I am currently in the planning stage for my new home. We are in the process of finalizing plans and I was given some information about trusses that sounds crazy. So I though I would post it here to see what you guys have to say.
Someone told us that it is better to have you house dimensions in even feet rather than half feet. Example – it would be better to have a home 37 X 87 rather than a home 36’6″ X 86’6″. This person said that the truss company will charge a surcharge for cutting the trusses to the 6″. These were their words not mine, and this person is not affiliated with any truss company. We were also told that it would actually be cheaper to build a home 37 X 87 rather than one 36’6″ X 86’6″.
This does not make sense to me, I understand watching dimension to minimize waste and what not. In other words not having a depth of 32’6″ where there would be one small 6″ piece of sheeting, etc.
Anyone know if this surcharge for trusses is even partially true. I cannot imagine that all/most homes are built to even footage measurements.
Jim
Replies
I don't know anything about trusses, but most modern homes certainly are built to even foot measurements. Concrete forms come in 2' increments, lumber and plywood creates less waste in 2' increments, pretty much every part of a house comes in even foot incements.
I would be surprised if it mattered to the truss guys though. I'm sure Boss Hog will be along shortly to set the matter straight....
It's total BS.
There MIGHT possible have been a time when some truss plants charged for odd sizes. But that would have been 20+ years ago, before computers were commonly used for truss design.
There's no one around ehre who charges from odd sized trusses. Everything is custom designed and built.
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BTW - I live in Carlinville - Less than an hour south of you. I work for Rehkemper, and we have an office/plant in Springfield.
We have a couple of other Breaktimers from Springfield too.
99% of them kiss their houses goodbye when leaving the wife.
Bosshog,
Good to know of someone that is close. It would be nice to talk with you when we get ready to order trusses. We are also planning on using floor trusses. Is there a way that I can contact you. Shoot me an Email if you want.
I had a feeling this was a bunch of BS. Out plan currently has a coupe of dimensions of XXft and 6 inches. I cannot see that this would cause me any major problems.
Thanks
Jim
Glad I could help. That's what we're all here for.Tell ya what - I'm gonna try sending you an email through the board and give you my contact information. If you want to contact me you can. If you have other plans for obtaining trusses that's O.K. too. I've worked here and at the place in Virden for over 15 years, so I know my way around this market.
When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world. [Goerge Washington Carver]
Thanks again Bosshog. I have read many of you reply's here and yes, you do know your stuff. I was hoping you would jump in on this.
If you can't get the Email to go through on the board here is my address.
[email protected]
Thanks
Jim