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Shop/Office/Studio/Kitchen/Bath

rjgogo | Posted in General Discussion on March 15, 2008 06:55am

I am looking for some guidance on a new building we are looking to erect on a piece of property we have. There is currently a house there but it is limited in it’s use for a shop and studio.

So, we have the space to build an additional building on the property and have hopes of making it multipurpose. I will attempt to give as much detail as I can.

The building will be multi use and there are several uses we want to accomplish.

First, we need to have a dirty shop that will allow for light welding fabrication as well as woodworking, storage of metal and wood, as well as parking for a SCUT tractor and a few implements. This area will probably be heated with a wood furnace.

Second we need to have two offices, one for myself for my day job, and one for my wife who is an artist. My office will also be a multi purpose room and be available for guests to sleep there with a pull our air sofa or futon. My DW’s will need to have the same.

Third we need to have a clean shop for my wife which will house a kiln or two for glass work as well as a cutting and assembly area.

Fourth and fifth, we will need a kitchenette and bathroom and shower for the obvious reasons, as we don’t want to walk all the way to the other place to pee or grab a bite. Also this could serve as a Mother-in-law should we decide ever to sell.

Given these requirements I am asking for a bit of input. There is a lot of knowledge here.

What would a realistic budget be for this type of building given that it would be built on slab, within 20 feet of the electric pole with my own personal transformer.

Any suggestions as to how you would go about this.

I am also thinking that there is some sort of prefab option that should be available. This can be built on a slab and again we already own the land.

So I guess my questions revolve around where I can find resources on prefab buildings, and or what is the most cost effective way to get this type of building.

I am more the willing to do much of the finish work in the new house but time does not allow be the joy of construction of the building itself.

thanks in advance for any suggestions or input.

Reply

Replies

  1. cowtown | Mar 15, 2008 11:25am | #1

    To start....

    Welding and woodwork simply do not mix in my mind; too many sparks and too much dust.

    But if you can afford to do all you want to do, and have the time and money to support it, more power to you.

    just the thought of keeping your welding, wwing, ceramics (clean and dirty) shops heated with wood would have me run ragged.

    Eric

    1. rjgogo | Mar 17, 2008 05:23am | #4

      Thanks, Just going to heat the dirty shop with wood. My wood stuff is infrequent so I can clean up after. The welding usually small stuff

  2. GregGibson | Mar 15, 2008 03:45pm | #2

    I'd take a good hard look at Murphy Bed type hardware; I think Rockler's sells it. Standard queen mattress, folds into the wall, takes up very little space when not in use, but its a much more comfortable sleep than a hide-a-bed couch or futon. I don't know why they're not much more popular.

    Greg

    1. rjgogo | Mar 17, 2008 05:24am | #5

      Thanks, I will look into that.

  3. TLE | Mar 15, 2008 04:11pm | #3

    No good way to give you a realistic budget from your discription.

    Prices can vary widly by region and specfic local. Over all sizes of each portion and the building as a whole. Level of finish inside and out. Etc. etc.

    Prefab construction is not necessarily your best price, especially slab on grade construction. Panelized might be an option. Possibly, SIP's

    Personally, I think stick frame works just fine.

    Considering your current needs and future considerations, you may be best off just building a single large clear span space, then partition it as needed and change as desired.

    As far as progected costs, 30-50% higher then whatever you are now thinking it should cost.

    Terry

    1. rjgogo | Mar 17, 2008 05:26am | #6

      Thanks, good input on the clear span, I think that may be the way to get this designed. Start with a clear span that I can build and then wall it out.

      1. VaTom | Mar 17, 2008 05:36pm | #7

        Click on my name and you'll find a link to what I built as a future shop.  Cheap, for what it is.  Never gets cold, or hot.  Nothing to burn or maintain. 

        Did a similar one for a client, 40' clear spans.  He got a mortgage as a fully-finished house, appraised 50% higher than it cost to build.  The crane operator was astounded at how little the steel roof cost.  He generally sets wood trusses, had never done steel before.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

        1. rjgogo | Mar 24, 2008 07:56am | #8

          that is a really amazing structure. beyond that, I don't think I have the budget to put something like that together. I wish I could but the scope of my project is not that large. If we were to be building new on the property maybe. Very good use of the earth.

          1. VaTom | Mar 24, 2008 02:16pm | #9

            Most take one look and (incorrectly) assume major expense.   

            This is simple commercial construction, beefed up for the earth loads.  The reason commercial buildings use these materials is to save money, not cost more.  As my house client confirmed when he got his appraisal.  Bar joists come in many lengths, down to 8'.

            Price it out, you may be surprised.  If you decided to eliminate most or all of the earth loading, the cost goes down exponentially.  A mistake in my view, but you're the one with the heating/cooling bill.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

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