Where to start?

[catch2otwo]

So we've been living in our house for about 3 years now, I have in that time accumulated more tools and more projects. I've never had a "shop" and it seems about time. I scored a two post lift and have no where to put it haha.

I've been building a shop in my head over and over but have no idea where to start. I don't want to waste anyones times as far as getting quotes for stuff like excavating and planning, but without doing any of that, how do you know costs? I've googled, but get a lot of generic info.

Whats step 1?

 

[RPH]

First determine what code will allow you to build. That will give you start on what the costs will be. From there you can figure out what size and construction you can utilize.

 

[Zeke]

Building site preparation and the building itself costs should be separated. You can get pretty close on the building with a set of plans, even store bought plans (especially store bought). Don't forget road/driveway access in the site prep. Frequently I see that come as a nasty surprise at the end of the build. Along with landscaping.

 

[catch2otwo]

Do you consider foundation work and slab part of the site prep? or is it more of the excavating and grading?

 

[James-W]

Cost will have a lot to do with where you are located.

I would draw a rough sketch of what I wanted with dimensions. Then I would take the drawing to City Hall and ask them if this would be acceptable to build. If they say it is acceptable to build, then I would get detailed plans drawn up.

The detailed plans need to be submitted to City Hall for approval. Once I have the detailed plans approved that, I can start contacting concrete people and get estimates. Then I would contact some builders for estimates, unless I had planned to do the construction myself.

In any case, you also need to look into the cost of getting power installed, insulation, heating/cooling, and anything else that you want to have available, such as really cool flooring.

 

[Zeke]

Do you consider foundation work and slab part of the site prep? or is it more of the excavating and grading?

There is a crossover somewhere there. I'd say part of the building cost but you have to have a compacted pad to start. The grading company will provide that plus the base for any roads or access. Digging the footings for the foundation requires much less large equipment.

However, one thing to avoid is duplication of services. By that I mean there is no reason for someone with a backhoe to be leaving while another is arriving to do other work. If you're going to bury a propane tank, get the hole dug while digging the other work.

If you coordinate with your concrete contractor, you might be able to give him a job ready for forms utilizing the dirt contractor. But be sure everyone is on the same page, or plans, as it were. If the concrete guy prefers to do his own digging, then get him to do all you need while he has equipment on site.

This is what I do nowadays, construction consultant (mostly rehab, but it's all fair game).

 

[SALIV8]

I started with a general idea of what I wanted.

Then I sketched a beginners outline.

Then I checked local code/allowances.

Then I made it bigger and adjusted for so many things after i thought about it for about a year.

This was all on graph paper with a pencil. Lol.

I wrote down every step I wanted the builder to take that I knew about. After much research and thought and checking this site.

Then I created a scope of work That I gave each contractor to include in their estimate.

Then i finally pulled the trigger once I was comfortable with the written list of everything I knew I wanted to to be included.

Good luck!!

My only advice: take your time.

And go bigger.

 

[Red 17]

As post 2 says, find out what your limits are on your building code. If you don't have other remodeling plans that will increase your footprint, consider building as big as you want, and then add to it--separate garden closet, mother-in-law suite, you know.

Be sure your depth gives you plenty of room fore and aft of that lift.

Open ceilings with a 10 ft plate will help you as well. The beams can be offset a little to give you a nice open area in each bay.

Good luck.

 

[catch2otwo]

Thanks for all the pointers. It is really helping. Seeing all the builds on this site makes this process pretty daunting. Dont want to mess up haha...

 

[Zeke]

The easy way to success is to copy success and work hard. So, find what you like and then what you don't like about it.

 

[Jlbc212]

Step 1 is a trip to the town office to find out what the zoning restrictions are for your location. Some localities have no restrictions. Others have strict restrictions as to footprint size, height, set-backs from the street, lot lines and other structures. Step 1 might necessitate having your lot surveyed. If you get to step 2, as others have suggested, do a quick consult with the building inspector to ask what building code you may be subject to. Until you get past step 2 anything else could be a waste of time and money.

 

[matt_i]

I think you need to WAG at a cost per square foot as a basic starting point. The local area, how busy builders are, how much you will build vs. contract out.

I think $30/sqft is a low number to hit, with a finished interior and insulated, wired, supply all self-labor. However $100/sqft isn't out of the question either to have it built to specifications. I wouldn't call CA a low-cost area.

Trying to price out each phase without knowing what's involved is going to make your head spin. Start with the basic sqft WAG and then figure budget and size.

 

[RDeMeyer]

We live just outside Dallas and are doing a garage conversion and a four car attached garage addition to our house. We are well over $115.00 SQ Ft. I have resized and trimmed everywhere possible without making this a empty shell. I started off with a GRAND plan and scaled back in a Needs versus Wants trading game until I could justify the cost.

I highly recommend at least getting a professional drawing of your bar napkin plan. It eliminates a LOT of issues with contactors bidding on the project. They all get the same song sheet and they can't claim they didn't know something if it is right on the plan.

I could do a lot of work myself but in my town the building permits expire and I would rather have it done without be busting my **** and burning endless hours working to finish it. If it would lonely stop raining long enough that we can get the slab poured.

 

[LB-1911]

So we've been living in our house for about 3 years now, I have in that time accumulated more tools and more projects. I've never had a "shop" and it seems about time. I scored a two post lift and have no where to put it haha.

I've been building a shop in my head over and over but have no idea where to start. I don't want to waste anyones times as far as getting quotes for stuff like excavating and planning, but without doing any of that, how do you know costs? I've googled, but get a lot of generic info.

Whats step 1?

Site Plan - Easements & Set Backs -

A piece of graph paper - Lot dimensions - place existing structures and proposed addition (s) w/in the lot - to include sidewalks - driveway annotate your setbacks / easements - a visit to your Bldg Dept / Permitting Office

An example can be found @
http://www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us/De...al forms/Site Plan Example & Requirements.pdf

Good Luck

 

[OneOfEm]

Here's how I did it:

1. There is place that builds workshops near me. I found their pricing for a "standard" build, and used it as a rough (ROUGH) estimate to determine if a workshop was even feasible.

2. I sketched out a rough idea of what I wanted, adding a little size from the pricing above.

3. I drew it up in Sketchup, including the site plan, tweaked some of the details, and added a little size from the sketch above.

4. I read permitting requirements then met with someone at the permitting department. I was required to have engineer-stamped plans.

5. I talked with several engineers, none of whom were interested in doing my plans. I could have worked with an architect, but that would have added another layer and more $ to the cost of the plans.

6. I spoke with the local builder whose pricing I used in step 1. I found out which engineer they use for their plans, and I reached out to him. He did a set of plans based on my Sketchup model + a little more size for good measure.

7. The engineer and I had quite a bit of back and forth, and towards the end, again after adding a little size, came up with a set of plans both the inspectors and I were satisfied with.


For some reason, the rough estimate numbers at the top were way under where the shop will end up. I wonder why...

 

[jd_1138]

Seems like using the contractor's engineer and working with that person to personalize your shop would be the best.

Be sure to vet the contractor and look at their previous work. Do they have a website with pics of their builds?

 

[ddurrett896]

Whats step 1?

First thing is knowing the rules/laws. Call your permits and inspection office. They should be able to pull up your plat and tell you the setbacks on all sides.

Setbacks are different for detached and attached structures in my city so be sure to get both. Also check to see what the max lot overage is.

Once you have all that, walk around and take measurements for an optional setup.

 

[JoeMcGov]

Start right here >>>> ANY man door affiliated with your shop should be 4' wide.

 

[lakelandcat]

First thing, get a game plan. Determine a budget. How much do you want to spend? Expect to spend more. What do you want to do in your shop? See what your local codes are. Look at different sites for plans and blueprints. Unless you are going to do the labor yourself start looking for a honest GC he will walk you through the steps, start from the ground up. Get a spiral notebook and start writing down thoughts and ideas no matter how stupid you might think they are, you will be surprised on how your ideas will fall in order and when you look back there will be things you forgot. Start a folder for receipts, at some point you might want to know how much you have gone over budget. It always takes longer than you think.

 

[Chris705]

I’ll bite Joe.... why 4’ wide?

 

[brownbagg]

batter boards

 

[Zeke]

I’ll bite Joe.... why 4’ wide?

If there is a motorcycle in the picture, that's one reason. Lager yard equipment. But the real reason if makes sense to me is how many times have I had to turn sideways to carry something through the door? Too many.

Even a 42" door is a good idea.