HELP! Problems with the builder, need advice!
samjal
10 years ago
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Comments (19)
palimpsest
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agodekeoboe
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
need advice about inaccurate information given by the builder.
Comments (19)Just another example of if you want something done right you gotta do it yourself. You have to be your own advocate and question every small detail to get it done right. While this really is not your fault, I don't think there is much that can be done now. I dont know if I would have noticed a detail like that on the contract. Maybe I would have, maybe not. I have a feeling he chose poplar because it does cost less. Now if you pointed that out before signing, he might have raised the price. Who knows....See MoreHelp building retaining wall on a slope! 1st time builder need advice!
Comments (1)You will need to dig down so that the bottom of the wall (which is the bottom of the footing) is below the frost line. Maybe a regional forum could help you find out what frost depth is. A footing is like a nice thick sidewalk that is created for the wall to sit on. (8" thickness depth would be good. 6" might be OK.) You're building a retaining wall so keep in mind that it needs to be sturdier than a free-standing wall. A footing ought to protrude beyond the footprint of the wall itself, by about 8" all the way around. So that's a total width of 24". If the present excavation only allows for the wall, you would need to excavate farther into the hill, also allowing for the space occupied by the form work. The wall will not look good if the block slopes. Instead, it should be level and to control it's height, step it down with level changes as needed. The footing would step down, too, as needed, in 8" increments (or multiples thereof) to accommodate the block courses. You'll need to use wire mesh in between courses of block. For heft and strength, I would fill the cells of the block solid with concrete as it's built. (Retaining walls that are under built tip over with time. Also, you will need to embed rebar into the footing which turns upward into the wall itself, locking the two together and helping the wall to last. Search Google images for "CMU wall" and you'll be able to see all manner of examples and details. My instructions are general and you must reconcile them with local conditions....See MoreAdvice needed on GC vs. Builder for new home contruction
Comments (13)Thanks to everyone for your comments. Today my husband and I spoke with 2 types of builders: one big box + custom and one independent and very flexible with allowances with the offer to get us better pricing on things we found on our own. We then spoke with a local architect that finalizes our plans and bids the work out to contractors. He earns his commission on the sale price of the house. We found all of them through Houzz Professionals and received responses from each one right away. With our lot we are fortunate not to be in a flood zone and builders are accustomed to extra "strapping", but no big concern or discussion on that topic. Interesting comment on the Cost Plus contracts. My RA told me directly in a meeting that Builders make their margins on appliances and finishes..at the time I interpreted that as "you wouldn't want them not to make money on the build". The other builders and architect said that there indeed are independent builders that will build on the Island (Amelia is really a northern extension of Jacksonville and on the Southern border of Georgia-not at all remote or isolated). Conclusion: When faced with a series of inconsistent feedback I know the truth is somewhere in the middle. I rather enjoy reading between the lines and sorting through the motivations behind different opinions from different people. Not saying anyone is lying, but we are being very thoughtful, observant, asking questions and researching the hell out of this project to make sure it is mutually beneficial to all parties. Other comments are welcome!!...See MoreHELP! Builder says porch might be a $$ problem
Comments (20)More full disclosure-I had a wrap-around porch on the house we built 20 years ago, so I do know it really adds to the cost. But the biggest mistake I made was listening to my GC when he told me a change to the plans (pre-construction) would be "expensive". I never asked how much is "expensive". What might have been expensive to him might have been in my contingency fund. I always regretted not getting an actual number and making my decision based on fact. We still don't know if OP's contractor is watching for their actual budget or just doesn't know how to build a porch or doesn't personally like porches. My mother's contractor argued with her about putting the laundry on the first floor. He insisted the only place for a laundry was the basement! Guess who won--good job, Mother!...See MoreDLM2000-GW
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agosamjal
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agosamjal
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10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoKelly
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoChrisStewart
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agojc_ufl
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agokrycek1984
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agokrycek1984
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agosamjal
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
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10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoMFatt16
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10 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
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