Tools & Fabrication - Shop Size Question

In the next couple of months, I will be getting my new shop built. I'm considering either a 40'X60' or a 30'X80' metal building with 14' eaves. Do any of you have any opinions on which one would be preferable, and why. I have plenty of room for either one. I could even go larger if I wanted to spend the money, but I think either of these will work and I'll use the extra money for a big compressor and a couple of lifts. Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

I'd do the 40 x 60. The reason being, no matter how big it is, you WILL fill it up! BTDT, several times.
Is the 14' eave necessary? The 12' in my shop is plenty big for a lift to clear. The added 2' of space could get more expensive to heat/cool.
Or, with the added 2', you could build a second level storage area.....

Thanks for your input. I do plan to build a wall separating about 12 feet at one end with a loft for storage above. I'm not too worried about heating and cooling. I'm living on the Mississippi Gulf coast now. I wouldn't need heat but 2-3 weeks a year and I couldn't afford to cool it on retired pay. I'll just have to manage with big fans.

price out the different size rafters ,the longer span mite be more.and see which slab would be easier to pour.

Whats the budget for the building ,installation and slab? Just playing with a few pricing guides on various sites, the 14 over 12 only looked to be 1k difference in price. the 60 vs 80 looked to be in the 2-4 k range . I personally like the longer layout.

if you want to get a lift to clear id do some sissor trusses if you thought about doing a stick built vs. metal. i put 6/12 with 1 foot eaves in mine with a 10ft eave height on a 30 x 40 with eave entry and it fits perfect. i have 14.6ft to inside peak and a 13.9ft lift. i could put a full size van up with no problems at all. hope this helps someone

Go 80 X 100 who wouldnt want a half acre under a roof? haha

Our shop is 60x40 with 18ft peak and 15ft walls total cost was around 27 but we did everything except the conc work I thought it was big when empty but now its packed lol

The quote I got is a little over 28K, including erection and concrete work. I also includes 5-10X10 and 1-10X12 rollup doors and a walk door. It does not include any electric work so I'll do that myself. I decided to go with the longer shop because it will allow me to have room for cars with a workbench along the back wall and still have plenty of room to work. I may have to go a little longer. I'd love to put a paint booth in it if I can find one for a good price. If not, I will just build a separate room to paint in. I would love to build a 80X100, but I also want to retire. With that much room for cars, I'd never be able to quit. Once I get it up, I'll post some pictures. It will probably be in September.

The quote I got is a little over 28K, including erection and concrete work. I also includes 5-10X10 and 1-10X12 rollup doors and a walk door. It does not include any electric work so I'll do that myself. I decided to go with the longer shop because it will allow me to have room for cars with a workbench along the back wall and still have plenty of room to work. I may have to go a little longer. I'd love to put a paint booth in it if I can find one for a good price. If not, I will just build a separate room to paint in. I would love to build a 80X100, but I also want to retire. With that much room for cars, I'd never be able to quit. Once I get it up, I'll post some pictures. It will probably be in September.

Who did u quote it through?

the shorter rafters will be liter and easier to lift.

I got the quote from Register Metals in Gulfport, MS. That is for the building, slab, and erection. Does not include any plumbing or electrical.

we just had someone come by and walk thru our land to get us started on our 100x200. its gunna take a bit of time, and alot of money ha but its gunna be better than our shop we have now. if i were to build one for workin on cars and bein in the back yard, id prolly go with a 40x60. my buddy just built one and put a loft in it and had enough room for 3 overhead doors. looks good and works good. he has just over 24k into it but he got a deal on the concrete and did all the building himself. looks good and fits his cars nicely

i did 40 x 60.. seemed huge on framing-- now its full

prev shop was 32 x 40 so this seemed like a big increase LOL

14' walls--and one door so i can park a Mhome on one end to work on--

then 2 man doors and 2 10' doors for the rest-- 2 hoists.. depends if your a "working" shop or a storage one. ive seen some with more bay doors but you cant work without benchs or space to open doors so no point having 5 bay doors if your working inside

the deeper option may be nice if you need a "clean" area in a working shop. You can place it towards the back and have all the welding/grinding/machining in the front assuming you have some side windows and fans to keep some good cross flow to keep it cool.