Ok, so forget the dry stacking part for now.does anyone see any reason why building a two storey concrete block garage would be a bad idea? I hate going down to the city and waiting to talk to someone for 30 mins then have them say "these are really specific questions.we are here to answer GENERAL questions.if you have questions about your project, you need to make an appointment to talk to plan spec" for $150!! what &%^%$. They are really reasonable back East but somehow out here a stupid modular shack (no garage) is $100sq foot.Īt this point I would build with elephant dung if it passed code. I'm assuming my mom will be cookingīelieve me I would LOVE to get a modular plunked down all ready to go but the cost is REALLY high in Cal. I sent them an email so I'll let you know if I hear back.īecause of some state law that was passed in 2003, its easier to get approval for an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) than an addition but I might do the addition anyway since I don't need a kitchen. The uniform building codes were referenced at all stages of the design and tests were performed by the National Concrete Masonry Association Research and Development Laboratories in Chagrin Falls Ohio. Haener Block has been used extensively for years in California by do-it-yourself home and apartment owners with no prior masonry experience for everything from a barbecue to a room addition. How easy is it to build without prior experience? You must tell them you are just adding space to what you have.ĭesertsun you just took a few years off my life I thought it was ok from reading the Haener block website (they make their blocks in San Diego). You would have a much easier time doing an additon to your existing home and carefully designing it so the local building officials are not tipped off that you intend to make it a seperate living quarters. I got from your writing that this is a seperate structure. I personally walked away from jobs because the home owner insisted he help. I dont know a contractor alive that would let a home owner help them. You want to help the contractor lay the blocks.
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Some areas have mnimum size requirements, set backs on your property, height restrictions, occupancy per SF, and some towns/cities restrict what some call mother-in-law suites or multi family or multi habitable structures on the same parcel. Many other local codes will come into play. Buy a modular or factory built shell and drop it on with a crane. The cheapest way to build a structure is to pour a slab 4" thick with the perimeter at whatever depth local code calls for, in. This method is for doing block walls as fencing normally used in the south west and that usually limited to 8 courses high.Ī guy here called K'ledge might have more insight on this issue. I do know you can not do dry stacking for any residential or commercial construction for any habitable structure. They went crazy when I posted a link last time, so just do a google search if you want to read it.
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I'm hoping to hire a mason with experience in drystacking but I dont know that I'll find one around here.
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If I'm making some big errors in my logic please tell me NOW! Also, any tips on concrete block construction, especially dry stack would be greatly appreciated. I can finish the inside when I have more money but I'll still have a waterproof place to live but if I do wood frame, I have to finish the outside since its started raining. I can do the dry stack (mortarless) method of installationĤ. I want to stucco the garage/apartment to match the house so I might as well start with a concrete block base instead of having to put the concrete onto plywood and then 2 coats of stucco over that.ģ. I've finally realized that I'll never find a perfect method, so I've settled on concrete block for these reasons.Ģ. * entire steel buildings (like quonset buildings).ĬONCLUSION: I was really excited about the earthbag building but LA dept of building squashed that pretty quickly. * paneled kits (whole panels shipped not just the lumber) * modular / prefab additions or detached garages * earth bag houses (that was a great option but %%^%^ Los Angeles doesnt allow it), NEED: Basically I need to build a 2 car garage with an apartment over it (900 sqft total for both) so that my parents can move into my house (one floor) and I can have some privacy! I am about to embark on a major project and I would REALLY appreciate some advice