Terry writes: I have talked to many contractors and they mention that a home designer or adviser is able to work on layouts, provide plans, and file permits for the customer at less cost than architects. Do you know of any in the Dallas area I can contact? For the most part I'm trying to find an organization that offers these options. I have already picked a plan that I want … [Read more...] about Finding a Designer to Modify Plans
BUILDING Q&As
Steep-Site Building Costs
John writes: I thought that I got a good deal on a sloping lot near Austin, TX. Now, it turns out that the cost for just the slab foundation would be more than $100K, which I could not afford. I am considering hiring an excavator to clear the site and to reduce the slope, hoping that will lower the foundation cost. Do you think this is a good approach to cutting down … [Read more...] about Steep-Site Building Costs
Insulating a Radiant Slab
Dan asks: I am renovating an older house and am installing radiant heating on top of the existing slab-on-grade. I am planning to use 1.5 inches of foam board, which gives me R-7.5. Is that going to be enough R-value? Also what should the density be of the insulation foam board be? On top of the insulation and radiant tubing, I am thinking of pouring self-leveling Gyp-Crete. … [Read more...] about Insulating a Radiant Slab
Building on Filled Land
Mike writes: I purchased a lot that was owned by the city I live in. Years ago the city used the lot as a dump for tree stumps, chunks of concrete, brick, and cut logs. The builder discovered the fill when excavating for the foundation. Since he could not build on top of this, he had to dig much deeper and use much more material, which ended up costing me more than $10,000 out … [Read more...] about Building on Filled Land
Who Pays for Architect’s Mistake?
Q: We had to build a new basement under our home and hired an architect to develop plans. The job included enlarging our downstairs bedroom and adding a garage off the bedroom. The former back entrance was a split-level (you either walked up 5 stairs to the main floor, or down 7 stairs to the basement). The exposed foundation wall at the entrance was about 2-1/2 ft. high. … [Read more...] about Who Pays for Architect’s Mistake?
Allowances — What’s Fair? Also Fixed-Price vs. Cost-Plus Bids
Dawn writes: I need help! I am a homeowner who is doing a major remodel. I should say up front that I really like the GC we have picked... good reputation and references, been around forever. He has been very fair about working with us to change wording in our potential contract so that both of us feel like our interests are covered, etc. We have not signed a contract with … [Read more...] about Allowances — What’s Fair? Also Fixed-Price vs. Cost-Plus Bids
Fixing Bouncy and Sagging Floors
Gary writes: The first and second floors in our house seem overly bouncy and sag toward the middle. How can we evaluate whether the floors need reinforcement and, if so, what is the best way to do this? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: If the floor is sagging visibly in the middle or is very bouncy, you may want to reinforce the floor to eliminate the sag and … [Read more...] about Fixing Bouncy and Sagging Floors
How Much Slope for Good Site Drainage?
Keith writes: Is there any recommendation to how high the grade of a home needs to be above an existing drainage ditch. What is the typical elevation above the ditch needed to get water flowing? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: Many basement water problems result from rain and snow melt that runs of the roof, pools around the foundation, and then runs down the … [Read more...] about How Much Slope for Good Site Drainage?