Shop First or House First?

[ChevyHDGert]

We've got 4 acres of open pasture except for the 6 live oak trees that we've planted.

We're going to do a water well and electricity this spring with the house and 30x40 metal building coming in 2-3 years.

Should we build the shop first (about a year before the house) or should we build the house first? We're both in a hurry to move from our smaller starter house in town to a bigger house in the country for our 2 boys to roam.

I'm afraid if we build the house first that the wife will keep putting off the shop plus the money may not be there.

Or would it be beneficial to do them both at the same time to combine the building loans into one and to tie in all the plumbing and electrical together with the house?

If we did the shop first, the house would come a year or 2 later. The shop first also gives us a place to store all the lawn equipment, etc.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots to be said for building the shop first... a dry, sheltered place to work and store materials...

I have friends that built their shop... 50% bigger than they thought necessary and used it as their home with the help of an inexpensive travel trailer during the home construction...

Just something to think about...

 

[wedge40]

I'd do the shop first or double up on the loan. If you combine loans now, the extra in the monthly payment will hardly be noticeble. If you build the house first it'll be YEARS before you get the shop. Even new houses seem to be expensive.

Wedge

 

[NSBound]

I built my shop first. Best thing I could have done! As has been said, storing tools and building materials was my primary reason, and it worked out great for my builder, very secure. I also put a small fridge and microwave and bed chesterfield in there and spent weekends in the garage until the house was done. Like I said, best thing I ever did!

 

[dave1949]

I vote for shop first. We stored our household stuff in the shop/garage and lived in a camp trailer while the house was built. Also great for tools and materials temp storage.

You definitly need a master plan for water/elec, etc. no matter what order you build in, otherwise you will end up paying more in the end.
Dave.

 

[2manyrocks]

Shop first or it may never get built. The Mrs. will make sure the house gets built regardless

 

[Jstpssng]

I'd build the shop, for all the above mentioned reasons.
I built a small temporary house in 2003 with plans to finish it, plus build a garage the next year. i changed jobs a year later and am still in the same cabin.

I'm finally getting around to pouring the garage slab next month... if it doesn't snow first.
Next spring I'll finally pour a foundation to build my real home.

 

[deepNdirt]

I know of several couples that built their shop first, built it 40 x 36 devide off 12ft down one side, was able to get them 12 x 12 livingroom 1-12x 12 bedroom small bath and a kitchenet, they lived in this while building the house, and still had all the other side of shop for storage, after house is built you have 2 things you can do, keep the finish part as a doghouse or in-law/guest house, You did say you have two boys, they will get grown upin a hurry then of course option -B - take down the wall and demo the finish rooms and put all back to shop area, which none of the folks I know have done, they found the extra guest house to be useful, one of thee people did turn it in to a recreation room with pool table pinball etc, BTW my son loved that room

 

[riptides]

Build the house first so it can be behind you. If you do the shop, scope creep may come into play with the house (and that ain't pretty). Once the house is done, let the man cave(s) begin!

 

[BobRip]

Build the shop first, you may not live long enough to get it built otherwise. Live in the shop to guard the place while the house is being built. I like the trailer idea to.

 

[ToadHill]

It depends if your married or not and if you are , do you want to stay that way.

 

[kf4uda]

My wife and I are currently living in my future shop. We had a 30x40 metal building errected and done the finish work ourselves. I ran an underground 400amp service to the building and split off with 2-200amp disconnects. We had a 12x12 opening left in one end for a roll-up door. I framed it up and installed windows for now. Can't wait to get the house built so I can have my shop.

 

[Kernopelli]

When we bought our property, the first thing I did was build the shop. It was a great way to store materials, have extra work area, store and secure tools for the house, storage place for "attic junk" when we moved in. You'll never regret getting it done first and it ensures that it will be built...not put off.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I wanted to do garage first with living space, but got overruled. I ended up renting a house near my house site, as the boss also did not want to live in a trailor on our land.
while waiting for the building permit, I did build a nice small shed for storage.

 

[Pops15]

We're going to build the shop first. It will have a finished area with a bathroom and a small kitchen as well as two good size rooms. The temporary living area will become an office for my business once the house is done.
Building the shop first will give us a place to store materials and tools securely, and also a place to finish trim. We'll also have room to store our household stuff as we plan on selling our existing house before the new one is complete.

Like others have said if you build the house first the shop may not get built.

 

[dan c]

Construction loans - Do they exsist in Texas? None to be had here in CA! Banks all sitting tight with our tax dollars.

What can you afford cash? Do it all with-out loans if you can! Build the shop and live in a cheep trailer. Sell your city house if you can or rent it. Use your salries to build. It can go along way!

 

[westbrooklawn]

I built my 28 x 36 shop first... was afraid if I didn't, then it might not get done later. It was invaluable during the house build for storing/securing tools, material, etc. The only problem I had was with zoning and inspections people... house had to be complete within certain time of shop completion, couldn't be used for temp living quarters, etc. I was able to get electic installed with a seperate meter, and get electrical inspections completed early on for the shop structure.

 

[ctwo1]

Another vote for shop first. You'll be happy you did in the long run. We bought a place to renovate, house got done, shop still needs a lot of work!

 

[Sackett2]

Shop first, but you can keep it basic. Depending on what kind/size shop, at least fund the 4 walls, roof and floor & doors- a working "shell" of a shop. Then build the house and finish up the shop later

 

[dave1949]

Shop first, but you can keep it basic. Depending on what kind/size shop, at least fund the 4 walls, roof and floor & doors- a working "shell" of a shop. Then build the house and finish up the shop later

Best suggestion so far - the art of compromise
Dave