Today the weather was wonderful… sunny, about 65-70… I picked up a truck load of cherry today and loaded that into my shop. I finished up sanding on a refinishing job that I started Tuesday. Earlier in the week a friend dropped off a set of dining room chairs (Colonial, maple) that he wants refinished. I’m about ready to start on matching the original finish, but I will need to order some dyes and glazing.
I’m still working on the stained glass for a chandelier that will be the first item I will put on my web page by the end of the year. I’ve started two other lamps and a table that will be on there as well.
I’ve been doing some drawings & estimates for a shop building. I looked at one of the local Amish building makers and they have a great deal on a building that I have been looking at. The Amish are really wonderful people and live a lifestyle that at my point in life seems to be a dream-come-true… and their furniture is amazing…
As for the building, I’m deciding whether or not to build or buy, with the end result getting everything out of my garage and into a real shop building. Fortunately, I’m not going to borrow any money, but before I spend the money I do have I want to make sure I’ve looked at all the options available to me. The first building that I really considered seriously is a 16×36 metal building with a garage door, a ramp, a walk-in door, 7 windows, Advantek T&G flooring, 2×6 floor joists on 1’ centers, one bench, two shelves, two lofts, and a barn roof. The price is about $7800. I talked to one of the Amish people ansd they said they had a bigger one (16×40) that someone decided not to get so they would sell it to me for the same price. I went home, and did a pretty detailed estimate against what they are offering. The major difference on mine is I added in insulation, which theirs does not have. My estimate wasn’t as competitive (minus labor & delivery costs of course) as I thought I could build it for. To be fair, it really wasn’t a close apples-to-apples comparison, as theirs is a metal structure with a wood interior and my design is all wood. My wife pointed out that if I build the building, I’ll be taking time away from my business efforts. So, I am leaning towards buying the building from them. They’ll deliver it assembled.
I have a house addition job starting Monday about 40 minutes away. My friend (dining room chairs) already has the structure framed, roofed and sheathed, so I will be installing siding, insulation, drywall, windows and trim. I’m hoping I can finish in about 2-3 weeks. We may not be working every day so that works for me as far as continuing on the items at home. Also, my daughter may have her first baby (my first grandchild!!!) by mid-week so that will certainly change plans :)...
I registered for an SBA marketing seminar in mid-November, and I’m meeting with a CPA/bookkeeper next week for my very first business consultation!
Still loving it….
-- Sam
10 comments so far
Beginningwoodworker
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4123 posts in 566 days
posted 24 days ago
Sounds great!
-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker
grizzman
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527 posts in 196 days
posted 24 days ago
im so hopeing for your sucess sam…the building project sounds great…your doing your homework and not rushing into things…your makeing sound business decisions and taking all things under consideration…your money will only go so far…so what you do with it needs to be spot on…..and your doing that…i think the economy is going to continue to be better…and i think that because so many have closed there doors, you will have opertunities…good job my friend..cant wait to see the new shop…with you in there covered with dust…..and putting in long hours…that is required…and the payday on that comes later….you will see….grizzman
-- The Grizzone
grizzman
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527 posts in 196 days
posted 24 days ago
oh …and you need that insualtion…and there building is only four feet longer….but you know that…dont want ya getting cold in there…when your too cold you move slower…...and you need all the speed you can get right now…...i mean we aint gettin no younger sam…...lol…work as though it all depended on you…pray as if it all depended on god…i believe in that…and have seen it to be true…...
-- The Grizzone
dustyal
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443 posts in 368 days
posted 24 days ago
Sound like you are off to an organized start… good luck… it is not easy trying to start a business. Your wife is probably correct… buy the building so you can spend your time working the business. I was always told… go for the larger… they get small real quick…
The SBA and CPA are good decisions… most new business start-ups fail because of these two issues—the running and financing the business… not because of the operation or the products made.
best wishes… go for it…
-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...
oklanp
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1 post in 24 days
posted 24 days ago
I hope too for your success since the economy is slowly crumbling..While money is tighter during a recession, there is still money to be made if you know how.Even if you have a stable job, it’s wise to look for a secondary source of income to provide for increased expenses and add to your financial security. You have to be wary of unlicensed lenders. It wasn’t unlicensed lenders that caused the housing bubble to burst, but they certainly didn’t help anyone either – and now it’s even harder to track them down and find if they’re legitimate or crooks. Compounding the problem is that so many more lenders can get Federal Housing Administration underwriting, so less than honest lenders are getting federal backing, and it’s nigh impossible for the government to find all the bad apples. Persons looking for mortgage loan modification should take care and watch for unlicensed lenders.
Sam Yerardi
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235 posts in 788 days
posted 23 days ago
Thanks for the support guys!
beginningwoodworker
Thanks!
dustyal
i’m trying to be as organized as I can… good point on getting small quick… and thanks for the advice!
oklanp
sage advice! thanks!
grizzman
yeah, we’re not getting younger… every morning looking in the mirror proves it to me :)...
I will definitely install insulation in the building.
Anyone have any suggestions for insulating a prefinished floor such as in the building I’m talking about? The building will be 2×6 joists resting on 6×6 skids. On top of the joists is 5/8 T&G plywood. I may wait until next year to do the flooor as the cost is going to be pretty high for the walls and ceiling.
Thanks again guys!!
-- Sam
a1Jim
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16684 posts in 470 days
posted 22 days ago
I guess as far as the shop goes I would work up the cost to build yourself versus having it built including not being available for work, Maybe you could frame and sub the roofing etc. If it were me I would prefer a wood shop not metal just for all that goes in the shop. Hope all goes well.
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Sam Yerardi
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235 posts in 788 days
posted 21 days ago
Thanks Jim
I’ve been researched prices for pole barns, polar buildings ( I think this is a new concept – pre-made finished panels – you assemble), steel buildings and I am hard-pressed to beat their price when you compare apples to apples.
-- Sam
a1Jim
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16684 posts in 470 days
posted 21 days ago
Good luck on what ever you go with Sam
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
Sam Yerardi
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235 posts in 788 days
posted 21 days ago
Thanks Jim
-- Sam