New Shop; is smaller the answer?????

[imported_banzaitoyota]

Heres the background.

Currently have 5 acres
Main Shop: 25 x 32 Pioneer Steel Building 200 Amp Service
Secondary: 24 x 28 200 Amp Service
12 x 16 Storage shed

Where do I work? On the dirt outside. Too much "stuff" that I cant/wont get rid of that needs inside space.

I am moving 8 miles away to be closer to the Pet Crematorium I run part time. New property is also 5 acres. I am starting with a clean slate as far as buildings/ layout is concerned.

I am unhappy with the Pioneer Building, pain to finish the inside; so I am contemplating a pole barn. My thoughts are to build a nice pole building to have the car in to work on, then have "wings"/overhangs off each side. They would eventually be enclosed, one side for metal working, the other Parking/Covered Storage/


Your input is appreciated

 

[Stuart in MN]

This is a perfect time to take a hard look at all that stuff that's taking up valuable space, and decide if you REALLY need it...I went through something similar this summer; I had to empty out my basement so a contractor could come in and install a new furnace and all new ducts. I didn't want to have to carry it all back downstairs after they were done, so I decided it was time to get rid of 20 years worth of old car parts, scrap lumber, etc., etc. Most if it was stuff that seemed too good to throw away, but really wasn't good enough to use for anything. I rented a dumpster and tossed about 90% of it, and I'm glad I did.

 

[Der Bugmeister]

Why bother clearing out the old junk? You'll just accumulate more **** to fill that void! ;-P

I don't know if smaller is the answer, but building with an eye to allowing future expansions. Having a central area dedicated to workspace with wings for storage sounds like a good idea; having everything under one roof would be more convenient than being spread between several structures.

 

[oldgoat]

The cleaning out suggestion is good idea and I like the idea of the building with wings to be enclosed later. However if you go small make sure that it will be easy to make additions later and have at least a good mental plan of how and where you would do it and plan ahead with that in mind. My feeling though is that smaller is never good. You always need more room.

 

[W-Cummins]

I think toss the **** out and then build bigger! I put up the 50X100 and now I think that it would be nice to have a 40X60 to park some suff in, like the man lift and back hoe and tractors etc....


William...

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

My problem is, my clutter expands to fill my available space. If I keep the main "working" building small, it will force me to keep it clean and organized

 

[jm1fd]

Have you considered getting some shipping containers to just store stuff in? That would let you clear out one or more of the larger buildings so that you could do work inside.

 

[thefairlaneman]

junk is like a credit card your wife has. I dont care how many times you throw down cash and pay it off A BALANCE ALWAYS RETURNS.

 

[oldgoat]

I hate to say it but if the clutter didn't force you to keep it clean before it isn't going to now. I know with my original garage I tried to keep it neat, but slowly but surely more stuff got brought in that I "needed". Built one twice as big and as I moved stuff if I have tried to make sure that things have a place and so far so good, but I go back to my orginal and I don't see that much of an improvement. Somehow I must have done one whale of a job keeping stuff stashed in there. I just haven't ever seen where small works. You always need something else from the other shop so you bring it to over or buy a duplicate. Kind of like weeds they just seem to crop up no matter what you do.

 

[sberry]

A bunch of "wings" and features add up fast, they cost. I agree, toss the junk first thing and build bigger.