I plan to do home extension, sunroof and a bedroom on the main floor. How long does this project usually take?

3/24/2013 at 11:30:41 PM

Hello Sri,

Until I see your plans (sq footage2tc.) its impossible to predict how long it would take?

As for the soil type in Kanata you will find that it may be anyone of seven soil types found in this area. The city will require an engineer to analize your soil for the building permit, that will dictate the codes required for your soil type otherwise no permit will be approved.

Norm

3/25/2013 at 8:50:14 AM

The sqaure foot that I am planning to add to my house is around 500 sq ft.

3/25/2013 at 10:03:40 AM

Well I'm an interior guy mostly but my understanding is it will take at least a few months minimal, longer depending on the size of project.

Around here you get a test hole dug to sample the soil, this will help with your foundation solutions. You also need to have your drawings, permits etc in place, your contractor can work with you on this.

3/25/2013 at 10:42:19 AM

Your foundation has to be a minimum of 4' deep, with full footing and a weeper system installed. Anything less is disaster. Regarding your specific soil conditions, You should talk to foundation companies in your specific area. And talk to the municipality and building dept.

We would take about two months. First excavation, forms for footings. Run Main drain lines into the basement as well as water supply line.. forms for the foundation, then foundation and footings have to be poured.

I would then leave it for a week or two while the foundation cures. The basement floor can be poured when the forms come off.

I only have experiance building anywhere from North York to Niagara Falls Ontario.

Good luck.

3/25/2013 at 12:19:27 PM

My understanding is that the new foundation will be attached to the existing foundation wall.

Do I need to really open up the existing foundation walls?

Will it affect the current house structure by any means?

3/25/2013 at 1:35:50 PM

Sri,

If you plan to use the basement area of the new addition, I would cut a doorway between the existing basement and the new. It just needs to have an 8"x51/4" steel eye beam set above the opening.

I would cut back about a foot and a half on both sides, then lay the new beam on portland cement. You can put up temporary support beams on both sides of the wall to be cut prior to doing so.

If this is done properly, you will have no issue regarding the existing or new structure.

Good Luck,

James Fram

3/25/2013 at 1:40:11 PM

Thanks James.

My rear side of the house is like a single floor with a valuted sealing on one end and a slope of the other. With this addition do you think the roof structure needs to be changed. Will it make all the more expensive. When this is done can we stay i the house or have to rent a place.

Should I ask the contractor to give me a plan on how my top floor will change?

3/25/2013 at 7:24:31 PM

My experience is that most additions take 12 to 20 weeks weather permitting.

For the foundations I always use ICF's.

3/25/2013 at 8:17:34 PM

Sri,

You will have to make a little sketch showing the high and low side of the roof line. Also showing the intended location for the addition. The roof may be a lot of work, or not. I can't say sight unseen. But make sure all of this is clear and spelled out with what ever contracting company you go with.

I can't answer you question about staying or renting until I know what the actual structure is. But I will tell you this. I have completed five additions to homes in the winter months. Not the foundation of course. I don't beleive in drying agents taking away some of the life of concrete on my jobs. But none of my cleints have ever had to leave the house durring construction. That includes three second story additions I have completed.

Good luck.

James fram

4/5/2013 at 10:23:34 AM

If you're in one of newer developments in Kanata you will most likely have to go with a full foundation pour because there is not much soil. After about a foot and a half to two feet it turns into back fill of blasted rock which will need to be removed.

4/6/2013 at 2:03:12 PM

How much approximately does a foundation for a project for 400sqft cost? If there is rocks during the excavation how much higher can it get?

Just a approximation is what I expecting.