I built bookcases for what we call the library. In my garage - which is one level below the main house. Full size floor to ceiling full width bookcases with the shelves made from 2 pieces of 3/4 ply. I’ve made a bunch of other stuff but those were the biggest. Built them in 4 sections - 8’x5’ and carried and built them in. Took me plus 3 other guys to lift the top pair in place.

Why am I saying this?

1. You need a big door to take out furniture. If there isn’t one, put one in. Especially if you want to put a car in later.

2. This gravel path deal. 150’ is a bloody long way. Make sure you have a rough terrain dolly that’ll work on your surface so you can pull stuff or make sure the surface works with whatever you end up with. If it’s flat and you are set with gravel or grass think about using an ATV and trailer.

3. Power and lights. You can’t have too much of either.

4. Consider AC. I hate the heat. The room in I’m in right now is 62 degrees and I’m in a T shirt. If I had to work in 95 degrees with humidity, I wouldn’t work. Ymmv.

One thing with the rat poison is you end up killing the animals that help kill the mice and rats, then you end up with more rats, set a couple of traps placed so that you can keep an eye on them.

Right, I'd thought of that as well. Like I said, I haven't seen any unwanted critters or evidence of the current owners dealing with them (traps, poisons, etc...) around the house or garage. I can't imagine why there wouldn't be any around, but maybe raptors take care of them.

There's a huge garage door facing east.

Good recommendation. I've built stuff too, but I cut the wood in the garage and then built the stuff in place. Either way, (assembling in place or carrying assembled or mostly assembled stuff to the house would be a huge pain.

Yes, I think we have enough power (or, at least, a reasonable amount). But I'll definitely have to add a bunch of lighting.

I don't like, but I can work in heat up to a point at least. We do get to the point where I can't work in the heat in Houston at times. I think we can get a decent breeze but that remains to be seen. I think I could maybe install a couple of fans too. To install AC I'd have to re-skin the outside and then finish the inside which is possible, but not currently in the plans.

We had a few outdoor cats around our hillside. They took care of all the rodents. Now we have coyotes. They took care of the cats maybe the rodents too? Haven't seen any in a long Time. Thank goodness.

I've seen deer tracks on the property, and birds. That's about it. I don't even remember seeing squirrels which is weird since there are a half a dozen pecan trees on the property.

I'm very curious to see what sort of birds and wildlife we see/get. I'll also be getting gear to view the stars since there will be much darker skies than we've got in town.

Pecan trees?
You would have built in free fuel for the monster smoker!

Looking forward to more photos and your projects.

The realtor's boyfriend was with us on one of the other trips to the property. He was looking at a dead tree on the property from a distance and saying he though it might be mesquite.

Don't forget to decorate

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607364635.jpg

Nice hardtop.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607369625.jpg

Thanks. I bought it after getting the car. Lucky to find it and in correct color. It was $800 including shipping from New Mexico to metro DC. That car was my DD in DC and I had a second set of wheels with snow tires. Perfection!

Have you ordered your lift yet? Take care of that first. The rest will fall into place.

Just a idea for one corner of the shop... those cold winter evenings

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607388296.jpg

Wow, that's an amazing deal. If you tried to buy one for a miata it would cost you at least $800.

I'm guessing OldSpool87 was talking about a different kind of lift. ;) :D

Just wondering if we will get to see pic of the house too.
It's good to get pic of the before and after there too.

Cheers Richard

Sure. These are the pics from the realty website so they include the current owners' furniture/decor. The current owners have a couple of horses that they keep onsite, hence the saddles and barn/stable.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461048.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461048.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461048.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461048.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461048.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1607461233.jpg

That looks pretty cool Steve.

Thanks, we like it. It's got issues, but it's also got a bunch of character.