Opinions, please

[8ntruck 8,516]

Mrs. 8n and I are considering building a garage on the lake house property.  We are thinking of a bay and a half wide and 32 or 36 feet long.

 

The question is:

 

Stick built or pole building?  

Kit or from scratch?

 

Pros?  Cons? Comments?

[ri702bill 11,028]

So this is a stand-alone structure I take it?? Not one with a walk thru access?

First thing to consider since it is in Michigan is snow load and proper pitch of the roof. Along with runoff and drainage of the accumulated snow as it melts.

If time is the most important factor, a kit may be the better choice - but may have design limitations for alterations / custom features.

Stick built allows you go at your own pace but will take longer to finish.

A "newer" alternative - is it possible to get a 10 x 40 shipping container in place there? There are numerous excellent videos of folks that have adapted one to become a garage - when done it is almost unrecognizable from its original form. 

[Achto 30,529]

7 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

Stick built or pole building?

 

For me this would depend on my plans for usage. If you plan to finish the inside then I would go with a stick built, just easier to do an inside finish. If there is no future plans to finish the inside then a pole building might be a better option. You mentioned that this would be on lake property. Is there a lake association or township that would have a say in what kind of building that you can out up? 

 

If there are a lot of trees around, then I would do a steel roof no matter what the building choice is. Shade from trees as well the leaves or pine needles that tend to build up on a shingled roof keep it from drying out. This greatly shortens the life span of the shingles.

 

One other thought. Not sure how Michigan tax laws are but in Wisconsin a pole building with a gravel floor is not considered a permanent structure, thus the property taxes are much lower.

[JoeM 9,431]

I am pretty much done with the building my own thing, to arthritic and short on time.  

My last build was a prefab. 

It was so nice just getting the pad level, wrote a check and viola....I have a building, here are the keys.

 

After looking around found this place in Ohio. Super high quality.

They do large custom structures. 

I got the tongue and groove treated flooring, and it solid.

https://alpinestructures.net/index.html

[WHX?? 53,926]

4 hours ago, Achto said:

finish the inside then I would go with a stick built,

If just a cold storage warehouse then pole frame. 

Stick you need concrete. Gravel is fine for a warehouse.

Nice thing about gravel is you can drop the mule's oil right on it, rake it around and walla ... blacktop. 

Edited 11 hours ago by WHX??

[Pullstart 68,682]

Hybrid?

 

 

[lynnmor 8,410]

2 hours ago, Achto said:

 

One other thought. Not sure how Michigan tax laws are but in Wisconsin a pole building with a gravel floor is not considered a permanent structure, thus the property taxes are much lower.

 

One should get an estimate of taxes before deciding on type of construction.  Figure how many years you will be paying those taxes and how old you will get before the building will no longer be of good use for you.  My pole building had no concrete floor and no electricity till after I got the occupancy permit, then those things magically appeared.

[ri702bill 11,028]

 till after I got the occupancy permit, then those things magically appeared.

Akin to those midnight sewer connections??

[WHX?? 53,926]

4 hours ago, JoeM said:

After looking around found this place in Ohio. Super high quality

Interesting Joe... i always thought they were just fancy fake garages that had to fit on a trailer. Might havta look into it more. 

 

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

Akin to those midnight sewer connections??

Know any thing about that Pullstart? 

[lynnmor 8,410]

1 hour ago, ri702bill said:

 till after I got the occupancy permit, then those things magically appeared.

Akin to those midnight sewer connections??

 

Our township mandated septic inspection every few years and septic tanks were to have a manhole installed if there was none.  To install a manhole they required it to be designed by an engineer which would have cost plenty.  Before the deadline I had a guy doing some excavation work and stump removal, he agreed to place a tree stump next to the manhole site while he quickly did the installation.

[adsm08 4,043]

11 hours ago, Achto said:

in Wisconsin a pole building with a gravel floor is not considered a permanent structure

 

 

Wow, must be nice. In PA if it can't blow away it's considered a "permanent structure".

[WHX?? 53,926]

12 hours ago, Achto said:

Wisconsin a pole building with a gravel floor is not considered a permanent structure, thus the property taxes are much lower.

You sure about that? News to me I need to make sure my assessor knows that. 

 

9 hours ago, lynnmor said:

pole building had no concrete floor and no electricity till after I got the occupancy permit,

You gotta have one of those for a pole shed??? Now that is just stupid. Building permit I can see.  Wadda they think yer gonna live out there?? I suppose the ole lady kicks ya out for buyin tractors but still. 

[Achto 30,529]

37 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I need to make sure my assessor knows that.

 

Pull a building permit to pour concrete in your big shed & your assessor will be more than happy to adjust your taxes. 

[WHX?? 53,926]

15 minutes ago, Achto said:

Pull a building permit to pour concrete in your big shed

Such a thing as midnight concrete? I'll get Pullstart to help...