New home construction in SW Florida

6 months ago

Hi fellow home builders! We are putting an offer in on a home in SW Florida. We noticed the home was constructed on higher elevation more so than the neighbors. We assumed due to both flood protection and septic. However, after some back on forth regarding the driveway pavers the builder mentioned the potential of the pavers cracking due to the driveway settling. That got is thinking about the home being built so high. Any advise on what we should look for or ask? Should we get a seperate inspection regarding the materials used to fill and if that has a tendencey to settle quickly? Thanks in advance

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Comments (8)

NagyMama
6 months ago
Can you post some pix? In general, I’m a fan of arranging specialized inspections of a home. It could save you from buying a money pit.
Danielle White
Original Author
6 months ago
0
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chispa
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
Built in FL in 2021. I wish we had built the house another 12 -18" higher. Could have easily sloped the driveway a bit and had a few steps down from the lanai/pool to the yard.

What kind of pavers? Most cement pavers are relatively small and shouldn't crack, but they might settle. We had some settling in our driveway after 2 years and paid a paver company to come pick them up, add and level sand under them, and reinstall them. Just make sure your builder orders you extra pavers., because some can break when being removed Our settling was where the car/suv wheels travel every time we enter/exit the garage. Pretty normal and the great things about pavers, compared to cement or asphalt, is that you can remove the pavers and reinstall them. We had to do something similar in our previous house in CA when tree roots had lifted up the pavers in our driveway. Lifted the pavers, cut the tree roots, added/leveled base material and reinstalled the pavers.

Always a good idea to get inspections.
Danielle White
Original Author
6 months ago
Thank you for your insight and details. i appreciate the info
0
David Cary
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
I totally agree on the pavers - they are the best in potential cracking situations. I would probably ask to see a soil report or something saying what they did there with oversight.

I would also ask for a flood zone map. Do you know the zone?

The concept of worrying about driveway pavers when you have a house to worry about would seem to me to be ridiculous. Almost like deflecting what could be a real issue.
dan1888
6 months ago
There are compaction standards, procedures and core samples to inspect the area. Commercial construction requires it. See what the building department does for the house. Apply compacting procedures to the driveway before the pavers go down. I'd contact the paver company for their recommendations and preferred contractors. My friend's contractor had them buy their pavers the one day a year the supplier has a 'garage sale' to save some cost. Leave it for him to pick up per his schedule.
chispa
6 months ago
Flood zone designations in FL changed drastically about 2 years ago ... we are basically all in flood zones now! My house wasn't, but now it is. Doesn't change anything except that the insurance companies can now charge more or refuse coverage.

Still better than the earthquakes, fires and mudslides where we lived in CA! I'll take hurricanes over those anytime, specially when you get days/weeks of warnings!
Danielle White
Original Author
6 months ago
We spoke to the inspectir that signed off on the slab and share that elevation requirements have changed and new homes are being built up. we asked for a Compaction report from our realtor. Waiting in that… thanks again

New home construction in SW Florida

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NagyMama

Danielle White
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chispa

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New home construction in SW Florida

Comments (8)

NagyMama

Danielle WhiteOriginal Author

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chispa

Danielle WhiteOriginal Author

David Cary

dan1888

chispa

Danielle WhiteOriginal Author

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Danielle White
Original Author

Danielle White
Original Author

Danielle White
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