building a garage / barn

[arthr31]

hi there,
A big project in the planning phase for my family this summer / fall is to build a garage / barn. This structure should be about 25*32 (or so). it'll be a two car garage, workshop, animal space, and an upstairs loft.

We've been looking at either pre-fab buildings (carefree small buildings .com or shelter-kit.com) or building it ourselves. Does anyone have any input on this matter?

Also, without even seeing the area, what might i expect to pay for excavation for such a project? Granted it's a shallow foundation with no substructure?

I appreciate any input to this matter, thanks!

p.s. I've considered digging the foundation with a box blade, is that realistic???

 

[kenmac]

Last year I built a 12x24 building for less than I could buy a prefab metal building. Went to lowes & home depot & had them work me up a material price. Just depends if you have more money than time.

 

[v8dave]

Here is another supplier of shops and garages with 2nd stories- BGS Plan Company. I got my shop plans from them, and now have the shop done. Even though these folks are in California, they can get the plans stamped for your state (i.e., Professional Engineer signed off for your County/Township's building department).

Spend the time and $$ to get plans for what you want. Don't like what is available? Always ask what the modifications to the plans will cost. In the end, a set of plans is a drop in the bucket for the cost of the building.

If you have cut and fill work to do, call up some local "General Engineering" excavation companies. Ask right away if they do residential jobs, some don't. It will save you on phone time and get you the right estimator for the job. When you connect with an excavation company, they'll come out and give you an estimate.

If you have flat ground then have a concrete contractor do the site prep work along with the concrete work. Get estimates. A rough guide for cost is to estimate the quantity of yards of concrete, get a material cost and then double it for labor. A 25' x 32' floor is 800 sq ft. For a 4 inch deep floor that is 267 cubic ft., or roughly 10 yards of concrete (27 cu ft per cu yard) for just the slab, need to add on for the foundation another 5 to 6 yards. Out here concrete is around $100 per yard. So, the shop floor/foundation is about $1,500 in concrete another $3,000 in labor. So, you are looking at about $4,500 for the floor and foundation. Comes close to the "standard" estimate of $5 per square foot for concrete flatwork (which this isn't).

Make sure the slab level is above the surrounding ground. Have clear ways to drain water away from the site. Ask for a vapor barrier under the concrete.

Before you call for an estimate have the site staked out. Mark the building site and mark the limits to slope/fill areas you want. Have the excavator dig the utility lines to the building. Besides electricity (and make it 100 amp service at a minimum), bring running water to the building. Do yourself a favor and mark the property lines too--you'll have property set-back regulations you'll have to watch out for.

 

[edski]

I'm in the process of building a 40X60 pole barn. The driveway is in, leveled, and stoned. The poles are up, purlins attached, windows framed. The trusses are on site and should go up Monday. I'm waiting on the steel roof/siding.

A pole barn has to be one of the simplest structure to build. No foundation required. Just level the site, dig post holes, and when you're all done, have some one pour your concrete.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( p.s. I've considered digging the foundation with a box blade, is that realistic??? )</font>

An experienced hand could level their site and drive with a BB. I've never tried to dig a foundation w/ a BB as you've suggested.

FWIW, I'll pay $9,500 for a 4" concrete floor from a local who does top notch work.

 

[arthr31]

guys, thanks much for the thoughtful responses. We marked out the building area today and will hopefully start more serious research on foundation, construction, etc. next week. I've kinda discarded the idea of prepping the site with a BB since i'm more than likely to find a stone or two about the size of my tractor, love that new england soil... Thanks again - arthr31

 

[macahs]

I am currently putting in a similar sized garage with a 9x13 breezeway addition. If this garage you are proposing is detached, then a floating/monolithic slab would be fine. A floating slab is basically a slab floor which has a thicker floor "footing" around the perimeter to support the walls. However if attached then you would want a frost wall and footings to ensure no movement due to freezing ground. This would be a concrete wall that extends down below the frost line (generally 4 feet) in the New England are. The cost can vary depending on contractors but a good rule of thumb for the foundation pouring is about $200/cubic yard (materials and labor). Excavation for a frostwall is considerably more involved than a slab but for the size you are talking about without running into ledge it can easily be accomplished in a day or so.

 

[Nasty135]

Art, Just read your post and sounds like your building my barn/shop its 24x32 with garage basement, 1st flr shop, loft storage with stairs going upstairs.
I'm no expert but ,if you have any questions or want to see more pics, just ask /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

We built ours as the wallet allowed so it took 2yrs. stick built straight out of my little pea brain, still standing /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif 2yrs later .... Excavation depending on your do-it-yourself status renting a small trac-loader for $200 can dig your footers if your not going into a bank like I did.

I paid an excavator $600 which was a great deal to dig into the bank,then I dug the footers with a rented machine.

Now for the dollars question, Doing all the work myself except for the block work, It cost about $20k ,but saved on garage doors which were free from Dad he replaced his ,so I took his old ones and painted them and my steel beam basement support was free also (lucked up on that one) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh , Good Luck on your project, I'm still finishing mine inside and when its done I post interior pics...

 

[DennisArrow]

Hey..........just finishin the pole barn that I have discussed on here several times while asking for advice......thanks guys......anyway.......28x40 with a tin roofyes, colored), the gable ends sided, gravel floor............$6800...............sideing the walls and putting on doors will add another thousand or so........am able to get the lumber straight from the saw mill here in North Georgia which is a great benefit............did it all myself except some friends to help set the trusses and $600 for a crew to install the tin.............
This thing stands like a rock. I was concerned that it would be shaky without the walls installed; but with a lot of bracing on the chords and walls themselves it is fantastic.........not in a hurry at all to HAVE to get it sided.........NOW my Airstream, F250, Expedition, Accord, and tractor have a snug dry home......Dennis

 

[DennisArrow]

Nasty..........didnt see the pics before I posted.....REALLY NICE.........fantastic job..........you did it yourself?????

 

[Nasty135]

Dennis, Yes it took a while and I had my 16 yr old step son helping me from time to time ,when he wasn't sitting down /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. Now that he's eighteen he has all of this new found knowledge that he thought he'd never need /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif DUH! Live and learn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif He is a good boy and just joined the local VFD, I think he'll do OK....

Oh and thanks for the compliment /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif