Wow lots of good ideas here. I have no idea how to multipost so I will share some comments about what has been posted so far.
We are not expanding to a 5th store, this one will replace the current store that I am in. The location is kinda on the down low right now, but will not be too far from the current location.
I have no idea the overall size, probably around 40,000-50,000 square feet. This includes a showroom, parts room, shop, etc.
We wouldnt use a pit in our applications (tractors have lots of ground clearance) but I do want to have some type of a special bay that I can drive a tractor into and drain all the oils onto the floor and not try to catch it all in pails. We waste so much time collecting oil and cleaning messes. Some type of a grated floor with a sump to collect the oil and then pump outside into our normal containers for used oil.
We will have a washbay area and a welding bay area.
Trubilt, infloor heat for sure with infared heaters at the doors to make up the cold air coming in the doors (gets to be -40C here sometimes). We have infloor heat at one of the other shops and it cannot makeup for the cold air coming in the doors. It sucked working there because of that, it would take a few hours to heat up.
Airflow, I will use 2" PVC pipe for air lines. Stinker would that be enough?
Painting would be done in the washbay, I would make sure to have some type of fan system for fumes.
Exo, I will talk about the lights with you later. You would know that end of things for sure.
Silverback, a finished floor is the only way to do it. One of our other locations has a finished floor and it is super easy to clean. It hardly even gets dirty compared to the shop Im in now.
The sales and parts areas will be air conditioned.
I have some ideas for a layout, but Im sure that will change 100X before we build. Im excited, I have been waiting 3.5 years since I moved to this location for this to happen.
