Also known as Project Reclaim The Garage… One of the biggest compromises we made with this home purchase was the 2 car standard size garage. This was a massive downsize from our oversized 3 car tandem. While we inherited a small shed, it is just enough for yard equipment.
After months of price shopping, we started to investigate building our own from plans. Pre Covid19 pandemic, we estimated lumber cost to be a little over $1000, and total build out under $1750. Well… that wasn’t the case. We still spent less than a name brand pre built, and enjoyed a nice construction project in the process.
Plans were bought and studied, and a location right next to our existing shed would work. Initially we planned to have the shed on skids, but opted to install concrete piers to keep it off the ground.
Day one was all about clearing and leveling the ground, and collecting materials. Phillip lending a helping hand of course!
A dozen bags of concrete were used, stacking them in an out of the way place.
10 inch forms would be used, and we needed six 24 inch lengths. Three 48 inch tubes would do the trick.
Eric thought it was interesting that the tubes nested inside each other, and were all considered the same diameter…
Hardware part 1.
Hardware part 2.
Piers dug, poured, and cured. Anchors are set, and ready for the foundation to come together.
13 2×6 boards, and 2 4×12 glue/lam beams. The beams were oversized, but they were the only thing in stock anywhere in our area. We did not have time to wait for 4x10s, and the savings would have been minimal anyhow. The only downside was this raised the floor of the shed another few inches.
Our length required a trailer to haul home, as our short bed full size wouldn’t have enough length. As fate would have it, one of our largest local rental yards was only a few blocks away from our hardware store. Big Box stores only had regular nominal lumber, and our purchases were split between the two.
A pneumatic nailer was used to set the joist hangers on the beams with the help of a template piece of wood. This meant one set of measurements across both beams at the same time, instead of two after they were setup.
Getting the beams into place.
The foundation coming together, and we will not be lacking in the strong and sturdy department.
Lumber run number two underway for floor sheeting and walls. A plan was formed for how it would be loaded in the truck, and reversed on the cart.
The plan was to use the weight of the sheet goods to keep the 16 footers from tipping out. It worked!
Floor down, and the first of the walls coming together. There were to simple walls, then two complicated ones with the door openings. This shed was attractive with 2″x4″, 16 inch on center stud walls, as opposed to a typical shed specs of 2″x3″, 24 inch on center.
The two “easy” walls are up and braced, now to build out the door and window wall.
The end of another day, and some good progress to crack a beer open to.
Lumber run #3, this time for the joists and rafters.
Phillip helping out! This kiddo loves to work.
The garage door opening coming together, it will be awesome to have a single car roll up door for access and light.
Lumber run #4, siding and roof sheeting.
Roofing system coming together, these were all built on site. The first one was measured and built, then a template was made to make the additional 12.
I turn around, and Phillip is up on the top of the ladder with a razor knife in his pocket. Dad of the year award recipient inbound…
Our “garage” door installed, and joist storage built out of roof scraps.
Our door from the outside… Yeah, the tree has to go.
The roof is shaping up!
Lumber run #5, 16 and 20 foot fascia boards.
Back in 2015, we embarked on a commercial tenant improvement project. We removed a few of these doors, and upcycled one immediately into a standing table for eight. This door bounced around between the garage, storage, our front yard, and finally our backyard waiting for a new home. Today was that day!
Our new heavy duty and oversized workbench. Supported by a 2×4 cleat at the rear, and 4x4s at the front. This is a solid core door, and is ridiculously heavy and sturdy.
Our window and door were weatherstripped and installed, then masked for “paint.” We have seen folks paint the inside of their sheds white for light, and we copied without shame.
Paint, er, primer in progress. We used a Killz product, as we have a need for exterior primer on this project too.
Believe it or not, this was two coats. Had we actually painted the interior at this stage, it would look perfect. That said, another $250 in paint wasn’t in the cards for that.
Still performing his own stunts…
Nope, not a proficient painter either.
We were able to purchase the same flooring we installed in our house for the shed, since it was really affordable (you wouldn’t guess) and durable. The same mock up, glue, skim, and place technique was used. Since this was in the shed, no care was taken for duplicate “nuggets” or pattern. Anything over bare wood would do, and this happened to fit the bill.
It is beginning to take shape.
Temps climbed towards 97F and 98F while the floor was going down. This led to small gaps at all of the floor joints once the weather cooled down. The price of progress and using materials off label as it were.
It is looking GOOD.
Almost done.
Finished! Time to be able to start moving junk storage items in.
Roof time. With construction materials through the roof (Dad joke for the win) this project added up FAST. This little roof cost nearly $600 alone, which is psychotic. Again, the show must go on. Roof was papered, then comp shingled.
We added two 100 watt solar panels for miscellaneous needs, primarily lighting and an active vent control system.
If you take a jump in the way back machine and visit House Hacking: Closet Remodel, you might recall this structured wiring cabinet from our new home purchase in 2007. It was also saved in case a need would arise, and it is the absolute perfect cabinet for this application. This will house our low voltage electrical, including a 120 volt power inverter.
Another shot with our battery storage, which currently houses only one battery. These deep cycle batteries are pricey right now, and one is all we need for lights and exhaust fan.
Those tasty wire runs.
More low voltage goodness. A multi-switch wiring panel was added for 4 sources, and it included a cigarette lighter plug and dual USB outlets. And more perfectly executed 12 volt wire porn.
A close up of the panel, and it even included informational stickers for the switches!
This shelf was the only “belonging” the previous owners left us inside. Eric safeguarded it during the demolition, and it felt like it both needed to stay and be honored at the same time. A home in the shed was made as tribute to the previous home owners.
Starting the jigsaw puzzle of moving items from the garage to the shed.
Our vice finally landing a home in 4 years, as well as a fire extinguisher. You cannot be too careful or prepared it you are making chips or sparks.
Eric enjoying a celebratory cigar!
The outside wasn’t quite finished, as the skirt of the shed needed to be finished. This meant run #6 for a dozen more 1x4x16 foot were acquired to trim everything out.
Phillip test driving our new stariway.
Finally ready for paint! And that’s The Next Episode…
And finally, the reason this project started: to get Carol’s vehicle in the garage! Mission accomplished.
Time for paint! We opted to match the house theme, as seen from the front.
It’s a wrap! Now we can organize this side yard and build our chicken coop.