Thanks for the previous advice re truss roof - works out much cheaper than expected.

As stated previously I intend to build a large 4 car garage for material storage with a granny flat to live in while building first to get experience and to ensure that I can undertake the larger project

My first question Is that while I prefer to have a timber floor as stated below is there any substantial price difference between slab and timber floors (know will need slab for garage/granny flat)

I would prefer a raised timber floor rather than a slab. My initial thought was to purchase pre made adjustable steel piers but when I costed them at at about $100 each and on my plan would need a about 150 at 2 metre centres my thoughts were to look elsewhere.

I can probably access either used C section or SHS at about 100mm dimension. My thoughts were to weld a plate about 200mm square and have about 3-400mm cube concrete pad for each pier, something I can do myself with the assistance of unskilled labour. Would this be strong enough? ( I know I will need a draftsment later to finalise matters but want to to do as much preliminary work as possible).

For bearers I am easy depending on cost whether recycled hardwood or steel depending on price and availability ( for philosophical reasons I want to recycle where possible)

Bearing in mind 2m meter centres would 100 X 100 hardwood or 100X 100 SHS be OK for the bearers and 100 X 50 hardwood for the joists at about 400- 500mm spacing depending on the type of flooring. (could I get away with 3 X 2 m pier centres with larger bearers to reduce number of of piers) I will probably use recycled plywood flooring (have access to clean used formwork about 17-18mm thick and for living areas would use recycled hardwood floorboards where I wish to have exposed timber. Would ant capping be necessary or would a regular chemical treatment suffice (in Berry NSW area)

As to framing I intend to have steel portal (posts 3 m above floor height to give 3m ceiling) framing at about 2 -3 m centres depending on window and door location with a steel ring beam to which the truss roof will be attached. Any suggestions for size of posts and beam ( will have lightweight steel roof), ideally would build portal and frame and roof before floor.

I know it seems to building from roof down rather than floor up but my aim is to have a enclosed area where I can build at my leisure using recycled non load bearing softwood stud frames which I can build in a modular fashion and then have a group construction "party" where it all comes together, relatively quickly.

The external walls will be weatherboard or something similar to give a New England style. (much in the same style as the dreaded Breakfast Point development in Cabarita Sydney or the Truman Show for lovers of bad movies))


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