course a plenty big enough electrical service.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Correct answer--Its NEVER big enough

The answer is ALWAYS: bigger!

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

How much open space you haven't built on already on the acre is available ... net of the setbacks and side/rear yards. That should be your answer.

You're lucky. In on an acre and we're currently limited to 600sqft for a detached building. Working with town board to increase that.

 

[Shocker]

Well, take a look at your current needs:

One boat (one bay)
One trailer (one bay)
2 cars (2 bays)
1 chassis build (1 bay)
1 lift (1 bay or shared)
1 work area (1 bay)

So the bare minimum the shop can be is 30 deep by 60 wide. And that is just to accommodate what you have now with no growth potential.

Your 40x60 size would work as long as you didn't add anything more later.

If it were me, I would go 40x80 at the bare minimum. That would give you a nice footprint with some space to grow.

Also, you need to have 14' walls to fit the 12' doors for the trailer. Maybe go 16' to get some extra height and standard studs.

I would also look strongly at using a storage truss for a 2nd floor space. Keep a nice area down below to work and store those extra parts above.

I am not sure what building costs down in TX is, but I think concrete would run 15k all by it's lonesome. Pole building would most likely be the most cost effective.

After a quick search I saw some buildings around 35/sqft costs. 3200 sqft building, 112,000 smackeroos.

 

[Mr onetwo]

I second all the "it's never too big" opinions.My modest little garage is 32 x 24 and I really wish it was 48 x 30! Make it just as big as your finances will allow...it's always cheaper the first time around!

 

[mothgrey]

I use this tool to plan mine. You can place objects, windows, benches and cars, change size.
There are others out there also.

http://www.cbstructuresinc.com/layout-planner

 

[camarotoolman]

I would get 1 of though metal car ports with a gravel floor, for the boat and camper. All they need is to be out of the sun and rain. Also easier on taxes, cause its a temp building. Then send whats left on a pole building as big as you can afford. You can build an out house to pee in. LOL

 

[jkm4874ford]

Talk to your contractor. He can help you out on the most bang for the buck. Some sizes are more cost effective than others. Obiously concrete is expensive, but doors and windows are a close second.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Ive got 4 car garage for parking "drivers", and one 5k sqft shop, and 7 other cold storage buildings totaling over 15k sqft (not sure exactly). They are not enough. Ive still got vehicles sitting outside, and a storage locker in town. While I may be on the extreme edge, at one time I did live on a 1/4 acre lot, and I built my garage as large as the muni would allow (1100sqft), which was no larger than the house (by 10sqft). It took me about 5 minutes to mow the lawn !

Anyhow, I would build as big as you can within your zoning restrictions, and set backs. Put as much money into the size as possible, for you will wish you had later. If you read your responses here, you will see a theme, enough is never enough.

 

[inphx]

reinforcing my decision - on new home build doing 50x100 currently have 40 x50 with toys parked outside.

EVERYONE is saying why so big on new metal building ...

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

50x100 is a good number, it allows for 4 "bays" and significant workshop area at the back. Assuming your "means" allow it. That makes for a good shop without storage of vehicles or toys. Or you can have one bay and storage, or dice it up however you want.

Ive got mine (50x100) laid out for one bay with a 4 post, one bay with a 2 post, one bay with no lift, and one bay for bodywork/paint. All bays walled off, self contained with their own heat and cooling. That leaves about 20' behind each bay for a work area, tools, equipment, computer, fabricating, rebuilding and so on.

I have found I never have one project going on at time, at least 4, usually more, but that is where I "landed" with my math and past experience.

 

[tdkkart]

Check, but typically width is more expensive than length, long trusses get really expensive.

 

[the lone]

How much open space you haven't built on already on the acre is available ... net of the setbacks and side/rear yards. That should be your answer.

You're lucky. In on an acre and we're currently limited to 600sqft for a detached building. Working with town board to increase that.

all good info. thanks. i didnt think about the carport on gravel being good to save on taxes...

as far as the lot...the house is on the first 1/3 of the lot....leaving 2/3 acre as backyard...i want to put the building all the way in the back. the lot is 120ft wide. so i can put something at max about 100ft wide. and still have 10 ft on each side. and still have 1/3 acre in between the shop and the house to call a backyard. as far as i know there are no restrictions in the area. i had my driveway extended and a patio added and no permits were necessary. i live out with the roosters, and horses....

 

[countryroad82]

I built a 30X50 and wish I had went bigger!! Going to add to the back and side eventually but I'm sure I will want bigger later on. So the correct answer is go as big as you can afford and plan on going bigger later.

 

[rburke65]

I like 80x200 myself!

 

[cruzn57]

see how much your budget will get you,
(example $35000 will get you a 50x100)
or what ever,
then see if you feel thats enough, as said you always want more!
I just did a 30x50 , and will add a lean to/ car port in the next few months.
so plan ahead , and look at future expansion.
good luck!

 

[akdiesel]

I am not bragging just giving you deminsions.
I have your 40' x 60' shop. I have two 20' trucks, a Jetta, a 20' boat trailer and boat, a 4 post lift with a 356a on it, a 12' trailer with two snowmachines on it, a 4 wheeler, a 5' x 10' storage lift, two 3' x 5' rolling benches, an 11' x 14' kitchen area, 7' x 14' bathroom, and an 18' x 14' office area. It is crowded but I can still work on things.
Keep in mind where you live and that items parked outside or neglectide can have rodent or insect infestation.
It would be great to have the perfect size shop but your 1 acre with a house is going to probably be just right for the 40' x 60' shop with driveway, access, and yard. Taxes and heating bills for a larger area will certainly tax a retiree. No offense.

 

[the lone]

I am not bragging just giving you deminsions.
I have your 40' x 60' shop. I have two 20' trucks, a Jetta, a 20' boat trailer and boat, a 4 post lift with a 356a on it, a 12' trailer with two snowmachines on it, a 4 wheeler, a 5' x 10' storage lift, two 3' x 5' rolling benches, an 11' x 14' kitchen area, 7' x 14' bathroom, and an 18' x 14' office area. It is crowded but I can still work on things.
Keep in mind where you live and that items parked outside or neglectide can have rodent or insect infestation.
It would be great to have the perfect size shop but your 1 acre with a house is going to probably be just right for the 40' x 60' shop with driveway, access, and yard. Taxes and heating bills for a larger area will certainly tax a retiree. No offense.

great info. im not worried about heat. i think this past winter it got in the 30s a total of about 4 days......just curious, what did your 40x60 cost you after it was all said and done?

 

[akdiesel]

Well. I bought it with the house. It is going to be very difficult to get you a close amount from various people around the nation.
Your best bet is to get your size you want, then jot down what features you want eg. How many doors and sizes, electrical, lighting, plumbing, windows, foundation thickness, and open span or center posts. And take it to some contractors to get an idea
A structure style will alter the cost dramatically as well but that also depends on who you choose for your contractor. If stick frame go with those that do that well. Even though squareing a wall in wood, steel, or poles is the same the three can have their own certain criteria for strength and longevity.

 

[magnusk750]

Ask that question here and you will get one possible answer: BIGGER!

When I here americans grumbling about economy going down I come to think of that they spend awful lot of $ on making everything a litte bit to big.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Ask that question here and you will get one possible answer: BIGGER!

When I here americans grumbling about economy going down I come to think of that they spend awful lot of $ on making everything a litte bit to big.

Yes, we resemble that remark. Dont over look that we have a very diverse economy, and people in it. We have folks that are "haves" and folks that are "have nots" and a whole bunch in between. So while some are struggling in the "economy" right now just to eat and keep a roof over their heads, some dont even know the economy is in the dumps.

Im a hybrid, Im a have not, but always paid for everything up front. So even though Im 5 years un-employed, I still live a middle class lifestyle and have all my stuff, while others like me are on state and federal aid because they borrowed on everything and then lost employment.

Its all the path we pick in life, add some discretion, ambition, intuition, and some luck, and it will have allot to do with where you wind up, and how big your shop is. Does not hurt to know the right people as well. Seen folks go real far, knowing the right people.

But yes, we like do "go big" or stay home. Hell, I think its a state law in Texas ? Got to love those Texans !

Oh, and dont mistake that with arrogance, its just an American thing, we got a big piece of real estate over here to play on. Might be a culture thing too. Not sure where it started, or how its learned. But I would agree that your right. Just examining my own habits, suggests your right.

 

[805gregg]

Save your money, my friend built a 50x50 with 16' walls $88,000.00.

 

[the lone]

88k ha i didnt pay much more for my house....uh ill stay in TEXAS =)

 

[6768rogues]

I have a 40 by 60, a 36 by 48, a 32 by 32 and a 36 by 70. The 40 by 60 size is very usable and it is a good choice. It is big enough to house lots of stuff and not so big that it will look out of place on an acre parcel. I found that when I disassemble a car for restoration I use the space that 3 cars would occupy.
Build it tall enough. Two of my buildings have 14 foot ceilings so I installed a lift and one has a loft 8-feet out from the back wall to store stuff.

 

[BWS]

Do some homework on taxes and insurance.If you're going to retire here.....fixed income is a fact of life.Theres nuthin "fixed" about taxes and insurance......unless you're making a Mafia/racetrack connection,duh.Nope,those two....not so little items can hit you bigtime in the pocketbook......and I'd be willing to bet,in the next decade.

Just do some serious digging....finding local folks that are willing to talk about it usually isn't a problem.Older mechanics,shop owners...anyone that you see in similar circumstances.You aren't looking for actual numbers....its the % of increase that you need to consider.What time periods saw the greatest increases.

An old auto shop owner I know(we put a huge addition on his place 25 or so years ago)....used to always wear me out about......"its your civic duty" to go down to tax office and B*tch,complain,whine,ect,ect....EVERY YEAR.I'd always blow it of and say sumthin about it not being that bad,ect.Well....he was right.Until people start B*tchin....theres only one,unleashed direction for these costs to go....UP.I go down and will wear their chit out now for,well.....just practice,haha.

And gotta say,some of ya'll need to maybe get out more if you think in every case a building MUST be bigger.Is 50k sq footage big enough?You know what the tax liability is on that chit?BW

 

[brianh]

I did 40x60 glad I did my building is multi use first 20x40 is car and metalwork the rest woodworking. no toy storage.