I will be knocking down the old house. This is being built on our lake lot. The old house is on a block slab. The new house will have a walk out basement.
2006-09-20 08:50:15 · 5 answers · asked by marbear 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
First talk to the city or county about removing the old house and rubble. They will have specifications you must meet. Especially if there are asbestos shingles. It will cost more to dispose of those.You need to get the inspector out to see the lot and begin there. Then get an architect or builder to tell what you want. Get several bids on trash removal and on building and cleaning the finished house and lot in writing. Write down every change and sign it as you go so you will not have any extra fees in the end. Best wishes with your new home!
2006-09-20 09:01:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My question to you is,,,are you doing this as a DIY?
You should at the very least, have code people, engineers, contractors, and subs, lined up for advice at the very least.
How close is the site to the lake? How high is the water table at its peak? Why not slab it and add a room that can double as a basement type situation?
I'm assuming you have money? Or can get a mortgage?
Are there any restrictions, IE: historic issues regarding tearing down all but one wall of the original?
I guess I'm finished. Obviously the value was/is, in the land. I've seen million dollar homes bulldozed to make room for another.
Will this be, or is it a second house?
Rev. Steven
2006-09-20 08:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeez, where to begin? You'll need building permits, an architect, a builder/contractor. You'll need to talk to your loan officer for financing, maybe the local environmental authorities if you will be disturbing the shoreline. If anything left from the old house didn't meet code, that will probably need to be updated - I'm thinking specifically the drainfield and well, but there's probably more. Will the old electrical line meet the needs of the new house? If it was, say, 60 amp service before, and you're upgrading to 150 or 200 amp, you may need a new wire run from the pole.
My advice would be to get an experienced contractor to help you, and BE VERY SURE to check out references from people he's worked for recently. Check his record with the Better business bureau, ask what suppliers or lumber yards he uses, and ask them what they think of him.
Come to think of it, a lumber yard would be a good place to get some names of contractors to interview. They will have an idea about who does good work for the project you have in mind, who pays their bills, who uses good material or cheap stuff.
Good luck!
2006-09-20 08:58:16 · answer #3 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About five years ago, an acquaintance of mine asked my advice on a major remodelling project. I don't think he had ever picked up a hammer before. I advised him to get a contractor to do the work, but he decided to go ahead and do it himself. Because he did not understand the significance of certain structural elements in the house, he succeeded in pulling the corner of his second floor down on his wife and killing her. ("Here, honey. Hold this while I do this...")
It's things like this that make me second the voice of those who are telling you to get a professional contractor. It's worth the money.
There is one alternative. Most community colleges and technical institutes offer courses in many of the building crafts. Carpentry, Interior finish, electrical, and plumbing are just a few. You could learn it that way and then try DIY building.
Good luck...
2006-09-20 09:11:31 · answer #4 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hire a professional builder
2006-09-20 08:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Jenny A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋