Above 1200 Sq/FT Level - Up on the Garage Game

[bones_bir]

After building a detached garage to match up to our home in Eugene, I found that it filled up very quickly and soon I had very limited work space. this was mostly due to the fact that my motorcycle collection expanded and the space housing it could not.

Garage build in Hippyville

Over the better part of this year, we have been attempting to wall in the existing carport on our mid century home. after 8 months, we finally got the permiting to allow construction to go forward. up to this point I have been chronicling this is the intro thread here...

www.garagejournal.com

Fast forward a few years and we decided to sell our place and leave Hippyville. I needed more shop space and the Mrs. wanted less house. the answer is a former hot-rod shop in Roseburg, about an hour away.

The intent is to build out a living space inside the building and have a decent sized shop space as well as an outdoor space.

The building is paid for as we are onsite and underway. I'll detail the build as I go. Stay Tuned

 

[bones_bir]

Inspiration

 

[bones_bir]

Concept

 

[bones_bir]

As we are moving into the space, we are making temporary living spaces that will change throughout the build
our travel trailer is set and we have set up an outdoor kitchen and patio space. Utilities are all connected and we do have internet.

Besides moving in, we are also measuring and cataloguing the space in order to transfer to sketchup and CAD. the city will only accept my sketch scribble for so long.

 

[bones_bir]

Pics of the back patio

 

[bones_bir]

Demo Day- One

All salvageable material to be reused

 

[cstmg8]

Very awesome, your wife must be a saint!!

 

[bones_bir]

Demo Day 2 - framework tore down, lumber de-nailed, sorted and stacked.

Also, the ladder was relocated to retain upper access while we still have it.

 

[bones_bir]

Today’s project. A big assed sliding door built from salvaged materials and bit's and pieces. It is intended as a windbreak and only for this winter. I'll sheathe it with something better in the spring. #NowImSore.

 

[bones_bir]

I set up a workspace in the shop to get some mechanical work done.

 

[bones_bir]

Cleaning and sorting. Put tools away and getting the space usable.

 

[jarhead]

Very nice, looking forward to the updates.

 

[bones_bir]

This is the initial Pre-construction permit stack that goes to the city.

 

[bones_bir]

I have spent the winter and spring building a home office and outdoor space and have finally gotten some time to get the workshop in order.

 

[bones_bir]

The outdoor patio space is usable and now a nice place to hang out.

The Shop Space is getting sorted, with items finding their spot and workspaces being defined

 

[bones_bir]

Shop Day

 

[P0234]

Nice setup! I’m curious as to what kind of neighbors you have. Looks like at least some residential. Any hassles from the local government about living in a commercial space? Also how does that impact you on taxes?

 

[bones_bir]

Nice setup! I’m curious as to what kind of neighbors you have. Looks like at least some residential. Any hassles from the local government about living in a commercial space? Also how does that impact you on taxes?

Fair questions

1. The property is is zoned Mixed use and is actually a residential accessory building

2. we are going through the process of changing the used to a non-conforming single family residence. Since there is a severe shortage of housing in the area, the city is actually grateful that I am taking this on and working with me to get it permitted and inspected.

3. My taxes will go up, but at the end of the day, it won't be all that much since it is a 650(ish) sq/ft living space.

 

[P0234]

Thanks, looking forward to more updates.

 

[bones_bir]

It has been a while since I posted. We are finishing up the living side of the building and I will soon be able to focus on the shop side of the build

 

[ed-oorklep]

Looking good, I had wondered a few times over the year what the status was.

 

[bones_bir]

Admittedly the focus has been on the living space, so we can get out of the trailer.
I am looking forward to getting back to working on bikes and cars.

 

[bones_bir]

Moving and and nesting

 

[bones_bir]

Cleaning up and making the shop space workable.

Also added a gear rack near the front.

 

[bones_bir]

Post build

 

[bones_bir]

Building Update.
All the inspections have been completed and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.

Moving in this weekend.

The next project is to build this '41 Ford truck hood into an awning for the front door.

 

[bones_bir]

Front door awning got installed today.

1942 Ford truck hood

 

[cstmg8]

Front door awning got installed today.

1942 Ford truck hood

That's great!

 

[bones_bir]

In March 2025, we got almost 5 inches of rain in 24 hours resulting in 53 inches of water in my new garage.

The result was a really big mess, 4 inches of mud on the floor, 2 destroyed vehicles and and a science project growing in my safe.

The cleanup is ongoing, and I the majority of the dirt out. the building worked as designed and suffered minimal structural damage.

Life goes on

 

[bones_bir]

5 months later, the majority of the cleanup has been completed.

Maybe now I can get back to building bikes, or at least not shoveling dirt every day

 

[bones_bir]

if it fits, it gets worked on.

 

[larry4406]

Interesting build!

I saw on your poster of the build that the living space was elevated for flood resistance which caught my eye, and then several posts later your place flooded.

Ugh what a mess to have to contend with. Hopefully flooding is not a common repeat.

 

[bones_bir]

Interesting build!

I saw on your poster of the build that the living space was elevated for flood resistance which caught my eye, and then several posts later your place flooded.

Ugh what a mess to have to contend with. Hopefully flooding is not a common repeat.

I was hoping to get at least a year in it before I had to test it, I got 4 months. in reality, we did not fair as badly as the neighbors, many of whom are still displace and a couple house are damaged beyond repair.

That said, while it does flood here, traditionally there are about 10 years between events and this one was the worst on record.

We learned a lot about what happens here when the water rises, and I spent a good bit of the summer adjusting to those lessons learned.
From go-bags, bugout plans and more overhead storage to ensuring anything stored below the baseline flood elevation (BLE) is waterproofed.

 

[bones_bir]

Happy Solstice

 

[jon72vega]

Happy Solstice

Here's my Winter Solstice picture.
2025 Winter Solstice by jon72vega, on Flickr

 

[bones_bir]

One lesson learned from the aftermath of the flood was to put everything on wheels in order to shift and store larger items

A benefit of that is the shop is quickly able to be reconfigured to suit whatever project I am working on.

Workbenches, shelving, tool boxes, even storage totes.