Building a steel shop-advice, manufacturer's Q's

[actionpaintball]

I finally found a nice 1 acre lot (zoned business) and will probably be going with a steel garage between 2000 and 2500 sq feet. It will have a two post lift. I mainly strip Jeep wranglers for parts, and my own 1 ton CJ and Urban Gorilla Hummer kit will live there as well.

I am looking for people who are happy with the building they bought-and if they could give some real cost numbers after it was finished? Also what size did you go with and what things would have you done differently?

I am in Virginia-so I will be getting some price quotes from the major companies within reasonable delivery distance-any recommendations?

One large main door or a few individual doors? How many windows? height? ect...

I am also going to try to squeeze in a bathroom/small shower/small office in as well-it has an existing well and septic.

I know this is pretty vague at this time-but I am starting from scratch and will definitely be building by this summer.

[ZukIzzy]

I put mine up in 03 so prices are different but I paid just ove 12K for a 40x60. that was base package. They wanted TONS more for trim and doors and such I was able to buy gutters trim and doors localy for about 1/4 the price they wanted to charge. I bought mine from united steel. They took 2 months longer to build the building than first promissed and wanted to upcharge for every little change. In my county I needed some additional engineering drawings and they wanted $2k for them I got them done localy for $700.
Once the building arived it was a complete package and nothing was left out that part I was happy with. Get insulation if you can, I could not afford it when I bought my building and now I am hatin life when it is hot and cold. I could do it now but it will cost more and I have to move all my crap.

My building is 14' at the eve that is about the minimum for my 2 post lift or my motorhome. I would recomend 2 12'x12' rollup doors at least and a man door. a freind has only 1 rollup and hates life when he has rigs to juggle. another thing another freind had was a third rollup in the back of the building. he could drive stuff through the building and it was a great breeze door. prevailing wind would blow right through the building and really keep in nice and cool even on hot days.

I am sure I will think of more but that it for now.

Wayne

[bkfj55]

If you put in a bathroom and office, you're gonna need to create a firewall with either 8" CMU or lots of sheets of drywall (I'm thinking you'll need a two hour fire separation wall and rated doors). Depending on the regulations, you might also need a site plan since it is on a commercial lot - depends on your city/county regs.

Pick up the trader and see who advertises for metal buildings in your area - if you end up needing a professional engineer for the foundation or separation walls - PM me...that's what I do..


bk

[actionpaintball]

I will have to present a site plan. I like the doors on both ends idea-never though of that for ventilation reasons.

It does look like buying the basic building and sourcing the doors, windows and gutters myself will be more economical.

Everyone seems to like the barrel type roll up doors.

[uschristys]

my shop has a two overhead doors they are off set one front one back pulling in both doors i still have 20' between my toys and able to still drive all the way through. the barrel type doors give good overhead hight u could also do aloft over office/bath for storage my slab is busted 1 1/2 crack that makes rolling around stuff tricky make sure the dirt work is right and u can get the double bubble insulation (refletant/r19/moister barrior all in 1)stay away from the windows, they just take up room and make seeing what you have for the taking also mine is a 40x50 around $16,000.with over kill on the electric 110 and 220 every 4' all the way around and lots of lights have to see and hate the mess of cord everywhere good luck find a good contrator

[X-Rated]

uschristys,

is yours a steel building? Who made it if so. Did that cost incude concrete?

[jeepcj]

I'm building a 40 x 32 steel building next spring in my new (old) home. I'm just starting the planning stage. My plan is 12' interior wall with upstairs storage. I'm not putting in a bathroom but I'm putting in a shop sink. I was thinking about a grease pit and an over head crane or a gantry crane. 220 volt power, with heat.

[James_Fendley]

Here are some pictures of mine 40 wide 50 deep. 12' wall height, 18' peak. I just put a 150 btu reznor gas heater in it. (2) 10x10 doors, liner panel 8' high, 5 ' overhang. NCI building, came out of a plant in Georgia.

James




http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/DSC00750.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/DSCN2013.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/Rock_Climber/Dsc00362.jpg

[actionpaintball]

That almost exactly what I want to do. Do you have an estimate on the total $$$ amount?

How thick is your slab in the center?