Little Guy, Big Project, 0 Exp - Mass

[Colipto]

Hello All, I've been lurking for a bit just trying to get as much information as possible to get a further understanding on how to build my garage further.

I would like to build a double story suite, First floor will have the kitchen and living area and the 2nd floor would be living quarters.

I started working on cars not too long ago and have that nailed down that knowledge to the point where i am comfortable doing other work. I have acquired alot of tools, and I'm sure i'll need several more for this project.

I have literally 0 experience building garages but by the time I'm done here I hope to have a nice documented garage build thread (Any input is appreciated.) ( I did the same with the car you see in the pictures below, however i decided to part out the car to focus on this garage build. )

Here is what I am working with: The garage has recently been re-enforced by concrete. Originally this was built with hallow blocks and the roof was falling apart. It has since been filled in with rebar / concrete. ( I hired a family member to do this work for me, the rest i would like to take care of myself, doesn't matter how long it takes and how much i need to learn. )

Left side

overview

Electrical ?

I really need some help / input on the first steps to beginning this for my plans.

I believe i need to get the Ibeams (Which i have no idea which one yet) set in place and build the floor as the first part.

 

[HOTFR8]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[gaetano]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[DetachedGarage]

Welcome to the GJ forum!

 

[NeubCont]

Welcone to GJ
Lots of great info here
Hope you get your project up and running

 

[driftpin]

While you're probably thinking, "off to a good start!", you're not.

Sorry to say it, but if there was ever a time to hire a design professional, this is it. Have you gone to your municipality to see what the process is for owner/builder? That tie beam looks very-undersized. You don't have enough rafter tie-downs in the tie beam. The previously-existing block wall has missing bonding/grout in multiple places. You need to stop work now, before you invest any $$$ into a job that will just have to be demo'ed because it doesn't meet today's code. What kind of foundation does that slab have? Is it below your frost line? Is it (the foundation) dimensioned for the load you're looking to put on it? What-about the steel reinforcement of the foundation? Is it to current code? I suspect not. What about the grouted cells interval, w/rebar, what's yours? I bet anywhere you are in "Mass" will require engineered drawings sealed by a P.E. for the scope of what you've already-done.

Anyone who wants to say, "lay-off him," won't be there when the AHJ red-tags the job, and tells him he has to remove the unpermitted work or face daily fines until it's demolished, after a very-brief 'grace period' to become compliant, i.e., demo the unpermitted work.

 

[Colipto]

While you're probably thinking, "off to a good start!", you're not.

Sorry to say it, but if there was ever a time to hire a design professional, this is it. Have you gone to your municipality to see what the process is for owner/builder? That tie beam looks very-undersized. You don't have enough rafter tie-downs in the tie beam. The previously-existing block wall has missing bonding/grout in multiple places. You need to stop work now, before you invest any $$$ into a job that will just have to be demo'ed because it doesn't meet today's code. What kind of foundation does that slab have? Is it below your frost line? Is it (the foundation) dimensioned for the load you're looking to put on it? What-about the steel reinforcement of the foundation? Is it to current code? I suspect not. What about the grouted cells interval, w/rebar, what's yours? I bet anywhere you are in "Mass" will require engineered drawings sealed by a P.E. for the scope of what you've already-done.

Anyone who wants to say, "lay-off him," won't be there when the AHJ red-tags the job, and tells him he has to remove the unpermitted work or face daily fines until it's demolished, after a very-brief 'grace period' to become compliant, i.e., demo the unpermitted work.

I'm more along the lines of "I have no idea what I'm doing but I'll get it done right"

I appreciate your feedback, this is the kind of reply I was expecting/hoping to receive. I'm definitely now looking into getting a design professional, or at the very least some building plans / designer software.

As far as municipality, The plan is to get another building permit once my current plans are finalized with a design professional. The previous building permit expired for the work you're seeing now, that was performed by my uncle who does this type of work, based on your feedback clearly this was not completed the way it should be for my plans. This garage was a 2 story before with a deck on top. I'm wanting a 3 story so I'll have to re-evaluate my plans and see if this is something possible / permitted.

Here's the oldest image i can pull up, after the deck was torn down.

Clearly I need to address The previously-existing block wall missing bonding/grout in multiple places, The garage next to mine is owned by two masonry brothers which is most likely the route I'm taking for that, or i may even do it myself just to get some experience going

I'll be honest with alot of these questions - I don't have the answers to them at the moment. I will have to verify them.. The foundation should be below the frost line, I'll have to see how deep the new beams were dug.

as far as steel reinforcement of the foundation, that is one of the next steps that were supposed to be completed but I'll have to verify the tie beams are going to support the load since you're saying they seem kind of small.

What about the grouted cells interval, w/rebar, what's yours? I want to say 6 feet on this but I'll also have to verify this with my uncle.

"I bet anywhere you are in "Mass" will require engineered drawings sealed by a P.E. for the scope of what you've already-done. "

Going to have to do some more research on this for sure, before continuing any further, thanks for the feedback and welcomes.

 

[Colipto]

Just a quick follow up as i got to speak with my uncle.

every block has 3/4 rebar, hes telling me they pretty much went overkill on that part
the columns(tie beams?) are 3 ft deep
the foundation is definitely reinforced (I believe with this new build plan we may need to reinforce further?)

So yeah... i don't think its too terrible, will just have to verify the columns (tiebeams?) can support the load.