Advice on building a tractor shed?

[swreeder]

I like the design. Especially the openness of the rafters. Our winds and snow loads would reqire that the roof have more support.

Its wind rated for 120MPH, no snow load here in Texas required. They did have I believe a higher wind rating of 150, but I went with the 120MPH. Barn is the least of my concerns if it goes over 120 ;-)

 

[Hoodoo]

I found a 20x20x10 carport for $3k. My materials to build it myself come to about $1200. So it looks like I'll be building one more time.....I would really rather just buy one.........

 

[jyoutz]

I did...they don't deliver to AZ...

They delivered to New Mexico. There are similar brands out there that I am sure deliver to AZ. Make sure that you order the heavy gauge steel frame and don’t buy an aluminum one. Where I live in NM there was a local dealer that had models set up in a yard to go look at. I placed my order at the local dealer, but they were delivered by the installers from a distant warehouse. All I had to do was level the site and spread gravel (a good tractor activity). Then when the installers came, they were done in half a day. You pay a percentage down when you place your order, then the remainder after installation.

 

[jyoutz]

I did...they don't deliver to AZ...

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[swreeder]

They delivered to New Mexico. There are similar brands out there that I am sure deliver to AZ. Make sure that you order the heavy gauge steel frame and don’t buy an aluminum one. Where I live in NM there was a local dealer that had models set up in a yard to go look at. I placed my order at the local dealer, but they were delivered by the installers from a distant warehouse. All I had to do was level the site and spread gravel (a good tractor activity). Then when the installers came, they were done in half a day. You pay a percentage down when you place your order, then the remainder after installation.

This is exactly the process of how I purchased mine from a local dealer.

 

[swreeder]

I found a 20x20x10 carport for $3k. My materials to build it myself come to about $1200. So it looks like I'll be building one more time.....I would really rather just buy one.........

That is a good price for doing with materials. I just built a 4X8 pumphouse shed and I had $1100 in that small building. Nothing special beyond framing studs and sheathing. Lumber prices are through the roof where I live.

 

[Tomtint]

I have never ever heard anyone say they built their garage too big....

 

[JsJs]

Make a friend of a shipping container.

 

[JethroB]

Hard to beat the size, price, convenience of some of these carport companies.

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Remember when the the roadside lots had these at $699 for a standard 18’x21’ ? I just priced one, now $2200.

 

[sunandsand]

Bigger is better, I guarantee it. Size matters.

In 2008 I built a 50 by 90 steel building, 4,500 square feet, clear span.

Figured I wasn't going to do this again, might as well do it right the first time and be done with it.

Forgot all about Murphy's Third Corollary - stuff expands to fill the space allotted to it.

Dang thing is FULL . . . some of the stuff isn't even ours, a friend says hey I need a place to store X for a few weeks (right), and it is hard to turn friends down, they reciprocate in other ways. Same for extended family - they are a bit easier to decline, gee, it isn't heated or cooled, and there are sometimes mice and bugs, so they look for alternate storage accommodations.

There is also furniture in it for an addition we are building, and materials for that addition. I work on our vehicles in it as well. Workbenches, tools, lights, power, music and a small fridge - Dear Bride always knows where to find me, and I'm OK+ with that.

Very glad I did it, it has been endlessly useful. It also makes a good place to park our cars during a hurricane, it is rated at 160 mph and we are not close to the coast. Hurricane shutters in there, too, when not needed (which is most of the time).

It also generates income. I work with a small overseas company which sells on Amazon, all the returns come here. (Amazon won't ship them back to him, instead they'll just discard them.) He has about six pallets in there, and I get some nice pocket money every month (yes, I declare it ;-)

Don't be afraid to build it BIG and build it WELL - you won't regret it.

Best Regards,

Mike/Florida

 

[Wakey]

I have never ever heard anyone say they built their garage too big....

You can always downsize

An old man told me years ago "That sounds like a great idea, build a $100,000 Barn to protect your $100,000 worth of equipment"
Yes..

 

[JLY]

I suggest at least 6 ft all around the tractor as open space so you have plenty of space to work on it. A 12x12 door sure adds flexibility going in and out. My neighbor had a post rot out. My builder used 3 2x6's nailed together rather than 6x6 posts since pressure treating can't get to the center of the post but 2x lumber is fully treated. Leave the center one short at the top to slide the roof truss in. I have translucent fiberglass at the top 2 ft of the side walls which lets a lot of light in. Have a ridge vent and windows for ventilation.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I would never want center posts in a storage building. It would only be a matter of time before I hit one.

My very first thought when I read the original post. I'm sure I'd hit one in the first couple trips in and out.

 

[sunandsand]

An old man told me years ago "That sounds like a great idea, build a $100,000 Barn to protect your $100,000 worth of equipment"

I think the old man was wrong . . .

As you say, you can always downsize. Chances are you WILL fill it up, sooner or later.

Your $100,000 worth of equipment will last longer, take less maintenance, keep its value better and work better if it isn't left out in the elements and is protected from theft, vandalism, joyriders, critters, you name it. Remember, your equipment was bought to WORK, it wasn't bought because it was a trophy of some kind. If it won't work, you are losing money.

In 20 years, the value of the equipment inside the barn could easily be $200,000 or more, the barn is still $100,000.

If it is part of a business (farming, used for business purposes, etc.) you can deduct any interest payments on the mortgage and you can also depreciate it. Don't forget expenses - maintenance, power, and so forth.

When you go to sell, it will appraise (assuming it has been kept in good condition) at current replacement cost or close to it, which is going to be WAY more than you paid for it 20 years ago. (Exception - I am given to understand that in farms, the value is in the land which makes income and structures on it are not as important in the valuation.)

You will also have had the utility value of it for all the time you owned it. Mini-storage is atrociously expensive and there is a national shortage of warehouse space.

Size matters, bigger is better.

Best Regards,

Mike/Florida

 

[Gord Baker]

The Open End should face EAST as prevailing winds are from the West. Build the door way at least 16" higher than your ROPS. Shelving along the sides, 8' x 2' wide Work Benches at either end but along the side. One at back one at front (open end) LOTS of Lighting and outlets. Consider 220V service for Welder roughed in. A 4x4 Washroom is a valuable addition.

 

[3gunr]

I had cardinal carports build me a 28x36 with 2 10x9 roll up doors and a 36 in walk door. Last yr. i love it , Had it put on concrete , Best thing i ever did , You will regret going to small , Spend a little more now or alot more later.

 

[jyoutz]

Remember when the the roadside lots had these at $699 for a standard 18’x21’ ? I just priced one, now $2200.

View attachment 733130

Remember the steel tariffs? The prices went up and not back down.

 

[jyoutz]

I had cardinal carports build me a 28x36 with 2 10x9 roll up doors and a 36 in walk door. Last yr. i love it , Had it put on concrete , Best thing i ever did , You will regret going to small , Spend a little more now or alot more later.

Yes. And the worst eyesores are those places with multiple small sheds. Build one right-sized building.

 

[Hoodoo]

Well now I am looking at going with a steel carport thanks to you guys.....and my wife agrees.

Jethro B - where did you find that 18 x 21'...?

 

[ultrarunner]

Either a carport style or a full garage is my thinking.

Rodents have a field day the more enclosed but not 100 enclosed…

Keeping the sun and rain at bay to my thinking provides the most bang for the buck…