I waited two loooong years to begin this project. When I was ready to start the first time, I found that it was directly over my drain field. Of course, I could have redesigned my septic sytem, right? Well, the City informed me that sewers were coming in two years. To hook up to the sewer was going to cost $3,500. To move my septic, at a cost of $14,000 and abandon it two years later did not make since. So, I waited...and waited. You wanna talk about a long two years! Now, I have been in it for 6 months and dont know how I ever got by without it.

Step 1: Demo of Existing Structure

I have to say I enjoyed this the most. Swinging a big sledge into your house is a very good stress reliever. I found that the more intact you can leave a wall when you bring it down, the easier it is to haul away.

Step 2: Digout and Footing

I really didn't have a big part in this step. I did however stand around with a shovel just like an old pro.

Step 3: Framing

This is where you really start to see it come together. It seemed like it took forever before any real progress that you could see.

Step 4: Sheeting and Trusses

Step 5: Siding and Shingles

I went with a different siding that the rest of my house. I thought I was taking a gamble on this. But, no one has seemed to notice. I wanted the nicest siding I could afford because this is the side of my house that faces the street. It was the right choice.

Step 6:

This was far more expensive than I had figured on. Wire is not cheap! I wired it so every other recepticle is on a seperate circuit. I also ran 240 on opposite walls. Wiring is something that if you do it right before drywall, you'll feel pretty smart. I ran wire in the ceiling for surround sound...I know, it's a garage. But, I also ran video and power for my Lumenlab Pro projector I made, that will hang from the ceiling. So, Xbox 360 on a 12 foot screen deserves full surround sound, right?
In the end, I got it all the way I wanted. Plan, plan, plan. Once drywall is on, it is a lot harder to add anything. I also ran high speed network and phone, along with an old school coax feed...ya never know.

Step 7: Drywall and Paint

This was tougher than I thought it would be. Hanging 12 foot sheets by yourself is no fun. It would have been impossible without a drywall jack. Even with the jack, putting them up on the ceiling was scary! My advice, buy beer, and call a friend. And, buy more screws than you think you could possibly need. Three trips to Lowes is fine if its five miles. For me, it's a 40 minute trip. I recommend not using any nails. Screw everything and you have piece of mind that you cant ever get nail pops later.

Step 8: Moving In

I got overwhelmed trying to decide where to put it all. Finally I just put it SOMEWHERE! You are going to go back and move everything several times your first few months.

Step 9: Build Shelves and Add Cabinets

I got the cabinets from a school remodel. They were stacked in my house for almost two years. My wife was kinda glad to get them out. I built the bench simple but effective. Recessing the chop saw was well worth it.

Step 10: Everything Finds It's Home

I am in a constant state of re-arranging and adding this or that. It is the funnest work you'll ever do. I recently bid and won an old map cabinet and turned it into my work bench with a table saw on the end. I love it. This has been a real joy to see come to life. I spend all my free time building, creating, repairing, inventing, and sometimes just turning up the tunes and hangin out.

Introduction: New Garage/Shop