"New" from Indianapolis...

[indymachinist]

Just over a year ago I bought a new to me 1980s built property. One of the main attractions to me was the detached 1200 square foot building out back.

It is a bit of an odd setup. There is a single garage door that leads to a garage area that is 23' deep by 31' wide. The rest of the downstairs consists of 2 good size work rooms, a half bath, and a stotage area. There is also an upstairs loft that is currently accessed via an awkwardly laid out stair case and catwalk over the garage.

The entire building is 2x6 construction and is fully insulated. At some point the place got a basic update with new architectural shingles, Pella windows and vinyl siding.

The attached pictures show the building as it was shown when it was for sale. There is junk everywhere but it kind of shows the layout.

 

[indymachinist]

Since buying this place my wife and I have had a baby that has greatly reduced my time to work on projects.

The plans for the barn as we call it are as follows:

-Increase its power from 100 amp to 200 amp
-Add both 110 and 220 outlets all over garage side
-New LED lights everywhere
-Refinish garage area with metal ceiling and drywall walls
-HVAC of some kind
-Renovate half bath
-Remove staircase and catwalk to loft (need a replacement idea??)
-Replace garage door tracks with new that follow high ceiling
-Install 4 post lift

So much to do, so little time...

 

[andyvh1959]

Sweet grab. Unique building that with some work could be a really cool garage. Those finished areas look like a small business office to me.

Just a thought, add a 2nd overhead door to the right of the original door in place of the small window. Then you'd have the other bay with your lift plan and another bay to more easily access for other vehicles. Nice looking building and lot.

 

[indymachinist]

Sweet grab. Unique building that with some work could be a really cool garage. Those finished areas look like a small business office to me.

Just a thought, add a 2nd overhead door to the right of the original door in place of the small window. Then you'd have the other bay with your lift plan and another bay to more easily access for other vehicles. Nice looking building and lot.

It's hard telling what the purpose of the rooms was. I know from talking to a neighbor the original owner was a pretty serious wood worker and used the space as his wood shop. From the coating of sawdust on top of the old light fixtures I can believe that.

As for adding another garage door I have definitely considered it. I had pretty much dismissed it as being a bigger project than I would want to take on. Maybe I shouldn't? Part of my thought with a 4 post lift was I could either stack 2 cars there if I wanted, or possibly even lift one car up, then bring another car in under it and slide it over to the other side with dollys. It would probably be rare to have more than 1 car in here, 2 max. The house has an attached 2 car garage as well.