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Thread: Anyone here a contracter or have construction knowledge?

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    Senior Member doug1980's Avatar
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    Default Anyone here a contracter or have construction knowledge?

    I am trying to price out a building addition for my home in Indiana. I know that prices differ from location to location but I was wondering if the price per sq ft differs in regards to a single story and a 2 story. Also trying to decide between a crawl space foundation, which the house already has, or a slab on grade which is considerably cheaper.

    Doug

    P.S I meant contractor.....that's the good ol' Pike county education coming out.
    Last edited by doug1980; 01-05-2010 at 06:23 PM.
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    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    price is a lot different in 2 story. The walls of the first floor have to be thicker to support the weight of the second story. If the rest of the house is on pilings, I'd stick with that. I like to be able to get under there
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    Senior Member doug1980's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by your_comforting_company View Post
    price is a lot different in 2 story. The walls of the first floor have to be thicker to support the weight of the second story. If the rest of the house is on pilings, I'd stick with that. I like to be able to get under there
    Yeah that's what I would prefer too. Just exploring all the options. Could also just build straight up on the house now. But that may be a bit more costly if the house isn't structurally sound enough fo it.
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    If you go with a slab then you need to remember that things like plumbing and the oil line from and to the heat pump (if you have one) will have to be under the slab or poured as part of it. It's a PITA if you have to do maintenance because you wind up having to bust the floor up. If you go with the crawl space then everything can be underneath. And if you go with a crawl space then make certain you give yourself plenty of space to cross the under the center house support and to be able to actually do some work. You want to ensure you have adequate ventilation in the foundation so the crawl space can breath in the summer. It will help keep moisture down.

    Insulate around the foundation and make certain you get a vapor barrier down on the ground.
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    Senior Member Ole WV Coot's Avatar
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    Plain and simple, you don't want a slab. Too many reasons to list. Rick hit the main ones.
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    Senior Member NightShade's Avatar
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    Yeah... I would not go with slab!.... I work construction, and f there ever is a problem with your plumbing, the money you save will be lost fixing any problem... It's nice to be able to get at the pipes for a much easier fix.
    Make sure there is some amount of heat... Or the pipes are heat-traced.... Under the floor.. This will ensure pipes don't freeze and split, causing damage.
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    Senior Member Mertell's Avatar
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    We put on an addition in 2000.

    We estimated $13,000.
    We borrowed $15,000
    We spent $17,000

    One bit of advice I will give is this: Have extra money available if you need it to finish! It will probably cost more than you think.

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