SO FREAKING PUMPED!! Finally getting my shop!

[luvmyhondas]

Been a member of the GJ forum for a long time, but have never gotten to actually post any pics of anything I actually owned. I've had to rent a shop to do any work since 2007. I could have paid for one multiple times over, but the banks never would cooperate. After almost 3 years of going back and forth with the City planning office, multiple life setbacks, and several other smaller hurdles.. I received by building permit a few days ago. Going to get a 36x60x12 shop with scissor/vaulted trusses set just 10ft off the back of my home. Going to get a 6" slab with foundation and a short stem wall.

My employer (car dealership) is in the process of replacing all the lights with LED, and said I could have all of the fixtures they're removing. I counted 47 2x4 4 bulb florescent drop ins that were coming out. I plan to rewire them for LED and install in the shop. I have figured 20-22 of them should be plenty.

I've been researching the mini split systems, as I will definitely want the shop climate controlled (if you're going to go, go all out, right!?). I can't decide if I should go with a multiple air handler unit for more even distribution or if the single unit will suffice. The space will be wide open with no other rooms or dividers, so air movement will be unrestricted for the most part.

So many choices that I now have to make.. layout, floor finish, where to reinforce for a lift, exterior colors, etc..

Anyway, enough rambling.. I just wanted to share my excitement with folks that have similar love for shop/garage spaces.

 

[DJF3]

Congrats! I'm also in the planning stages of a 34x60x16 dream shop. Waiting on a permit and drier weather. Good luck with your build!

 

[bczygan]

I wish you both the best!

Lots of photos in your threads!

Bill

 

[Metallitubby]

OP, I love your screen name, but I am a little biased.

 

[DavidR8]

Great news!
Naturally there will be a build thread right?

 

[sz0k30]

If you are already getting a 6" slab, there's no need for reinforcement. I've had a 2 post lift on 4" for a lot of years now with no problems, and from what I've read, so have many others.

 

[vavet]

Congrats! Make sure your GC knows where you want it. My GC messed up and put it in the wrong place and claimed I never told him. I never had a record of me telling him, but I know i did. Luckily my HOA agreed to the variance so the footers did not have be redone.

 

[luvmyhondas]

OP, I love your screen name, but I am a little biased.

Ironically, I sell Toyota for a living now.. but back when I registered, I was pretty deep in Honda life. I was going to see if I could get admin to change my screen name. (I haven't looked in the UserCP yet to see if I can do it myself yet.)

Great news!
Naturally there will be a build thread right?

Yes, I'm contemplating putting up a camera to video the process. Obviously, I'll connect it to the internet so I can watch from work.. LOL.

If you are already getting a 6" slab, there's no need for reinforcement. I've had a 2 post lift on 4" for a lot of years now with no problems, and from what I've read, so have many others.

That's what I keep telling the concrete guys, but they insist that the extra rebar will be of benefit.

Congrats! Make sure your GC knows where you want it. My GC messed up and put it in the wrong place and claimed I never told him. I never had a record of me telling him, but I know i did. Luckily my HOA agreed to the variance so the footers did not have be redone.

You mean they put your building in the wrong spot!? In my case, the exact location was a huge hanging point for the city to approve my permit. I have to physically attach it to my home.. hence the 10' set back. I will have a 10' long, by @6' wide covered walkway that goes from my existing garage to the walk out door on the shop.

 

[Metallitubby]

Ironically, I sell Toyota for a living now.

Toyota isn't a bad company to rep for either.

 

[16again]

Congratulations! BTW, this is a Toyota household as of July 4th...

 

[Black Oak]

Thats a big shop , so do your homework on the AC . What are your heat requirements could dictate your mini split options . I'll bet 2 units will be the suggestion of most , at 2-3 tons each . Get a load calc. , learn all you can . Congrats

 

[GeeTeeOhh]

Congrats, going to be some jealous folks here (me!). With the recent horrible slab thread, make sure you have a good flatness/slope/finish spec for your slab. Are you going with in-floor heating?


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[DynoDave]

That will be quite a workspace. Congratulations!

 

[landlord30]

Thats a big shop , so do your homework on the AC . What are your heat requirements could dictate your mini split options . I'll bet 2 units will be the suggestion of most , at 2-3 tons each . Get a load calc. , learn all you can . Congrats

With a shop the size he is building, would it make sense to have it divided in two if the layout / purpose allows to save on heating & cooling?

 

[_Stang_]

Congrats! Post pics as you go. Waking out your back door and directly into the shop will be great. At only ten feet have you considered an enclosed breezeway? That would be slick.

I was never much of a Toyota guy but drove a Tundra TRD Pro for a few years and that's a fantastic truck. Built like a tank. I get bored quick so I'm into a RAM and you cannot beat the interior on those.

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[luvmyhondas]

Toyota isn't a bad company to rep for either.

Agreed. They were always my toughest cross sale. In this case I went from a Honda store that sold out to a more corporate style owner to a Toyota store with a local family ownership. Very good folks to work for.

Congratulations! BTW, this is a Toyota household as of July 4th...

Thanks, and congrats to you too!

Thats a big shop , so do your homework on the AC . What are your heat requirements could dictate your mini split options . I'll bet 2 units will be the suggestion of most , at 2-3 tons each . Get a load calc. , learn all you can . Congrats

Did some digging today actually. EComfort.com shows cooling requirement at 17k BTU and heating at 25200 BTU.. which seems really low considering 2160 sq ft. (And over 32k cubic ft) Other calculators seem to have me looking at more like 32-42k ranges. Quite a swing. I’ll def do my homework before I spend a dime.

Congrats, going to be some jealous folks here (me!). With the recent horrible slab thread, make sure you have a good flatness/slope/finish spec for your slab. Are you going with in-floor heating?
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The guys doing my concrete are long time family of concreters.. and one of the owners/foreman is a Fraternity brother from way back. We’ve had a long convo about what we both expect out of this deal.

With a shop the size he is building, would it make sense to have it divided in two if the layout / purpose allows to save on heating & cooling?

I resist this currently.. I like the idea of one large space, but money might be a great persuader.

Congrats! Post pics as you go. Waking out your back door and directly into the shop will be great. At only ten feet have you considered an enclosed breezeway? That would be slick.

I was never much of a Toyota guy but drove a Tundra TRD Pro for a few years and that's a fantastic truck. Built like a tank. I get bored quick so I'm into a RAM and you cannot beat the interior on those.

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Considered fully enclosed, but it was just added cost for no real benefit IMO. And I plan to take lots of pics before, during, and after.

 

[nadogail]

Congrats on your shop build.
I have owned two Toyota vehicles and am open to buying another when the need arises. They served me well.

 

[jabberwoki]

Atta girl you go.
Now the fun starts. Just make damn sure you plan it right.
Live in the shop in your mind till you can say with no reservations.... That's it.

 

[matt_i]

If you are already getting a 6" slab, there's no need for reinforcement. I've had a 2 post lift on 4" for a lot of years now with no problems, and from what I've read, so have many others.

I don't agree with that. I don't think it needs rebar but to put down concrete without at least wire mesh panels in it is asking for a crack to go wide on you. That you have a lift or not is irrespective of the need to reinforce imo.

 

[ScottsGT]

I'm turning green with envy over here! Wish I could have done it 15 years ago, but now looking at a possible build in 5 years. It was unheard of until a few months ago when we started talking about a retirement home.

 

[sberry]

get to 40 wide if possible,,, but leave it open. It doesnt need to be arctic cool all the time or blazing hot when its cold out 100% of the time. Open floor plan lets you move without feeling like you are working in a maze or cubicles. Can move projects around, wheels and carts are your friends. Door location, power hoist are the big part. Location may dictate some compromise but my ideal is 40 wide with doors in gable end. Put hoist in the back of one of the bays, could divide off utility room/office and a potty with wash up sink.
I might even be tempted to do it with one door. The whole layout is essential to making it traffic or people flow.

 

[nadogail]

I doubt that you will find your shop too big. Most complaints about shops are that they are too small.

 

[luvmyhondas]

Congrats on your shop build.
I have owned two Toyota vehicles and am open to buying another when the need arises. They served me well.

Come on out to MO and I'll get you fixed up!

Atta girl you go.
Now the fun starts. Just make damn sure you plan it right.
Live in the shop in your mind till you can say with no reservations.... That's it.

I have been working in shops since I was @10years old (farm shop as a kid, Mobile electronics installer in my late teens, my own mechanic shops till now). I've got a pretty firm grasp on what I want, and you're right.. it takes a lot of "pondering" before you really know how it needs to be.

I don't agree with that. I don't think it needs rebar but to put down concrete without at least wire mesh panels in it is asking for a crack to go wide on you. That you have a lift or not is irrespective of the need to reinforce imo.

My concrete guys are just saying that they will put EXTRA reinforcements in the area I want the lift installed, if I can determine that beforehand.

I'm turning green with envy over here! Wish I could have done it 15 years ago, but now looking at a possible build in 5 years. It was unheard of until a few months ago when we started talking about a retirement home.

I wish I could have too! I've been renting shops to work out of since 2007!

get to 40 wide if possible,,, but leave it open. It doesnt need to be arctic cool all the time or blazing hot when its cold out 100% of the time. Open floor plan lets you move without feeling like you are working in a maze or cubicles. Can move projects around, wheels and carts are your friends. Door location, power hoist are the big part. Location may dictate some compromise but my ideal is 40 wide with doors in gable end. Put hoist in the back of one of the bays, could divide off utility room/office and a potty with wash up sink.
I might even be tempted to do it with one door. The whole layout is essential to making it traffic or people flow.

City won't allow me to go any larger than 36x60. Due to the layout of the property, and my preference, I'm not going with a gable end garage door. Once I get dirt moving, I'll start a build thread with some maps and drawings.. it'll make more sense then.

I doubt that you will find your shop too big. Most complaints about shops are that they are too small.

Yeah, I almost cut back in size, just for aesthetics and to save some cash, but even my wife was like "has anyone ever said, I wish my shop was smaller!?" (I love that woman!).