considering converting a prefab metal garage to a questhouse

[Susala]

Hi,

This is my first time posting. I live in the Bay Area (Northern CA - moderate weather) and have a concrete slab that is 26 feet 10 inches wide x 18 feet 10 inches long that I'd like to install a metal building on to use as a guest house. I've looked at a bunch of websites that sell them online including ones that have delivery and installation wrapped into the total cost, which is generally less than $6000. I'd love any advice and/or input from any of y'all who have worked with metal garage/shed conversions and/or any specific companies. I'm less interested in opinions that aren't based on actual experience.

Thanks,
Susie

[rick91351]

I think I would first run it by the local building department......  I will say often times slabs are not the bonus one would assume.  Plumbing would have to be roughed in.  Lot of sawing or jack hammering.  There are no footings where you need them to pour your walls on top of.  I assume that stem walls would be required locally building a garage?

Metal buildings often make themselves sound so easy and practical but what I have seen when it comes to finishing the inside one would be far better off just stick building.

I did inquire about one that was heavily advertised.  Was lied to greatly:  We have one sitting on a truck right now just the size you want....  Only specked out better.  It was ordered by the US Marines we got it loaded and their funding ran out.  We can ship it to you today if you order it right now.  We will take the hit....  we are going broke but hey the boss says move it.  It will be $X,XXX plus shipping of course..... This is our Marine Corp special.  Year latter I got a call form the same guy with the same sales pitch.....     

[Danfish]

Not to throw water on your fire, but use of an out building for living quarters in a California city better be cleared first with the neighbors and local building officials!

[Susala]

Thanks

[MountainDon]

Yes, good idea to chek with the local government.

As an aside to the topic, Albuquerque has a situation that relates. Here's an article that explains.

[firefox]

I went thru a nightmare building a storage shed in my back yard. Bay Area SF
is murder on such things. And that was just a storage shed.
You will first need to clear it with zoning. If you can't get
past zoning, then forget it. These people are ruthless.

[glenn kangiser]

Also , metal buildings sweat, so you would need to insulate the roof, or every time it was warmer inside than out it could rain inside depending on dew point and other conditions.  Moisture would condense on the inside of the roof and drop down from the purlins..... had that roblem in a potato storage building...

Couch potatoes could cause similar.