building a house, what would you build - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Eddie Bronze · 06-09-2006, 08:07 PM

Claeren,

I don't know off the top of my head but I know people who do so I'll look into it this weekend and re-edit this post with an answer when I get one.

Claeren · 06-10-2006, 07:39 AM

Thanks!!

Claeren.

return to the red · 06-10-2006, 08:14 AM

While we are mentioning stuff that should be added to a house if building...

being in the irrigation industry, if you are planning on putting in underground irrigation make sure you run AT LEAST a 3/4" dedicated line outside. It will save you time and potentially money in the long run when it comes time to run and put in your spinklers. As well, and sleeving for pipe under sidewalks, driveways, paths, etc. will save you a lot of hassle

RogerWilco · 06-10-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Has anyone ever added a bonus room above an existing 2 car garage on a 4 level split after the house was built (14 years earlier)? Is it possible?

Only if the Garage is attached. It also makes a big difference as to what you can do if you live in an established community or not. The city of Calgary Land-use by-law doesn't alow a second storey to a detached garage at all.

pepper24 · 06-10-2006, 03:29 PM

This housing market has bubble written all over it. If you are building a home don't get over your head in costs and make sure you factor in increasing interest rates over the next few years.

ken0042 · 06-10-2006, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RogerWilco

The city of Calgary Land-use by-law doesn't alow a second storey to a detached garage at all.

That isn't entirely true. The city's website is down right now, but you can build a 2 story garage with the proper development permit. Just have a drive around McKenzie Towne.

ericschand · 06-11-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamefan74

1. Make sure that the stairs are wide. I have seen lots of houses with narrow stairs. Can be a real pain for moving some furniture items. This must be a way for builders to save some money.
[edited

Let me add one thing I forgot. The stairs leading upstairs to the second
floor, usually there are bedrooms. I put lights (small ones) embedded into
every second stair. There was a "stair switch" that would turn on the lights
for these stairs, instead of someone having to turn on the main light,
waking everyone in the house, turn on the stair lights and away you go.

You can also do this in the kitchen area, so if you are watching a movie
with no lights on, and someone wants to get up, the main lights don't
go on and disrupt. I didn't have to go this far, the stair lights were
perfect for lighting up the kicthen (dimly) too

ers

looooob · 06-11-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

That isn't entirely true. The city's website is down right now, but you can build a 2 story garage with the proper development permit. Just have a drive around McKenzie Towne.

garrison green also

ken0042 · 06-11-2006, 10:57 PM

And the funny thing is, I can't find anything on the city's website that contradicts what Roger said. In fact everything I can find supports what he says. However both Looooob and myself have both seen it done.

Anybody know how these people get them done? It's obviously a builder doing it in McKenzie Towne.

MacDougalbry · 06-11-2006, 11:26 PM

I believe Garrison and MacKenzie Towne have special development guidelines. In any other established neighbourhood, I doubt you would be successful in getting a development permit to do a 2 storey garage.

Clarkey · 06-12-2006, 11:03 AM

If you ignore the cost of the lot, how much would a fairly basic starter home cost to build in Calgary?

Robbob · 06-12-2006, 11:47 AM

Regarding heating...go with a boiler system instead of the forced air furnace. With the Boiler you have more options like warm floors/slab heat , low velocity fan coil, high velocity system, fan coil to your garage, etc.

ken0042 · 06-12-2006, 12:13 PM

Good thing you have an unlimited budget, eh.

return to the red · 06-12-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Good thing you have an unlimited budget, eh.

i was just thinking that to myself...all these would be nice but I'm not building the home of the future here people

ken0042 · 06-12-2006, 01:57 PM

That's why it's good to make yourself a list, and decide what is a "must have", and what would just be nice, and then figure out how much each thing would be to have installed prior to the house being built vs. how much it would be later.

For example if you are short money for the telecommunications connections, you can have central vac roughed into each room and then you have conduit for future upgrades.

For my sewer in the garage idea, you'd have to ask yourself how much you would use it. My buddy who is a mechanic swears by it, but if the garage is just the place to park the cars so you don't get frost on the windows, it isn't that big of a deal.

return to the red · 06-12-2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

That's why it's good to make yourself a list, and decide what is a "must have", and what would just be nice, and then figure out how much each thing would be to have installed prior to the house being built vs. how much it would be later.

For example if you are short money for the telecommunications connections, you can have central vac roughed into each room and then you have conduit for future upgrades.

For my sewer in the garage idea, you'd have to ask yourself how much you would use it. My buddy who is a mechanic swears by it, but if the garage is just the place to park the cars so you don't get frost on the windows, it isn't that big of a deal.

Our plan is to start with "just a house", you know carpet, Lino....the basics

From there we start adding our upgrades (hardwood floors, tile, central vac, etc.)

When we's can'ts afford no more then ding ding that's it.

Eddie Bronze · 06-12-2006, 09:42 PM

Sorry I never got back to those who were interested about the cost of concrete. I had a buddy who poured a pad in his back yard this weekend. They didn't know the exact cost per cubic meter but the cost of the concrete itself was pretty cheap. The big cost was the shipping. For what fuel is at right now and depending on how far they have to travel, that will likely be your biggest cost.

I'm not familiar with how many concrete companies there are in Calgary or where they are all located. The one I know best is Burnco and they have a plant located on the Old Banff Coach Road/563 just on the turnoff before it turns into Springbank Road. So if you are close to there it might not be too bad. They may have others which I am unaware of.

If you want specific information on how much the cost is, you can call the Concrete Products Office at 279-8161. They would know or at least know who to redirect you to.

ken0042 · 06-13-2006, 07:08 AM

I missed Claren's post all together.

When I called Burnco last month they quoted me ~$175 per cubic metre. Free delivery within Calgary on orders of 4 metres or more, or $100 for delivery.

RogerWilco · 06-13-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

That isn't entirely true. The city's website is down right now, but you can build a 2 story garage with the proper development permit. Just have a drive around McKenzie Towne.

Yeah I drove through there and did see some second storey garage spaces. There must be some DC guidlines for the entire development that allow it. That is a good thing in my mind.

Antithesis · 06-14-2006, 05:43 PM

Some of the houses here seem like their garages are bigger than our place ... there's a brick house near the square in McKenzie Towne with a garage like that (by the Mac's) ... my wife and I always say we just want to walk through that place. It must have been a custom job or something.