Introduction: New Garage/Shop

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.

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