Agreed. My biggest concern with that option was consistancy of mix, water content, delays between mixes, etc.
Eddie I would typically agree with your comments about the schedule however on this issue delaying the timberframe is not really an option. Framers have our build in the time slot and are already on site. Also delaying means possibly having to re-fit the entire structure if it sits too long. If we stand the frame and not the outdoor overhangs then we have to pay a crew and crane operator to come back out later for that portion.
I ended up doing some brainstorming last night and we have come up with a solution. Instead of forming the concrete right now we are getting some steel supports fabricated to run from the footings to the bottom of the timbers. After the timbers and supports are set we can come in later and box around the supports for stone veneer.
This actually will work out much better as the concrete pier placement is no longer critical. Footings are 36" and I poured them today up to grade. This shortens the length of the supports and gives us plenty of leeway for where the posts land.
Framers showed up today and started framing the basement. Here's a few pics of the framing along with a few post footings.