while your at it put down some insulation around the outside edges

"Karl Townsend" wrote in message
k.net...
You didn't say what part of the country you're in. If you're north of the
Mason Dixon line, put hydronic heat tubing in the floor, even if you don't
plan to use it now. Installing just the tubing is very inexpensive and
leaves open your option for the best heating system their is. Unless you
put
insulation under the floor, this would only be a supplemental heat.


Karl




"Bob Thomasson" wrote in message
m...
Well, after thinking about it for more than a decade I broke ground
this week on my new shop. I took so long because I wanted to wait
until lumber and steel prices were at their peak...arrgh.

Here's what I learned so far. I didn't spend near enough time
figuring out exactly what it would cost and of course nearly all of my
estimates are low. I wanted to go with concrete block (CMU) walls
partly because we live in a high fire hazard area. I knew it would be
expensive, but got some low estimates that re-assured me. After the
plans were drawn up and the permit issued and I got some firm bids,
the low estimates got pretty darn high. The building permit alone was
over $900. It's gotten so civilized around here that the chances of
getting away with a non-permitted structure were pretty slim.

Also totally underestimated the amount and cost of the base material
that needs to be compacted prior to the concrete pour. I'm planning
to pour a 5 inch deep floor with 5 sack mix and fiber additive. I'm
not sure of the benefit of going any more than 5 inches, but may
decide to go to six. I don't know exactly how I'll have machines
located, so I can't realistically make the floor thicker underneath
them.

Another issue is whether to use all licensed contractors. My neighbor
is a licensed contractor and he suggested that he himself would never
hire a licensed contractor since so much of the money goes to
insurance payments and very little goes toward a quality job. In his
view an unlicensed contractor will do a better job for less. The
downside of course is the risk of someone getting hurt while working
on my property. I guess I could agree with them in advance that
anyone getting hurt gets dragged out back, shot and buried :-).

Bob