Garages and Carports - Above ground workshop question

Hello there,

I have a general question about building a workshop. I'd like to build a decent sized workshop (16x24 or 16x30). Because of the slope of my yard, I'm planning on building it with a deck foundation. The low side of the building will be about 6 inches off the ground, and the high side (the 30ft side) will be about 4 - 5 ft.

I'd love to be able to do a "real" foundation (brick and block, concrete, etc.), but it's just too expensive. Do you guys see any problems with this plan? I'm concerned about the "sway" factor, with that much weight on my deck (walls, roof, etc.), without any side support (like attaching to the ledger of my house).

Any advise? Good idea or bad?

Thanks,
Tim

Install adequate bracing on the posts.

Hey,

Would those be side braces on the posts? I've built several decks, and have never used side braces before...is it a brace between the post and the beam above, which attempts to stop the side to side movement? Since I have to hard wall to attach it to, I would think the bracing would go both ways (side to side and front to back)?

Thanks again.

If I understand your plan, one side of your workshop will be on "stilts". If you haven't confirmed that your local building code will allow this, you should do so. You will need to cross brace the piers in both directions. Your building code will probably specify what size lumber to use for the bracing, attachment methods, etc.

I would think a perimeter foundation made with concrete blocks, rebar and concrete would be a pretty small fraction of the total construction cost, providing you did the work yourself.

Cheers,
Don