Conceptualizing my new shop design.

[ganja361]

Hello all. All input, good or bad, is welcome.
First off, money isn't an issue.
I'm building a dedicated grow shop in the backyard. Thinking somewhere in the 1200 sq ft range. Currently thinking something like 2 alternating flower rooms, a veg and clone room, a dedicated drying and curing room, and a clean entry/mud room.
Live in the Portland area so humidity could be an issue, especially during the rainy season. (Nearly all year) rare snow or ice.
The design is still in complete brain storm mode so I'm seeking ideas from experienced growers and construction experts on how they would do it and what they would have done from looking back.

I'm interested in ideas from roof design and pitch to siding and insulation options, ceiling height, room designs, drainage, floor slope, reflective material vs flat white paint, electrical ideas, types of ACs, if it's relevant I'm interested.

I am not a newb nor ignorant. I am interested in new or better ideas even in the conceptual stage before construction ever starts. Thanks all.

 

[ruwtz]

Now this is my kind of project! That floor space is cracking!

Check out my sig for how I went about my space this year - purpose built 200sqft exterior structure.

For a structure this size I would highly recommend pulling permits - build it right and make it last. If you are building yourself and are not a licensed contractor then in many cities/states there are provisions you have to work to in order to meet code and they are generally quite restrictive. In some ways this can help as it means there is only one way of doing something, but not so good if you're wanting some grand design on stilts with turrets and bat cave etc.

For permitting you will need accurate blueprints and the ability to make regular changes, so either draw them up yourself or get an architect student to do it for you. Personally I enjoyed learning Sketchup to do my own.

If it was me i'd be going barn style with something like 5/12 pitch gable roof with shingles, 10ft walls stick framing, vapor barrier etc. Steel stud framing is an option too, but I don't know much about that or costs. If money really isn't an issue then go with a professional spray insulation job, side with some nice cabin boards like cedar. Plan your foundation right and you can build your drainage solutions straight into the concrete pour, ensuring all rooms drain to waste or similar.

You will certainly have a job planning electrical and sizing correctly. You could easily eat up a 200amp feed, which is the size of many house main feeds in itself. Consider a dedicated service from the street, which is not cheap, and you'll need to be smart in explaining this need.

For a build this size I think most people would avoid reflective materials and lay down flat white over drywall.

Good luck! I'll definitely be watching this one!

 

[ganja361]

Thank you. My neighbor/good friend is a contractor and house flipper with many friends. I've got 4 medical cards worth of plants I can legally grow so I don't have much worry about explaining the operation if need be. Do I care if I go over the limit? No. But I'd like to get as close to legal as possible. Btw I read through your whole thread and nice researching and workmanship. My kind of work. I'm even thinking of 12 foot walls just so I can keep plant count down and grow some monsters. Any worries on this height?

 

[ganja361]

Wouldn't mind supplemental vertical lighting for some big girls and see what kind of numbers I can pull.

 

[ruwtz]

A decent pitch on a gable roof wins you some "attic space", for keeping ballasts, hanging dehu etc, not to mention essential storage space. Heck, i'd be tempted to put the clone room up here and totally max out my flower rooms downstairs.

10ft walls buys you good room height for tall plants and hot lights and is easy to build. At 12ft you will have to think about finding a quick and easy way to be working at that height where needed. Do you really want to be dragging a step ladder around, knocking into girls etc?

But more significantly, when you go with bespoke wall heights you have to factor in the additional work and materials: standard 8 and 10ft wall studs are actually milled shorter to account for plates and if you deviate from this you have a lot more measuring and sawing work to do, not to mention additional waste from cutting sheathing panels. You will have to cost-benefit this one. It might sound trivial from where you are starting, but trust me it isn't.

I know you said money isn't a problem but I think you need to look long and hard at budgeting this one properly, before you do anything else - you're basically gonna pay a dude to build something the size of a family home,complete with plumbing and electrics, and anyone who has done this will tell you it is not cheap or quick or easy on the nerves, even with a good bunch of friends.

All for 4 medical recs?? And flirting with stepping over the law a bit? Hmm, rather you than me brother, but i'm in this to see how you do and help if/where I can! Good luck! Its exciting!

 

[ganja361]

Well I step over the line quite a bit. I think I'm trying to convince myself to try legal since I've been on the other side for so long. Most of this product is not for med patients . Thanks for the advice on manufacture and precut lengths over 10 ft. Hadn't thought of that and I can see where that's a lot of unneeded work.
As for worrying about bills and whatnot, I've made my money and this project is for fun and to finally have something state of the art.

 

[ruwtz]

Well I step over the line quite a bit. I think I'm trying to convince myself to try legal since I've been on the other side for so long. Most of this product is not for med patients . Thanks for the advice on manufacture and precut lengths over 10 ft. Hadn't thought of that and I can see where that's a lot of unneeded work.
As for worrying about bills and whatnot, I've made my money and this project is for fun and to finally have something state of the art.

Sweet, i'm down with that!

 

[CallmeTex]

Cool @ganja36, you may look into 3-4'' square tubing for framing, if mold is an issue with all the rain. Welded frame building with spray foam insulation. The shit is expensive, but the best. If looks aren't an issue, sheet metal exterior. Roof setup to catch rainwater, to use inside. Pitched concrete foundation with drains, makes for easy cleanup.
Just a couple ideas, good luck mane

 

[ganja361]

I like the rainwater idea. Especially since I'm in Portland.

 

[ruwtz]

Yeah deffo get that rainwater. I have two rain barrels on the go - one from the roof and the other drains my res so I know it has goodies in it for the rest of my garden.