Foundation Work Continues

When I first starting the design process for this house, I had thought I would have the foundation out of poured concrete.  This seemed to be the current trend and the way many home builders were going.  However, as the budgeting process ensued, I realized poured basement walls were extremely expensive and really did not offer any advantages over one built from concrete blocks (or CMUs as they are sometimes called).  With proper waterproofing and drainage provisions, the block walls should never leak and provide a much better looking wall, in my opinion.  So, the block-laying process began with a very experienced crew doing the work.  As the walls went up, they were straight and true and my confidence build that this was going to be a well-built foundation.

In case I mislead anyone into thinking that I am doing all the work on this house, I want to be quick to say that I am most fortunate to be working with the principal contractor for this job, Ben Beatty.  Ben has built many houses in this area through the years and he has built a great reputation.  I am hoping he will be able to take my design concept and make it work.  So far, things have gone well.  He has been a pleasure to work with already and I am looking forward to working with him through the whole process.  The other contractors who have worked with us on this, so far, are DeWayne and Scotty Grier who have done the excavation and concrete work and Joe and Tom Smith who are doing the concrete block laying.