That was my first thought, why so far away? It is a cool looking building though.At the risk of being too nosy, I have to ask “ why buy a place 3 hours from home?” As to hail and solar panels, NPPD ( Nebraska Public Power District) lost an entire solar field to hail in Scottsbluff last summer.
@stingry Old Man Roger I am originally from that area and have a lot of family over there. My mom is also 30 minutes away so I am over there on a regular basis. To buy that in Colorado would have cost me at least 10 times what I paid for it as well. Here in Colorado I was also paying $500 in storage....now my storage bill is zero and I have more space than I ever dreamed of. Being 3 hours away is not ideal.....but it works for now.That was my first thought, why so far away? It is a cool looking building though.
Building permits have a set time duration before they expire. Municipalities aren’t keen on never ending rehab projects.Pure spit balling here: Most places I've lived the utilities will provide a "construction" power connection for reasonable cost. It may be just a temporary pole with a couple of 120 volt receptacles attached to it. No connection to the building, just run extension cords inside. Probably requires a building permit, but very few localities seem to want generators running for the duration of a construction or renovation project. Maybe you could present an informal plan for an essentially one-man light cosmetic renovation (mostly clean-up and paint, with eventual new electrical ) of the showroom area that is visible through the big front windows, or something like that that will take several years and potentially become retail space. As long as the property is getting improved, even slowly, the town might go for it. The alternative is that the building continues to deteriorate. And as long as the showroom looks good, they may not care as much about the rest of the space.
That's why I suggested limiting the initial scope to cosmetically improving just the highly visible showroom area over several years. Makes it look nicer just passing by and improves the vibe of the neighborhood. Could maybe accommodate small-scale retail of some sort without having to bring the entire building up to current commercial code all at once. And the OP could likely use the unseen back rooms for shop projects and storage. Obviously, these things vary wildly from one place to another, and times change, but I have seen a few cool old buildings brought back to usefulness a bit at a time. That said, I'm certainly no expert.Building permits have a set time duration before they expire. Municipalities aren’t keen on never ending rehab projects.
The permits are typically renewable, but not in perpetuity.
I think connecting a generator to the existing wiring would be a mistake as any electrican will see you work as a complication.Looking at generators I can feed to a panel and wire up some permanent outlets and lights.
That is simply not how it works. The power company never installs the meter without approved panel in place.First order of business is to get someone to put new power lines from the pole down to new meters.
If you would have read the entire thread, the building had 120/240 single phase service at one time. Single or three phase is not the issue it seems that the panels in place are unsafe. He got a bid from a local that sounds like they didn't want the job.That is simply not how it works. The power company never installs the meter without approved panel in place.
Seems to me this building should have 208 volt 3 phase power about 400 amps maybe more if there is no city gas for heating.
I am sure there is a licensed electricians working in that country. You need to get reconnected with the locals and find them.
Since the building is likely zoned commercial you may not be legally allowed to sleep there.
Walta
I did read the thread and disagree with the idea of installing an inadequate service in order to lower today’s cash outlay. I say put in a service reasonably for the size of the building spend the money once and not waste money upgrading every time your plans change.If you would have read the entire thread, the building had 120/240 single phase service at one time. Single or three phase is not the issue it seems that the panels in place are unsafe. He got a bid from a local that sounds like they didn't want the job.
Several suggestions have been mentioned to install a minimal new service. As far as single or three phase, the monthly charges and demand on three phase service really don't make sense for this buildings intended use?
That building had 3Ø service, would not be surprised if the A/C units were 3Ø, as they should be if three phase was available.If you would have read the entire thread, the building had 120/240 single phase service at one time. Single or three phase is not the issue it seems that the panels in place are unsafe. He got a bid from a local that sounds like they didn't want the job.
Several suggestions have been mentioned to install a minimal new service. As far as single or three phase, the monthly charges and demand on three phase service really don't make sense for this buildings intended use?
If the building is being repurposed as uncondition storage and a small one man shop, the electrical requirements are going to be substantially less than if it is going to be a fully air conditioned manufacturing facility.I did read the thread and disagree with the idea of installing an inadequate service in order to lower today’s cash outlay. I say put in a service reasonably for the size of the building spend the money once and not waste money upgrading every time your plans change.
Walta
Strange that they can force a retail space. Are they willing to give you a tax break or some other incentives?Sort of an update.....I have a meeting with the city in April to discuss a couple options for renovation/restoration grants. I do believe they will want some sort of business to be installed in the building at a minimum a retail space in the front. Will know more after the meeting.
I think that is based on money available for city development. It makes sense if they are trying to bring some life back to the town.Strange that they can force a retail space. Are they willing to give you a tax break or some other incentives?
What if some commercial enterprise came along and just wanted warehouse space?
I’m not sure thr screaming generator wouldn’t be to his advantage,” it’s only temporary until I can get my power turned on “I would suggest that EVERYONE needs a portable/generator welder, right??? Look for one like a Miller Legend that runs at 1800rpm and it will use a LOT less fuel than, say, a bobcat. I have a bobcat, it was cheap, it does what I need it to, but it screams it's head off at 3750rpm and is fairly thirsty. No complaints for the $440 I paid for it, but I do keep my eyes open for something else.
I have the same Northern Tool Generator mentioned above. It works good. I use it to charge batteries in my garage power system right now, it has served our house when needed too. I live full time on solar/off-grid. We don't mind it, but it will not likely be a cost saving move for you, it would be an entirely dead end investment in your case. That begin said, fully off-grid right smack dab in the middle of town is becoming more common these days. Power service ain't cheap. We are on solar because bringing power in would likely cost us $50 g's.