My 28x32 Garage Build

[W2Synth]

Hey everyone!

I have been a long time browser on here, but I rarely post. I've spent years reading everyone's garage build posts and being jealous and it is finally my chance to make a garage build post. I'm a little late as the structure is already up, BUT at least that means anyone interested won't have to keep checking back for build updates!

My garage is a pole building, built by Pioneer Pole Buildings here in Central PA. It is 28x32 with two garage doors. It's primary purpose is going to be for storing and working on my race cars.

I'll start from the beginning and keep going as long as I can figure out how to post images. The images in this post are of the old garage, and when we were in the process of taking it down. I'll say one thing, that building was sturdy -- and it wasn't fun to take it apart. Especially since I didn't really have the right tools for the job!

 

[W2Synth]

These pictures are from the most miserable part (probably because it was done in PA, in December, and January) the concrete demo. Had I known how sturdy the concrete on the left side of the garage was I would of just incorporated it into the new concrete floor in the new garage. It was really thick. It took several full days of using a 70lb jackhammer and a diamond blade saw to get through that 12x20 side of the garage. I would probably still be out there trying to demo it all if my dad hadn't come over to help!

 

[W2Synth]

Now for some pics of the site prep, this was the biggest relief of the build because once this was done I didn't have to do anything else and I could just let the professionals do everything!

 

[W2Synth]

and lastly...

Despite my best efforts the site was still off 5 inches back to front according to the builder and you can tell just by looking at it now that the building is up (when I started leveling the site was off 5 inches front to back). I'm going to have to figure out what to do (whether to level with 2b stone, or what, the concrete guy and the builder said I could do that but I have to research and see if there are better ways). These pictures are of the frame, and finished building without doors, and also took some pics of where the bottom of the garage is at on various sides. I'm also having an issue with the posts (they drilled holes for the posts and we have had nothing but rain since, and the area around each post has sunk quite a bit, I'm sure this is a somewhat common issue but I'm not sure of what to do exactly between now and when the concrete is here, I know exposed posts are probably not great).

 

[RangerSVT]

Nice project. Good dimensions for a two car that you can actually work on two cars in and have have space around for tools, work benches, etc.

 

[W2Synth]

Nice project. Good dimensions for a two car that you can actually work on two cars in and have have space around for tools, work benches, etc.

That was the plan, I wanted to have space for my Sprint car, with work benches, etc. and my brother will also have a Micro Sprint in there as well. With the car on roller stands I can move it to the back and could pull in any of my cars to the front of either bay if I need to perform any type of maintenance on them like oil changes. In the old garage I would have to basically empty all of the race cars out to even consider doing an oil change. Not to mention keeping organized was very difficult as well.

They are prepping the site for concrete today, and pouring on Thursday. Then electric on Friday. Then its move in day (I have a storage unit with all of my big stuff in it that I can't wait to bring home!)

 

[Deezler]

Nice plan. Is that just a single row of 2x6 for the lower skirt boards around the perimeter? How are they going to pour concrete like that?

While your building is up in the air above grade like that I would go ahead and take the opportunity to dig deeper and get more skirt boards on for a better "rat wall". Concrete is even better for the rat wall but if they are already prepping for the pad today... probably too late.

 

[W2Synth]

Yeah, they actually just called a few minutes ago to let me know they are done prepping so it likely is too late for me to do much of anything.

I bought 22 tons of 2b stone to fill the building with and level everything up to the skirt board. They are moving that all around today (I'm also going to have quite a step up so I ordered some extra rocks to put in front of the garage to level the driveway to the level of the garage).

I will admit I don't know much about what is or isn't best practices for building construction. I've done a lot of research but some things have not occurred to me to even learn about until someone tells me to look into but by then it's usually too late for me. I'm along for the ride it seems. I'm totally self taught with the race car stuff, and unlike race cars I'm not very interested in building construction so learning about that has been more difficult for me!

We plan to sell this house in about five years (once this garage is paid off actually) so I'll know more by the time I need to build the next, much bigger one!

 

[W2Synth]

I'll get some good pictures next time I'm home in the daytime. A lot of progress has taken place, and I've started to move my stuff in out of the storage unit! We got lights in but it was dark by the time I got a chance to take a picture of everything, but at least you can see how bright it is.

I've got insulation, and lumber coming tomorrow to finish the inside of the building. Still have to install a few outlets but primarily I'm going to have outlet reels that way I don't have to worry about wiring outlets all over the place. 95% of my tools are M18 or M12 battery powered anyway. I got a bunch of wall control pegboard to go up once the walls are up so I'm excited to get that up too. I've bought a bunch of shelving for all the spare sprint car parts that will be moving in shortly as well. Once the walls are up I'm going to consider this mostly done until it starts to get cold out and I get the inclination to insulate the ceiling/roof and install a heater.

Thanks,
Jeff.

 

[Deezler]

Nice! Should be a real nice shop for ya.