Who do I ask for help?

[chuck172]

Spooky getting older isn't it. Personally, I don't want to move to a more city-like area. I like the cold, don't want N.C, or Florida. I enjoy working in the woods. Problem is I'm 62, with one new knee, needing the other too. My wife is having a hard time with the stairs. This is really becoming a problem that we keep putting off.

 

[Capricious]

"..Spooky getting older isn't it..."



It s___s. Big time.


I have a couple for kayaks and a solo canoe I built, but have not used in the last (3) years or so. I am not even sure I would be able to climb into the things anymore.

But whenever I think about the future for us, I think about in the context of us being two old people. * And I have to adjust my day dreaming to accommodate that.
And probably the thing that worries me most is driving. My father, in his 80's, can really no longer drive, and my mother can't really handle driving at night. Hopefully that
issue is still several years off for us, but it is something I think about.






*Don't tell my wife I wrote that.

 

[ZAR2USA]

I called an architect this morning and ask if he was the one to evaluate the current foundation to determine if it was sound. He said he could ($150/hr) but I'd probably get just as good advice for free from a contractor specializing in foundation and slab repair. I have a guy coming Friday for a look-see and estimate. If this house is sound, or can be made that way reasonably, we're leaning on doing that and adding on to the back for craft room, master br and bath/utility room. I'll let you know when I know more. Steve

Get a minimum of 3 preferably 5 contractors inspections and input. You will be surprised how opinions differ within the same industry. What one builder might found totally unacceptable will be a non-issue for another. Not everyone have the same standards and convictions. That is why there is a building code, where the state decide what is the minimum standard (code) needed for approval.

Wish you all the best. Now that we have no longer stairs, life is better and less accidents.

 

[Steve IA]

Well, the foundation guy came and went. He says, since it's a wood foundation the only way to level the house is to replace the entire foundation with block!. Ballpark estimate is out of sight. He said he'd get back Tuesday with a firm bid after he talked to his boss. I get the feeling he doesn't want to touch the job, being it's wood foundation. I'm waiting now for local contractor who's familiar with wood to stop by and chat. We're really would like to stay in this house on this site with necessary additions/modifications. Also going to contact other basement-specific contractors out of the big city for a chat.

 

[dave1949]

It might be cheaper to have a concrete foundation and basement built near your current home, then hire house jackers to move your house onto the new foundation. People do that here when saving old houses that are sitting on shallow (5'-6'), stacked granite rock basements.

You can live in your house while the new foundation is being built. You would probably have to vacate for a week or so when it's moved to the new foundation. There is a good chance of being able to hook into your existing septic system and well without a lot of expense.

The new foundation could include any expansion plans too.

 

[dmccarty]

Well, the foundation guy came and went. He says, since it's a wood foundation the only way to level the house is to replace the entire foundation with block!. Ballpark estimate is out of sight. He said he'd get back Tuesday with a firm bid after he talked to his boss. I get the feeling he doesn't want to touch the job, being it's wood foundation. I'm waiting now for local contractor who's familiar with wood to stop by and chat. We're really would like to stay in this house on this site with necessary additions/modifications. Also going to contact other basement-specific contractors out of the big city for a chat.

Ah. Wood foundations. Since he is not familiar with them he is going to want to use what he does know. Google has lots of information on wood foundations. I read this link years ago and it might helpful, Permanent Wood Foundations - Southern Pine

Later,
Dan

 

[Jstpssng]

A friend had his old farmhouse jacked up and a new foundation poured underneath it. You might consider talking to another contractor.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

guess I don't under the wood foundation, especially for a house built in the 80's. Is the house built on grade? or built like a pole building?
I would add on a 1st floor MBR to eliminate the immediate problem of the stairs.

 

[ThomasH]

<snip> ..I'm looking for a local expert to look at our situation and help us see the advantages/disadvantages of these choices, as well as possibly offering other suggestions. Who do I call? Contractor? Realtor? Architect? All the above? Any suggestions you may want to offer will be appreciated.

I would talk to a realtor and a general contractor. First, the contractor to get a rough idea of what an add-on would cost. And then to a realtor to see what they think your house is worth, would be worth with the addition, and what other houses are available that would possibly suit you.

Lastly, I used to do remodeling and additions, and I will mention that you shouldn't be 'in the middle of a construction zone' for long, as a lot of the work could be done from the outside. Even with the walls framed and dried in, sheetrock can be put through windows, etc., such that until it gets to the wall and floor finishes, they shouldn't have to be going in and out of the house much. They could also be instructed to put up a temporary plastic wall (referred to as a zipwall) inside the house just before the doorway that goes to the new addition, so it would keep almost all dust contained to the construction area. I have done many jobs like a master suite and was in and out within 60 days.

Good luck!

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a contractor and I do a lot of remodels for people getting older with concerns about mobility. One of my specialties is creating a walk in shower that does not have a lip or a door. You could get into it with a walker or a chair, or just walk in without worrying about tripping. Not knowing your finances, or the situation in your house, just based on what you have said, putting money into the current house would be a mistake.

My thinking is that you need an easy to get into house, which means no stairs anywhere. You need wide doors, halls and bathrooms. Space is what allows you to get to where you want to be if you are in a chair or using assistance.

I think that a metal shop building would be the most cost effective way to do this. Hire a reputable company to erect the building with all the plumbing done for the bathrooms and kitchen. Get the architect to work with standard sized buildings, something like 40x60. Then once the building is done, you cane either hire a General Contractor to finish off the interior, or hire each of the trades yourself to get it done. I'm currently working with a guy who has a 30x40 building that he is doing this with. One bedroom, one bathroom and a very open floor of kitchen, dining and living areas. You could drive a golf cart around in there!!!

Eddie