New is about 16 inches long and we slap in on the butt to start breathing...

You'll enjoy it over here, less tall poppy cutting than the NZ forums which we like ;-)Sing out if you need any help in DunnersK

Shhhhhhhhh A little secrete from an old timer.........From a bag of water conditioner salt rock place some on top of the soil or within a trench and back fill with earth or pack salt rock granules into 1/2 inch round holes drilled 6" apart through concrete 4" away from foundation footings along area of noted termites entering structure, plug drilled holes afterwords.

Someone falls down the stairs, claims they can never work again, insurance company says handrails were 2 inches short of code and they are not paying out.  

Dave owns a lot of properties himself, and owns the local franchise for our company Property Management Inc. He

I think your issue is if you have zero experience will be getting a construction loan.. maybe there are some owner builder products there in CHS  @John Semanchuk  are you familiar with owner builder financing..

Brush up on building code requirements: in basements you're looking for egress windows that are 5.7 sq feet or more openable (3ft by 3ft casement style windows work best), and ceiling heights 6ft 8 inches or greater (as little as 6 ft 4 inches is ok under ductwork and beams though)3.

We have seen property prices inch up 5-8% every year, and even now with CV they still go up

This is a small 3/1 and every square inch is precious.  

It is about 3 1/2 inches higher than the ends.