Wood foundation

[KHS445]

National Homes offered a panelized version in the late 70's - early 80's. In theory the builder could have the hole ready and the trucks would show up and erect a house in a day. Only know of a couple built in northern Michigan and the one I financed the construction of is still standing. The original owner sold it to the current owner around 1984. I remember there being some original market concerns but in the end it didn't seem to affect market value.

Obviously footing and foundation requirements are a lot different in the north with frost and freeze issues vs the south. I would suggest talking to a couple trusted real estate agents and asking them what they think the market perception might be. My initial thinking is there wouldn't be a great difference, but then again if there were two very similar competing houses I would suspect the one with the conventional footing/foundation would sell first, all other things being equal.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I would think this would work only in areas without termites and high moisture soils (clays). Even treated posts here will "rot" - I've repaired several penta treated posts in one barn. Penta is now basically banned for retail use and I never liked it. Creosote poles were far better and I have some that were installed in 1955 which are still solid as a rock. Penta and CCA wood is basically meant as pesticide and mold resistance, but creosote is probably the best of those. It was banned as carcinogenic but the risk is low and it has been introduced again in certain applications. Creosote was used as medication ironically.

I really wouldn't want the stuff but I've seen those home handyman shows where they apply those water-proof panels to basements...in our area, a basement is also known as the indoor pool or sweat lodge. Heavy clay soils and high humidity and rainfall combine to make basements awfully dank and prone to molds.

 

[challenger]

Well let me tell you they exist and people pay extra for them. I a appraise in NW Fl along the coast in a high dollar resort market. The craftman style, and what they call here is Fl cottage. They are more expensive and are treated pilings going to 10' depths with as much as four stories above. Also on the barrier islands that have 3 to 8' of height above the shoreline they are required to be built up I think it's 12' above it at this time. It goes up after every hurricane it seems like. Anyway I lived on one these barrier islands had 24' of piling in the ground with 11' up to the first floor. They have minimum diameters for the pilings determined by engineers. It cost about twice as much as a floating slab. In the areas where I currently live SFR range from 400k to several mil and they are all built off grade with pilings that are trimmed to be square. They general range from 12" to 30" off grade. HOA's require them and with minmum and maximum heights depending on the subdivision. It also allows for denser development as it allows for more drainage area. Water can drain under your house. But this is on sand and the water drains rapidly. Like that don't you. Streets are brick pavers for same reason. HOA fees in some of the subdivisions are 350 a month. They great thing about living in one these communites everything is within walking distance or you can ride the golf cart. Out of 350 houses in my subdivision there are maybe 25 full time residents. If you get a neighbor you don't like they generally are only here for a week. Meet alot of nice people from all over the country and world. During the winter it can get fairly lonely with no tourist around. But by the end of the summer you are glad to seem go.

 

[Mountain Man]

http://edgebuilderwallpanels.com/?110160

 

[B1trying]

lasting

Maybe the concept here in florida along the gulf coast eventually a hurricane will get you before the wood rots. I met a old guy one time with a barn out in the country. Said the barn had been there for close to 100 years. I asked why the wood poles didn't rot or termites get to them. Oh thats easy every time we change the oil on the tractor we just pore it around the base of the pole. Said the poles were about 4 ft in the ground. I figured over a 100 of years thats alot of oil. Now the well water may lube you up good and taste a little funny, but it's not hurting anything. It might not be a good idea to do this on a large scale. A old farm in the middle of the woods probable doesn't add up to goblal warming but I wouldn't do it. Of course this may change I see a damn termite under my house.:icon_idea: I don't think I have ever seen a termite co. pay on a infestation that truly damaged house. They all have formosan termite disclosures in this area.
Got go the DEP is at the door.