Above 1200 Sq/FT Mountain State Shop Build

[Maxcustody]

I will try not to have the posts too long. I think it will be an easier read and hopefully not bore anyone. I will also post about the progress with many pictures. The building is scheduled to be built in April 2022.

A little background……………………. I Retired in December 2020 after 27 years in Federal Law Enforcement. I went into the Army after High School then transitioned to LEO. We have moved 10x in the last 23 years. We have lived in New Jersey, Colorado, Texas 2x, Indiana, Illinois, California 2x, Virginia and West Virginia.

We have owned 2 properties with existing Pole Buildings, Illinois with a 30 x 72 and Texas with a 25 x 50 with a lean-to. The Illinois property we did nothing but use it. The Texas one was a new build and we had to complete grading, driveway and all electric in the building. It was an advantage having a couple prior buildings to see what worked and what did not.

In 2019 we transferred from California back to Washington DC. We knew at that time this would be our last move and wanted to find our dream home. We got extremely lucky and found a beautiful place on 28 acres in the Pan Handle of West Virginia. We closed on it in November 2019. The house is a Lindal Cedar home with an L shaped detached garage. The property is wooded and very private with a ¼ mile long driveway up to the house.


Our dream home


Texas 25 x 50

 

[Maxcustody]

The detached garage is nice and was setup by the previous owner as a wood shop. It has decent room but the one car garage side is just that………….it is deep enough for our Toyota and Jeep but the F250 would never fit in there. Currently the garage has the Atv’s, lawnmowers, wood splitter and everything else garage, yard work etc. We also are lucky to have a Container that was already here for additional storage, with electric and lights.

 

[Maxcustody]

When we moved here in 2019, we said it would be nice one day to have a large shop. Even though it is a large property the layout at the house was not setup as well as it could have been. This is due to trees, etc., Parking is kind of a pain. I am always jockeying trucks around due to the tight space up top near the house. In addition, as I stated the garage was not used to park vehicles due to the size and layout. However, this is our dream home and this is just a small inconvenience, especially when we did not think building a shop was in the foreseeable future.

 

[Maxcustody]

In the summer of 2021, my Wife and I started seriously talking about having a shop built. At first as much as I thought I wanted one, I was hesitant due to number of trees we would have to take down. One thing that makes this place so special to us is being surrounded by trees, nature and wildlife. However, the more we got into the project the more excited we got about the build.

 

[Maxcustody]

As I stated in the beginning, I am Retired LEO, I have no clue about excavation, grading, etc. so we had a plan where we wanted the building. We thought we would put it in the same area as the current garage to tie everything in. However, looking like fairly level ground and actually building a site for a large building, we quickly realized are two very different things. After our guy came to discuss location, excavation etc. the initial area we wanted, definitely would not work. Well let me rephrase that, if money was no object and we had 200 trucks of fill sure let’s go……………After he pointed out how much the pad had to be built up, I understood and now could visualize how much of a drop off it actually was into the woods. So short version the location changed 2 more times before work began. However, as the project sits currently and we see how this area is going to work, we cannot be happier on the location. It is the best choice and we are so happy it worked out the way It is did from our current thought process. An added bonus my Wife is as excited as I am on this project so I think that is very cool.

 

[Maxcustody]

Now lets’ talk about the building. NO ONE EVER said I wish my garage was smaller………………. LOL. So, if money was not a concern, I would build the largest building we could, however as I am sure most of us do, we have a budget. I will be totally transparent with the cost. I think we search sites like this to find out info and nothing against those who do not want to disclose their cost, but I will update you with all my costs. Now remember, we are in West Virginia and prices vary from location to location, especially in this crazy time we are all dealing with.

However, as my wife and I discussed do we wait a few years and it gets worse? I could get run over by a truck next week. What good was it to work hard all my life and save and money not be able to enjoy what you worked so hard for right. Just my personal opinion and a little of what our thought process was. Anyway, back to the building……………

We chose a 40 x 60 with 14-foot walls. On the gable end we will have two 12 x 12 garage doors and one-man door on the side closest to the house. I did not want any windows. Below is the info from our contract. The building is being built by Pioneer Pole Buildings in Schuylkill Haven, PA.

Building

Dimensions: 40'W x 60'L x 14'4"H

3 ply 2 x 6 glu-laminated, poles 8' on center

Siding: 28 Gauge Frontier Panel 50 Year Warranty, Upper Color: Bronze

Roofing: 27 Gauge Frontier Panel 50 Year Warranty (ZXL Screws), Color: Bronze

40' Standard Trusses, 4' on center, 4/12 pitch, snow load by code and design

Openings

(2) 12 x 12 Residential Classic Raised Short Panel Insulated,15" track, Placement:gable, Color: Bronze Tone

(1) Entry Door 3068 inswing 9Lite LH Fiberglass Insulated PRIMED

Overhangs

Eaves Overhang: OH 1', Gables Overhang: OH 1', Soffit: White Vinyl

Miscellaneous

60 ft, Universal Ridge Vent

2 x 6 Skirtboard .60 Treated with barrier tape

Trim

All Trim: Bronze

Additional Materials

IBC Use Code - Utility Group U

-Customer is aware Garage Door Color, Window Color & Steel Color will Not match exactly.

Delivery of materials will require Moffet. Site is 0.25 Miles from road.

(12) Posts to be 2' longer due to amount of fill.

Customer paid deposit of $13,500 on 11/1/2021.

Contract Change -- this contract replaces 378189-006 -- Changed 9-Lite to LH inswing.



TOTAL CONTRACT PRICE, including delivery and applicable taxes: $44,925

DEPOSIT: $13,500

DUE ON DELIVERY: $30,425

DUE AND PAYABLE UPON COMPLETION OF BUILDING: $1,000

 

[Maxcustody]

As I said we have a mostly wooded 28-acre lot. The final location of the building chosen is the most level and will provide a ton of parking, as well as tons of space to be able to maneuver with my trailers etc. We have a couple of items which cannot be moved. We have our well location and our backup generator as well as a 500-gallon buried propane tank for the generator. No big deal, just some work arounds. The current guide line for electric stretches over the existing garage and we are having the power company relocate this, which in turn will open up the current area where it is located. You will see in the pictures the areas I have discussed.

 

[Maxcustody]

Excited! The project begins…………After equipment and some shale was dropped off, they began taking out the first trees December 10, 2021. The guy we have doing the work has been doing excavation and building for 45 years, so we are very fortunate to be able to have him take on our project for us. He is doing all the work on the site. The entire site was cleared by him and one guy he trusts to take down all the trees.

Side note, we are saving a ton of money not removing anything from the site during excavation. We are lucky to have plenty of room for the stumps, brush, topsoil etc. we like how this turned out after everything was cleared and I will post some pictures.

This brings up something to be aware of. As mentioned, we have a lot of trees to be removed. I had another young guy do a quote for me who said they would dig a large hole and bury all the stumps. This sounded good to me not knowing any better. However, when our guy explained that sounds good in theory, but where are you digging that enormous hole? In order to do that you need to remove more trees which is an additional cost. So luckily, we have plenty of space for piles to be built and blend into the woods.

 

[Maxcustody]

He removed the trees with the root attached, they were then cut and stacked. He then back filled the holes with shale. He is very methodical with this. Being winter, he did not want to leave a hole to be filled with rain or snow, due to our soil it would take a long time to dry out.

 

[Maxcustody]

As stated previously we are saving a lot of money not removing stumps, brush, top soil, etc. from our property. So the plan was to clear trees to make a path to start piling those items and make it more efficient when removing more trees.

 

[Maxcustody]

Until you start a project like this, you do not realize how much work goes into clearing a site properly. It was amazing to see the progress each day. Before trees are removed and stacked you do not realize just how many were in the space.

 

[Maxcustody]

More progress of removing trees. We left the tree near the well cut high for a little protection while all the work is being completed. We did not want to remove at the root being fairly close to the well.

 

[Maxcustody]

More shale delivered and the "Dozer" is moved on site.

 

[Maxcustody]

Starting to remove the trees near the current garage.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[ch612T]

I had PPB put up a 24x40x12 last summer. Good job, nice building and I think you will be pleased with the results. I built the pad and did the excavating (we own machinery/trucks). Every person I delt with from that company was great, good communications and concerned about what the landowner wanted. There is 8 of their buildings within 5 miles of my place.

Success with your new building..........

 

[Maxcustody]

I had PPB put up a 24x40x12 last summer. Good job, nice building and I think you will be pleased with the results. I built the pad and did the excavating (we own machinery/trucks). Every person I delt with from that company was great, good communications and concerned about what the landowner wanted. There is 8 of their buildings within 5 miles of my place.

Success with your new building..........

Thank you this is great to hear. Doing my research I have heard nothing but positive comments about the company and their buildings.

Nice you were able to do the work yourself.

 

[Maxcustody]

Our contractor for the excavation is great. He is concerned with everything as much as we are. He ensured all trees that would be anywhere near the new or old buildings including our house were removed. It was so much easier to do it now when we have the equipment instead of later trying to maneuver around buildings etc.

 

[Maxcustody]

We do have a fireplace and wood stove however we have plenty of wood obviously. So the trees were cut and stacked in 2 piles hardwood and pine. If we were to keep all the wood from the cut trees, we would need another area cleared to store all of it. I did not want to take down more trees or pay the extra expense just to stack cut logs. We have enough deadfall etc. to last a lifetime for firewood.

 

[Maxcustody]

First load of Hardwood getting picked up.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

This is pictures of the path cleared I spoke of earlier to pile stumps, brush etc.

 

[Maxcustody]

After several days of clearing trees, finally they are able to work on the location where the building will be.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

Clearing where the building location will be.

 

[jbrentd]

Congrats on getting started! Your property and house are beautiful. I look forward to watching it go up.

Are you planning to burn the stumps? Not sure I would want to create a new home for a bunch of unwanted critters.

 

[Maxcustody]

Congrats on getting started! Your property and house are beautiful. I look forward to watching it go up.

Are you planning to burn the stumps? Not sure I would want to create a new home for a bunch of unwanted critters.

Thank you! Being surrounded by woods, burning scares me. Yeah we figured critters will find a home, not too concerned with that. I have several game cameras set up, we have a ton of deer, turkeys, fox, racoons. I actually set up another camera yesterday in that area to see who visits............

 

[Maxcustody]

Also with building being 20 foot tall with the roof line we will never see the all the stacked stuff. Over the years as it breaks down we can spread it over a larger area. That is my thought at least, maybe not as easy as I think.

 

[rmckee]

Love the property, your detailed writing, and the photos. I’m in the final framing stages of a 24x40 (jealous that my depth is your width!) and luckily only had to clear a half dozen trees to have buildable space. With your experience in owning previous pole barns that'll be a great benefit to building this the right way the first time to fit all your needs.

Look forward to following along!

 

[Maxcustody]

Love the property, your detailed writing, and the photos. I’m in the final framing stages of a 24x40 (jealous that my depth is your width!) and luckily only had to clear a half dozen trees to have buildable space. With your experience in owning previous pole barns that'll be a great benefit to building this the right way the first time to fit all your needs.

Look forward to following along!

Thank you! I was reading one of your previous posts on lifts. I am going with a 4 post Advantage

 

[Maxcustody]

Hope the clearing of all the trees is not boring everyone. We are really excited about the shop and April can not come soon enough.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

I am still amazed even as I post these pics what a difference before and after is. To cut and remove all the trees took about 8 days. The tree guy works full time for a tree company so he works his job Monday-Thursday, so the first day cutting was December 10 and 11th. They worked Friday's and Saturday's December 10-11 and December 17-18. Then Christmas week he took vacation so he could work our job all week. They fished up cutting trees on December 24. I think he did an outstanding job, especially since he was the only one cutting every tree.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

Had a neighbor come by, he was only about 5 miles away and pulled out 8 loads of hardwood.

 

[Maxcustody]

still more trees to come out...............Load of Pine getting picked up.

 

[Maxcustody]

 

[Maxcustody]

3rd and last Large truck load, Pine and Hardwood mixed.