Toolfool
Well-known member
Yeah, soil quality will dictate how deep and wide your holes need to be. were soil samples submitted for permits ?
Between 485 & 705 SQ/FT Modern House - Eastern Shore
- Thread starter Brian R
- Start date
Workspaces between 485 and 705 squarefeet.
Not to my knowledge but I was not there when it happened. I showed up the next week and my contractor (who has been working in this are for over 40 years was surprised that the holes needed to be 18" instead of 12". Not too big of a problem except it was a delay (the first of about 25 I witnessed in the 60 days I was onsite). The holes were 'dug' with an auger on the front of a Bobcat. As you can see in pictures we are building it in dense, overgrown woods. Lots and lots of tree roots.
Good question. I don't know enough about it but the holes were over 30 inches deep and lined with stone. Also, they drove rebar (see picture and yellow oval) below in order to decrease movement and then after posts were placed holes were filled with cement. I'm no expert but at each and every turn the structure appeared to be overbuilt.
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It wasn't a very efficient way to build a structure (and I'd pay for this later) but basically poles were set by two guys and this machine.
Then they would brace it.
Then the process would repeat itself. They were extremely careful in making sure poles were level and measurements made to insure they were within line and correct distances apart.
Here are a few pictures of what will eventually be the the back wall of the garage.
Then they would brace it.
Then the process would repeat itself. They were extremely careful in making sure poles were level and measurements made to insure they were within line and correct distances apart.
Here are a few pictures of what will eventually be the the back wall of the garage.
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With the back wall post complete they start installing far side
And then posts are installed for the front. The double posts will separate the garage doors.
I was involved with other projects and so I missed documenting some of the steps but but here you can see all of the posts installed. The 2x10 on the near side represents the level of the garage floor.
And then posts are installed for the front. The double posts will separate the garage doors.
I was involved with other projects and so I missed documenting some of the steps but but here you can see all of the posts installed. The 2x10 on the near side represents the level of the garage floor.
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Next step was adding fill. In the this picture the yellow line shows the where we are filling in the gap between the garage level and the road (in addition to adding fill in the garage itself and in the parking area in front of garage).
It is hard to see in this picture but the gravel road is very thick and proud of the rest of the land. We proved this later when we needed to cut a channel to bury pipe to drain this area. However, thinking about it later we realized with the house being 54 years old they probably just kept adding more and more gravel to drive (I've added one layer in 5 years).
Delivery of fill
Using Bobcat to move it around
Adding a shovel to help distribute fill
Final result. Stone will be added once this settles.
It is hard to see in this picture but the gravel road is very thick and proud of the rest of the land. We proved this later when we needed to cut a channel to bury pipe to drain this area. However, thinking about it later we realized with the house being 54 years old they probably just kept adding more and more gravel to drive (I've added one layer in 5 years).
Delivery of fill
Using Bobcat to move it around
Adding a shovel to help distribute fill
Final result. Stone will be added once this settles.
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Next steps were to cut 6x6 posts to size and then notch them to accept ceiling joists.
In this picture you can see where the middle posts are way to tall. Contractor told me he had spoken to a lumber distributor about what was needed but didn't order them right away. As a courtesy the distributor called back a little later and said you better order them now since with COVID world there was actually a push for materials and then some slack created by not having workers to fill orders. We got what we needed but the middles posts were too long since they were out of 16 foot lengths (and so like front 20' was used).
Here is notching work.
Just in time lumber delivery.
Hard to see in this picture but the ceiling joists were composed of laminates, pressure treated and non-pressure treated. I wanted a 3 foot overhang on all sides but this was an issue. Therefore we settled on 3 foot overhang on the backside and closer to 2 feet on each side and the front.
In this picture you can see where the middle posts are way to tall. Contractor told me he had spoken to a lumber distributor about what was needed but didn't order them right away. As a courtesy the distributor called back a little later and said you better order them now since with COVID world there was actually a push for materials and then some slack created by not having workers to fill orders. We got what we needed but the middles posts were too long since they were out of 16 foot lengths (and so like front 20' was used).
Here is notching work.
Just in time lumber delivery.
Hard to see in this picture but the ceiling joists were composed of laminates, pressure treated and non-pressure treated. I wanted a 3 foot overhang on all sides but this was an issue. Therefore we settled on 3 foot overhang on the backside and closer to 2 feet on each side and the front.
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Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Great progress, Brian! 
Thanks for the detail.
Thanks for the detail.The garage was being built by a team of 3. Contractor born in '51 and two workers born in '48 (part time) and '61. They all suffered from various health issues and setbacks this summer which certainly lengthened the project.
I point this out now because I don't have any pictures of the start of the rafter process and this is because I pitched in at this point. The two workers were both out and so I pitched in.
He made measurements and then cut notches so rafter fit to joists. Together we hoisted onto joists to test fit. Once he was comfortable with fit we then used it as a template to cut then 20 or so rafters.
The following day the crew showed up and started installing. Here they are completing the back half of garage.
Side view.
This one is from inside. Note the chain. I asked about this and was told that they needed to pull in back wall a 1/2 inch. They were meticulous with measurements.
Three quarters done with rafters.
I point this out now because I don't have any pictures of the start of the rafter process and this is because I pitched in at this point. The two workers were both out and so I pitched in.
He made measurements and then cut notches so rafter fit to joists. Together we hoisted onto joists to test fit. Once he was comfortable with fit we then used it as a template to cut then 20 or so rafters.
The following day the crew showed up and started installing. Here they are completing the back half of garage.
Side view.
This one is from inside. Note the chain. I asked about this and was told that they needed to pull in back wall a 1/2 inch. They were meticulous with measurements.
Three quarters done with rafters.
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21 rows of rafters. Two rafters front to back. 42 Rafters cut and each one requiring to be notched in two spots to match joists. They cut a template for front and back of garage. Still, lots of work but fit together really well. This first picture is probably my favorite of the build.
Here are some detail pictures of the rafter notches.
Back
Front
Side detail
Here are some detail pictures of the rafter notches.
Back
Front
Side detail
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Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Brian, that's going to be a great garage space.
Toddo,
We love Easton all though this summer was somewhat of a curse. One of the workers has a heart issue and he made approximately 5-6 trips to Easton for medical evaluations over the 2 months I was there. They think they've got it figured out now so all is well.
Thanks for following along.
Bob,
Thanks. It will solve alot of storage problems, provide a space for table tennis and allow me to fix the cars and motorcycles and boats that I seem to break very regullarly.
Brian
Next step: stone
This stone would be used as a base for under the concrete in the garage and for the gravel in the parking area in front of the structure.
Spread out in garage and carport (closet bay in picture).
You can see in this picture rebar used to keep boards in place when concrete will be poured.
This picture shows how they built section for a 3 foot wide pad in front of the structure for concrete that slopes toward the parking area (which will be gravel.
This stone would be used as a base for under the concrete in the garage and for the gravel in the parking area in front of the structure.
Spread out in garage and carport (closet bay in picture).
You can see in this picture rebar used to keep boards in place when concrete will be poured.
This picture shows how they built section for a 3 foot wide pad in front of the structure for concrete that slopes toward the parking area (which will be gravel.
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Ford52PU
Well-known member
Great job on the house and the garage is coming along. We take our RV to Chincoteague 4 or more times a year except for this year. Love the area. Happy Holidays.
Thanks, Ford. I'm behind in updating but should have some time over the holidays so this is a nice reminder.
Sorry you weren't able to visit Chincoteague - we camped there when the kids were younger and loved it.
Hopefully 2021 will allow all of us to do the things we want to.
Cheers,
Brian
Toolfool
Well-known member
Looking forward to updates.
We miss you Brian!
Finallygotit
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Welcome back!