Depends why you're using pilings. Instead of a full or crawl foundation? Or because you're in a bog. Or, as I did once, on fully exposed bedrock of the Canadian Shield. A lot simpler than blasting!

Where and why do you need the pilings?

If houses on pilings are common in your area it will be less expensive than if they are rare.

A pile is a long slender foundation element mechanically driven into the ground to reach more stable soil located below the level of a conventional foundation.

Perhaps you are thinking of a pier foundation which would be slender and placed in an excavation at a conventional depth and tied to other piers at the top.

The relationship of a wood framed structure to the ground is critical. If it is low, the structure that supports the walls must be concrete and designed to resist movement of the ground. If it is high, closure, insulation, etc. of the space below the house must be addressed.

Such foundations are not often used for permanent habitable structures and are often prohibited by building codes.

If you tell us the reason for an unconventional foundation we could help you more.

This post was edited by Renovator8 on Sun, May 26, 13 at 7:26

It's a common construction method in the MS Gulf coast region where possible Katrina level floods have to be taken into consideration and homes have to be built above that possible flood level. You can end up with some real bayou shack looking homes, and some pretty interesting well done seeming two story designs. You aren't allowed to close in underneath unless you have lower breakaway walls. No plumbing can be there, so most people end up using it as a shaded patio or garage space. You still have the soil stack to contend with so it can sometimes look like a mushroom unless care is taken to integrate that better.

Yes, surprisingly, MS allows wood for support posts instead of concrete.
{{gwi:1441967}}
{{gwi:1441968}}

{{gwi:1441969}}

{{gwi:1441974}}

A house built on pilings can be at grade or raised above grade. Until the OP tells us the purpose of the pilings it's difficult to offer design assistance.

Hi... It doesn't look like stvbrown2184 ever provided additional details, and I have a similar situation. The pilings I am considering are to be used on the Gulf coast and are for hurricane and flood related purposes. I'm not sure how deep I need to go but I'm guessing 15' to 18' is what I'll need. Can someone tell me a ball-park figure for wood and fiberglass/composite pilings? I'm looking at a 1080 sq./ft. footprint with 2 stories. Like the original, questioner, it's nothing fancy. Thanks so much!

I have similar questions. New home being purchased, built in a riparian area next to the creek. I saw one other home close by built on stilts (pilings?) it is in a 100 year flood plane so.. the thing is, it's in Arizona and we have this crazy soil called kaleechi (sp) does anyone have any experience/ideas on this? We want to tear down the current home and rebuild. Considering options.

Local advice from an architect is the most valuable input that you can receive. Write a check.

Can anybody tell me where I can get the floor plan for pink house shown above. Thanks

This is a beach home in the Carolinas.

Happy new year!

no answers here :-/

I think its wierd when people write answers that aren't answers. I dont get it. Is it for the thumbs up or something? I'm looking for information - and there were only a few in this whole stack. Curious....

"I'm looking for information - and there were only a few in this whole stack."

If you are looking for information you may want to try posting a question?

im doing one right now.