AZ ranch
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hddnis
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I've been following this thread for awhile now. Good to read that you got your permit. I look forward to following the updates as you build the log home. Everything you've done so far looks really good. It is a shame you've been delayed so long and put to excessive extra expense by the so called public servants.
Mr. HE
Mr. HE
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
This morning the concrete contractor came out and set the stakes and painted lines for the foundation. Then this afternoon he dropped off his backhoe. Tomorrow morning they start digging. Woo Hoo. It is finally starting to happen. This is more exciting than Christmas as a kid.
ENG18LT
Platinum Member
Yes it is. Congrats.
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
So my concrete guy was asking about my floor joists, so he could be sure he had the minimum crawl space. I told him the bracket was 9 1/2 inches so they must be 2x10s. After looking at the plans, he said that the 9 1/2 TJI was not the bracket but the joist. I didn't feel too stupid.
So is this 9 1/2 TJI 110 as good as a 2x12? He said they are just as strong but less than half the weight. I guess the county must think they are strong enough or they would have drilled me.
I guess my more important question is - is 9 1/2 inches enough space for insulation? I was thinking 12.
So is this 9 1/2 TJI 110 as good as a 2x12? He said they are just as strong but less than half the weight. I guess the county must think they are strong enough or they would have drilled me.
I guess my more important question is - is 9 1/2 inches enough space for insulation? I was thinking 12.
dave1949
Super Star Member
What type of insulation are you using? It's better have an R-value target and work to that, rather than fill some number of inches.
dave1949
Super Star Member
This Owens-Corning reference rates their 9-1/2" batts for ceilings and floors at R-30 on page 3.
http://www.owenscorning.com/comminsul/documents/thermalbatt_eng.pdf
Have you considered "sealed and conditioned" crawlspace techniques using spray foam?
Sealed and Conditioned Crawlspace - Spray Foam Insulation by Allied Spray Foams in Raleigh, NC
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
First day and the first delay? I love it. The "expansive" clay was estimated to be 2 to 2.5 feet deep. It is 4 feet deep. So now my footers have to be 48 inches deep instead of 30. Another day of backhoe work and probably a few hundred more block.
Ranger Rick
Gold Member
Looking at the bright side now you can have a crawl space with lots of overhead and room to work in. Rick
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
Well, I would LOVE to have a 6 foot crawl space (4 from removed dirt and 2 from block above ground).
I'm debating that now. I have to consider;
the availability of the backhoe,
the additional cost of removing the dirt (30 x 30 x 4 ft),
how much it delays the concrete guy and what his schedule availability is,
if the engineer says the integrity of the walls and footers will be affected,
and most important of all, will the County say anything or require anything additional.
R_Walter
Gold Member
Did you have some test holes drilled first at the site?
R_Walter
Gold Member
Wasn't there any way to meet at the county first to understand all of their requirements? I guess you were acting as your own GC, huh? Construction and home building is a little different from bookkeeping & accounting. You probably have eaten up any gen'l contractor fee you thought you saved.
MoKelly
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
I had test holes dug a year and a half ago but since then we moved the build site about 300 feet, so we picked an area with more clay unfortunately. No biggie. The digging is all finished and the soils engineer signed off. We're good to go.
Eaten up my savings on contractor fees? No way. Not even a fraction. Besides, there's probably not a contractor in the state who could build this style nearly as inexpensively as I can. I've built before and have no problem managing the project, even if I'm not up-to-date on all building practices.
This is my labor of love. The building process is just as important to me as the finished project.
Eaten up my savings on contractor fees? No way. Not even a fraction. Besides, there's probably not a contractor in the state who could build this style nearly as inexpensively as I can. I've built before and have no problem managing the project, even if I'm not up-to-date on all building practices.
This is my labor of love. The building process is just as important to me as the finished project.
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BoFuller
Veteran Member
Actually, saving money was not even a major consideration in deciding not to have a GC. I just want to do this myself. I wouldn't even let a GC be in charge even if it didn't cost me anything at all.
treetopflyer
New member
Bo, I understand completely about no GC and labors of love...there's always naysayers out there and I know they roll of your back like water off a duck. The best part of doing it yourself/ supervising is that you know how it was done and to your standards. If there are mistakes or short comings YOU know about them up front vs. finding out about them down the road. As far as saving money, if it doesn't occur upfront I'm sure it will overtime because of your intimate knowledge of how the structure and systems were designed and built when it comes for maintenance or retrofit. There will always be things we would have liked to different...when and if that time comes you will be well armed. Great build, thanks for sharing.
brin
Super Member
Yeah that was a low blow ....not true either....around here Gen. Contractores charge 10 to 15% on total cost of construction...that's why I did my own...that and I also wanted to hire all the subs, look 'em in the eye ...it worked out just fine...no major mistakes ...some minor ones we caught and corrected but that happens to the most experienced builder.....
Lookin' good Bo....keep at it...:thumbsup:
ShaneG
New member
Just go read through the "Building a house in 90 days" and see a fine example of what you get with a GC.
