AZ ranch

[BoFuller]

Now I'm not down on GCs. I have a couple good friends that are GC and darn good ones. I just want to do this build because I enjoy it. It really has nothing to do with a GC being good or bad and it has nothing to do with saving money. It's more of a good old-fashion do-it-yourself pioneer build.

 

[MotorSeven]

Actually, saving money was not even a major consideration in deciding not to have a GC. I just want to do this myself. I wouldn't even let a GC be in charge even if it didn't cost me anything at all.

That's how I felt Bo...go for it!

 

[Dr Dave]

Two more feet and you could have a basement! It would be a nice cool space in the summer.

Dave

 

[BoFuller]

If I knew the digging would be that easy, I would have gone with a basement, but everywhere else on the property we have run into boulder after boulder (bigger than cars). At this point I'm not going back to the county and reopen the plans.

 

[joeyd]

If I knew the digging would be that easy, I would have gone with a basement, but everywhere else on the property we have run into boulder after boulder (bigger than cars). At this point I'm not going back to the county and reopen the plans.

I don't blame you!!!

 

[R_Walter]

Now I'm not down on GCs. I have a couple good friends that are GC and darn good ones. I just want to do this build because I enjoy it. It really has nothing to do with a GC being good or bad and it has nothing to do with saving money. It's more of a good old-fashion do-it-yourself pioneer build.

Well, I do apologize that some readers seem to think I was being mean to you, etc. It was only from your numerous posts complaining about inspections, permit delays, added requirements by the county, the county in general, weather delays, access fees, permits, road access and so on that led me to observe that you were frustrated and had, perhaps, chewed off more than you intended. Sounds like you're having a great time in spite of your multitude of complaints.... so that's what counts. Cheers!

 

[BoFuller]

Thanks for the post. Everybody ought to complain about the fees. If everyone still built their own homes, they would all be complaining and things would get changed. Now it's just a handful of people and the county doesn't have to listen to them. That's my thoughts. I wasn't complaining because it was something unexpected. I was complaining because its too much control and none of their business. Actually there have been very few surprises along the way so far. Many things have been unnecessary (IMHO), but very few things have been unexpected.
Again, thanks got the response!

 

[BoFuller]

I came back to the Ranch after being in CA for a week and I found rebar in my trenches. My concrete contractor came highly recommended and was way less than the other two bids, but I'm a little worried about how long he is taking. They finished digging on Tuesday the 28th. It's been 7 working days since then and I was hoping that we would pour today.
What's a reasonable amount of time to pour the footer and build a stem wall 5 feet high with a 32 X 32 footprint? I was hoping to have a couple people fly in around the 1st of July to help me with logs.

 

[BoFuller]

A worker came out to work on my rebar today. He said they have been busy finishing up a Dollar General. He thought they could be done with the rebar in a couple days. Why doesn't a contractor tell you these things instead of making you think he is lazy?

I'm now thinking it would be nice to have a concrete floor in this enlarged crawl space/mini-basement (16 X 16 X 5). Could one be poured right along with the footer or do they need to be done separately?

Am I a pain in the butt to request changes once a job is started? Or does the contractor not care as long as I agree to the price increase and the time delay ?

Actually, instead of just the one quarter being dug out, I would like it all dug out (32 X 32 X 5). Can this be easily done after the stem wall is finished or is it now or never?

Thanks for any help.

 

[dave1949]

Bo, If you want it all dug out, now is the time to get that done. The footer and stem wall would be poured before the concrete floor in most cases, but that varies by region I have learned here. In the mid-South it seems common to pour the floor and use it as a foundation for the stem wall. Did you pass on the full basement thought?

In terms of your log laying schedule, the stem wall should have some time to harden up before you do any heavy work on or around it. Maybe a concrete person will chime in on how long that could take. They are fragile for a while.

EDIT: I noticed your footer trenches were dug out precisely and cleaned up real square, which probably means the contractor isn't planning on using any form boards for the footer pour. If you have it all dug out, that will change his plans, but not a biggie at this point I think.