Newb from Iowa

[iarodder]

Hey all, new to this site. Just bought a new place with a little land because the current one is to small for a nice shop, go figure. I'm a major gear head addicted to cars and I do a little work on other people's stuff now and then to help support my own addictions (cars) Now with another addition to the car family (wife's hot rod) the time has come for more Garage space so the search was on. I stumbled into a bank foreclosure that was priced just right and with a little TLC the house will be up to her standards and the yard will serve its purpose for me with a few modifications. Like a 75 ft. long retaining wall to dig out the back yard and make it flat for the shop. The added bonus is the additional lots next door if I can score them i'll have it made. Mine is on 1/4 acre in town and each empty lot is 1/4 acre as well so I'm trying to buy them but no dice so far. The plan is for 2 24x40 garages in the back yard and tearing off the attached single car and replacing it with a 2 car for the daily drivers. I'll keep updates as they happen, glad to join.

 

[HOTFR8]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[cabin fever]

Welcome

 

[sublime68charger]

Welcome and good luck with what you want to due!

 

[iarodder]

Well its been awhile but I have the retaining wall done and have the forms in place for the shop. After 30 tons of gravel and a lot of packing its almost ready to pour, but it took 3 weeks to jump through all the cities hoops to get the building permit. very frustrating to say the least.

 

[iarodder]

So finally an update. I have been so busy I have not been on here for a long time, but here goes.... After a super busy summer that flew by I did manage to get the shop up. I built it, closed it in got it most of the way wrapped, put doors and windows in, roofed it then had to walk away to focus back on the house. I ended up with a 25x40, our rules in this town are screwy, I can only build up to 1000 sq. ft. without frost footings so that is where I stopped for size on this one. I am still trying to buy the empty land next door to build another building but its ******* in an estate and I haven't gotten very far on that deal yet. So back to the building here are a few pics of the build. I insulated the floor prior to pouring the concrete, rebar (lots of it) and an 8" slab (city code) for this size of building. Once it was poured and polished I waited a week then started building the walls. I will finish the building in the spring as I have to get the house finished so we can move in and sell our old place, then I will have more money to continue on this journey.

 

[drivesitfar]

IA: looks like you are an annual poster. just so you know this section is an introduction area and a lot of members don't visit it as frequently as say Garage Gallery or other sections. nice looking build and hope you are taking a lot more pictures. even if you don't have time to start a build thread and post them on GJ you'll still like to have them for yourself.

you might get a few members to comment or see your intro thread if you post up a picture of yours or your wife's hot rods or both, but not required.

i wish you luck on the remodel and the garage and sounds like maybe some extra land too which all takes time.

welcome to GJ and if you don't want to start a thread might i suggest reading other threads if you need information and asking questions there if you don't find the answer you think should be there.

good luck