I mentioned Pedro’s new workshop. It’s going up very fast and I thought I would post a few photos of the progress. I have one set of photos from early in the process when I talked about the directional drilling to take electricity back there.
When I met him, Pedro lived in a small townhouse with a small garage, and all his power tools and equipment were meticulously packed like a game of Tetris into shelves in the garage. In order to do a project, he had to back the car out of the garage, use the tools immediately, clean the garage, then pull the car back in before the HOA started complaining. It was a priority that with the new house he would have a place to permanently unpack all of it, to include the welding equipment he hasn’t used in years because there was no safe place to use it.
There was no good place at our new property to use as a workshop. The best solution, we decided, would be to actually build a dedicated work space here, and we are lucky enough to have the space to do it. At the very very back of the yard was an unused section of planter boxes and gravel.
We had remarkably good weather for a lot of the construction, considering that it’s Spring, and you just never know. It was sunny sometimes, but mostly grey and damp, which apparently construction crews like. It rained now and then, and no one missed a beat. One day it was absolutely dumping rain though. Just buckets of rain. I commented that I was surprised they even showed up that day. Joe’s two main guys on the job shrugged and said, “Sometimes it rains.”
Joe, our main guy at Development Contracting, grinned at me one day and said, “I’m doing a little extra here and I want to show you. Sorry, I don’t have to explain if you’re not interested. I’m just nerding out a little.” I told him to please tell me everything. I like to nerd out about this stuff too. :o)
The green siding we had been curious about, but Pedro and I had not yet asked. It’s a high-quality product called Zip system, designed to work a bit differently than other plywood or particle board. It’s water resistant, and is used with proprietary air barrier tape and gel sealant. “I’m not charging you any more,” said Joe. “These boards are only $38 each compared to $30 each for regular boards, so it’s a no-brainer.” With the boards and tape and sealant applied to every nail hole and every crack, the building is as waterproof as it can be. But then, in addition to that, Joe explained that thin slats will be attached to the green board before the siding is put on, keeping a thin layer of air between the siding and the building. “We are going to seal the siding as well as we can,” said Joe. “But if by some chance, any kind of moisture gets through the siding, there will be a layer of air there so it doesn’t touch the inside wall, and so the air can help dry it out as quickly as possible.” He paused and looked up at the building, “This structure is going to last longer than any other structure on your property.”
This post is already outdated! Yesterday the electrical inspector from the city showed up and said it all looked good. Today insulation and most of the drywall was installed by Cruz and Alan. It’s sort of fun meeting all the different crews and I’m not remembering everyone’s name, but they have all been great to work with.
Conscious Engagement 
I am sooooo jealous!
Lou, I can imagine anyone who likes to build would want their own dedicated space like this. I am hopping with excitement. Pedro tends to keep his emotions even, but I’m sure he is more eager than I am. He has a set of moveable cabinets installed in the garage right now, but all those will be moved to the shop (clearing out the garage, thank goodness). His plan is to build a mobile island for his table saw, that can be put away against a wall, but moved to the center for projects. Now THAT will be awesome too. 🙂 I wish we could have you over!
I am really happy for Pedro. I’d love to be able to see how he arranges things.
OK, I’ll make sure to cover that part, and his thought process.
thanks
I’m not going to show this to TS. Like Lou, he will be jealous. It’s so rare to get a good contractor and crews. Just think of all the things Pedro is going to finally be able to do. I’m so happy for him and you as the recipient of all that good stuff. 🙂 You have a great place there.
Thank you, Marlene. I think TS does a pretty amazing job with the projects he works on, and I know he would love a new workshop too. Pedro and I have both started to dream about future projects he will tackle. I love that his main ideas are repairing things around the house and yard. Yay!!
I can hardy wait for Pedros shed project posts. Looks like a great shed
ha ha, you and me both!! I am sure I will be bragging like crazy when he starts making stuff. 🙂
👍😂😂
Well planned and executed
Many thanks, Derrick. With some luck, too, with our contractor, who turned out to be excellent to work with. Very reliable, communicative, transparent, and reasonably priced.
Oh to be so talented and driven! Beautiful work. I sometimes wish I could build a “she shed” out back, but noisy neighbors would ruin it. Really impressive and the yard looks gorgeous!
My She Shed will be coming soon. We explained to Igor, the electrician, that our plans were to tear out the metal shed with the wisteria and put in an office for me (once we get our bills under control), so he prepared that to make an electrical addition easy for us. Pedro has encouraged me to find a build-it-yourself separate office kit (there are many online, who knew?). On one side we have persistently barking dogs, and on the other side we have a persistently coughing person, and loudest of all is the front of the house on a busy, busy street, so yeah – noisy neighbors – but I’m gradually getting used to it. Thanks for the compliment on the yard. It is so gorgeous. Pedro and I so far have not stopped noticing that. ❤
I’m so happy to hear you have a plan! Perfect. Meditation helps me embrace even the noise of life, but yeah, some days are a challenge.
Getting completely absorbed in my work will drown out sounds for me, so that is my hope. I do need to practice meditation.