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Split level addition

user-2614813 | Posted in General Discussion on May 24, 2005 05:10am

hey folks, i’m new to the site & am looking for a little advice on building an addition onto a 50 year old brick ‘n block split level.  I want to do a pop up over the LR, DR, Kitch & if possible, a garage and family room on the rear (not enuff side acreage to put in on the side.  I’ve been told that most architects wont touch splits because of the need to build next to the existing slab on which it’s built.  I know that the pop-up should be do-able, but digging down in the rear for a garage & FR will require jacking the slab until a foundation can be dug.  I live in Silver Spring just outside the DC area & really don’t want to move (espceially in the hot market we’ve got going on down here.

Any thoughts? I’m a do it your selfer and have down a complete kitchen makeover on my own & would hope to save some $ by being the g.c. &  doing much of the finish work myself.

Thanks to any body with suggestions  

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  1. junkhound | May 24, 2005 05:41am | #1

    First, welcome! You will likely find this site less DIY apostate than most, which is why I'm still here<G>

    Was 'gonna past your queries and edit with responses, first time the system locked up, will post this and try again - what happened (parallel megabyte tranfer goieng on from another secure site) ?

        Edit continue - had to letter by letter delete the paste of the original text I was going to respond to. different paragraph now too??? Luka, other web gurus, comments?

     

    Anyway,  now tht I have to toggle back and forth to another screen, I'll just address the slb jacking - for DIY on a few hours a day basis, the best bet is to dig out a  couple of yards a day and do a concrete retainer as you go.  Impractical for a business, but ideal and best structural approach for DIY./ 

                                                               

     
                  

     



    Edited 5/23/2005 10:46 pm ET by JUNKHOUND

    1. Piffin | May 24, 2005 05:50am | #3

      I just had problems with the system letting me post too. It all locked up with no display for a few minutes, thoughj I could go to other sites in a separate window...??? 

       

      Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

  2. Piffin | May 24, 2005 05:46am | #2

    welcome in - here are my first thoughts

    Don't go by "I have been told..." until you talk to an architect.
    From a design position, the biggest challenge would be that the foundation you nopw have might be too lightly designed for the added weight going up. But if you think an archy would be afraid of it, why would a DIY be better equiped to handle this? You are goiong to need experience helping you, so hire it.

    Anything is doable, given enough money.

    From a practical standpoint, I would not dream of doing this with a family actually living in the house at the time. Keeping all systems running would nearly double the cost, not to mention the insurance problems.

    From a leagal viewpoint, have you checked into whether such a thing can be permitted re sedtbacks etc, for your locality? What about any HOA rules or permit sanctions like time to complete?

    This is NOT a small job you are undertaking.

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. user-2614813 | May 25, 2005 05:10pm | #4

      hey thanks a whole lot.  yeah it looks like a complicated job & I will be contacting an architect this month.  I have a few friends who do gen contracting in the Wash DC area & they have advised me to talk to the pro's regarding the job's feasibility & if feasible, the cost of a pop-up addition alone or something out back or both (ain't got that kind of $).  i'm just exploring right now.

       

      thanks again

      homeslice 

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | May 26, 2005 12:56am | #6

        a complicated job

        Check your town's web page, it might just have a GIS mapping page, which can tell you a lot about your site--like specific zoning, subdivision, easements and the like.  While browsing around, see if the requirements for submitting plans are online.  The more you can research for your self, the better you can define your project.  This can save some disappointment later.

        I've got a couple projects that could have used a bit more planning that way--both are likely to disappoint the owners.  The sorority house doesn't want anything unreasonable--just a big meeting room.  Trouble is, they'll need 90 more parking places they can't have.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

  3. tea | May 26, 2005 12:35am | #5

    "hey folks, i'm new to the site & am looking for a little advice on building an addition onto a 50 year old brick 'n block split level.  I want to do a pop up over the LR, DR, Kitch & if possible, a garage and family room on the rear (not enuff side acreage to put in on the side.  I've been told that most architects wont touch splits because of the need to build next to the existing slab on which it's built.  "

    If I lived in the DC area I'd offer to do the job! I've designed additions to several split levels in NY. I'm sure you can find an architect if you look around. Nothing is impossible, but if you are building over existing space I highly recommend moving out while the worst of it is going on.

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