All Forum Posts by: Mitch VanDeveer

Hi Colby, Any upcoming meet ups in Tucson?  Thanks, mitch

The lumber with the "dashes" in it is really only sold at home depot and tends to be pretty low in quality.  As a builder when we order a lumber package from a lumber yard all "treated" lumber comes green.  A treated product is required to be used in all applications where wood touches the concrete.  When building a deck or exterior stairs i would lean towards redwood or a synthetic product such as Trex depending on the application.

Unfortunately you probably won't find anything on a 1994 structure.  two other places to look are the city development services (who ever would have approved for permit) or the original developer.

I assume you are looking for the plans to either make structural changes and/or an addition?  If so find an inexpensive draftsman or an architecture student want to make a few bucks for the practice.

@Greg Dickerson hit all the right points, location being the largest factor in respect to cost.  The SoCal market being the most expensive and longest time line to complete a project. If you’re leaning towards AZ, UT, or ID send me a Dm I could help point you in the right direction of a reputable contractor.

Since the house is in Scottsdale you have to types of exterior construction or a combination of the two; block or framed with stucco. Both have their challenges when raising the roof. I assume you want to go from an 8’ ceiling to 10-12’?  You want to raise the head heights of all the windows and doors as well. You’ll be required by the city to have both architectural and engineering.  Send me a message if you would like to discuss if further. Good luck

The process will vary by jurisdiction on what the city/county will require but I would start there. Depending on the age of the addition it may only require an update with the tax assessor. If the city want you go through a permitting process reach out to a few local contractor and ask if they have any experience with you situation.  Have the contractor inspect the addition to see if it’s up to code and go from there. Good luck!

@Account Closed did you find the number of the podcast you mentioned.  I've would love to know more about small modular.  

@Sean Jones great info, tons of value on where to start.  Love " Architects are not known for designing plans that consider cost over aesthetics."  We value engineer almost everything, even in the luxury residential market.

For what type of project?

Thanks, 

Good Morning @Ray Trounday, 

A few things to consider

1. Maricopa county requires any area of a lot that is driven on or used as parking to have a minimum of 1/4 plus rock spread on the surface to minimize dust.  This is enforced and fines can be expensive

2.R3 would Not allow for storage. That said we see happening in certain neighborhoods especially in the county. 

How big is the parcel?

Also think about the builders side, an experienced builder won’t commit to potential liquidated damages with out an upside or contingency. Are you willing to compensate them for finishing early?  Are you prepared for the contract price to go up since the builder now has more risk?  Also, the project could actually take longer than the 1st house if the contractor adds contingency days to the schedule to mitigate the risk of damages  

Good luck

As far as the payments go, there are 2 standard billing practices, percentage of completion which is by far the most common or you include drawers in the construction schedule based on completion on milestones. Ie the foundation complete you pay X dollars.