This site has been a revelation. I have learned much and hope to share the wealth of new knowledge I am accumulating with this community. Stan in Tehachapi, CA

Aaron's Forum Posts: 0
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Search for the foundation sub

Posted to Buffaloader by Aaron in Valley Center, KS on 1/11/2011

I contacted a couple of ready mix concrete companies in town to get pricing information for concrete. I was kicking the idea around of pouring my own foundation; that desire has come and gone, by the way. The first company was a little short and slightly on the unfriendly side. I contacted another ready mix concrete company for some pricing. The companies name is R.A. Ruud and Son, Inc. They were very friendly, and the pricing was practically identical to the first company; also they have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.

A day or so later after deciding not to pour my own foundation, I contacted them again and asked if they had any recommendations for good foundation subs. They said sure, and gave me a couple of names. Bob Cook Homes is the only one I have investigated so far. He has an A+ with the BBB and, after talking with him, I learned he started out in the foundation business. He later become a full-fledged builder, but still does his own concrete work due the fact that nobody does it the way he likes it. He was very friendly, helpful, and seemed to take an interest. I was very impressed and confident after speaking with him. He is number one on my list of one right now.

Posted by Peter in Burlington, WA on 1/12/2011 Peter's Forum Posts: 24 Interview Answers: 36 Average Forum Rating: 4.33 Randomly Selected Image 1/12/2011

Get your bids. On paper. No matter how much you like the contractor upfront, the best way is to get enough bids. Used to be that three complete bids was pretty adequate. These days, you want FIVE or more. It's a lot of work, and sometimes it turns out the first bid that hit your desk was the best, so you immediately start thinking about how much extra work you went through for no extra benefit, but it will pay off. Right now, I am seeing about three or four inflated bids for every reasonable one.

Posted by Aaron in Valley Center, KS on 1/12/2011 Aaron's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 5 Randomly Selected Image 1/12/2011

Thanks for the advice. I am going to do some research and put five names on my list. Thanks again.

Design Phase

Posted to Buffaloader by Aaron in Valley Center, KS on 1/10/2011

I am in the design phase of our new home. I have reviewed numerous floor plans, and can't seem to find any that are quite right. At this point I am leaning towards designing my own. I am currently thinking I want a simple design that is low maintenance and affordable to build. My concept is a two-story home with a full basement with approx. 1,300 sq ft per floor totaling 3,900 sq ft of living space once the basement is finished. The home will be styled like a Federal/Adam/Colonial or whatever you want to call it. It will be a symmetrical all-brick home. Literally a rectangular box stacked on a rectangular box stacked on a foundation. The roof will be a gable roof with ridge vents, no valleys, dormers, nothing. I am thinking that this type of design will ultimately save money, and leaves a good potential for less problems. We will see. Here in Sedgwick County, Kansas an architect/engineer is not required to design/approve plans. The home just needs to meet the building code. I will post some preliminary designs soon. If anyone actually reads this, feedback is appreciated.

Posted by Mary in PA on 1/10/2011 Mary's Forum Posts: 101 Journal Entries: 60 Interview Answers: 15 Average Forum Rating: 4.17 Image from Mary's blog 1/10/2011	Hi Aaron, I agree with you that a basic 'rectangle' with simple roof design (i.e. gable) can be an affordable (and do-able) design for an owner-builder. I personally think it can also be a very classic look, rather than the multi-gabled houses I tend so see in many builder developments. If your site allows for it, you might also consider orientation of the basic 'rectangle' to take advantage of passive solar. The design phase can be very fun, and sometimes frustrating. Good luck with it! Regards, Mary
Posted by Aaron in Valley Center, KS on 1/10/2011 Aaron's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 5 Randomly Selected Image 1/10/2011	Mary, Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice.
Posted by Frank in Elkridge, MD on 1/11/2011 Frank's Forum Posts: 11 Journal Entries: 5 Interview Answers: 59 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Frank's Selected Image 1/11/2011	Aaron, like you, we are looking over plans for our house and we also feel a rectangular Colonial-style house would be less problematic for the trades. We are looking at a two-story house with 3,000 sf without counting the basement. We'll have a rough-in for the bathroom in the basement with a projected time to finish it within five years. Our concept will include a master suite on the main level and another master on the second level with two other smaller bedrooms. The idea is to plan for our parents to use the lower-level main bedroom and later on when we get sick of the upper level, we can move downstairs.  We are also thinking of the resale value of having a master suite on the second level if a young family wants to be near the kids' bedroom.  We don't believe in having the garage as part of the house. The garage will be to the side of the house connected to our game room. Here is what we are thinking of doing: Main floor: Master suite, large kitchen, study, dining room, game room - as you walk in the house you enter the foyer, and it's open to the second floor - study to the left - dining room to the right, connected to the game room. As you walk through the house, you see the kitchen - to the right is the stairway and the half bath and the game room - to the left is the main-level master suite behind the kitchen. We will insulate and/or soundproof this wall. Second floor: Master suite, two smaller bedrooms - small laundry room and a bathroom for the two bedroom. Total bedrooms for the house, four each. As you walk in from the garage, you enter the mud room and another laundry room. Just an idea. Frank
Posted by Aaron in Valley Center, KS on 1/11/2011 Aaron's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 2 Interview Answers: 5 Randomly Selected Image 1/11/2011	Frank, Sounds great! I too am leaning towards a detached garage. We are on the same page on pretty much everything except living with my mother-in-law... just kidding. It is exciting to know that someone else has a similar plan in mind. Thanks for the post!