My new Barn/Shop

rcrcomputing · Apr 2, 2009

Planning to go down there for a day.. Wow!

So,, if that material was 5000.00, about how much are slabs going for now to fit it? Just ballpark me..

DTCOOPER · Apr 2, 2009

I believe in our area, a slab (complete, all materials and labor) will run you about 4.00 dollars per square foot.. That's if the guys don't have to do any dirt work.. Just come in, do a final grade, set forms, add steel, pour, and finish it..
I was quoted right at 4800 bucks for my 1200 sq ft slab for the barn.
If I buy the 2500 worth of concrete, and pay for my steel, I got a guy who will come form it, andd my steel, pour, and finish it for 7-800 bucks.. Definitely a cheaper alternative..

DTCOOPER · Apr 2, 2009

Eddie,
I believe what you'll find is that Mueller over-engineers their structures.. While that's definitely a "safe bet", I don't think it's necessary..
We don't have a snow load here.. So I don't know that we will ever realize the value of having a structure with a snow load rating..

I invite you to come on down and check it out when you get a chance. If I could change just ONE THING, and I guess I could have while I was there, it would be to use larger posts.. They came with 3" square tube 1/4" wall for all posts. And since there are a total of 14 of them for my 30x40, I am sure it's fine, I would have bought some 4" posts instead.. But then again, the truss gussets they give you are engineered for the 3" posts.. So I am sure it'll work out well..

Just as the bills of material show on the website, you can change anything about the "kit" without being penalized.. They don't try to gig you for any modifications you make to the package since you can see unit prices from the beginning..

The folks at J&I seem to be honest, upstanding people.. And I'll definitely continue trading with them in the future..

DTCOOPER · Apr 6, 2009

Here are some pics of the progress... Your comments are welcome !!

rcrcomputing · Apr 6, 2009

I don't see concrete on the posts? Don't know if you need it.. Seems sheer would be a bigger problem than lift, and I don't see a sheer problem..

Did you "stick build" the trusses in place? Or did you make a boom we need to see?

DTCOOPER · Apr 6, 2009

We drilled holes with the auger, 12" diameter, 3' deep.. Tamped about 6" of soil around base of post, then filled with concrete to ground level..
My plan is to still pounr concrente after finalizing the grade, once the building is in place..

As for the trusses: They are pre-built.. INSTALLING THAT FRONT TRUSS WAS A BIT OF A TRICK.. My neighbor down the road has a larger tractor, with a boom pole for his FEL. Well, he was not available right then, and since I am a proponent of instant gratification, I had to devise a way to install them without his assistance..

I sat in the bucket of my FEL, and "held" a truss on the bucket in my lap.. My father in law picked me up to the top of the posts, and I hefted the truss up and sat it on the angle brackets we had already welded to the outer end posts... It was quote a pucker moment for me..
I'll be receiving help from the neighbor for the remainder of them...

DTCOOPER · Apr 10, 2009

well hopefully by the endo f the weekend, we'll have the rest of the trusses in place, and have purlins on the roof...
As you can see out to the side, the cleared spot between building and the trees, I am going to continue cutting it down quite a bit, to park the 5th wheel camper in there. I will end up putting a lean to style roof off of both sides. Camper on side 1, and other side for dog run, tractor parking, etc..

smfcpacfp · Apr 11, 2009

I found this discussion quite interesting as I am planning to have a pole building built to the same specifications as yours. I am not coming down to Texas to get the materials given where I live. I would also have to have a much steeper pitch on the roof (6 by 12) since we get 15 to 30 feet of snow for 4 months of the year, and a pretty good overhang to keep the falling snow from caving in the sides as it falls.

Given what you guys said, perhaps it would be good to get the floor poured first, but I am planning to have a contractor do everything but the site preparation, who mostly builds only pole building do the work.

Schooler Pole buildings

The website has some pretty interesting pictures of many different pole buildings that the company has built, if you are interested. I was going to talk to them today, but I guess they are Good Friday celebrators.

EddieWalker · Apr 11, 2009

Daniel,

Thanks for the pictures and update on your progress. I'm really hoping to be in your area next week, and I'm looking forward to meeting you and seeing your barn. Especially now that you've started building it!!!!

Eddie

DTCOOPER · Apr 13, 2009

Here are a few more pics of progress made this weekend.. Sunday was rain filled from sun up until about 2:00. That's when we finally got a chance to hang the rest of the trusses, and get the gussets welded up..
Enjoy the pics: