Quote from: Motovista on Yesterday at 05:51:26 PMThat's a link to a site where they try to get you to pay $300 for the plans. I find it hard to believe any legitimate company would do that. Do you have any information about getting the plans that doesn't involve paying someone $300 for them?
I really can't believe these are so hard to find.

I would also do my best to try to find them for free, but I am confused that you find it hard to believe that a company would try to make money?  Its only $300, unfortunately not much in todays world....

Anyway, my only thought on how to get them for free beyond the internet is maybe a library?  Good luck..

I'm looking at a 2-acre lot that I'd like to build on. I do not need a big home on it now and can afford more house only in a few years. How can I design and construct a small home now and later add an extension that looks built-in versus bolted-on and doesn't reinvent the wheel or need rework costs?

For more context: the land cannot be subdivided. A large home would be comparable to the neighbors' and make the most of the lot. Its private location is unique and rare for the prestigious area. I'd love to live there even if it's in a small basic home for now that I can expand over time.

Usually with additions, homeowners have to work around the limitations of their existing building. Here, I'll have the luxury to build the original home in a way that is best to extend in the future.
All I need now are 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living area with a kitchenette and a driveway. In the future, I'd like to add more space - i.e. additional bedrooms and baths, large kitchen, decks, solar panels, water filtration system, home automation, a garage, gym, mudroom, pool, landscaping, master suite with sauna and steam shower.

Do I build a small 2-story home now and add to the sides and back of it later? Or is it better to build a single floor now and extend it up later?

I assume I'd have to design the entire large home now, get a permit just for the small home, and get another permit for the extensions later, when ready to add them.

Any other ideas and thoughts on how to approach it - for example, what must be done now and would be difficult to add later, how should I "phase" this, if this is even a good idea?

Appreciate any input you have, including examples of such scalable homes and what has or has not worked from what you've seen!

Quote from: rothbard on May 08, 2024, 02:20:30 PMhttps://www.countryplans.com/bolt-house.html

That's a link to a site where they try to get you to pay $300 for the plans. I find it hard to believe any legitimate company would do that. Do you have any information about getting the plans that doesn't involve paying someone $300 for them?
I really can't believe these are so hard to find.

Version 3.4.5 - 05.10.2024
- Enabled ceiling insulation for shed rafter roofs: Batt, Blown-in.
- Enabled ceiling insulation for gable rafter roofs: Batt, Blown-in.
- Enabled ceiling insulation for hip rafter roofs: Batt, Blown-in.
- Enabled the "Edit Truss Assembly" function for all flat trusses (imperial and metric units).

I've recently encountered a situation similar to what Pillike described in their post about underpinning installation for foundation stabilization. In my case, I'm considering adding a second story to my home and am concerned about the potential for frost heave affecting the foundation.

From what I understand, the frost line in my area is at 36 inches, and common practice suggests going down to 42-48 inches with footings to prevent heaving. I'm curious if the underpins should also extend below the 42-inch mark to ensure stability, especially with the additional load of a second story. For those who have experience with underpinning in cold climates, how deep did you go to safeguard against frost heave?

I recall finding one that I think MD shared once...might have to search the forum for Span tables

While I have built lots of buildings with standard floor joists, I am wanting to build a Chalet type home with a loft and exposed beams on the first floor.
Is there a span table for something like  4 x 10 beam?

Thanks
Mike