Raise current building or build new

[leiterch]

I have a little bit of a dilemma and would like to hear some advice/options.

I currently have a 32 x 36 kwanset hut style building. The building is in good shape. It has a cement floor with block wall about 2' above ground. Center line of the ceiling is approximately 10', but you lose so much on the sides of the building. It isn't a true kwanset hut as it is has a pitched roof and pitched sides, not rounded.

Here is what I have been thinking. I will throw a couple of pros/cons that I see at the end of each option.

Option 1 - Raise the current building and put a 4 - 6' wall under the building to gain the space on the sides of the building for parking vehicles and such.

Pros
- Cost?? (I assume this would be the cheapest method. I don't really know about the lift and cost items just yet.
- Time (This should be the quickest method to get the building completed and move in ready

Cons
- Heating (2 items here. In-floor heat is pretty much a no go unless, I repour the floor. Insulating this style building could be tricky.
- Size (It is still only 32 x 36, with no option of a lean to)

Option 2 - Tear it down and build a stick garage on the current foundation. Maybe expand to make it larger.

Pros
- Size (Could possible expand and have the ability to build a lean too for extra storage)
- Heating (wall insulation would be much more straight forward, although I still lose the in floor heat option)

Cons
- Cost (Assume it would be more costly than option 1)
- Heating (Lack of in floor heat without a re-pour)


Option 3 - Tear it all down and start from scratch with a pole barn.

Pros
- Exactly what I want or need

Cons
- Time / Money

Thanks for the time gang.

 

[Ezzie]

In the end, the decision is yours alone so I can only offer what I have come to realize over the years. Everytime I have ever modified the structure of a building as part of a renovation project - I have ended up getting into a lot of unforseen problems. My theory now is demolish and re-build new - that way I end up with exactly what I envision and a lot easier to plan & build for. My vote is to replace it with stick built.

 

[willymakeit]

Do you have the jacks and cribbing or acess to them ? It takes a lot of work and know how to lift and hold safley. If you build new can you salvage and reuse any material ?

 

[Keep]

I would look into your pricing for building new vs raising the current and spray foaming insulation throughout the inside. Solves your "tough to insulate" issue.

 

[Packard V8]

Since it is in good shape and since the block walls make it easy to get jacking beams under it, I'd get bids on raising it.

Those who recommend tearing it down are forgetting the labor and cost of debris disposal. That alone can add up. Our local tipping fees are now $95 a ton. Having said that, sometimes a poor deluded guy will think he can tear it down, haul it to his site and re-erect it if he gets it for free. The downside is these guys don't come with insurance and performance bonds. I can tell a couple of horror stories which will convince anyone not to go there.

Bottom line - no substitute for due diligence. Get firm bids for raising it and erecting a stud wall. Then get bids for demolition and new construction.

A Quonset hut is a lightweight prefabricated structure of corrugated galvanized steel having a semicircular cross section. The design was based on the Nissen hut developed by the British during World War I. The name comes from their site of first manufacture, Quonset Point, Davisville Naval Construction Battalion Center, North Kingstown, RI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quonset_hut

 

[kbs2244]

I vote to raise it.

If you go to 6 foot block walls you will have plenty of vertical space along the walls for almost anything you would want to put there.

With the current block walls it will be no problem to knock out some to fit your lifting beam through.

Your building is not all that heavy and lifting isn’t all that complex.
It just a lot of simple work done over and over until it is high enough.

 

[pstnbly]

I don't know all the particulars, but I would probably try lifting it. I'm an old yankee and we save and salvage whenever possible. Also I would look into using ICF's (insulated concrete forms) for the pony wall as they are simple for DIY and insulate all in one step. I would also look into pouring over the existing floor if it is stable to get your heated slab. 2" of EPS over a stable base and the appropriate thickness slab, areas for a lift could be sawn out and thickened if necessary. Re-grade the approach and maybe an apron.

 

[lilredex]

Lift it, not that big a deal if you are careful and have help. Lifted this guy two blocks to get additional door height..........not quite as ambitious as your project.

Hosted on Fotki

 

[Scout Driver]

First of all, welcome to the Garage Journal.

Secondly, I'd go with the option of building a new pole building. I've done appraisal work for over 10 years and have seen and heard too many people that have invested a lot of time and effort (money) into an old building, only to wish that they had started from scratch. It's totally up to you in the end, but too many of these projects cost more time and money than planned. I'd hate to see you end up with a compromised end product. At least shop around with some reputable pole building builders and get some estimates and opinions. One more thing.....do you have a lot of land to build on? If so, keep your current building as-is and build a new one also. Use the quonset for yard equipment, storage etc.

No matter which option you choose, best of luck with your project.

Scott

 

[leiterch]

Thanks for the comments.

I am going to start the estimating process.

As I get into the project, I will start a log on here. My guess will be a lot of homework before a final direction. My goal is to start and finish next spring/summer. I have been doing a lot of reading on here and other places. I have also been looking for ideas as I drive the roads.

I agree with pstnbly to try and save it. I don't really want to junk or tear the building down.

I also do have land, but I couldn't really justify another large building.

Building so far:

32 x 36 - above mentioned
24 x 24 - wood shed (yes, 24 x 24 wood shed with my OWB inside
40 x 40 - 2 story barn
12 x 20 - root celler (story I guess)
28 x 24 - attached garage.

I love being able to have all my toys inside including trailers.

I am really just looking for that all needed "Man Cave" to properly get some projects done.