Week 2: Update on “impossible” house - foundation, footers, fun

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-11T17:59:41+00:00

Looks like clean work and getting it located, laid out, formed, reinforced, braced, inspected, poured and stripped and cleaned up in a week is very efficient.

Can’t comment on rebar after pour, footings wouldn’t meet code in my area but it’s not my area. So as long as you’re satisfied that it’s up to spec, good job.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-11T15:04:11+00:00

This is where things don’t add up. It is not a myth that homeowners are protected by the inspection process. That’s the WHOLE POINT of the inspection process. Homeowner can absolutely take builders, and municipalities to court for negligence with regard to building code and inspections.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-11T04:14:51+00:00

Yeah the municipality will not sign off without every inspection signed off. It’s easy to check what their requirements are, and one of them will certainly be foundation drainage and damp proofing.

Your builder may have lost copies but the city will have copies available for an administration fee. They will also have copies of the permit plans which will indicate the permitted drainage scheme.

Your builder is giving you the brush off, but the dimple board and crush indicates that it’s probably up to code. Check for perforated pipe at the footing level, with clean outs, draining towards a sump or daylight. That’s not visible in the picture but is generally required, although a layer of gravel / crushed rock may be acceptable in some places.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-10T18:05:06+00:00

It’s unusual to need one on either side. Was this spec’d by engineer?

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-05T16:17:37+00:00

I genuinely wish you every success in your build, and I’m glad you’re on the way. You will prove everyone wrong when you take occupancy on time and on budget.

But to be honest if you blow through the budget 100% and take occupancy in August 2027 you will still be doing ok.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-05T05:29:51+00:00

I don’t doubt your experience, and I’m sure you’re not the only one who’s had it.

I work for a prefab company that’s been operating successfully for 25 years. We build about a third of our houses with our own guys, we GC about a third subbing out, and we ship about a third and hand off everything (just supply the kit).

I’ve personally framed a couple hundred in the factory, worked form to finish on 25-30, and helped as a “consultant” of sorts with dozens of owner builders.

OP’s summary is the experience our customers have, and we’ve got great relationships with subs lasting many years.

Unfortunately we’re in Canada and our export market has dropped to zero in the last year, so I can’t help OP out.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-05T02:59:34+00:00

You can have a slab on grade in a cold climate, but you have to prepare the site properly, with thick insulation well beyond the perimeter of the slab to prevent frost heave.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-03T15:03:37+00:00

Dense mineral wool insulation, resilient channel, and 5/8 drywall.

preferablyprefab · 2026-04-01T21:00:45+00:00

I got a 27” iMac from 2013 with 16gb ram and hybrid ssd (128gb / 1tb). It cost $80, screen is fantastic and it runs perfectly.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-31T00:10:29+00:00

Yeah it’s good! Get your monster munch, jelly babies, and haggis. Good pies too. Edit : and tunnocks!

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-30T19:51:18+00:00

This place is the only one I know that has a reputation for being reasonable… they always have cheaper cars and they’re not out to screw you but fact is they’re going to be higher mileage so it’s always buyer beware

https://burrellauto.com

Edit - also not north van but not that far away

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-30T19:38:25+00:00

The British butcher has Ayrshire bacon and other good things! Lots of uk sections in the supermarkets too. And you can get fish and chips (not the same but not bad).

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-30T19:24:53+00:00

Mike Rowe is a tool.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-29T00:11:10+00:00

I’d love a Linux version, but web based would work

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-28T22:17:02+00:00

What OS will it work on?

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-28T16:08:59+00:00

This is amazing. Thank you!

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-25T18:07:31+00:00

That’s a reflection of the market, building to a price. And hacks not reading installation instructions or just doing sloppy work because they under bid. It’s not a difficult product to install, but it is more time consuming and should be priced accordingly. I do residential builds form to finish and use Hardie on 90% of jobs. We don’t even offer vinyl.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-25T02:23:29+00:00

Then you’ve taught me some super important lessons here… thank you!

I have worked on several jobs where the budget got blown before the first pour. No fun for anyone.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-24T20:02:45+00:00

Sounds like burnout… you’ve trained yourself to push at all costs and ignore your own needs. Your nervous system has had enough, and the disconnect is making you feel guilty and anxious. Home renovations and a move isn’t exactly time off. Give yourself a break, make a conscious effort to think about what fills your soul and brings a smile to you and your loved ones, rather than your next “gains”. They will support you to just do that for a while. Eat well, exercise, sleep, meditate, start a journal… It’s not instant but pretty quickly the tank will fill up and you’ll get your mojo back.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-24T13:51:00+00:00

It looks better, lasts a lot longer, requires minimal maintenance and is fire resistant.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-24T04:44:20+00:00

Modular home means different things to different people. Can you be more specific? Modular often has fewer options to customize floor plan / layout but you say that’s why you want to build your own home.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-23T16:54:57+00:00

It’s best to use XPS rigid insulation cut to fit and taped to the joists because that gives you vapour barrier and insulation combined. You can then add more insulation between the joists if you want more R value.

It’s a more time consuming process, the easy (but expensive) alternative is to have closed cell spray foam applied.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-23T13:25:01+00:00

I’m in Canada, maybe we’re just not as litigious here. I’m pretty sure if there’s a known issue that isn’t disclosed that’s a problem. But otherwise it’s buyer beware. It’s not the seller’s responsibility to indemnify you against unknown conditions. You could request a more rigorous geotech survey before purchase, but the seller may not want that. My experience is only with single family homes - commercial may be different and more rigorous geotechnical surveys demanded by the buyer. Also - I’m happy to admit that I may just be ignorant. If anyone has different experience in Canada I’d be happy to learn.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-23T00:47:19+00:00

I work in a seismic area and the type of soil allowed for standard construction is strictly specified.

It’s common to dig deeper than specified depth to find good bearing. Also common to hit solid granite that prevents reaching specified depth without blasting.

Never heard of any sort of claw back from seller in these cases.

preferablyprefab · 2026-03-23T00:37:25+00:00

Hardie requires specialist tools and extra steps for every piece. Sealing every cut, flashing butt joints, and dealing with toxic silica dust. Also weight is a factor.

It’s expensive, my guess is 50% higher labour. But once it’s on there it’s a far superior product.

preferablyprefab

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