Timber framed double garage and workshop build

Hey @Seaton,

What an exciting time for you! The workshop is coming along really well. Many thanks for sharing such terrific progress shots.

So you're looking for inspiration for your workbenches? What are you mainly going to be using the workshop for? Are you looking to build storage too?

I would start by checking out these very popular previous discussions:

New shed storage project by @Tara86

Garage storage project by @boris

New workbenches by @Rodney

Workshop shed build by @Kiwifr33

Cordless drill storage charging station by @Wayne

A very warm welcome to the Workshop community. We're really pleased you could join us, and appreciate your enthusiasm for the site! There will be loads of community members who are like me and looking forward to seeing how this project progresses, and seeing what you get up to next.

Jason

All comments

G'day one and all,

I've only just come across this site, how awesome is it!

I've been looking for inspiration as I'm now at lockup stage on a 12x6m timber framed double garage and workshop I've been building with a friend who's a retired builder over the last three weeks during some long service leavend and all built with Bunnings timber products! (sponsorship welcome hehe)

I'm just about ready to start constructing some work benches once I complete the electical.

Anyway here are some build photos

Bunnings timber arrives and studs are cut
Constructing the Frames

Constructing the TrussesTrusses upEnjoying the view

Lockup!!!

These were taken after the first coat and a second coat had been applied so looks even better.Testing some lighting options with LED Strip Reel

TheSaltyreefer

Always good to see a Garage come to life

@Seaton
Thanks for the photos, Nice workshop
but you might want to have the structural timber floor loading & bearings Structurally Checked and certified by an Engineer

OT, It would be remiss of me not to point that out
hth

Hey @Seaton,

What an exciting time for you! The workshop is coming along really well. Many thanks for sharing such terrific progress shots.

So you're looking for inspiration for your workbenches? What are you mainly going to be using the workshop for? Are you looking to build storage too?

I would start by checking out these very popular previous discussions:

New shed storage project by @Tara86

Garage storage project by @boris

New workbenches by @Rodney

Workshop shed build by @Kiwifr33

Cordless drill storage charging station by @Wayne

Jason

Thanks @BIM_Engineer due to the size of the building I had to go through local planning and building approvals with the local shire so as part of the building approval process I had all structurals done by relevant qualified structural engineer Including collar tied truss design specked up as we were constructing these so good to go on that front 👍. It’s definately important to consider these things when embarking on something as important as the workshop 😁

Thanks for the reply, BTW, I didn't query the roof trusses
Care to share the certified framing details supporting the mezzanine Floor?
Generally where Floor Beams aren't located directly over the studs
Double Top plates are recommended?

I suggest you beef them up at $4/m for the extra timber, better safe than sorry later

OT I see a thousand photos a week ( excluding websites), about 40% are non compliant of those 10% are structural and require addition effort

hth

Thanks @BIM_Engineer great to know!

You might also want to stiffen those single studs either side supporting

the opening lintel/ beam. Generally for concentrated loads I use double studs

Apart from that happy mezzanine loading 😎

You can never have enough storage

hth

MartyH

Looks awesome. I'm jealous @Seaton

Made some progress on power and lights over the weekend.

Highbay light is now in and working - a 200w UFO highbay LED so lots of beautiful bright light in the main garage area. I'm waiting on some LED transformers before I can finish the workshop lighting, at the moment the highbay in the main garage provides plenty of ambient in there with the help of some work lights. The phones auto exposure on the camera has darkened down the photo and is alot brighter than it appears.

Garage door opener also wired in and working so no more extension cord hanging in the air.

Power points are also down one side of the workshop and since I have power and power points I now have data to the workshop as I'm using a powerline modem to temporarily get internet out to an accesspoint. I have run a seperate conduit for data, just havent pulled through the cable yet so this will work in the meantime as a temporary solution.

And now my 3D Printeers have a home.

Great progress! Thanks for the update.

What do you mainly use the 3D printers for @Seaton?

Jason

Hi @Jason Mostly for prototypes of embedded devices I build, also my hobbies, I also do paid prints for others via online service bureaus.

Believe it or not I've actually used it to print a number of things around the home, curtain rail ends, hose adapters, replacement parts for the car and diswasher and just anything else I can cad up a replacement for. I've even used a 3D scanner to scan a broken part and then printed it's replacement.

The latest edition is my resin printer the resolution is unbelievable.

Great stuff @Seaton ,

I think using a 3D printer for creating replacement parts is really smart and hopefully helps extend the life of items that would otherwise be thrown out.

There's been a few discussions on Workshop about 3D printing but not for a while. You might be interested in reviving the topics:

Will 3D printing ever take off?

A cheap 3D printer kit

Jason

naokokb73

well done. Overall how much a meter did it work out to be?

Thanks for joining in the discussion @naokokb73. I'm sure @Seaton will get back to you as soon as possible with a rough idea of costing if he is able to share.

Welcome to Workshop. We look forward to reading about your own projects and plans. Got anything similar planned?

Jason

@naokokb73 costs to date I've spend $184/sqm.

Not included in the costings:

Pre-construction costs such as Drafting/Engineering/Building and Planning Application etc
original earthworks, which was to clear and level our entire back yard (Garage build is stage 1, Stage 2 is a 2x1 extension joining the Garage to the house.)
Tools I purchased 😀

Included in costs (pretty much everything else):

Cleanup, Sand and compaction/testing for the pad and the pad itself.
All Timber
All Cladding, Roof, Flashing and Insulation
All fixtures/ties etc
brickwork for parrapet wall
Gutters and underground stormwater pipe for downpipes (no downpipes or soakwell in as yet)
Mezzanie
Doors external and internal / Weather seals + fixtures
Windows
two coats of two part epoxy for concrete floor
Garage Door + Remotes
Electrical To Date - 3-Phase conversion to property / 3-Phase Cable to Building from house / Conduit / Sub-board / Swithes / Brackets / RCD Breakers / Power Points / Lights / Cable / Licensed Electrician for testing + tickets

Costs still outstanding / todo:

Crossover
Downpipes + Soakwell

@Seaton
Thanks for sharing, That's a great price

Thanks @BIM_Engineer I'm pretty happy with it - I'm glad I built as much as I could myself, but also having someone with the knowledge and experience willing to help me has been invaluable and not to forget mentioning mates helping out where extra hands were needed.

I would also be pretty happy to have a 72m2 shed/workshop for that price, but the reality is most Battlers & Punters are probably confused and are thinking
1. My comparison quotes/prices are 3 times that ($600+ per m2) ...what's a fair price?
2. Where's the quants and data and does those prices relate to me, DIY, DI4Me,...?
3. Do I have all the information and is it compliant, how do I check?
4. I work Full time how long would it take to do it on my own, what's the economic cost, alternatives?
5. Can I trust air tasker and find someone?

6.7.8.....
These are the questions I get asked weekly..LOL, my replies vary
OT looking at photos without data confusers most, including me at times. my2c

bluesparkjohn

What a fantastic project, you probally already know, but, if not perhaps adding some flat white paint to the ceiling, this will reflect the lighting downward and enhance a brighter area, but if you want it darker just use black paint.

Many thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your knowledge @bluesparkjohn. We look forward to seeing more of your posts soon. Please let me know if you ever need a hand getting the most from the site.

Welcome to the Workshop community,

Jason

@BIM_Engineer i hear you. When I originally had this and our stage two extension quoted by a builder it was 110K for shell only on the garage and the 2x1 connecting to our main house, hence why the diy as much as I can route. We could not have afforded it.

i count myself very fortunate to have an experienced retired builder (82) on hand to help and impart his wisdom to me and I throughly enjoy working with him as I learn so much and feels like I’m doing an apprenticeship again (At 51) he’s been on hand throughout our renovations over the last number of years. His input and suggestions into the design has made this build something I’m very proud of without having to make any compromises. I know I would be very reluctant to tackle anything like this myself without his help and knowledge. He makes it look so very easy. Plus and he still gets trade price on everything - bonus!

It also worth having contacts in the building industry and not to mention don’t be afraid to shop around, I had vast ranging quotes for my slab and earth works. I ended up asking someone I know who is a project manager in the building industry for someone that they’d recommend for the slab and got it done much cheaper than my quotes I received via hipages. Also the concreter recommended someone for the earthworks so I ended up saving a heap compared to quotes I had received via hipages

As I’m an electrician by trade but have let my license lapse as I no longer work in the trade, I found a sparky who was willing to submit tickets on my behalf. So a lot of savings there as well.

Also don’t be afraid to ask for a cash price...cash is still king

Progress update:

weather seals went in on the doors and very timely as storms came through on the weekend here in the west, so no more rags stuffed under the doors.

Plywood went up on the front of the workshop on Saturday. Original plan was to paint it but after going up we’ve decided to leave as is and just coat with a clear varnish to preserve the timber look to match the rest.

Next weeknd the stairs and safety rails should be going in on the mezzanine

Your DIY project will only work for 5% of the population (basically, those that can do and will figure a way..), the other 95% (Battlers and punters) will say "good on ya, mate"...it's not for me and they may never post back. Reaching out to those isn't easy.

Old-gal24

Looks amazin ~ Lucky you hey - to have so much room to play.. hee ha Love a shed...

Time for an update.

Workshop lighting finished. I was happy with my original tests and ran 2x 5m LED 24W strips on every second beam. I printed up some brackets on the 3D printer to stop it peeling off.

IMG_1394 2.JPG IMG_1393 2.JPG IMG_1392 2.JPG

also finished the access to the storage area

tp1

Hi All, this is my first time on here. I am in Red Hill and am in the planning stages of a 22 x 9 shed. I have rough plans but need help. Is there someone that would like a project? I need help, advice and a contractor for the build.

Hi @tp1

Welcome to the forum

You will require proper Planing, Engineering and Building Drawings

as well as a building licence.

Here Large shed

Data

40.5 m3 Concrete

2.30 Tonnes steel

You can

add another 4m bay to bring it to 9m x 20m = 180m2,

Height 3.50m

Unfortunately the materials aren't avalable at Bunnings

Try

Midalia steel and/or shop around