building a 34x30 garage and need help

[scesnick]

I had the same situation last fall, except my hill was much steeper. I to have to keep a close eye on my wallet so I dug out the hill with my own equipment ( backhoe) and I used a bunch of used rail road ties for a retaining wall. just call your local rail road. they usually have a big pile of them and they are usually free if you pick them up. You will have to dig through them to find good ones os take a long chain with ya to pull them out of the pile.

My wall looks as if it is much higher than what yours will be. Just be sure to put a " deadman" in it every so often to ensure strength.

 

[roermo]

Thanks all for the input:

I called the local cement company and gave them the demension and they cam up with 96 yards (this was with a built in fudge factor to the plus). They did the math and it cam up to 4,680 dollars for the concrete. I am getting bids on the labor and dirt work.

I like the look of railroad ties and move the garage forward to have an all frame garage but when I was growing up my folks did a wall made of ties and in 10 years they had to work on it some in 20 they had to rip it out. Would concrete hold up better with proper rock tile and tar.

We are going to shot the site this week end and I will know what we are talking about as far as the height of the wall.

I will post pics as I go for those that want a laguh.

thanks

Roger

 

[scesnick]

I would think concrete would last longer for sure. BUT as far as the wallet factor ( which is always my #1 factor ) RR ties were my choice. If you do it right with plenty of deadmans it should hold up for quite a while. Atleast I hope so since that is they way I did it.

Another thing to think about, and a second reason I went with RR ties was that I will have my backhoe and tractors and things around this wall and I know I would eventually run into it and the RR ties would not chip or crack.

 

[roermo]

boy you guys can make a person think and ponder, what to do, hum. Choices are better than no choices. Once again thanks all.

Roger

 

[plowking]

If you do cement wall, you probably want to do a drainage system with pipe stcking through the wall occassionally. That way you won't get hydraulic pressure and possible freezing of water behind wall which could push it or crack it. plowking

 

[bjmad]

Well, I have done many projects and built a garage last year. It was not into a hill however. My thought is this. As long as it is feasible, build it the way you want it. You will regret it later that you didn't do something, even it might take a little longer or maybe even cost a little more. It sounds like you know what you want so go for it. My garage is 28 x 40 and I have workshop in it. There is no room for my tractor because I bought that after the fact. I now have another project but I have lots of land and near the house, it's flat and open. You may want to write down questions, contact several contractors and listen to what they have to say. This will give you a good idea of what's going to happen and will most likely present new ideas to you. Good luck.

 

[roermo]

BJMAD:
you gave me some food for thought about your 28x40, you mentioned you had a work shop area but did not have room for your tactor. I want my boat 19 footer truck and tactor plus work shop. Maybe I better lay out a 34x30 grid on the flat and put the boat, tractor, and truck in that square and see if I have room for a nice work area. I can see the price jumping as I type and think.

thanks

Roger