Steve writes: A friend recently moved into a property where a downspout leaked for years causing soil under the footings to be washed away on one corner of property. Their builder said they need to fill the void with concrete to provide support in that area. Is this a good approach and what would you call this remedy? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdivsor.com responds: This sounds … [Read more...] about Soil Washed Away Under Foundation
Buying Land
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
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
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?
Buy a Land-House Package or Hire a Builder?
Nadia writes: Hi, I'm planning to have a home built in an established subdivision with a couple of vacant lots. I have the option of either buying the lot and then building, or having the developer build and then buying the entire land-home package. I'm leaning towards doing the land-home package, but I want to have control over the process. I want to be able to make site … [Read more...] about Buy a Land-House Package or Hire a Builder?