I am in the early stages of designing a new home. In an effort to get what we want yet make it as cost effective as possible I would like to think ahead and incorporate designs/ideas that will help keep the costs down during construction. I understand that sizing the house around 2 & 4 foot dimensions maximizes material such as drywall, carpeting, plywood etc.
My question is, should I use any “standards” for sizing the overall foundation footprint to make the form layout for a poured concrete foundations as cost effective as possible? If so, do you measure the footprint based on the inside or outside of the wall.
Second question, do corners add significantly to the cost?
This is my first post to this forum, so if I screwed something up, pls let me know.
Thanks
Replies
Neither house nor foundation size makes any significant difference. Foundation forms come in all kinds of sizes, they just put in the one that fits. Complicated roofs, valleys, dormers, large expanses, jigs and jogs increase costs.
Concrete forming cost.
Most foundation guys quote by the linear foot for standard 8' high walls, slighly more for 9' walls and both 9" thick. Any thing over four corners is and additional charge per corner pus slightly higher charges for angles. Check your local code for the required rebar schedule and make sure the foundation guy complies with it.
Footers are priced according to type, trench or formed, by the linear foot plus the number of step transitions. Corners and angles add only a little more to the footing cost, but there may be an addition charge for a complicated lay out as well as working on a steeply sloping lot, which will require the concrete to be pumped.
Want to kep your cost down,.....keep it simple.