Building a workshop

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We are moving to a new home in Newport News Va with a large backyard. I am thinking of purchasing a kit to build a new workshop or buy the materials and build my own, I am not a carpenter that's for sure but I do understand it just never did any building like this. My question is what your thoughts are, build or get a good kit that is 12x16 ft and then fo everything to set it up or build from scratch. Thanks for all the ideas.
 
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Oh, brother, I could write a book. But I won't.
I've done both. Since you're not a builder, I'd suggest going the kit route.
BUT - there's a lot to be said for building your own. Like learning the stuff they don't teach/show, getting to make it the size/style you want, etc.
My main shop is a pretty good size - 24x32. I had the structure built but did the electric, heat, etc on my own. Also did a fairly large shed kit.
I really like the concept of having the materials all in one place. No back & forth to HD or whatever.
Only other thing I'd suggest is putting a lot of thought into size. Whatever space you have, you'll fill it up and want more. DAMHIKT
Good luck!
 
If you have no experience, I would encourage you to have it build for you. There are a ton of little things that lead to big issues if missed or not done correctly. A metal building on a slab is fine but I still recommend hiring people to do it for you.
 
I would build your own, there is a really good YouTube series on building a shop/garage. It is one dude and he does it all by himself, so he has good techniques for lifting walls, etc.

The best advise I can give is go with standard sizes, so you can minimize cutting. For example 12 x 16, is perfect, because your sheathing (plywood or OSB) on the outside comes in 4 x 8 sheets. This are perfect for 12 x 16. 3 sheets on your narrow walls and 4 on your long walls.

I find the youtube series and link it here.
 
If you're set on doing it yourself, I agree with getting a kit. A stong foundation is going to be vital. If you have the funds, I recommend a concrete slab and let a company do it as they will make sure it is level and have correct thickness. Good luck!
 
tough call.... If you're not a builder then it might be best to do more of a kit style, especially when it comes to doing the roof. Walls are easy, doing the roof can be much harder and you want that right the first time.... Someone mentioned having it built. There is some advantage to that idea in terms of speed. Several guys working a job site for shorter period may put you in a position for more success. They'll also have the equipment to lift rafters/frames up in the air and save you the trouble of renting all of it if you don't own it. Certainly more expensive but if it gets you to a point where you have something fully enclosed fairly quickly it may be worthwhile.

As far as size, my shop is around 12x18 and I do wish it was a little larger to have more room for storage and tool access. I have a freestanding bandsaw, contractor style table saw, my 3'x3' worktable, cabinet/counter and my lathe on a dedicated table. Everything but the cabinets and shop table is on wheels and can move around but my table top drill press is the only thing that has a "spot". Sanders, scroll saw, planer and miter saw come in and out of the shop depending on need. They're all stored on a rack outside the shop but it's all in my basement so that's not much of a big deal. I'm fortunate my wife has no real desire to finish our basement so she's not worried about tool storage spillover. I could expand but that would mean moving a bunch of electrical around along with moving a full wall while putting up others and I'm not sure I'm full of desire to do that. If you don't have as many tools it may not be as big a deal.
 
My sugestion is have a plan and layout before you even think of doing the shop. Then make it as large as you can possibly do. Then hire someone to do the outside. May have to hire other to do any plumbing as well as electrical depending on your abilities. Decide what materials you want depending on location. Weather plays a huge factor in planning as well. metal sheds hold heat in summer so think about comfort. Lots to plan before you throw a kit up and wish you did things different.
 
First, check the local zoning laws, permits and construction inspections. Will there be plumbing involved? Sewer or septic tank? Had a friend who started a DIY tiny house. Had to quit as there were too many corrections needed to comply with regulations.
 
Figure out how much space you NEED then build it twice as big. Definitely build on a slab and try to incorporate some decent size windows for natural light. Good climate control is important if you plan to work in it year rounds. DIY kits are great if you do not have the experience figuring out material needs. I know most Menards stores have a pretty basic building design kiosk that you can input all the features and size of your building and it will spit out a material list and cost.

Another option is to look into pre-built mini sheds. There are places around me that build 12x16 and even bigger. You could get one with the inside unfinished so you can run all your electrical and insulation,
 
When I was in Japan, I had the choice of getting a "storage shed" 8 x 10 metal or building my own 9 x 12 out of wood. This is not as big as you want but space was a premium over there. HERE is what I did and recommend: USE SCREWS where ever possible. Nails on the roofing only - unless it is a metal roof. I built mine with screws, and a month later a typhoon came straight over our house and we were about 20 miles from the ocean. I lost a few shingles but the 9 x 12 didn't budge. Some people will say that is overkill but if you are in an area with sometimes storms or hurricanes, it sure is nice to know that screws do what nails can't always do.

I say that from the point that nails are faster and nail guns save time, (and time is money) but in strong windy storms/huricanes, screws rule.
 
After a garage fire on April 6, 1996--i built my own 24 x 36 garage. Having it built for the same money (insurance payment), 24 x 24 would have been a stretch. Learned a lot, but there are things i could have done better. That said, it's still standing and solid. Original shingles were on it until last spring (March 2025), when a tree fell on the roof.

Now...i'm 70 instead of 40. Two years ago i had an itch to build a worksop (or add on to an end of the garage). 12 x 16 would have made a nice turning shop, and cheap to heat. Materials to stick-build a 12 x 16 shell on a framed floor (sitting on an existing concrete pad) compared to having the same size pre-built shed dropped on the same spot were considered. I'm not seeing my notes, but the material cost was 85% to 90% of getting a factory-built shell. Now...i'd have had nominal 2 x 4 studs instead of 2 x 3, but otherwise pretty similar build. Not enough savings to build my own, and my knees would have hated me!! In any case, i never went through with adding the turning shop, which is okay. But the exercise in pricing was enlightening. The bulk-buy materials coupled with assembly line construction made for a pretty cost-effective building--and i've been in some that are around 15 years old and show no signs of age. For smaller buildings, it's hard to beat.

Good advice on checking codes as well. For my area (rural), the county allows one detached garage and one shed (up to 144 sq ft). Second shed requires a zoning variance and hearings, but an "addition" to the garage (think new wall attached to garage with a small passage) is a fairly simple building permit!! Knowing what you can do in advance helps weed out some options so you're not wasting time on those.
 
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