New Houses on Slab....Comments ? (apartment, appliances, landscaping)

[menglin]

Thanks we were not in the thick of it but we had the weather on all night. Got some good rain and lightening. Sorry for high jacking this thread.

[ALML]

Hi hoosier07 .........we're not in Tn. yet but live in southern Nevada. Probably 98% of the homes around here are on slabs.....but it is rare..very rare to get a hard freeze. Our home is on a slab and no problems HOWEVER as some one mentioned IF you get a water leak... look out!!!!!!!I've heard horror stories!! They have to jack hammer the concrete to get to the water pipes. In addition the house will be very low to the ground. Now we only get about 3" of rainfall a year so no problem here.....I would think slope and drainage would be important there in Tn. because of all the rain. Maybe with a little luck, some of the guys in construction will add their 2 cents.

Hope that helps.

[Stonecoldharbours]

That is not being paranoid that is being smart, basements are wise.

[Jon F Moss]

not to brag or anything...but I went through Andrew in '92 and all the rest that hit South Florida since then

[menglin]

I was there for Andrew. I was in Massachusetts for the rest. Glad I missed them. LOL

[akm4]

IF you build on a slab, you'd better love your floorplan. Remodels on slabs are extremely expensive. Settling's a disaster too.

[pioti]

I have been in construction over 25 years. There are pros and cons to both dependant on area of country, weather etc. All said and done I prefer a raised floor with access to all utilities etc. If you have a basement just make sure there is no moisture coming through. Friend of mine in Maryland has an older home with an indoor pool (slight exageration) in the basement . He will have to excavate around the walls, put in french drains and waterproof the basement walls. Real pain and expensive.

I look for a raised floor but you need to pay a bit more ususally.

[hoosier07]

Originally Posted by pioti

I have been in construction over 25 years. There are pros and cons to both dependant on area of country, weather etc. All said and done I prefer a raised floor with access to all utilities etc. If you have a basement just make sure there is no moisture coming through. Friend of mine in Maryland has an older home with an indoor pool (slight exageration) in the basement . He will have to excavate around the walls, put in french drains and waterproof the basement walls. Real pain and expensive.

I look for a raised floor but you need to pay a bit more ususally.

Thank you for your comments and experience in this business. The builder does not offer other option, but the price is much better for a 3 bedroom home. I will have to check if the area is in a flood area and look for a house that is in a higher elevation when compared to the street and backyard level. I spoke with a friend that has a house in a slab here in Indianapolis for the past 5 years and so far no problems....

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by mickimouse

Alot of time when building on a slab you have to worry about moisture, and settling. All of you water lines, electrical and duct work will have to be in the walls or overhead. You loose space like this plus if you have a water leak lookout.

Crickets...I lived in a one story apartment complex on a golf course - apartments built on a slab - and we had a cricket problem every summer. So, for those of you in the know, if the place is built on a slab are you more likely to have an indoor insect problem?

[ALML]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Crickets...I lived in a one story apartment complex on a golf course - apartments built on a slab - and we had a cricket problem every summer. So, for those of you in the know, if the place is built on a slab are you more likely to have an indoor insect problem?

LauraC if you are like me... I do not like bugs of any kind! I have heard of several infestations out here. The worst was a couple of years ago some parts of Vegas had problems with scorpians getting into homes. I also hear (more often) of problems with silver fish. However, some of these may be related to rapid expansion into the critters territories and some just catch a ride on the lumber...I don't know if it due to the slabs or other issues...whatever.... it sure isn't funny!