Clueless Carpenter Here.......

mikeybobo

Hello, I've been a carpenter for 6 years now and I'm renovating my first home and I'm going to be doing a small 10' bumpout on the back of my house, first floor only. I'm on a limited budget so "hiring the man" for the foundation work isnt in my budget. Couple of questions. Is it more cost effective to do my own block foundation, or build the forms and call in the truck? And my home was built in 1920 and has a field stone foundation. How do I tie in the existing to new, just pour against it? Thanks

Brock

Please check your local building codes first. Here in KS we are allowed to pour up to the old rickety foundation. You will want to use concrete instead of block. Often the local codes will allow for a "thickened edge" if it is less than 400 sq. ft. I don't ever build this way but if you are selling the property at some point in the near future it might be the way to go for you especially if you are on a limited budget.

stacker

i would say that depends on the cost of material and labor in your area.i did a foundation on an additition yesterday.25x25,3 sided.cost of block,sand,cement was $605. cost of my labor was $570.00 this included filling 66 cells with grout to set foundation bolts.total was $1175.00.this did not include the footing for the job,that was placed by the contractor.

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dlcj

I agree with checking your codes first but this is the way id do it here. sounds like the old house is on a crawl space, and you want the new room to match right? Dig and pour a foundation 1' deep and 2' wide and lay 8" block up to floor level. When digging foundation make sure the top of finnished concrete falls below the original floor joist on an 8" multiple, so the block will work out right. Laying block is a hell of a lot cheaper than the wood it would take to build forms especially if the wall is taller than 2'. I dont know where you are so setting the foundation below frost line may be an issue. If you want slab floor then let the top row of block be the notched form block ,back fill add plumbing, vapor barrier, rewire, etc., then pour crete filling the block cells at the same. time.

mikeybobo

thanks all for the advice. I got a price from a guy a friend used of $850, and he did a decent job on his house, so I think I'm just going to go that route and stick to the trade I know. I honestly thought it would have been more money, but for $850, I'm not going to bother and use my time elsewhere. thanks all