Shop First or House First?

[ToadHill]

It depends if your married or not and if you are , do you want to stay that way.

 

[kf4uda]

My wife and I are currently living in my future shop. We had a 30x40 metal building errected and done the finish work ourselves. I ran an underground 400amp service to the building and split off with 2-200amp disconnects. We had a 12x12 opening left in one end for a roll-up door. I framed it up and installed windows for now. Can't wait to get the house built so I can have my shop.

 

[Kernopelli]

When we bought our property, the first thing I did was build the shop. It was a great way to store materials, have extra work area, store and secure tools for the house, storage place for "attic junk" when we moved in. You'll never regret getting it done first and it ensures that it will be built...not put off.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I wanted to do garage first with living space, but got overruled. I ended up renting a house near my house site, as the boss also did not want to live in a trailor on our land.
while waiting for the building permit, I did build a nice small shed for storage.

 

[Pops15]

We're going to build the shop first. It will have a finished area with a bathroom and a small kitchen as well as two good size rooms. The temporary living area will become an office for my business once the house is done.
Building the shop first will give us a place to store materials and tools securely, and also a place to finish trim. We'll also have room to store our household stuff as we plan on selling our existing house before the new one is complete.

Like others have said if you build the house first the shop may not get built.

 

[dan c]

Construction loans - Do they exsist in Texas? None to be had here in CA! Banks all sitting tight with our tax dollars.

What can you afford cash? Do it all with-out loans if you can! Build the shop and live in a cheep trailer. Sell your city house if you can or rent it. Use your salries to build. It can go along way!

 

[westbrooklawn]

I built my 28 x 36 shop first... was afraid if I didn't, then it might not get done later. It was invaluable during the house build for storing/securing tools, material, etc. The only problem I had was with zoning and inspections people... house had to be complete within certain time of shop completion, couldn't be used for temp living quarters, etc. I was able to get electic installed with a seperate meter, and get electrical inspections completed early on for the shop structure.

 

[ctwo1]

Another vote for shop first. You'll be happy you did in the long run. We bought a place to renovate, house got done, shop still needs a lot of work!

 

[Sackett2]

Shop first, but you can keep it basic. Depending on what kind/size shop, at least fund the 4 walls, roof and floor & doors- a working "shell" of a shop. Then build the house and finish up the shop later

 

[dave1949]

Shop first, but you can keep it basic. Depending on what kind/size shop, at least fund the 4 walls, roof and floor & doors- a working "shell" of a shop. Then build the house and finish up the shop later

Best suggestion so far - the art of compromise
Dave