Workshop foundation

[jtdavies]

I'm planning on having a two story workshop/shed built in my backyard near Pittsburgh.

The ground level floor will be a woodworking workshop. Maybe a little small engine repair too. But no cars.

The upstairs is going to be an office.

The people building the shed recommend a few different site preparations. Gravel, posts, concrete block, concrete pad. http://www.amishyard.com/pages/site-preparation.html

I've got a good thirty years ahead of me. My fiance has quite a few more years. And we're planning on never moving again. This is the home I grew up in.

So which choice is the best for a long term structure? And what would be relative costs? The shed is going to be about 20x24. For costs I'm looking more for X is way more expensive that the other three choices or something like that. Not so much X costs $Y. That's way to much to ask.

I'd add another choice, a full basement. But I know that will be the biggest cost. But a fruit cellar sure would be nice.

 

[Kevin54]

JT....welcome to Garage Journal. If you could put a location in your profile, it helps to answer questions like this as prices vary from area to area. Thank you sir.

As far as cost, I'm not too up on the different prices, but for something that last long term, I would either go with block down to your frost line, or go with a solid wall down to frost line. A good build will only last as long as the foundation holds things together. Myself, I'm just not fond of slabs to build on. You only have a certain thickness on your edges and a "floating slab". Going down below frost line, you have stable soil, a footer, and blocks or concrete to build on and support the structure. I'd rather have 36" of block and a footer than an 18" or less on a slab edge. But on the other hand, many people have built on slabs. It just not my preference.