Metal building/shop suggestions

[jathomas437]

I live on one acre and will be buying the two acres next to my lot very soon. I will be adding a shop on this land and was hoping for some do's and don'ts from guys who have been through this process. My brother is an electrician and his best friend is a plumber, so I have that part covered. I do have a 30 foot camper that I want to keep under a side carport attached to the building and would like to have a carport in the front as well since my truck is too tall to fit in the garage. I don't have boat and don't plan to have one. I have a zero turn mower, two four-wheelers, welding machine, a fab table, a couple of large toolboxes, two work benches, a smoker pit (for under the side carport). Would like to put a weight bench and a few other weights in there. I'll have a sink and counter tops and a few cabinets in there. I plan to put a large rear door on the back as well. And I'm not going to be doing much of the construction myself, I'd rather work overtime at work and just pay to have it done professionaly. So, that's pretty much it as far as what will be going inside the shop, for now. Size suggestions? Double front doors, or one large? I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks, Jason.

[overcomer401965]

Whatever you build it will not be big enough and there are things about it you would have changed after about a year. My next one will be 50X70.

[Geezy Rider]

Build it twice as big as what you think you'll need. Doors on both ends faceing north and south for cross ventilation. Plenty of windows. Design the structure so that you can put up an I-beam down the middle of it for a hoist. A shop is the true man cave.

[glpoe1]

I would stay away from the formed metal type buildings you see advertised on the internet. You know the ones that are free standing and you just bolt the pieces together and they support themselves. I bought one of those and you loose about 14" overall due to the shape of the metal and by the time you buy doors, vents, walk through doors you just spent more than a kit building. They are not easy to insulate like a "conventional" flat wall metal building and like one poster said before put a big I bean in there somewhere for hoisting. It will be too small, make it bigger than you think you need if you can afford it.
Always wanted a DXT but really wanting to try one of the new Z7's. I shoot a S2 now which is pretty nice.

[rsdodge-tx]

Build it out of concrete block. It will stand up to Wind, Fire,Termites,Rain,has great Thermal mass. Designed Properly, your cost will be comparable to metal but the building will stand there for your great grand kids.

[Hunterdan]

I used Wilson Construction out of Wagoner OK. Give them a call. Wilson Construction 75215 State HWY 16. Wagoner, OK 74467-9553. Phone: 918-485-4977. Phone: 918-485-9567. Fax: 918-485-4680. Toll Free: 800-235-8168

[rubydog]

Spend the money to insulate. Plumb for water and a drain and add a french drain if needed. And what others have said, build bigger than you think you need.

[Geezy Rider]

I would also add alot of electrical outlets. 110 and 220.

[jathomas437]

Thanks guys for all the advise so far. I'm getting pumped about it! Really looking forward to getting this thing going. It will be several weeks, but wanted to start asking for advise ahead of time to get my mind made up. I have a feeling this thing is gonna be a small fortune, but I'll be happy with it.

[Airtech]

Make sure the foundation is well above ground level with extra height to make sure any future changes on your property or neighboring property does not end up allowing water intrusion at ground level. I have seen many outbuildings with ground level slabs become water pits in later years. Adding extra fill before the slab is poured does add cost, but can be some of the best money spent in my opinion.

[Deb]

We are in the metal building biz. Call Arvin 512-656-6493

[RedRaiderInAustin]

I have no advice to contribute but man, you have a lot of toys!

[Charles]

Refrigerator for cold beer

[mchildress]

I had this out fit build mine about 10 yrs ago and am very satisfied.http://www.wdmb.com/ I went with a 40x60 with a 24x60 porch down one side with 14' walls. Like said above go bigger than you think you will need it will feel up fast. Go with the tallest doors you can get in the walls ideally with opening on the north and south walls like mentioned above. Will really help get the heat out and a breeze going through the building.

[Todd-ty729]

Refrigerator for cold beer

This!

Also a spot for a good sized freezer for wild aminal meat!

Auto garage door openers are very cool!

Definately allow for an I-beam hoist.

Heat and air if possible. A couple of decent window units will cool down a pretty large area.

Powered ventalation van. These will do more to knock down the inside air temp than opening a north and south door.

Definately rough-in plumbing for a bathroom and a sink.