We have concrete, time to take off the blankets and check it out! Also we get the garage door installed and start getting ready for the next steps.
We left off part 10 with some freshly poured concrete. Now that it has cured we get to move on to adding the finishing touches.
Keeping the concrete warm
Right after the concrete was poured we had the infamous ‘Polar Vortex’ in the Midwest that brought 0* for about a week. It was challenging to keep the concrete above freezing. The concrete guys said I would be fine with just blankets but my OCD wouldn’t leave well enough alone. I ended up intermittently running a heater in there for about 6 days.




Cutting the concrete lines

Note: I made sure I micro managed this part a little bit. I knew exactly where I had made the 2 post lift pads so I drew a square around each in kids chalk so they wouldn’t put a cut line through it. I also came out and double checked the chalk lines before they started cutting.
If you go for a project like this make sure you ask for what you want / need. I was very nice and respectful but firm in making sure the end results were what I wanted. Be involved, but also be nice.





Garage door installation
Finally we get the garage door installed and I can use the inside. This is a pretty big door at 18′ wide by 12′ tall. It is also a 90mph wind rated door that has a bunch of extra ribs on the inside.









That wraps it up for the responsibilities of the pole barn builder. They did a phenomenal job on everything even despite the extra scheduling challenges and lumber shortages. I would totally do business with Farm & Home again in the future.
The rest is up to me to finish and hire out what I can’t do. It is nice being able to use the shop now that it has a garage door. Next up, framing the bathroom and prepping for electric!
Thanks for following along. Now YOU, go outside and work on something!