Help! Setting up a new shop

[Warren Fisher]

Robert,
Thanks bunches for all this!
See comments and questions below:

Robert Goodale wrote:

>Hey, congrats!
>
>We are currently under construction of our new shop right now.  We are
>paying cash for everything as we go so progress is slow.  Not because of
>construction but rather we build as the money comes in.  We have just about
>enough to finish so we hope to get into high gear on it as soon as possible.
>
>We went through a long and painful process to build this shop exactly how a
>piano shop should be.  We consulted and visited other shops, then hired an
>architect.  After several design changes we have ended up with a 2,000 Sq.
>Ft. building, (32 X 62.5), 
>
Ours is exactly 2000 feet.  Interesting!

>designed specifically with future expansion in
>mind.  We went through all case scenarios to work out any foreseeable
>problems.  Then we hired a structural engineer to work out all the details.
>
>Our final design as it is now being built is as follows:
>1. 10' ceilings (yes)
>2.  Skylights galore for lots of natural light.  I would love to have these, but I've heard they always leak eventually here in the sunny, soggy south.)
>3.  Ditto on double glazed windows. (Out contractor recommended "solar windows" and demonstrated that they pass much less heat and infrared than double glazed.)
>4.  12 x 9 roll up door for moving pianos in and out. (we went with 10X9 because there is no way a semi-trailer can get down our access road.)
>5.  6 inch walls for R-19 insulation.(I'm checking on this)
>5.  4:5 pitch trusses with plenty of attic space above the ceiling for R-30 (on this also)
>insulation.  Room for storage as well.
>6.  12 x 12 office accessible with a second door leading outside.
>7.  12 x 16 room for action rebuilding, (keeps the saw dust away from your
>new action parts)
>8.  Restroom.
>9.  Trusses reinforced to support a hoist.(I just talked to them about this)
>10.  200 amp panel with numerous 110v. and 220v. outlets throughout the
>shop.
>11.  High efficiency lighting, half of which can be turned off to save
>electricity when the sun lights up the shop via the skylights and windows.
>12.  Air compressor and central machine vacuum system plumbed throughout the
>shop.  These are located outside the shop to eliminate the noise.
>13.  Ceiling fans, (cuts down on utilities).
>14.  Utility sink.
>15.  Prewired for multiple phone lines, internet, and of course our
>satellite dish, (ya baby!)
>
>Oh... and the most important part, our dog "Joplin Rags" paw prints now
>firmly embedded in the concrete floor!
>
>These are the basics.  The exterior of the structure is entirely designed to
>match the house perfectly. (We went with a metal building, framed up inside.)
>
Thanks a lot for your suggestions.  We sure want to get it right also.
Warren

Warren Fisher- RPT Retired, Navy Retired, Slidell, Louisiana