40x60 shop

The initial build budget (slab, exterior walls, and roofing) is up to 15K.
All we will hire done will be the slab, everything else we will be doing ourselves.

 

How much is concrete / yard delivered in your area ?

 

Last I checked it was a little under $100/Cubic yard.
We're estimating 45 Cubic yards for the slab (6" thick).

 

You should consider going with a 32 mpa mix if you are going to put heavy vehicles / equipment in it . Thats code here anyway . Your concrete cost is about the same as here when you factor in currency exchange

 

We're planning on asking the guys at the plant what they would recommend, but we will likely go with the 32 MPa.

 

What's your plans for heat/cool? You said you're down here in the south so heat isn't a major concern but that generally means cool is... There are some pretty slick thermal heating setups that once built are basically maintenance free and their only cost is the build, I imagine there are similar ones for cooling but haven't looked into those very much yet.

 

As of right now swamp coolers and fans for the main shop, and if we do an office then likely a window AC unit.

But we are going to look into a detailed cost of the slab heating and cooling system that OZ recommended.

 

Well double check your pricing cause as the mpa goes up so does the cost per yard

 

Will do

 

Check these guys out , their open direct system is a lower cost way to go

http://www.radiantec.com/systems-sources/open-system.php

 

That's a 2 pack, so about $30 per. http://www.costco.com/4’-LED-Shop-Light-with-Pull-Chain,-2-pack.product.100223617.html

I find my Costco has some items less than online prices show. Maybe that's what happened for the poster?

 

Don't forget to put pulling anchors in the concrete. Foam under the slab. This will prevent the slab from sweating during rapid changes in temp and humidity.

If you are indeed in the south, radiant tube is really not that big of a benefit. I have it and it is awesome, but its cold here 1/3 of the year. Radiant tube heater in ceiling are a great way for instant heat. With in-floor heat, the boiler has to be running all the time. that means that you are burning gas when you are not there.

You really only need a 100 amp service for this building. All those tools can't run at the same time. I have my 240 plasma cutter, compressor and welder all on one circuit.

I think you are going to rapidly eat up the square feet with the big items in there. Consider a smaller structure with an unheated lean-to area for the stuff that doesn't need to stay warm.

With 16' ceilings, think about a work shop area under a loft type storage area. You will be acquiring more items as you get older.

These are just some things I can think of quickly.

 

Check out the Radiantec open direct system I linked , you don't need a traditional boiler

 

Refrigerator an absolute must as well. Can't forget the cold ones.

 

FYI that's a two pack for 59.99.. In my Costco, they are $22 because of PGE rebate.. That being said, $30/light is still cheaper than Home Depot.

I would go into your local Costco and see if they have them. I also buy all the LED can light trims. They are $24 or so for a two pack.. Way cheaper than Home Depot..

 

For that big of a structure, a boiler will almost have to be required.

Regardless, I don't see you heating this big of a building 24/7. Radiant does not respond to quick temp changes. I turn mine on in November and turn it off in April.

 

Nope , my house is run on a 38 gal HWT , my dad built a mini storage building as big as the OP's building and it runs on a HWT too , my electrical contractors shop is 30 x 40 also run on a small HWT , all are low cost solutions because once at temperature the thermal mass of the slab will store the heat energy , none of them are the open direct system that I linked from Radiantec because here we have limited use for summer cooling but thats the system I would use if I desired cooling as well as heated at a relatively low cost .

 

I'm pretty sure open loop systems are not allowed in the states. Heating water and domestic water must be completely separate. Maybe I missed it, is a heat exchanger used on that system to separate the 2?

 

Radiantec is a US company , and the tubing you use is rated for potable water , they have a code compliancy section on their website if you're interested , no heat exchanger in that system , the slab loops are essentially external capacity of the domestic hot water tank