slab foundations????

[dixie_boysles]

For those of you that have omes with slab foundations, any pros or cons!!!???

the fiance are contemplating buying the house i posted:

Might have found our house, fingers crossed - Ford Ranger Forum - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

BUT we just had a few quesions regarding a slab foundation.

Now to answer a few questions, the HVAC is NOT in the clab, its in the ceiling. Im gonna say that since the house was gutted and totally remodeled, all the new wiring is in the walls.

Also i lived on the coast for many years and noone has basements so it is not a need for me. I dont want this to be a slab versus crawlspace versus basement argument. Im just interested in slabs.

 

[gribly]

Depends on the foundation itself, location, stuff like that. Does the foundation stay dry? How are the floors that are right on top of it?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have no input on slabs but do investigate WHY the remodel was done. It looks like the outside is all new [new windows, siding, soffit + fascia, roofing] and you say the inside is all new too. That's an awful lot of money to spend on a reno and usually you can't recoup the costs without cutting corners somewhere, and that is usually the labor. So check all the details in the workmanship... Ask to see receipts. One of the ways I see this being O.K. is if it's an insurance job IE; rebuilt because of fire or flood. But you still need to check the quality of the work.
Good luck,

Richard
edit; I've done exterior house renovations for a living for 25 years

 

[superdave1984]

Slab = no squeaky floors. Ever.
Also = colder floors in winter.
Also = no termite damage to the floor.
Also = plumbing nightmare if the pipes are in the slab.

 

[LearjetMinako]

Slab = no squeaky floors. Ever.
Also = colder floors in winter.
Also = no termite damage to the floor.
Also = plumbing nightmare if the pipes are in the slab.

+1

My house is on a slab. As for colder floors, not really. Just get good padding under the carpet and its never too cold. One thing that does suck is when the foundation moves. They have to dig under the foundation to place jack lifts and push those jacks to bedrock to correct the tweaks. Not cheap to do. Also have to becarful of the soil around the house. The soil can't be too wet all the time or that side will sink. Same goes the opposite way. Can't let the soil become too dry in the summer or it can shift. But really, its not too much a problem. Gutters help, and I just place a soaker hose around the whole foundation and water it good every so often in the summer.

Also, almost 80% of all home built in Oklahoma are going to be on a slab. Probably because it is faster and easier to build a house that way. Homes here can be built in 2 months or less with a consistant work crew.

 

[dixie_boysles]

I have no input on slabs but do investigate WHY the remodel was done. It looks like the outside is all new [new windows, siding, soffit + fascia, roofing] and you say the inside is all new too. That's an awful lot of money to spend on a reno and usually you can't recoup the costs without cutting corners somewhere, and that is usually the labor. So check all the details in the workmanship... Ask to see receipts. One of the ways I see this being O.K. is if it's an insurance job IE; rebuilt because of fire or flood. But you still need to check the quality of the work.
Good luck,

Richard
edit; I've done exterior house renovations for a living for 25 years

An investor bought the house and want to make a dime on it. We have looked at ALOT of houses in this process of buying and I have seen the ones where corners were cut.

This house is the exception. It was VERY professionally redone. When I say everything new, i mean everything new down to every little outlet and nail. The only thing probably left was 2x4s. It has new wiring, new sheetrock, etc...

I looked at the small things and it was done so well. thanks for the input man!