Been waiting on our contractor to get back with us which has been nearing a month now so getting a little tired of waiting. At lunchtime I just took a drive out to a local Amish garage building place and they had some bigger ones there. Anyone ever had a custom one built like that? Would they put it on a concrete slab or does it have to have the wooden floor?
I'm here for info. Give me a 2 car with double depth and a lifted area above with a bathroom, kitchen, living room and bedroom, mini split system and I'd live there.
In reply to Placemotorsports :
Ask them!
They should certainly be able to build on a slab. I built my little shed on a slab. Makes it more deluxe, IMO. I have a friend in concrete. Even so, not cheap.
No direct experience, but if you're okay with their price, I suspect the garage will be very suitable.
Was expecting something like a Cleveland steamer or dirty sanchez type explanation.
color me disappointed
Do a pole barn.
I worked with a ton of Amish , Mennonite, and the like folks. They will build one Hella Shop. Or that's my experience, at least.
I'm going to guess that it will depend on which company you go with.
My grandmother had one built by an Amish contractor. I think my aunt and uncle both did as well, both on slab. My grandmother was unhappy because they didn't install the shelf that they were supposed to in the garage, but she was in and out of the hospital at the time and there may have been some misunderstanding with it.
Vet the contractor well. They're just like anyone else. People have this romantic image that because it is the Amish, they're planing everything by hand, working by candlelight, etc. The truth is that they're happy to use electricity driven by their diesel generator; were delivered to the jobsite in a $100k F350 that they're allowed to have because it is for work; they're often shrewd businessmen. Just because they're Amish doesn't mean that it is a good deal or that it is quality craftsmanship. They are, in my limited second-hand experience, usually much quicker than typical contractors.
I'll have to slide back by or shoot them a message to see what the price difference would be without the wood floor. The price they had listed turn key for that one is cheaper than I was quoted to have one built, I'd just have to get a slab poured.
wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) (Forum Supporter) said:Do a pole barn.
I worked with a ton of Amish , Mennonite, and the like folks. They will build one Hella Shop. Or that's my experience, at least.
Can't do a pole barn, HOA
We have wooden wheels for early cars built by the Amish.
The quality is excellent and they don't charge nearly enough for them
I sent them an email asking about the availability of building on a slab. For the price I don't think I can touch that
My father had a 32x48" shop on a slab built by the Amish last year. They even did the concrete work. It's very nice.
Garage, no. Shed, yes. It was definitely a step about the Lowe/Home Depot Stuff. It wasn't hand hewn out of 100 year old oak or anything, but there was definitely a quality improvement over box store stuff. I'd say it was about 10% more expensive, but worth it.
Got an appointment set up for them to come out and check the site here. They do build on concrete so thinking this may be my resolution.
Placemotorsports said:I sent them an email...
Hahaha, sorry.
For a season of my life I drove them from worksite to worksite. On vacation. To the zoo. They are people just like any other, what they are almost without exception is conscientious and quick.
The ones around here only bathe on Saturdays. So, stand clear if they show up to estimate mid-week.
I had some build an additional bay on my garage, which is not the same thing as the OP is doing here. They were affordable, fast and did a reasonably good job. They used really cheap shingles. The siding they ordered was totally the wrong color but the teen boys were all set to install it anyway before I stopped them. They took noontime naps under the maple in my front yard (quaint) and disappeared into the cornfield out back to relieve themselves (funny). Overall I was happy, but you have to keep an eye on them. Not for dishonesty, just paying attention to details.
Another friend of mine had some replace the windows in his house that turned into a pretty big cluster. So, they aren't infallible. Unlike most contractors though, they show up on time and actually get the job done pretty much on schedule.
mtn (Forum Supporter) said:I'm going to guess that it will depend on which company you go with.
My grandmother had one built by an Amish contractor. I think my aunt and uncle both did as well, both on slab. My grandmother was unhappy because they didn't install the shelf that they were supposed to in the garage, but she was in and out of the hospital at the time and there may have been some misunderstanding with it.
Vet the contractor well. They're just like anyone else. People have this romantic image that because it is the Amish, they're planing everything by hand, working by candlelight, etc. The truth is that they're happy to use electricity driven by their diesel generator; were delivered to the jobsite in a $100k F350 that they're allowed to have because it is for work; they're often shrewd businessmen. Just because they're Amish doesn't mean that it is a good deal or that it is quality craftsmanship. They are, in my limited second-hand experience, usually much quicker than typical contractors.
MTN got it 100% correct. I've met honest ones, and just like all of humanity, there are some that are not.
There is a local Amish building family that has been around long enough to have built my 130 year old home. By looking at the terrible build quality and non straight walls I am certain that they weren't involved in building ours.
I would go with the Amish option just for the delivery day show
They're really good at really fast, as long as you don't mind stuff not being quite plumb, square, level, or the building not being 3.5" shorter on one side over a 10 foot run. Around here their finish work is pretty E36 M3ty especially with more modern materials. I still don't know why they have a reputation as excellent craftsmen. The good ones do furniture, the rest build stuff because that's all there is to do.
QuasiMofo (John Brown) Forum Supporter said:There is a local Amish building family that has been around long enough to have built my 130 year old home. By looking at the terrible build quality and non straight walls I am certain that they weren't involved in building ours.
They probably did 
Placemotorsports said:Can't do a pole barn, HOA
You can still sheet/side a pole barn and have lots of options for roof pitches with the trusses available.
Most of those pre-fab ones that come in pieces on a truck tend to have very low ceiling heights. If you just want to store, that is OK, but for any work where you want to use even a mid-rise lift it's a no-go.
Who's this guy "THE Amish"??
Think we can fit any more stereotypes in one thread??
Thank you, Mtn.
This may be the first time I've heard anything negative about Amish builders. Makes no difference to me because we don't have any of them around here.
NOHOME said:I would go with the Amish option just for the delivery day show
I love that!!
The pic that I posted i walked around in that one and the build looked very solid and well done. I didn't measure anything but for the price I was fairly impressed. If it didn't have a wooden floor I would just have them drag that one to me.
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