New Garage/Shop Planning

[[Anonymous]]

Hi Guys,

I have tried to do some searching, but everyone's plan is kind of unique and does not always translate.

I have been working on building a garage/shop for a very long time. I sold my previous house to get out of an area with an HOA, bought a new to me house on a half acre lot and completely rebuilt the house which was originally built in 1954. I had plans to build a garage/shop 30'x40', but had to get approval from the county for an accessory building that large. Well, I have finally made it through all of that (more than a year later), but they would only approve up 1025 sq ft of accessory building.

I have been working with a company to build an insulated metal building, which of course I had to put a deposit down with to get plans to give to an engineer to complete drawings to submit to the county for approval. The building supplier builds buildings in five foot increments, so my question now is, what size building to go with?

The garage/shop is to be used for automotive storage, building and restoration. I plan to have two lifts, one four post for storage and one two post work work. I plan to have a bathroom also and if there is room a clean room for office and engine assembly. I figure that I can use the area above the bathroom and assembly area for storage.

I am planning on two roll up doors and one man door. Below is my previous site plan and then a picture of a similar building with the exception that the roll ups will be on the left and man door on the right.

One of my primary concerns is depth. In my previous plans I had 30', which should have been plenty. I am thinking about shrinking it to 25'x40', but need advice if this is going to be enough depth. I could go down to 30'x30', but that is cheating me out of 100 sq ft.

I appreciate some experienced opinions on this build.

 

[Richard Cranium]

You will need more than 25 feet long, go out and measure a full sized p/u. plus add a work bench in front of the truck.

 

[[Anonymous]]

So, it looks like what I might do is go and see the metal building supplier today and see if I can get them to build the building 30'x34'.

BTW, here is a quick drawing I had put together of what the floor plan might look like.

 

[[Anonymous]]

Also, I have been having second thoughts about using a metal building. I did plan on having it insulated, but I am really concerned about keeping it cool. I am in Orlando, FL so I really don't have to worry about heating it. I am currently using a portable garage (a lot like a tent) and a trailer for storage. The tent I keep my tools in and have to go in and out of currently to work on projects around the house. Even with the front open, it is so hot in there you cant hardly stand it. The materials that I am storing in there, car parts, computer equipment, I have noticed anything made out of a foam rubber type of substance like weather stripping is quickly deteriorating. For example a headset with a foam earpiece is just de-centigraded. The HVAC box out of a car where the foam seals between pieces, the foam just falls apart.
I want this garage to store restored and like new cars in, but it almost seems they would be safer outside in these conditions.

 

[Toomanytools?]

How about pleading your case for 1,050 sf or 30' x 35'. Tell the county the building company only works in this size, and you have already placed money down for drawings. If that doesn't work tell them your going with the 1050 sf and will leave a 5'x5' dirt area no concrete so that doesn't count as a finished space. When my house was assessed any floor not covered was considered "unfinished" space. worth a try.

 

[[Anonymous]]

It took a year to get everything together. Had to pay a deposit to the building vendor to get plans for a building. Once I got plans for the building I was then able to give them to the engineer to make drawings. After I had the drawings I had to fill out all of the paperwork for variances. Paperwork for variances also required I get letters of acceptance from all of my neighbors. All of that submitted to the County for a public hearing. Post signs in lot for notice, attend public hearing and plead my case. Wait another waiting period for appeals. Board recommendation then goes to the County Commission for approval. This has been over a year in the works and I am not going to get them to let me have another 25 sq ft and if I did it would take another year just to get it approved/denied.
I met with the metal building supplier today. They can change my contract and build a 30'x34' which comes out to 1020 sq ft. So not really a problem there anymore.
My biggest concern now is, do I still want to go with a metal building. I helped my father put up a metal car port from the same vendor over the winter. We closed off three of the four sides, so it is like a garage now. It get so hot inside there that his caulking tubes explode.

 

[Richard Cranium]

pay extra for the insulation package. Will you or the supplier be installing it?

 

[[Anonymous]]

The initial quote and contract is for an insulated metal building, so that was already a done deal. The supplier is the one that would be constructing the metal building and I have a separate GC to take care of the slab, electric and plumbing.

 

[kelpaso1]

I would think an all wood garage would be much cooler. Wood is a poor conductor of heat compared to metal.

Put a sheet of sheet metal and a sheet of 1/2 inch plywood out in the sun with one side facing the sun. Wait an hour and feel the backside of each sheet. The plywood will be cool to the touch and the metal will be hot hot hot.

 

[[Anonymous]]

Stick construction does not do well here in Florida. It does not hold up well to hurricanes or tropical storms. It also tends to rot here pretty quickly as well. Wet rot.

Notice the block buildings on either side are still standing with their stick roof damaged and the structure in the background with one block wall, that block wall is still standing. Not that we have major hurricanes here in Orlando, but I have ridden a couple out (Charlie and Jean) and the tropical storms are pretty bad as well.

Concrete block is a natural insulator as well. I think I about have myseld talked in to going block, but my GC is supposed to get me a price by end of day tomorrow and will see what it adds up to.