Anyone build a Don Gardner home?
SCinPA
16 years ago
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Jan Martin
5 years agoSharla Dunlap
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Building a house and don't know where to start!
Comments (22)Plus, every sub contractor we hired had to have a business license, have 2 million in liability insurance and have workers compensation. Plus, get everything in writing and pay them in bank drafts. I created a payment plan per sub contractor and had them sign the plan each time they were paid and stapled the bank draft copy to it. Make sure you fully understand what liens are and how this can affect you. As well, research what is required of you as a GC in your area for safety. We had to buy and display a first aid kit, the architectural plans, the building permit and display all emergency numbers within plain site. Another thing, you can save quite a bit of money by ordering your own sand, gravel and soil as well as calculating a septic bed design, ordering all building materials and running and purchasing your own hydro lines in the trench before hookup. Finally get a list of all services and utilities youll need. Such as cable, tv, Internet, hydro, water, gas etc. make sure you call them months ahead of time to set up new installation....See MoreNeed some opinions out there from anyone who builds decks
Comments (30)@lemi - Thanks to Fred S. for providing the link to Kentucky code info. In answer to your questions...Not every state has adopted the latest codes issued by the International Code Council. Kentucky is working with IRC 2006. My state of CT is working with IRC 2009 anticipating another change soon to 2012. Cities and Counties can add to the codes but not diminish or ignore the IRC the state has adopted. It is always good to talk to your local building official to confirm what codes they are following. As far as your steps are concerned, here's what the code states. R311.4.3 Landings at doors. There shall be a floor or landing on each side of each exterior door. Exceptions: 1. Where a stairway of two or fewer risers (YOU HAVE 3 RISERS) is located on the exterior side of a door, other than the required exit door, a landing is not required for the exterior side of the door provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door does not swing over the stairway. 2. The exterior landing at an exterior doorway shall not be more than 7¾ inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold, provided the door, other than an exterior storm or screen door does not swing over the landing. The width of each landing shall not be less than the door served. Every landing shall have a minimum dimension of 36 inches (914 mm) measured in the direction of travel. As far as finishing...treated lumber typically has a higher moisture content due to the chemical treatment. In the past, you would have to wait months before putting a finish on the wood. Now there are treated products with much lower moisture content that can be finished in a shorter time frame. I suggest you ask the lumber yard what they recommend for timing and finish....See MoreDon't love new house....
Comments (25)I'm sorry you're feeling this way. It's terrible to feel stuck in a commitment that you regret. The best advice I can offer is partially an echo of what others have said. It takes time to learn the benefits of a home, especially when faced with drawbacks you can't control--especially when those drawbacks have four feet and poop on your stuff! Try focussing on what you can control. You can't stop the wind or put up a fence, but you can use heavy curtains and play music you love. And your view is to die for! You can't stop the mice from coming in, but there are lots of methods of eliminating them available to you. And you can be glad it's not rats! Please make sure you're taking good care of yourself. A B-complex vitamin helps me more than I could have imagined when I start to feel down and out. And keep reaching out to folks on forums like this and IN REAL LIFE too. The advice to meet the neighbors and to have a party was priceless. Happy New Year in your new home. I hope you will find innumerable reasons to feel blessed in it this year. And if not, as others have said, move on....See Moreanyone have luck with raising the house up and building underneath?
Comments (5)Jacking a house to get a basement underneath is not cheap. I thought about it when I owned a 100 year old house in Edmonton. The cost to do it was more than the house was worth. Just to jack the house was several thousands of dollars (at least half the cost of my house and I still had to "buy" the basement). Then the build underneath is added to that price...and it gets expensive because the need to bring in special equipment and use special building company to do it. Specialized + specialist + special = SPECIAL price tag. And you have to live elsewhere for months and months and months while this happens. And the electrical and plumbing and HVAC and, and, and...whew. I'm tired just thinking about it....See Morecodybby
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5 years agoSjT 123
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5 years agoJan Martin
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4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoSharla Dunlap
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4 years agoEdward Salyer
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