Large Scale Central

Grandpa Needs a Playhouse

General Discussion
#1

I have an old, rusted metal shed that needs to be replaced. I also need a better place to store my trains and get them to my layout. I have also been informed that the grandkids want a playhouse. Hence, Grandpa needs a “playhouse.” I would like it to have a train theme, of course, and I will need to separate the kids portion from mine but with an eye towards my reclaiming their side when they eventually outgrow it. It will sit on an existing concrete slab and I have roughly 10x25 to play with. I know I want to run electrical but am not overly concerned with HVAC.

I’ve been looking at TuffShed and the kits offered by HD, as well as some plans on Pinterest But nothing has jumped out at me yet. Anyone have any ideas, suggestions, other sources, warnings, etc al.?

Grandpa

#2

Are there any local lumber yards in your area that build them? The big box store sheds are pretty poor, you could build a better one yourself. I think TuffShed is pretty good.

#3

I’m sure there are. The Pinterest ones I have been looking at are generally just the plans and I would be okay with that …

#4

Bunch of factors in play here Grandpa.

You have a 10 X 25 slab but what size shed are you after?

A pre-built shed will not normally require building permits but your city still may require a permit of some kind.

If you stick frame anything in CA over 120 square feet requires a building permit, if you add power and water

a mechanical/electrical permit is required.

A prefabbed shed is a good way to go if you can get it in to position. Always go bigger than you think you need.

On a prefab shed you can dodge an electrical permit if you use an extension cord instead of hard wiring it to the service.

in other words, plug an extension cord into your outdoor plug run it in conduit under ground, or overhead and install a plug at your shed.

Then wire the interior of your shed with plugs and lights just like a house but the all are served by the extension cord.

Don’t forget insulation and interior finish, I know it may not seem necessary in your climate but it will stll make the interior much more comfortable

in the heat or cold, plus it will help control moisture.

Just some thoughts

Rick

#5

figure the track plan first!

loop, with lift bridge at the doorway

staging yard on one long side

work out how to get the trains in and out from the layout with hatches, etc.

then you can pick the building, as big as possible.

then you can figure out how to put trains on the shelves as well as the kid’s play stuff, etc.

Greg

#6

Rick Marty said:

Bunch of factors in play here Grandpa.

You have a 10 X 25 slab but what size shed are you after?

A pre-built shed will not normally require building permits but your city still may require a permit of some kind.

A prefabbed shed is a good way to go if you can get it in to position. Always go bigger than you think you need.

On a prefab shed you can dodge an electrical permit if you use an extension cord instead of hard wiring it to the service.

in other words, plug an extension cord into your outdoor plug run it in conduit under ground, or overhead and install a plug at your shed.

Then wire the interior of your shed with plugs and lights just like a house but the all are served by the extension cord.

Don’t forget insulation and interior finish, I know it may not seem necessary in your climate but it will stll make the interior much more comfortable

in the heat or cold, plus it will help control moisture.

Just some thoughts

Rick

Zoning permit usually comes into play but very minimal and I’m totally thinking like Mr Marty …My 12/3 heavy gauge extension cords down the fence work quite well along with the insulation and other things…Zoning is key in my community.

#7

1/4" to 1/2" osb on the ceiling of a train shed/workshop only makes sense.

#8

Grandpa, grandpa, grandpa, how I envy you!! Do not let this opportunity pass you by! You can make a model of a simple train station just like this model for half the cost of one of those pre-fabs.

I know this can be done because I built a playhouse for my kids almost your available size when they were younger, and it came out twice as nice and half the cost of a pre-fab. In fact, I would do this right now, but now I’m a single dad and I can’t do much because I’m renting to keep my kids in their school district. But once high school’s over, I’m doing something like this in the house I own that I’ll move into.

In the meantime, I’ll be living vicariously through you if you decide to do something like this!

edit: oh, yeah, I forgot…I ran light romex out to the house and it basically passed as an extension cord. Buried it later when the dust settled.

#9

10’ by 25’…almost as big as my entire train room - 15’ by 27’

#10

I’d say go split level, with you below and an upper deck/sun room/ fort/pirate ship/hot air balloon/ etc… for the imaginations (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

edit; When you reclaim it you have a viewing platform and sun deck …

#11

I went out this morning, took some photos (pardon the mess!) and measured the area. I really only have about 9x18 to maybe 10x20 workable/desirable space, which I think is more than adequate. The existing shed is 9x10.

John, I love the idea about a split-level and was hoping to be able to do that. I’ve spoken with my neighbor, who is cool with the project, but haven’t checked in with the city yet. As for electrical, I’ve got no problem with the extension cord work-around if it becomes necessary.

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. Keep 'em coming!

#12

John Passaro said:

Grandpa, grandpa, grandpa, how I envy you!! Do not let this opportunity pass you by! You can make a model of a simple train station just like this model for half the cost of one of those pre-fabs.

I know this can be done because I built a playhouse for my kids almost your available size when they were younger, and it came out twice as nice and half the cost of a pre-fab. In fact, I would do this right now, but now I’m a single dad and I can’t do much because I’m renting to keep my kids in their school district. But once high school’s over, I’m doing something like this in the house I own that I’ll move into.

In the meantime, I’ll be living vicariously through you if you decide to do something like this!

edit: oh, yeah, I forgot…I ran light romex out to the house and it basically passed as an extension cord. Buried it later when the dust settled.

Gregory, My Dad made a station for my sister’s kids (probably early 70’s) that looked exactly like this above! Same colors and style. Was about 5 X 10 feet and about 7 foot to the peak. Even had the station masters window! If I can find the old photos (real photos, NOT electronic :)), I will post them. I have seen them within the last couple of years somewhere. I know you want something larger, but the style is probably what you are thinking about. Someone made a thread a couple of years ago on here about building a “station” playhouse for his children for his 1-1/2 scale ride-on railroad. AND he lives in the Bay Area, I believe.

#13

Don’t forget most cities and counties have a minimum set-back from fences for most types structures so that fire and other emergency personnel can have access. I think that the minimum is usually 5’; otherwise the non-conforming wall(s) must have a pretty high fire rating.

#14

Gary, that would be cool. Thanks!

Mark: Yeah, I know. If it is 5 feet, then I’m in trouble, unless we can measure from each of the houses and maybe get a variance or something regarding the fence. It’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with building codes, etc. but it is definitely on my radar.

#15

Build it on skids.

If you need to move it you can. You could even have it transported to another home.

Image result for she on skidsImage result for she on skids

#16

I like your thinkin‘. Great idea!

#17

Around here the codes require that an outbuilding (shed) be no larger then 96 square feet. Also only one outbuilding is allowed per property. Since most of my neighbors have 2 outbuildings, and our property did too when we bought it, I replaced the one caved in outbuilding with a 12 foot by 12 foot shed (barn). It depends on how picky your code enforcement folks are. My barn has been in place since 97, and no one has said anything about it.

#18

David, thanks. That’s good to know. I not sure how picky our people are but I do know the city has always been very nice to me whenever issues have arisen.

#19

My county codes are online, when I had to object to the neighbors bad idea, I grabbed a code to beat them about the …(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-money-mouth.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif) until they saw the light.

#20

John!?!

i thought the rattlers were your only neighbours?

or do you beat the poor snakes with a code?