Lay Block/Brick at my own pace?

I have several questions about DIY masonry work. I hope to get a nice size acreage out of town and would really like to build a BIG shop ( ~5000' Sq )with some of my free time. So I thought I would run it by you guys to see if it is close to being feasible.

If I am able to secure financing on the land I would like to save up and contract out the Foundation and slab work and then lay concrete blocks at my own pace. I don't mean to belittle anyone's trade but how difficult is it to do a good job laying blocks down at a slow pace? I know you use a chalk line to get things lined up and since I'm not looking to rival the speed of an experienced mason I don't care if it takes me 5 years.

I figured I would make it a weekend job, and be careful to keep rain from filling the hollows of the blocks. If I'm not old and gray when I finish then it would be fantastic to put brick on the front. Something going for me is that the two largest walls I plan on having 4 each 14x14 garage doors so that is a lot of empty space I won't have to lay block in.

I can pick up other things fairly quick ( plumbing, electrical, auto repair ). So do you guys think it is something you could learn by practicing on your own or a short apprenticeship? It would be great to keep myself busy while I save up for other parts of the building. I want to get this started before some woman steals my heart and crushes my dreams . Do-able or am I totally off my rocker?

 

Welcome to the fourms! If you have the patience (I wouldn't) you can do it at your own pace. Since you have less than professional experience at laying block, you may find it more difficult, mentally and physically than you want to mess with.
Man, this is a "shop", not an outhouse. How could you stand to be outside in the weather all that time? Tools in storage, idle hands at woodwork. IMO your DIY should start after the walls are up, then it would really zip for you. Don't forget, you have a roof structure to install, as well as all the electrical, plumbing, air lines.
I have to interject....within the 5 year period, you may get swooped up. Then your dreams will go straight down the tubes. You may have a good raquetball court built by that time. I know it is a DIY forum, but in your best interests, get it weathered in. That way if you make her mad, you'll have a place to go, rather than to a bar and cry in your beer. You could make birdhouses!!

 

I agree with Larry, if you get it dried in, the rest can be done at any pace. I'm not a mason but I've laid a few block. The higher you go with the block the more difficult it is to keep everything level and straight.

 

I agree with what has already been said. For me, the hardest part to get right would be laying up the corners and door openings plumb and level. And after about 5 courses of block, you will need scaffolding and help to get the materials up onto the scaffold. This is crew work more than DIY. Get it dried in by pros, then begin DIY.

 

At a 5,000 sq ft shop you may be better off looking other construction options. Post-frame buildings (also called pole barns) are very popular in the country because they go up fast, maintenance free, and are a good value for the money. Installing overhead and sliding doors are easily done and you can finish the inside any way you want.

There are other options out there that use steel trusses for the frame, just google on that one.

 

Why not use wood framing for the walls?

 

Ya, a shop with block walls would be nicer but it's probably cheaper and easier to have wood framed walls. When I built my shop/barn, I laid a block foundation but the walls are wood - my block laying skills get a little iffy the further up I go

Unless there is a specific need for block, there are quite a few other options.

 

Steel truss framing goes up extremely fast, but the guy who sets your pad needs to know how to set pins for the trusses to go on. The guy who did mine, did it flawlessly, so when the steel arrived, it all fell in place like a puzzle.

 

I appreciate everyone thoughts and suggestions! You guys are right, it sure would be nice to have walls and a roof to work under.

I was leaning toward block because I plan on keeping the building for life and love low maintenance. Once I get serious plans for the building I may find out that I can't afford block and brick.
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If anyone is interested in why I want such a building;

My viewpoint: Many folks take out enormous loans for big beautiful homes but I would love to "settle" for a big mean shop with a small bedroom, kitchen, and bath.

The idea is a footprint of around 50x90 with the ground level open area for parking, equipment, tools etc. Then I want to have an upper level with some very large windows or shutters that can swing open.

Here is a crude drawing I made to help visualize the idea, please ignore my mistakes on different viewing angles/perspectives etc. There is of course a floor separating the garage and upper area.

I was thinking a urinal and toilet upstairs for guests, and then a tiny bath of my own and small bedroom and kitchenette.

The idea was; work area downstairs, and party area upstairs ( pool table, stereo, beer on tap, seating etc ) I truly think I would enjoy the space much more than a 5 bedroom house in a nice neighborhood.

EDIT: On the lower rendition of the building it should read "two garage doors open" not one, as you would be looking in one on the front and seeing out through another.

 

That's a pretty wide span, you'll have to have support for the floor truss system or joists. Going that big you should be able to fit an apartment in the attic which would save you some money.

I had a friend that built a barn for his horses with the idea of building an apartment in the loft, he got married, had kids and last I heard he kicked the horses out and turned the majority of the barn into a house. I worked with a carpenter who's house burnt down and he built an apartment in the loft of his barn, I don't know if he ever got his house rebuilt.

 

Then you'll get married and all that party stuff will fit nicely in a 20 yard dumpster. Plan on all your contingencies, and if any living quarters are upstairs, ensure proper egress to the ground and get permits.
Hey, Mark, I used to live about 7 miles from Kenny Rogers' farm/golf course. His barn was air conditioned with mahogany handrails to the upper pavillion where there were living quarters for workers. Nice. Then there was the "big house".

 

Larry, about 25 yrs ago when I lived in fla I painted for one builder that dabbled in race horses. He built a brick stable that was air conditioned...... and I lived in a MH that didn't have AC But those 3 horses did have a greater net worth than I did

 

I'm not sure how much more maintenance you expect there to be with a wood framed structure. If you build it right from the start, you should have very little issues for decades. It will also make it a lot easier to insulate.

 

Just a couple of extra comments. Be sure the property you select will allow commercial and residential in the same building. You mentioned financing and that opens up another issue as loans related to construction will usually need to have the work done quickly and by an established contractor. I thought I covered everything by building mine myself with my own money, but then got a call from the insurance company that did not want to renew the construction insurance as I was taking too long and since the building wasn't 100% complete they didn't want to write a final policy. That took some negotiating and I finally extended the construction policy for one more year.

I went 50x80 with two upstairs office areas, but was not allowed any residential use. I used 16' 2x6 with OSB and vinyl siding. Low maintenance and easy to repair if someone damages the siding. I went with trusses, osb and a steel roof. I did all of the work I could but was required to have the electrical and plumbing done by a licensed contractor. I did the ground work, dug the footings, installed the steel, but had a pro pour the slab, plus carpentry and drywall. Would I do it again? NO!

I've built many homes, but the size was beyond my scope and the time was demoralizing. The concept is great, but you need to downsize and get it done. Build a small house next door where you can separate yourself when needed. Times change, people change, and situations change, so be sure what you build will also appeal to others if it ever goes up for sale. Just sharing my opinion and I hope yours goes better than mine did. Only real plus was all of the exercise I ended up getting and my new tractor .

Bud