New Member Needs Help!

Good Stuff

Ok guys I will be taking the test to get my General Contractors license soon and need some help. I have worked in the maintenance business all my life and would like to make a change. First off I have a general knowledge off how construction works but have a lot of questions that would seem to be common knowledge. So I will be asking several questions over time and hope you guys can help.

First off let’s start with the land (I will be building homes by the way) that I have purchased. I assume the first thing I will have to do is draw up a plan and submit this plan to the county for approval so that they could then issue me a permit right?
Next or maybe before I would need to know where a septic could be placed on the lot. How do I know this?
Thanks for the help!!

Glasshousebltr

Call the health dept and tell them you need a perk test. The inspector will tell ya where the tank, leach and well need to set in his perk report.

Also, it may help to know where you are.

Bob

__________________
Bob

slickshift

All the states are different
You may want to consider taking one of those night courses to cover all the bases
-not that you shouldn't ask questions here-it's just not likely you'll cover everything you need to know for your state by posing some questions here

Good Stuff

Thanks for the help guys. I'm in N.C.
What are the chances of land not perking and lets say I bought a lot in a subdivision wouldn’t that land be already perked? But if you where to buy a piece of land how would you know if the only place that a septic system could go is right in the middle of the lot you intend on building?
Thanks for your help!!

Glasshousebltr

If it's in a subdivision it probably has common water and sewer.

If not, most will perk and location can kinda be fluid, however the inspector will need a site plan.

If it doesn't perk, consider a holding tank or aeration system. Sucks, but works.

Better also consider bad water. Have it tested.

Bob

__________________
Bob

Good Stuff

Ok Bob I have called for a "Perk" test and got a passed report back. Now I need to clear the lot if wooded and grade to begin construction of the foundation. I call my foundation guy and he digs the footings and lays the rebar. At that point I call for inspection on the footings right? After that the masons or the foundation guys poors the footings and then lays the block/brick right? No inspection needed after the block/brick has been layed, right?
Thanks again for the help!!

Glasshousebltr

It's a little diferent from place to place, but that about sizes it up.

To be safe, I wouldn't backfill until the frame inspection. Some inspectors like to check out the foundation exterior and drainage system.

Bob

__________________
Bob

Good Stuff

Yeah, I left out the part about backfilling after another inspection.
Ok now the floor. I build the floor then the exterior walls go up followed by the interior to be finished off with the roof. Would I then have to call for another inspection of the framing and roof before I move forward or can I proceed with the dry in and move on to the rough plumbing and electrical? Please tell me if I’m skipping a step.

Glasshousebltr

Frame ruff in elec, plumbing and HVAC normally go as one inspection.

Some inspectors want the insulation in, some out, just ask.

Bob

__________________
Bob

chrisherk

house location and elevation depends on the leaching field relative to the water table. Where im at i need to have an septic designer draw up septic plans, which then have to be submitted to the state for approval

Good Stuff

So after that we add the insulation and start installing wallboard, showers/tubs or should the tubs and showers be done at the rough in? Once the wallboard is up and complete I can then start with the floors, cabinets/counters, doors and tile right? Once this is done I guess you then do the trim work. The whole time this is going on inside I have the siding going on, the foundation is backfilled and shingles are going on the roof. If there is to be a concrete porch I guess I could have this poured now as well or should I time it with the sidewalk if there is one? The deck if there is one can go on now, granted that some grading has been done prior so that water drainage is not a problem under it, right? The driveway gets poured or paved and the plumber/electrician/HVAC comes back for final hookup. At this point I assume we should have a complete house or close to one(I may have left out a few things ) by now and at that point would call for one last inspection right?

Good Stuff

So your goal is to just make sure things are above the water table,right?

chrisherk

Up here, the bottom of your leach field must be min 4' above the seasonal high water table. THen your piping must have a specific pitch to your tank then to your house. Then your foundation elevation can be determined. example, if your lot is low lying or wet, chances are your field will have to be built up, which means your foundation will be sticking way out of the ground