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What do you wish you would have built into your shop?

Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:01 am
Posted by Murtown
OT Ballerville
Member since Sep 2014
1777 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:01 am
Building a new 40x60 insulated shop with an additional 15x60 drop shed off the side. If you could do it again what do you wish you would have built into your shop?
Posted by TheArrogantCorndog
Highland Rd
Member since Sep 2009
15903 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:06 am to
Toilet and sink
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71986 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:10 am to
Insulation and air conditioning. Looks like you've got that covered.

One of the things that was done right in my shop is the electrical situation. Dedicated service and meter, 220 outlets on each wall, 110v outlets everywhere.
Posted by gumbo2176
Member since May 2018
19955 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:11 am to
If planning to do woodworking, a separate area for doing the finishing work that is relatively free of the dust created building your projects.

Also, lots of receptacles for running power tools.

My home shop is not near as large as what you are planning and is used mainly for woodworking. For me, I would like to add a dust collection system to keep that down. Between my table saw, radial arm saw, shaper table and jointer/planer, I create a lot of shavings and dust.
Posted by taurusjwf
Member since Oct 2008
921 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:15 am to
Chain tie down points in floor
Posted by Murtown
OT Ballerville
Member since Sep 2014
1777 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:22 am to
Interesting, what would I need to be anchoring to the floor with a chain? I am thinking I want to put some kind of movable chain fall system in.
Posted by mylsuhat
Mandeville, LA
Member since Mar 2008
49990 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:29 am to
Hot water faucets in multiple places

Posted by Tic44
Texarkana, Arkansas
Member since May 2015
1994 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:36 am to
a 1966 Corvette 427
Posted by YOURADHERE
Member since Dec 2006
8484 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 7:42 am to
We do a pretty good bit of DIY on vehicles, I desperately want a 2 post car lift to keep from working on stuff on the ground/on jackstands/etc.

Posted by Murtown
OT Ballerville
Member since Sep 2014
1777 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 8:10 am to
I hope to get a 2 post lift. I am making sure the foundation and everything supports that
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
95448 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 8:31 am to
quote:

Dedicated service and meter, 220 outlets on each wall, 110v outlets everywhere.


I think a half bath (echoing someone else) and a separate utility sink, too.

"Nice to have" would be a dust collection system if you're going to do anything with saws. If you're going to be working on cars in there, built in air and something to collect waste oil (although those can be handled by portable setups, hell, everything can.)
Posted by HeadSlash
TEAM LIVE BADASS - St. GEORGE
Member since Aug 2006
55826 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 8:44 am to
quote:

1966 Corvette 427


4 speed of course
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48526 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:06 am to
chain fall on runners
Posted by Night Vision
Member since Feb 2018
21561 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 9:44 am to
Hidden escape tunnel.
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
5563 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 10:07 am to
Cigar & bourbon room...
Posted by Elusiveporpi
Below I-10
Member since Feb 2011
2750 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 10:24 am to
ensure your garage doors will be tall enough for future Toys, RV, Boat with T-top etc..
Posted by broadhead
Member since Oct 2014
2531 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 10:32 am to
Bathroom with shower.
Air hoses ran from air compressor.
240V outlets.
Drive in and out doors.
Loft
Posted by Mister Bigfish
Member since Oct 2018
1261 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 12:26 pm to
A floor drain. Would have been cheap too.
Posted by AwgustaDawg
CSRA
Member since Jan 2023
13976 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 3:13 pm to
More space.

Depends on what you plan to do in it. If finishing wood or painting anything is planned an area dedicated to that. I am designing a small wood working shop (about 1500 sq feet) and I am going to put dust collection (in the floor) and floor outlets in it to prevent tripping.

If mechanicing is your goal a lift. They are pretty inexpensive compared to hiring a mechanic.


PLENTY of natural light. Lights ain't the same for fine work. Solatubes. They are very nice.

Shower and laundry facility if you have space.
Posted by AwgustaDawg
CSRA
Member since Jan 2023
13976 posts
Posted on 4/20/26 at 3:20 pm to
A word of caution OR advice. Build whatever size electrical service you think you may need BUT call it storage space on permit application and install one GFCI outlet and one switched light fixture. When you get an occupancy permit and the inspector is finished load that bastard down with lights and outlets and all manner of shite. If you wire it like you want it ahead of time the inspector is liable to come up with all manner of shite that ain't necessary. I have done this with shops that had 800 amp services in them....and never had an inspector ask why. They know why.
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