Rich Conley writes:

Our shop is a metal Monitor style pole barn. The building shell with
no windows or slab started around $12K. Its not finished yet and the
construction budget zoomed to $30+K. We had the land graded level
first, then a septic system designed and installed. Next, the building
shell was built. Discussions with the contractor revealed that the most
efficient use of materials was to build in 12-foot increments. Thus, the
shop is 36' x 36' with 12' ceiling.



There is a 12' x 36' hay loft with adequate head room.
Our wood working machinery is up there.
The loft has windows on both sides
and a door we open in summer for additional ventilation.

On ground level we installed double pane windows in one side
(southern exposure) and the front left.
No windows on the back or north side.

We installed a new 200 amp electrical service on separate meter.
All wiring is underground and state and local approved.
Next, we had a 4-inch concrete slab poured inside with
exterior entry pads at the front doors.




I framed up an 8' x 10' interior office space with one large window
facing the shop. Then I framed up a bathroom (with shower) and
hired a plumber to install the piping. I had a county inspector
come out and inspect the plumber's work before pouring the
last bit of concrete and finishing the bath interior.

The shop interior walls are still exposed sheet metal with the
exception of the office, bath and northern wall. I insulated and
sheet-rocked them before I ran out of time due to the growing business.




You can see some of the metal framing on the home made spray
booth at ceiling level. The outside walls are sheet-rocked and the
booth interior is sheet metal with a white peal-away lining.
I attached wood 2x4's on the front edges so I could hang my spray guns up.
The booth is framed with steel studs. The sheet rock is fastened
directly to the steel studs with screws. The large sheet of brown
paper is so we can test the spray pattern. It needs to be changed -
maybe I can frame this one and sell it?

The blue hose on the right is 3/8-inch and comes right off the
compressor. I found it faster and easier to run hose rather than
plumbing pipe. I have 3/8-inch hose right up to the pressure pot.

The building is situated on our property, about 150-feet from the
house. After 3-years of usage, it has paid for itself compared to
renting a commercial building. I may have to move to a bigger
commercial space eventually and this shop will be a "fall-back"
position in case the economy ever takes a dive.
Its been worth the effort.

~RichC
Gig Harbor, WA