My wife (notice not me) is pondering the idea of an addition on the back of our house. I like doing that kind of work, although I'm somewhat slow I feel I do work that's as good or better than many contractors.
the Addition would be about 15x25 two story.
The questions:
1. I could certainly find out from a block company, but more fun to engage you guys. How much does a cinderblock cost?
2. Is it worth it to build a cinderblock foundation myself?
3. Do they have to be filled with concrete?
4. Is a precast foundation wall cheaper? I know it certainly is a lot quicker, and guaranteed for like 30 years.
5. Can a precast be mated to an existing cinderblock foundation?
6. How hard is a cinderblock foundation to build... really. I calculated about 420 cinderblocks. Seems like a lot of concrete mixing then building, then mixing then building....
Obviously I've never built a foundation wall before, but I've done some framing including a recent basement remodel.
the interesting part of the precast walls is that I could order them so that they would be both the foundation wall and the first floor wall combined, assuming it's a crawl space or better yet, just a slab floor.
Ideally, though, I'd be happier with a basement under this since the house currently has one 15x22 basement room now that is finished, and no other basement space for things like my workshop. And just think... this addition would be a nice opportunity to add a wood heat appliance... possibly something like a Quad 5700 or a wood furnace in the basement, running duct work up into the house. Investigation phase for the time being...
the Addition would be about 15x25 two story.
The questions:
1. I could certainly find out from a block company, but more fun to engage you guys. How much does a cinderblock cost?
2. Is it worth it to build a cinderblock foundation myself?
3. Do they have to be filled with concrete?
4. Is a precast foundation wall cheaper? I know it certainly is a lot quicker, and guaranteed for like 30 years.
5. Can a precast be mated to an existing cinderblock foundation?
6. How hard is a cinderblock foundation to build... really. I calculated about 420 cinderblocks. Seems like a lot of concrete mixing then building, then mixing then building....
Obviously I've never built a foundation wall before, but I've done some framing including a recent basement remodel.
the interesting part of the precast walls is that I could order them so that they would be both the foundation wall and the first floor wall combined, assuming it's a crawl space or better yet, just a slab floor.
Ideally, though, I'd be happier with a basement under this since the house currently has one 15x22 basement room now that is finished, and no other basement space for things like my workshop. And just think... this addition would be a nice opportunity to add a wood heat appliance... possibly something like a Quad 5700 or a wood furnace in the basement, running duct work up into the house. Investigation phase for the time being...