Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

Breaking this up to hit my 5 posts :lol:

I've been a lurker on/off over the years here, as life deals you twists and turns I've finally found myself at a point and time in my life where I have outgrown my my current garage/work space.

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

Few years ago I moved into a cool little mill house with the garage under the house/in the basement, when I bought the house it seemed like as much as I would need for a while, but as I got more into fabrication I found that I needed more space and my desire for a lift grew.

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

I took a couple years off of doing a lot of heavily involved car work due to getting a masters, finished that up this spring, so I decided it was time to explore options for more work space.

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

When I bought my house the PO's had poured a really nice concrete pad (19x32) with a carport, this was great for storage, but only worked as a work space a few months a year. Knowing I had this concrete slab it seemed like a decent starting point to build an addition on the back of the house to add some more space. During discussions with some car buddies, my builder and wanting to keep the project between the rails if you will, I landed on 24x32, due to wanting to utilize the existing concrete, and maintain some level of aesthetic with the house. So we landed on a price to get the addition in the dry and I will finish out the inside myself. As anyone can imagine, that worked somewhat, then when starting to demo the retaining wall of the old slab, apparently there was 3/4" rebar tying the wall into the floor, which buckled all the existing slab...so we had to remove the full slab and will be pouring fresh concrete floor. I think this is bitter sweet, it will certainly cost me more, but having a new floor will be nice for when I coat/epoxy or whatever, which is a rabbit hole of a decision I've found.

So anyway, onto some photos.....

Original pad/Carport

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Old concrete pad :sad:

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Starting site work

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Starting Footers

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Footers just about done

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Crude Render in excel, unfortunately don't have a need for cad at work any more and my personal laptop took a dump a couple years ago and just haven't had a need to replace it yet

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

Initial layout...definitely open to suggestions, one looming question I do have is surrounding the lift location. Rotary says that the center line of the lift should be forward of the back wall a minimum of 15ft, I can see some logic in this, but curious if anyone has deviated? My cars today are all mk4 VW's (~14ft long), of which I currently own three, not to say the only/next car I will buy will be a Porsche, but there is a strong chance that will be the only other car I buy (911 or Cayman), which will only be 15-16ft long....All that said, I dont know that I will really need the lift to be that far forward....Thoughts? Am I missing something?

205 garage build by fouckhest, on Flickr

That is where we stand for now, I have to work on getting some photos of my existing garage as it stands today. Much of it will become my storage/warehouse for parts, supplies, etc., which will allow the new addition to be a pure workspace, which I am really excited for.

Lots to come, I welcome any feedback, advise, etc., from lessons learned. I hope to gain some good insight on flooring, lighting, electrical, paint scheme/theme and whatever else I am not thinking about right now! :rocker:

Jagmandave · Aug 10, 2020

Came here for the Minis......left disappointed! :sad:

What are you doing about the window on the house?

I'm doing a very similar project, I'm going to move one window over so there is still sunlight in that room.

Mine can't be wider than the house, so I had to move it over, but will be 24X32 also. I also have the step up to deal with and will have to build a new retaining wall.

What did your budget settle out at including the new concrete? How deep are your footers? Should be minimal where you are - mine will be 3-4 ft deep.

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

Jagmandave said:
Came here for the Minis......left disappointed!

DOH! Didn't even think about that when i made the title.... :lol:

Which window? Basement or on top in the actual house? The basement window is an open topic for now, debating making it a bar....the house window on the left will go away, the smaller window is a bathroom and will try and put something small at the very top just to get some light in there.

Havent got the final damage with the new concrete, but was $32k initially, so i am guessing we will be closer to $35k

Dont remember what he said footer depth would be, but its dug anywhere from 12"-18" I would say, but then we would run a couple courses of block at the bottom, then where the retaining wall was we will build up, re-shape that grass area some and then the block will have rebar and be filled with concrete

Metallitubby · Aug 10, 2020

This thread needs more Beetle Cup wheels.

fouckhest · Aug 10, 2020

Metallitubby said:
This thread needs more Beetle Cup wheels.

....ask and you shall receive ....

DSC00080 by fouckhest, on Flickr

DSC00090 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Jagmandave · Aug 10, 2020

The funny thing is, my shop will be used exclusively to work on classic Minis!

Metallitubby · Aug 11, 2020

fouckhest said:
....ask and you shall receive ....

yeah yeah, I've seen all of those. :lol:

fouckhest · Aug 11, 2020

Jagmandave said:
The funny thing is, my shop will be used exclusively to work on classic Minis!

Very nice, I've always liked old Minis, especially when the guys stuff liter streetbike engines in them :evil:

Metallitubby said:
yeah yeah, I've seen all of those.

gotcha...you must either be on vwvortex or IG? doubtful I have anything you havent seen....

In garage related things, spoke to my builder last night, the inspector is supposed to be coming out today to bless the ground so they can pour footings, fingers crossed things will go well and we can get the concrete truck out here soon!

Metallitubby · Aug 11, 2020

fouckhest said:
gotcha...you must either be on vwvortex or IG?

Vortex.

fouckhest · Aug 12, 2020

Metallitubby said:
Vortex.

gotcha...well you've likely seen all my photos then, at least of the r32

In garage news, unfortunately going to have to dig one side of the footers out more, the inspector wasn't happy with the quality/hardness of the dirt on the left side of the garage, but I'd rather it be done right than have something happen down the road or compromise my ability to sell the house...so have to wait until next Monday for the guy to come back and re-dig those footings...

I also had posted up on vwvortex as Metallitubby mentioned where we are both members, there is a garage thread, couple guys had good suggestions about the man door and roll-up door width....that being said, I talked to the builder last night and we are going to move to doing an 18ft roll-up door and move the people door to the side of the building (still on the left side), which I think makes sense in case I drive up and need to jump out of the drivers seat and run in the garage if its raining out....created a rev2 of my layout and landscape views, also decided I am going to move my lift back 2ft further to give me more work shop space

Layout Rev2 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Landscape Rev2 by fouckhest, on Flickr

Arclitgold · Aug 14, 2020

Looking great!! (I’m another follower from vortex)

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Morio · Aug 14, 2020

Hi old friend! I am glad you are getting this going. Can’t wait to see what’s next

pizza · Aug 14, 2020

haha

i've never seen excel used that way before. interesting.

fouckhest · Aug 15, 2020

Arclitgold said:
Looking great!! (I’m another follower from vortex)

Thanks man, appreciate you following :thumbup:

Morio said:
Hi old friend! I am glad you are getting this going. Can’t wait to see what’s next

Hello my friend, super excited to see how/where this goes! Lots of ideas going thru my mind! :eyecrazy:

pizza said:
haha

i've never seen excel used that way before. interesting.

Lol, where there’s a will there’s a way!

fouckhest · Aug 26, 2020

After a week of rain, we've finally caught a break/found a window in between these silly storms.

Got a call from the building Monday at lunch time that they were able to get the footings poured, then after waking up to light rain yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to get home to find that they had started on footings! :rocker:

The weather the next two days looks clear (just hot/humid), but I think they should be able to get all the block laid! Just the one side really is starting to give it some perspective on size, I'm super excited!

As long as the hurricane doesn't give us too much rain over the weekend, I expect they will pour the floor next week!

Footings by fouckhest, on Flickr

Arclitgold · Aug 26, 2020

Wahoo!! Exciting!

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ambenz · Aug 26, 2020

Cool! It is probably a good thing you broke up the existing concrete as it didn't look too thick in some spots...would have been marginal if you ever put in a future lift.
I'll be watching as I have a friend in Wilmington who is also building a garage....his soil is a lot more sandy than yours. Here we have clay to build on.
Curious about all the different ground textures and building spec to such issues.
Looks like you will have a good foundation and not just a slap to erect on....subscribed.

Jagmandave · Aug 26, 2020

Future lift? Like the one leaning up against the back of the house right now?

fouckhest · Aug 27, 2020

Jagmandave said:
Future lift? Like the one leaning up against the back of the house right now?

LOL, I thought the same!

Thanks for the comments guys, the existing concrete was pretty thick, we had planned to cut/dig and pour reinforced pads specific to the lift...but now it wont be a concern...got home last night to find more block work done....talked to the builder, going to need to get some dirt brought in b/c there is a lot more fall that we had originally thought, so that will delay pouring the slab a little while we finish up getting the floor solid.

It's decieving to look at, but the floor will actually be at the level of the top course of block on the far wall, so yeah, need a lot of dirt :scared:

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

amkluttz · Aug 27, 2020

The photo is deceiving... does that top row of block line up with the bottom of your foundation against the house? I'm assuming so and that the pad will be level so you can drive in to the house garage.

fouckhest · Aug 27, 2020

amkluttz said:
The photo is deceiving... does that top row of block line up with the bottom of your foundation against the house? I'm assuming so and that the pad will be level so you can drive in to the house garage.

Correct, the top row is level with the existing basement pad. Definitely going to be bringing some dirt in to fill and get things leveled out

Metallitubby · Aug 27, 2020

Looks great!

ambenz · Aug 27, 2020

fouckhest said:
LOL, I thought the same!

Missed that totally....it gonna be a fun project to watch! :bounce:

fouckhest · Aug 28, 2020

Thanks!

Another day, a little more progress, got the opening for the man door in the far wall yesterday, gives some perspective for how much fill will be needed to get up to grade. Hopefully have the block work done today.

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

fouckhest · Aug 31, 2020

Not much of an update, block work is done, builder is going to get the landscape/grading work done this week on the right side of the shop and bring in some dirt to get all the grading in and in front of the shop cleaned up...should be cool to see that take shape.

I did have one of my cars backed out of the existing garage and into the the new space, forgot to snap a photo, but was good to get some perspective on the size!

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Jagmandave · Aug 31, 2020

I hope you continue to update frequently, as this is exactly what I'm planning to do in my shop build too.....

Using block instead of poured concrete - is that common in your area, and does it save money? All the builders I've talked to here have planned to form and pour concrete for the walls.....mine will be almost exactly like yours in height as well as length.

Your project has one large advantage over mine in that you have access for trucks etc, mine doesn't as I'm right in the middle of the block and there's no room to get a drive along the side of the house, we'll probably have to hire a pump truck to get the concrete back there. Also, my door into the existing garage will be the only way in and out of the shop.

But looking at your pics helps me visualize what I'll be dealing with too - we hope that the dirt removed for the footings and concrete will be enough to fill in th void on the uphill side of the short wall.....we may be optimistic on that based on your experience....my yard falls away to the rear exactly like yours.

I hadn't planned to step the wall like you did.....

fouckhest · Sep 1, 2020

Jagmandave said:
I hope you continue to update frequently, as this is exactly what I'm planning to do in my shop build too.....

I'm going to try and do my best, since this isn't much of me working, its much easier to keep up with photos and posting, typically when doing car build threads it gets tricky when you get to crunch time....going to do my best.

To be honest the builder and I talked about the poured concrete walls versus block, and now I dont really remember, but I feel like it was a combination of being cheaper and he prefers block. The dirt removal/need is certainly deceiving, I can remember being a kid helping my dad to some site work and being shocked at how flat a 2-3ft drop looks, and that was close to what I wound up with from the existing garage door to where the new one will be, I think it was 18"

General question for anyone, what are your thoughts on slope of the actual garage floor? The builder suggested 6" fall from front to back, I talked to a buddy of mine that is a lifetime mechanic, and another who used to build houses and they both said 3", which is what I've told the builder, but curious what other do/have done?

Came home yesterday to see some grading work done, looks like we got a load of dirt dropped off and spread. First photo is looking down from my back porch, the second is looking up from the back yard to where the man door will enter on the left front of the shop, decided on that in the case that I get home, its raining and I dont want to run all the way back up to the door in the original house (also b/c I am not sure when I'll do an electric opener on the door).

The third photo is from my kinda standard 3/4 view looking down from the driveway, but it definitely looks much better with some additional dirt in and around the building, you can also see where he did some grading on that small grass area off the back porch, and my one of my hounddogs off in the distance guarding her back yard!

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

amkluttz · Sep 1, 2020

Looking good!

Is there any reason you chose to put the man door on the left instead of the right side of the garage? Initially I was thinking that would be closer to your back deck but completely forgot that if you're in the garage you have entry to the house already.

fouckhest · Sep 1, 2020

amkluttz said:
Looking good!

Is there any reason you chose to put the man door on the left instead of the right side of the garage? Initially I was thinking that would be closer to your back deck but completely forgot that if you're in the garage you have entry to the house already.

Thanks!

Couple reasons, mainly b/c if I am driving up to the garage I'd like to be able to get out of the car and be closer to the garage. However, due to the grading of the backyard in that small area near the porch, we will end up grading it such that the water gets pushed away from the garage, if there was a man door there, it would likely result in water in the garage

Jagmandave · Sep 2, 2020

I understand the reason for the sloped garage floor (water off the cars hitting the floor), and if you're parking your daily in there maybe it makes sense, but I will make my floor dead flat, on the odd occasion that I get water on the floor I'll just squeegee it out. I hate having a sloped garage floor right now, things tend to slide or roll when I don't want them too. Also, if I want to do some alignment work, it's much more accurate on a dead level floor......plus sometimes I may want to roll a car around the shop on some of those car rollers, having it flat means I don't have to chase the car before it hits something.

Normal slope around here is 1/8" per foot, or 1" in 8 ft, so 4" in 32 ft.

Looking more closely at your pics I think you have a lot more fall away from the house that I do......so maybe my dirt situation will be easier and I won't have to bring loads of fill in.

On your uphill side, will you grade the dirt away from the wall or to it with a swale in between for water control?

Will you pour an apron, or the entire driveway in concrete?

One other small observation, I would have done two regular garage doors instead of one large one - as you have it now your lift is offset from the door which means you'll have to turn to get square into the lift instead of being able to drive straight on. Also, you're doubling the amount of cold or hot humid air coming into the shop every time you open the door, which if it will house your daily driver it means - well, frequently. I intend to condition the air in my shop so this would be an issue for me.

Which direction does the garage door face? NSEW?

fouckhest · Sep 3, 2020

Jagmandave said:
Which direction does the garage door face? NSEW?

Hey Jagmandave, thanks for the comments, you'll see in the photos below what we are doing on the uphill side, he has sealed the block, then put a corrugated pipe in with gravel over that, essentially a french drain, then we will build up on the wall and create a swale for the water to drain.

We will pour an apron outside the garage, then I will get some reground asphalt to put down on top of my existing(old and crumbling) asphalt driveway for the time being, pouring the whole thing is not in the budget

In regards to the doors, this is not a daily driver garage, this is going to be my play shop/work shop for my project/play cars. There are always sacrifices that have to be made, this build was designed to give me more space, still call it an "attached" garage (for the purposes of resale advertising/appraisal) b/c I am not sure if we will stay in this house long term or not, if we do, there will likely be a shop v2 and I'll build a detached in the back yard...also, the garage door faces almost dead north

All that being said, couple small updates of the drainage, little bit of grading in the garage floor. We are getting dirt hauled in today, so excited to see progress tonight when I get home!

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Jagmandave · Sep 3, 2020

Looks great, you think your guy would come to Kansas and build mine? :lol:

fouckhest · Sep 3, 2020

Jagmandave said:
Looks great, you think your guy would come to Kansas and build mine?

Well seeing that he live less than a mile from me, I'm guessing that would be tough! That being said, it has been a great experience, he told me he has been working within 10miles of here for the last 5-6yrs, so its very reassuring to know he is close, has done a lot of work around the area and keeps getting more business. Oh, and his son lives in my neighborhood, so you know he is vested in doing good work!

oh, and in bitter sweet news, letting go from my collection....selling my 1971 Honda CB350 this afternoon, tough to let go, but I haven't ridden it in 5-6yrs years and well, I've got a garage to pay for

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

Metallitubby · Sep 4, 2020

You are supposed to sell the VWs to BUY Hondas!

fouckhest · Sep 8, 2020

Metallitubby said:
You are supposed to sell the VWs to BUY Hondas!

Lol!...well the ole girl didnt sell to the people on Thursday, but did sell to what I think was a way more deserving buyer on Satruday. Happy to see it go to a good home!

Not too much for progress, builder came and spread the first load to fill Saturday morning, then got a second load delivered and partially spread. Its going to work out quite nicely b/c now we will have plenty of extra to get a nice turn area built up in front of the garage, they are supposed to be getting everything compacted this week and if all goes well we could be pouring the floor next week! :rocker:

Untitled by fouckhest, on Flickr

greyghost18t · Sep 8, 2020

Watching this. Nice R32!

Arclitgold · Sep 8, 2020

Wahoo!!!!

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Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT My Mini Garagemahal

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