Thinking of building a house - what should I know?

[blkgsr]

ya except the builder isn't going to go sell him the land unless he agrees to build the new house for him

[Lomac]

Originally Posted by blkgsr

please elaborate.....i've been in construction for 12 years, hollow concrete isn't even possible

lol I know it's actually not hollow. To be honest I'm not entirely sure what happened. Maybe the soil below has dropped or some how it didn't settle below the rebar, but every time you walk on the floor, you can hear a distinct echo below your feet. Has a very metallic sound to it. Regardless it's annoying as crap and is something I've never heard before on a foundation.

[MindBomber]

Originally Posted by Lomac

lol I know it's actually not hollow. To be honest I'm not entirely sure what happened. Maybe the soil below has dropped or some how it didn't settle below the rebar, but every time you walk on the floor, you can hear a distinct echo below your feet. Has a very metallic sound to it. Regardless it's annoying as crap and is something I've never heard before on a foundation.

It's likely a void beneath the slab, which typically occurs when they dig too deep during excavation and back fill to intended level. One solution is to inject foam under the slab to eliminate the empty space.

[blkgsr]

Originally Posted by MindBomber

It's likely a void beneath the slab, which typically occurs when they dig too deep during excavation and back fill to intended level. One solution is to inject foam under the slab to eliminate the empty space.

you always over excavate...but it's normally only by about 5-6" to put down a layer of 3/4" rock (and poly) prior to pouring the slab

but as you say, if it was over excavated by a decent amount then back filled and not packed it theoretically could have settle but generally the slab would have settled a little with it (slab on grades are generally not reinforced or just have wire mesh) and you'd see a lot of cracks

but anything is possible

[highfive]

Originally Posted by Bender Unit

Please tell me you aren't planing to build in City of Vancouver.
It is so f--k up right now with the new regulations & Bylaw changed since Jan. 1, 2015.
You are instantly tab on $50,000 from new house permit charge and the house demonstration rules.

THIS.

New regulation from the city is so fucked. The shit they make you do to make it more "green".

[iceburner]

Which custom designer did you end up going with?
I'm looking for referrals to get a custom home design done.

[Neoxphuse]

Originally Posted by blkgsr

you always over excavate...but it's normally only by about 5-6" to put down a layer of 3/4" rock (and poly) prior to pouring the slab

but as you say, if it was over excavated by a decent amount then back filled and not packed it theoretically could have settle but generally the slab would have settled a little with it (slab on grades are generally not reinforced or just have wire mesh) and you'd see a lot of cracks

but anything is possible

This is what most likely happened. Instead of spending so much time compacting the backfill they'll just fill it in and it will settle over time.