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Untitled Document
It is ALWAYS good to get a structural engineer involved in your house planning, and its always best that they come into the project at the planning stage. They will give feedback on cost benefits and advantages of different types of construction, and give "rules of thumb" - depths and sizings to use in your planning which will affect your elevations, floor to floor heights, basement design and roof design.
One good idea can save you thousands of dollars, maybe its as simple as using a prefab wall system that will save you on your insurance policy every year.
Ask for options, and weigh initial costs with payback times and resale values or differing construction methods.
Foundation sizing of foundation, spec out sizing and spacing of steel in the slabs and foundation.
Size and spacing of hold downs.
Specify depth of foundation below grade.
Shear walls Design the shear walls to take into account the wind load on a house, the way the load affects the house, the type and amount of nailing to be done, and the tie downs at the connections of roof to wall and wall to foundation. The structural engineer will show typical shear wall details and notes, and show placements of extra supports where needed.
Floor joists-
design the thickness and spacing, and type of wood to be used in the floor joists.
Roof
Design sizing and spacing for the roof rafters/ trusses.
Ask the structural engineer - will you stamp the
drawings, or will you be writing a letter on your letterhead stating that you have reviewed the drawings. There is a big difference in price!
Has a soil analysis been done? if not, consider digging some test holes in the main corners of the house, to a depth a little more than the maximum depth of the foundation, then inviting the structural engineer or a knowledgeable building consultant to look at the soil.
Is the site sloping? is it next to a water body? Is there a high clay content in the soil? Yes to any of these questions please get professional advice.
Will you have a septic system or a municipal sewer connection? will you use a well or connect to a municipal water supply?
What outbuildings will you be constructing, ( horse barn, storage, stand alone garage, swimming pools, etc).
Are you in a flood zone? wetland area?
what are the required setbacks for your property?
These are just a few preliminary questions - there are more!
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