A customer of mine that I outfitted a boat for a while back called me at the weekend and asked me if, once I had moved to TN I could build him a expedition vehicle to his specs. He would buy a BAE 4x4 truck and insulated panels etc, Solar panels generator, tanks and a arm full of aluminum profiles and wires and I would have to build the thing. I told him that I would not be able to as I don't have a building to work is of that size even planned. So now he wants to have a metal building built to my specs for me on my property. 30 X 60 X 15 should do it I think. He is heck bent on me building it after he saw what I did with his boat. He is looking at something like this.




Sounds crazy, but if he has it built by one of the better known companies, the thing will cost close to a million bucks and including the building I can probably do it for around half that even using marine equipment for the solar stuff , inverters and such. A nice project and i'll be working at home .

What a deal, Michael. And a great way to have a shop on your property asap. Working at home.

Win win.

Keep the Tribe updated.

I'll do that

how tall is that vehicle?Make sure you building is tall enough to put in at LEAST a 12' tall overhead door.My pole barn is 30'x60' with a 12'x12' door.

What upstate NY said. X2

Scuba, DOUBLE the size of the building as what you have is too cramped. You will want two overhead winches on each side, so you can do body and engine work, without having to take things down or move things around. The metal work requires an area on its own. As he is footing the bill, put in heated floor with a heat exchanger to keep his baby warm.

Lastly, add two hundred thousand to your figured price as things come up, and you are still saving him money.

Lastly part two, think about recording it for PBS local and you might have a fix up show to become a multi millionaire. You will need one of those girls though like the other shows have who pretend they are doing things, as the audience likes looking at nice things and not guys who do the work.

Go bigger though or you will regret it.

I figured I can easily fit the box behind the truck inside the building and have room to move around and between them. The truck is 8" and a bit wide, that leaves me more that a truck width either side of it. Once the thing is built, it will be gone and I don't need a bigger shop that that for my usual work

id go 40 x 60 ... wouldnt cost that much more

Just remember the bigger the building the more taxes you pay. You may not be paying for the building but you will be responsible for the property taxes every year after.

if you put a maple syrup evaporator in the new building you can call it a sugar shack and get an exemption.

I'd not even touch the project until seeing some of his quotes from people who do these things. It's rife with unpredictable doings, even for a guy like your self who has the sense to foresee building problems and needs.

After that I would do some of my own research about parts and stuff he wants, then probably pad the bid to him for his needs that will surely appear once he sets up on it.

It would probably be worth the shop to you, however it may turn into him wanting to do other things or others knocking on your door as well, could be good or bad depending on you I guess

Good Luck ! I'd like to see follow ups if you get the gig as well !

Don't forgot the heavy double I beam and electric hoists. Once you are done with you could work on about anything you are equipped to work. Sound like a win, win situation

Garry-

Just goes to show when you are really good at something, people come to you!