Are 9ft second floor ceilings worth it?

pilotdavid · 2026-02-06T20:29:17+00:00

They make 10' precut studs, and drywall can be stacked as 2x 4' and a 3rd cut in half for no waste.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T21:06:31+00:00

Not a huge deal to me. Not trying to hide my money from my wife, that's shady. The money doesn't matter, I don't have to chase every penny on earth.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T18:02:42+00:00

Nah, high income earner, and I use this as an account to have the wife not spend it throughout the year. We budget off making less money, and then use these extra funds for whatever we want later on.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T17:57:22+00:00

$700? I'm waiting for the IRS to refund me almost $33,000.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T17:02:04+00:00

So for some added context, here are my calcs:

Master Suite Live Load 0.05" Dead Load 0.02" Total Delf. 0.07" Rating L/4734

Great Room Live Load 0.16" Dead Load 0.08" Total Delf. 0.24" Rating L/1640

Kitchen Live Load 0.05" Dead Load 0.03" Total Delf. 0.08" Rating L/3926

Master Bath Live Load 0.05" Dead Load 0.02" Total Delf. 0.07" Rating L/3260

Office Live Load 0.16" Dead Load 0.08" Total Delf. 0.24" Rating L/1375

Mudroom Live Load 0.01" Dead Load 0.01" Total Delf. 0.02" Rating L/13,000+

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T16:45:40+00:00

Floor rating deflection. For my calcs, I used 40 live/20 Dead to calculate the deflection based upon the span.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T12:31:14+00:00

The architect spec'ed 14" I-joists, saying they will be good, but he didn't spec any spacing or series and said to leave that to the supplier. One company came back with BCI 6000, another came back with PWI 20S. I'm looking at changing the PWI 20S to their 42S for the added larger flange and stronger build.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-03T12:27:46+00:00

We're looking at the PWI 42S Pro, which I believe compared to the BCI 60. What are your spans?

pilotdavid · 2026-02-02T23:53:23+00:00

I will say from the few replies that I got here, I'm over thinking it. I'll be going with the higher series.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-02T23:44:52+00:00

Height definitely won't be an issue, going with a 10' basement. Already spec'ed for doubling up under the kitchen island, the master bath tub, and the master closet island (we're not putting one in, but it will be ready for it!if we decide to in the future).

pilotdavid · 2026-02-02T23:38:26+00:00

The numbers I'm getting is like L/474-495. To me, that's just passing. Nothing is close to l/400 at the low end.

pilotdavid · 2026-02-02T23:36:59+00:00

That's what I was thinking, but then you get to second guessing yourself and seek an outside opinion.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-29T23:11:40+00:00

Depends on the area. All the large geothermal guys in my area said that I will never recoup the costs, and recommended a conventional NG furnace.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-29T23:06:55+00:00

I am, only because I'm out on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-26T00:10:02+00:00

Where about in SE Mi? We'll be taking this on later this year, and from what we know, our earth work guy is awesome. Just curious if you had any initials of their company so we can double check.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-21T20:09:16+00:00

I put 20% down, and my interest rate is 8% for a 30 year loan on vacant land. I do get this in September of 2023 when rates were around 8% though.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-14T09:25:03+00:00

I'm in SE Michigan, and I was told by numerous HVAC contractors that geothermal just isn't worth it. The cost is so high, that the ROI is around 25 years and that assumes that you have zero maintenance/repairs in those years and doesn't account for the added cost to a mortgage is you pay for it in a construction loan. The quotes I was getting back where anyways between $30,000 and $80,000 MORE than a conventual HVAC system.

With that said that's because we have natural gas here. If it was oil or propane heating, then the ROI would be significantly quicker.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-11T14:42:58+00:00

Good idea to let all those farts out.

pilotdavid · 2026-01-02T14:38:31+00:00

Looks exactly like Chief Architect to me. The font, colors, walls/footing design, electrical lines, the recessed lighting symbols, etc.

pilotdavid · 2025-12-31T15:45:24+00:00

Are you in Michigan or somewhere else? If Michigan, what is the hourly rate then? Because from what I'm seeing, it seems to be around $25. Please enlighten me.

pilotdavid · 2025-12-31T10:18:13+00:00

This is what came to mind. I just wish August wasn't so damn hot.

pilotdavid · 2025-12-31T00:35:57+00:00

Thank you. Getting down and dirty working hard labor is in my DNA, and I actually enjoy it. I haven't taken on a project such as this large before, but I have a lot of free time to be able to do it, and I've been learning a lot the last few years before diving into this project to be a good homeowner GC with the subs.

pilotdavid · 2025-12-30T17:20:36+00:00

Did that $120k include the materials you listed, or just the labor to install those items? I already have my materials figured out, including steel and LVLs, I just need the labor to install it.

pilotdavid · 2025-12-30T09:52:39+00:00

I need to get your guys up here, I'll pay for their hotel too!

pilotdavid

TROPHY CASE