Building a Shop

[Brandon Flyway]

Another good idea with the drain.

What have you guys done about lighting? I want to be sure not to cut myself short in this area.

[grnhed]

On the front of my shop I did 2 bulb flood lights on both corners. On the side with the door I did one square light so it lights up the door and also the area right there in my backyard in case i want to do something outside.

Inside I have 4 big flourescent lights. 2 of them directly above my work bench and cleaning table and the other 2 spaced out the rest of the shop.

[rjohnson]

12' wide door, imagine how much easier backing a trailer in that shop will be, i would get the same rollup door on the front and back of the building then you won't have to back the trailer in, just drive it straight through, another thought i would put about 12-15' open extension off the back for simple covered storage for a tractor or boat or whatever, if i can ever get a place big enough for a shop it will have rollup doors on both front and rear, drains in the floor, one corner will be setup as an indoor kennel with chainlink and a drain just for it with a door to an outside fenced in area so we can leave the dogs in there when we travel instead of boarding them, also think about plumbing one corner for a bathroom/kitched just in case you want a place for the mother in law to stay one day god forbid she ever have to move in with you for some reason, build it out and stick her booty out there

[grnhed]

12' wide door, imagine how much easier backing a trailer in that shop will be, i would get the same rollup door on the front and back of the building then you won't have to back the trailer in, just drive it straight through, another thought i would put about 12-15' open extension off the back for simple covered storage for a tractor or boat or whatever, if i can ever get a place big enough for a shop it will have rollup doors on both front and rear, drains in the floor, one corner will be setup as an indoor kennel with chainlink and a drain just for it with a door to an outside fenced in area so we can leave the dogs in there when we travel instead of boarding them, also think about plumbing one corner for a bathroom/kitched just in case you want a place for the mother in law to stay one day god forbid she ever have to move in with you for some reason, build it out and stick her booty out there

The covered part is a great idea...I did not have room to do this, but at our next house this is what I will do...

[bigoak]

Would love to see pics if anyone can post them. I did not start this thread but I am getting some great ideas.

[MSDawg870]

Another thing to think about. If you use pneumatic tools often, it'd be a good idea to get air lines ran through the shop. That way you can hook up to different outlets. My Dad had an extra section of slab (something like a 4'x10') poured on the back where a good size air compressor can sit. Keeping it bolted down outside will knock out a lot of noise.

[Greenhead329]

I second going with a reputable builder, My uncle went with a guy who was a good bit cheaper than his competition...and his slab isn't square. He has 3ft extra on the back corner, and 1ft something inches on the front.

I would recommend going as big as you can afford. My uncle built his shop for what he needed, and is now out of room and having to plan for add-ons, where as my buddy who has no ag equipment built a shop big enough to house 2 dual wheeled tractors. We were giving him skit, but now that his shop is done He has his boat, 4 wheeler, utility trailer, all his tools and still plenty enough room to work without having to step over or move something