Retrofitting A Building

JSJJ388

JSJJ388

GREEN GREMLIN
Joined
Aug 31, 2016
Location
HAMPTONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
So as some of yall know we homeschool. With the boys growing and learning, we had planned to renovate what is currently my small shop to be a homeschool separate from the house. We were planning on doing it slowly over the course of the next few years, with the intent of just using it as we can for the boys. Well, our close friends want to start their 3 in homeschool now and it looks like we will be tag teaming at least on supplies and resources ect. Which means that the building needs to be gotten ready this summer.

So on to my point. Need input on what needs to be done and ways to accomplish it. Current building specs: roughly 10'x20', concrete floor, metal roof and siding, barn doors, single pane windows, no ceiling, and fairly outdated wiring. Im thinking along the lines of going to a standard door or french doors, sheet rock the walls, hang some fluorescent lights I got from someone here years ago, and add some sort of climate control. Id like to update the wiring, but dont know that its necessary. I have access to some free carpet, so may throw that down for noise and comfort. It has its own fuse box and a few outlets so I think it should suffice, but my shop is currently powered off of one of the outlets which is gonna have to change.

So is new wiring a must? Do I have to add insulation? Do I need to make a ceiling? What kind of climate control options are available without breaking the bank? Im not making any structural or major exterior changes, so shouldnt need a permit right? Any help or input is appreciated.

Ill add some pics later when I get some.
 
Pretty much going to have to post pictures but I doubt it has much wiring and by your description I doubt that wiring is the safest--being you are using it as basically a daycare...I would replace it. If you are going to sheetrock it then yes you'll want to insulate it and if you're insulating it probably the easiest way for you to do the roof is to put a ceiling in. It's not going to be a cheap project no matter how you do it might as well do it halfway right the first time.

I guess they are all going to be using your bathroom in the house?
 
braxton357 said:
Pretty much going to have to post pictures but I doubt it has much wiring and by your description I doubt that wiring is the safest--being you are using it as basically a daycare...I would replace it. If you are going to sheetrock it then yes you'll want to insulate it and if you're insulating it probably the easiest way for you to do the roof is to put a ceiling in. It's not going to be a cheap project no matter how you do it might as well do it halfway right the first time.

I guess they are all going to be using your bathroom in the house?
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Thanks for the input. And yea, they will just go to the house. It sits right behind the house. I agree, want to do it once.
 
Here it is in relation to the house.

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Couple outside shots.

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I'll be the fun police and mention to make sure it's up to relative safe code and such since someone else's crotch fruit will be there too. This would include electrical, ingress and egress, steps, etc.
God forbid someone gets injured at your "school" and you guys are liable.
(quotation marks are not a jab in any way, btw)
Props to you guys for doing what you're doing
 
Jody Treadway said:
I'll be the fun police and mention to make sure it's up to relative safe code and such since someone else's crotch fruit will be there too. This would include electrical, ingress and egress, steps, etc.
God forbid someone gets injured at your "school" and you guys are liable.
(quotation marks are not a jab in any way, btw)
Props to you guys for doing what you're doing
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And this is why I posted it. Because frankly, I dont know the codes that well. Power load will be light, except for climate control. No steps or ramps, and I am all too familiar with ADA and egress codes. Glad you chimed in, you probably know more on the subject than the average joe.
 
JSJJ388 said:
And this is why I posted it. Because frankly, I dont know the codes that well. Power load will be light, except for climate control. No steps or ramps, and I am all too familiar with ADA and egress codes. Glad you chimed in, you probably know more on the subject than the average joe.
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I really have no clue if it has to be to certain levels of ____________ since it is being used for education. Even though it is private, I would assume the fact there are non-blood family members present, it would change things. Totally different if it was only your own children in attendance. I mean you could have them mowing the(ir own) grass and scraping paint and call it Horticulture and/or Independent Living.
 
JSJJ388 said:
And this is why I posted it. Because frankly, I dont know the codes that well. Power load will be light, except for climate control. No steps or ramps, and I am all too familiar with ADA and egress codes. Glad you chimed in, you probably know more on the subject than the average joe.
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Not trying to be an ass - but I suggest you plan to either spend some time learning the codes, or find somebody willing to comes out and go over the project with you and tell you.
Code is there for a reason.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Not trying to be an ass - but I suggest you plan to either spend some time learning the codes, or find somebody willing to comes out and go over the project with you and tell you.
Code is there for a reason.
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So the question is, what codes apply? Its nothing special, and an existing structure. Electrical code? Standard residential code, seems logical. Obviously making it safe is a given. Standard door, standard insulation and drywall, updated wiring. I guess I just dont see what would hang me here. But, thats why I posted.
 
You are changing use of a storage building that was built without any code, so you’ll need to bring it up to the current codes.

Since you want to bring it up to current and correct code, you probably have to Bri g it up to IBC codes and get zoning approval for the new use, which now gets taxed differently, and get some sort of approval from your AHJ as for your intended use of the building. Ya know, since you asked.
 
I'd think all this talk of codes is contrary to the reason you are homeschooling your kids anyway...
 
rockcity said:
You are changing use of a storage building that was built without any code, so you’ll need to bring it up to the current codes.

Since you want to bring it up to current and correct code, you probably have to Bri g it up to IBC codes and get zoning approval for the new use, which now gets taxed differently, and get some sort of approval from your AHJ as for your intended use of the building. Ya know, since you asked.
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I'm thinking once what codes are required and met , we will talk about taxes, liability, insurance, business permits, and what ever else the man deems necessary.
 
jeepinmatt said:
I'd think all this talk of codes is contrary to the reason you are homeschooling your kids anyway...
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If you're teaching somebody else's kids in your school room, are they still homeschooling?
 
No fries said:
I'm thinking once what codes are required and met , we will talk about taxes, liability, insurance, business permits, and what ever else the man deems necessary.
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Those only apply if the man knows what's going on in that building
 
My thoughts on this are probably a bit uncouth, but I would hang some pink panther in the walls. Make sure the electrical is where it needs to be for outlets, cover it with drywall throw some carpet down to keep the little feet off of concrete add a mini split for cooling and heat address the front door issue with a very simple drop in exterior entry door. And as crude as it may seem make your friends have a contract or waiver understanding that this is not a commercial set up, this is a very simple area for children to learn, signed, sealed, delivered, and rock out, because fuck the man and all his regulation BS do what you do and teach your children in the way that you feel is best, because also fuck the school system because it is BS, take all this with a grain of salt because yes I’ve been drinking tonight but I fully believe that your heart is in the right place and you should be able to exercise your right as parents to teach your children what you deem is necessary and correct in a way that you see fit .
 
skyhighZJ said:
My thoughts on this are probably a bit uncouth, but I would hang some pink panther in the walls. Make sure the electrical is where it needs to be for outlets, cover it with drywall throw some carpet down to keep the little feet off of concrete add a mini split for cooling and heat address the front door issue with a very simple drop in exterior entry door. And as crude as it may seem make your friends have a contract or waiver understanding that this is not a commercial set up, this is a very simple area for children to learn, signed, sealed, delivered, and rock out, because fuck the man and all his regulation BS do what you do and teach your children in the way that you feel is best, because also fuck the school system because it is BS, take all this with a grain of salt because yes I’ve been drinking tonight but I fully believe that your heart is in the right place and you should be able to exercise your right as parents to teach your children what you deem is necessary and correct in a way that you see fit .
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Agreed, even sober, If you are truly tag teaming teaching the kids as you said in your OP, the parents are a part of it and also responsible parties. I was just providing food for thought. :stirthepot: :laughing:
 
No fries said:
Agreed, even sober, If you are truly tag teaming teaching the kids as you said in your OP, the parents are a part of it and also responsible parties. I was just providing food for thought. :stirthepot: :laughing:
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This is my thoughts. We want it to be safe, obviously. This thing went way sideways from where I intended, but still good info. What I was really looking for was ideas and info on actually getting the work done.
 
BigBody79 said:
It certainly looks like a home school. :flipoff2:

Does it have a bathroom? All our kids at school seem to care about is using the bathroom and smoking vapes. You might have a different crowd.
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See that wooded area behind it?
It works for both.
 
I hate to be this way but id bring it up to code and say your making a man cave. you can get 110v Mini split systems from amazon for a couple thousand dollars that will take care of what your wanting to do. bare minimum your looking at 5-7000 dollars to do it correctly and thats you doing it all yourself and if you dont end up needing to add a new bigger panel, which you most likely will since the house and shop look like the age of my house. you could get a big free standing AC unit that has an exhaust out the window but they are much louder than a mini split system.


Also keep in mind it may be an expensive cost up front but your kids are going to be in there 4-5 days a week for 12+ years. Do it right the first time or youll be redoing it and costing yourself more later on.
 
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