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Workshop Information

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United States
My shop is small, 10×16, and I built it with my bare hands. I had plans to have one of the big box stores to build me a new shed/shop and my back yard, right before Katrina hit us in '05. But once the storm hit, it was impossible to get a contractor, for something as trivial as a shed. And at this point, I didn't just WANT a new shed/shop, but I NEEDED one! I had an old wooden shed 15×20 or so, and it was falling apart before, but the storm took it's roof off, and the back fell off of it's foundation, so the sides were caving in. And then I had a small metal shed, with lawn equipment, and such, and it got blown into the neighbors yard. I only had a little damage to my houses roof, and some other minor damage, with which I fixed myself. So with the 4 grand I got from my insurance, I built one fine, but small, new shop. At first it also housed lawn equipment also. But after I really fell for woodworking, I added on a lean-tool for the lawn equipment and storage. The shop is all wood working now.

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Very nice shop Lee,well organized and neat and orderly .
 

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So did you have to put in bell footings, hurricane strapping, and all the requirements we have here to meet hurricane code?

And welcome to LJ's.
 

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Thanks Jim!

Some hurricane strapping, Brad, but that's it. At first I hadn't even went to get a permit. So many people in my neighborhood had built sheds and such and never got a permit. I had my sub-floor, outside walls and roof done, and my Dad warned me that I should get a permit. He had heard that they (our parish) was using helicopters to check to see if people were doing any repairs without permits, after Katrina. So I acted dumb, went into the permit office and told them that I had started building a shed, and didn't know I needed a permit to do so. So they sent someone out to inspect it. And he noticed that I hadn't used any hurricane strapping, but he noticed that I had screwed EVERYTHING in my construction, I just used nails to hold things up, and then screwed the heck out of everything. He then told me to just promise him I'd add a few hurricane straps and he then gave me my permit to continue. Asked me if I ever built anything like this before, and I told him no. And he said that if he ever needed something built, he was coming to see me. I told him I'll take that as a compliment. And he said I should!! I also built a patio, got the permit, and finished it the day before Gustav came near us. I called the permit office to let them know I was finished. And to this day, they have never sent an inspector. I called a couple of times after the storm also. I guess they had bigger fish to fry! I still have my permit, just in case they ever come back to me. And dates and times that I called.
 

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That sounds a lot easier than what I was required to do.

I had to draw up a detailed plan with all the materials to be used for the HOA and wait for it to be approved before I could even start. It was a small shed but I had to dig four foot holes, pour concrete bell piers, chain the floor to them, strap the walls to the floor, and then strap the upper trusses to the walls.

I can understand why though. My neighbors shed flew in the air and took out the other neighbors brick chimney.
 

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WOW, I think I'd had passed on building it myself if I had to go through all of that!!

Thanks Charles.
 

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How long does it normally take for a "project" post to get cleared? I posted one either Friday or Sat. morning and nothing showed up yet. And I get a message that my first one has to clear before I add another project. Is that just after the first one, or do you have to wait days for every project to get cleared? Just wondering..
 

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Small…but it has all the comforts of home!!
Mike
 
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