New Home Begins

[tkappeler]

I too had a laugh on that one too. Some architects are...well, full of themselves.

Unfortunately, it's not the architect who feels he wants/needs to review them. The township requires it in all cases!!! :shocked: I guess the township is doing CYA to insure that the materials installed trully meet what was specified.

In addition, the architect specified TJI brand truss joists and Microllam beams and the roof truss manufacturer uses Rosboro BigBeams and Nordic-Joist brand truss joists. Both are cheaper and STRONGER than the ones spec'd by the architect but now he has to review to insure the load characteristics meet what he spec'd.

When I built a home back in '90, the blueprints were 5 pages plus electrical and plumbing and that was it. This regulation and CYA is unbelievable. I can easily see that between the energy efficiency requirements plus these regulations/CYA procedures, that it add at least 25K to the cost of the home.

 

[tkappeler]

The township now requires a separate signed permit application for each subcontractor as there is a big lawsuit on another project in the town and they are roped in as the reviewing party. Apparently, some crucial step was missed or finger pointing between subs on who was responsible for what. Lawyers are involved who, of course, shotgun all deep pockets.

The township's answer is to have each sub on record and a statement of scope of work. If anything missed, it would fall to me as the GC/homeowner.

 

[sdkubota]

Unfortunately, it's not the architect who feels he wants/needs to review them. The township requires it in all cases!!! :shocked: I guess the township is doing CYA to insure that the materials installed trully meet what was specified.

In addition, the architect specified TJI brand truss joists and Microllam beams and the roof truss manufacturer uses Rosboro BigBeams and Nordic-Joist brand truss joists. Both are cheaper and STRONGER than the ones spec'd by the architect but now he has to review to insure the load characteristics meet what he spec'd.

When I built a home back in '90, the blueprints were 5 pages plus electrical and plumbing and that was it. This regulation and CYA is unbelievable. I can easily see that between the energy efficiency requirements plus these regulations/CYA procedures, that it add at least 25K to the cost of the home.

Then they should have a licensed professional engineer review them as architects draw pretty pictures but are not trained in structural design. If you want to know what color to paint the living room and which drapes will work...call an architect.

 

[tkappeler]

Then they should have a licensed professional engineer review them as architects draw pretty pictures but are not trained in structural design. If you want to know what color to paint the living room and which drapes will work...call an architect.

Architect or interior designer?

Most architects around here are one stop shops. Either they are structural engineers or they work with someone that is. When they put their seal on the drawings, they are also certifying the structural aspects not just wall locations and mantle heights.

 

[sdkubota]

Architect or interior designer?

Most architects around here are one stop shops. Either they are structural engineers or they work with someone that is. When they put their seal on the drawings, they are also certifying the structural aspects not just wall locations and mantle heights.

None of them are structural engineers and 99% don't have an engineer on staff. They do readily use their stamp to generate income whether they are competent or not in what they are reviewing. Don't mean to denigrate architects but they have had a long history of holding out qualifications they do not actually have.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

None of them are structural engineers and 99% don't have an engineer on staff. They do readily use their stamp to generate income whether they are competent or not in what they are reviewing. Don't mean to denigrate architects but they have had a long history of holding out qualifications they do not actually have.

I don't have a lot of experience with architects but the one I do know has a structural engineer in the office for when needed. The architect goes to him for when they need his input. They also have other specialized people there so that they can do whatever is required in house. Maybe it is an anomaly but I have to believe there are more the 1% like this.

 

[sdkubota]

I don't have a lot of experience with architects but the one I do know has a structural engineer in the office for when needed. The architect goes to him for when they need his input. They also have other specialized people there so that they can do whatever is required in house. Maybe it is an anomaly but I have to believe there are more the 1% like this.

Make sure it is the structural engineers stamp on the document.

 

[tkappeler]

Make sure it is the structural engineers stamp on the document.

The architect's stamp is fine with me. If there is anything wrong, then it's HIS butt in the sling. If he puts down one thing and the structural engineer disagrees and then he seals the plan anyway, he is going to be the one sued for damages. He won't risk his license that way. If he is smart, the structural engineer will have provided HIM with sealed calculations to cover his butt.

 

[EddieWalker]

Having come from CA and dealing with some of the issues with buidling a house where there are a lot of regulations, then moving to a state where there are very few to no regulations, I feel for you. I understand the benifit and reasoning for code, but when givin the choice, I sure do like living where there are no codes, regulation or rules. The basic thought here is build what you want, your responsible for it and what happens to it.

Post lots of pictures and keep your sense of humor. Building can be the most fun you'll ever have, or the most pain you'll even experience. It's up to you to decide what happens.

Eddie

 

[tkappeler]

Eddie,

Thanks for the advice. My only angst is that the delays now put me square into Jersey winter which is very unpredictable. As much as we love snow, I am hoping for a warmer, snowless winter like last year to help keep things moving along.

I love seeing the progress with your projects and your parents home.

 

[Obed]

Eddie,

Thanks for the advice. My only angst is that the delays now put me square into Jersey winter which is very unpredictable. As much as we love snow, I am hoping for a warmer, snowless winter like last year to help keep things moving along.

I love seeing the progress with your projects and your parents home.

We had some delays which put us at building in the winter like you. And I had intended to NOT build during the winter but it still ended up that way. And we had a hard winter for this area with a lot of sub-freezing temps and snow. Everything worked out in the end though. I recommend that in your building contract, specify in detail what the contractor's responsibility will be if it snows on your sub-floors. Our framer told me during the bidding that he would shovel off any snow. Then when it snowed on a Saturday, the framer told me "I don't work weekends." I had to remove the snow myself - a couple of times.

Obed

 

[tkappeler]

Woo Hoo! Finally things are moving along.

Final two permit things are complete. Found out late today that permits will be issued Thursday. Unfortunately, I had to move the basement wall date from 11/29 to 12/5 (the next available date) due to Thanksgiving and inspector extending his holidays. As a result, I did not feel comfortable getting the excavation, footing prep, inspection, pour, stone for basement all in before 11/29 when other's availability is questionable. This gives me a little more leeway.

Demo of the old one starts tomorrow, so new pictures to follow!!

 

[mjncad]

Tom:

Good luck with your project, and you're a more ambitious man than me for tackling such a challenging property. In your middle to old age, you will really appreciate having a ranch house.

 

[tkappeler]

Demolition did indeed begin today!

The good news: The wood/trash/ordinary materials/trash is almost gone. One more dumpster to go. The made great progress! By the weekend, it will only be a memory.

The bad news: Due to hurricane Sandy and all of the debris in NJ, the transfer stations are packed and the one that is local is not accepting any more tomorrow, Friday and Saturday in order to catch up. So, even though the house is down and the last dumpster will be ready, it will not be able to go until Monday.

In the meantime, the concrete/stone/cinder block will be removed and gone too but to a different place where it is recycled.

Here is a sampling of pictures:

 

[Ranger Rick]

It has always amazed me how quick they can take down an old building. I am sure you are happy to start moving forward with your project. Rick

 

[mjncad]

It's great to see that old eyesore go away.

 

[dakotagun]

congrats on getting the project moving - we're building in the country on 3+ acres, but instead of clearing trees, i've planted a couple hundred! "move-in date" was Sept 1, we're actually praying that we can do it by Christmas. ND is in the middle of the state's biggest construction boom (oil industry and flood recovery) so subcontractors are all overbooked/pushing dates. My JD2305 will be used more for grading dirt/slope and blowing/moving snow. Hope you can keep progess moving ahead!

 

[deezler]

Aww, what a shame. That house was a real keeper, you shoulda fixed it up (KIDDING). Congrats, must be fun to watch.

 

[EddieWalker]

Exciting!!!! Thanks for the pics and keep them coming.

Eddie

 

[tkappeler]

More progress today.

The last of the big debris was removed today and most of the block and cement has been uprooted. We expect it to be hauled away tomorrow.

Permits were received today!!! Full speed ahead from now on.

Stump removal next week. They expect three dumpsters for that to a place that grinds them up. It's funny. In NJ, no open burning unless you have a permit from the state and that's only if you are truly agriculture and the permit only lasts 45 days. You can't dig a hole and bury them which is really ironic since they ... well ... started in the ground :confused2:

No inspections next week as the inspector is off with the Thanksgiving holiday and his part time schedule. Weather permitting, we can have excavation done after Thanksgiving and pour footings by the Wednesday after Thanksgiving. Superior walls are being craned in on 12/5.