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HopefulHomemaker
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# Posted: 15 May 2012 13:14
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MtnDon gave me this idea from another thread, so I'll run it by the board one more time for clarification and general approval.
We've been talking to a differentcabin manufacturer about a prefab. The cabin is a single story 14x26 with a 14x6 porch. We'd plan to build twelve piers, three lines of four down the length of the house. The building site if fairly level, and the soil is gravely, not clay. It's also on top of a small hill, so drainage should be good and it will not sit in water.
We would dig the 12 holes, each 4 1/2 feet deep. We'd tamp 6 inches of gravel in the bottom of each hole. Then we'd pour in 4 inches of type S cement, add an X of rebar, the 4 more inches of cement. Before the cement has completely set, we'd raise a 6x6 post of foundation grade lumber (which I need to find a source for) in each hole, set into a bracket (of some kind, I need to research) to connect it to the concrete. Then we'd backfill and level the posts, no high than 18" at any point.
Does this sound likely to be a reasonable to build, legal, and study enough for a cabin of that size? Do we have to worry about the wood rotting and needing to be replaced in a few years? Of course we want the foundation to be sturdy, but we also want to save labor and money if we can. Am I missing anything?
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 15 May 2012 14:28
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Have you run that by the building department? I recall from a different thread you had talked with them. It doesn't matter what anyone here thinks if there is a permit department and inspectors involved.
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Sustainusfarm
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# Posted: 15 May 2012 15:52
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I have this same foundation, no concrete at the bottom of the hole! Was told that wood sitting on the concrete would allow water to possibly collect on top of the concrete and be absorbed by the wood.. .. I also have gravelly sandy soil. I did put my 6x6 treated posts 4' down, squared them up and backfilled. Over a period of a couple of weeks I used a 30lb. Cylindrical weight to pound the posts down to compact the soil... I was able to drive to posts down another 1-2". I then notched the beams and built the floor system. So far that was 17 yrs ago and my lazer transit says they have not moved a fraction of an inch.. Not a bit of rot either which I suspect is due to the sandy nature of the soil. I'm in central Wisconsin too so it freezes pretty deeply .
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HopefulHomemaker
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# Posted: 15 May 2012 17:12
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I posted this question on another board (for building inspectors) and was told that I absolutely cannot do it in NY state, that wood foundations are legal but wood footers aren't, and that not only do I have to have solid poured concrete foots, but they have to be 12 inches, not 8 inches as we were planning (which will likely cost us in the $1000 range, a bit out of our budget). And I got an $8600 quote this morning for the cabin, which is also over budegt. So it looks like we're officially out of options. Thanks for all the help, anyway. I'll just enjoy hanging around here and looking at other people's cabins when I need a fix.
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 15 May 2012 17:34
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Score another one for good ol' NYS.
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bhebby
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# Posted: 17 May 2012 14:45
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you could always start small so you have a place to sleep while you build. I have those plans but I need your email address. Its for a 14x10 with a loft that you can build in sections and assemble if thats easier. Dont give up. Its easier to ask for forgiveness than permission in NYS. best of luck.
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jgiffi
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# Posted: 18 May 2012 00:01 - Edited by: jgiffi
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Hopefulhomemaker, I live in NYS and my building inspector let me use 6X6PT posts as a foundation. There are numerous other camps in the area that use 6X6PT as well without any issues. I'm not sure who is giving you a hard time about it but I wouldn't give up yet. Maybe think about something a little smaller or constructing it yourself if possible. If you get something roughed in and a roof on it that should get you through a winter till you can get some more money to continue the project. I know its not the best plan but don't get discouraged so quickly. I'm up in camden,ny, where are you out of?
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Borrego
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# Posted: 18 May 2012 15:37
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I wouldn't give up either. You can either build a 10' x 12' shed and then build another and join them together - or do as some people I know have done and ignore the rules. Of course, I don't know how your neighbors are or how visible your cabin would be. Just not doing it should not be an option unless you just don't have the passion.....
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