Short question – should a contractor level ground properly before constructing a wood pole garage building?
Posted by admin | Filed under Decorating & Remodeling
learntoofly asked:
This is a large garage with an upstairs (I think about 23ft high). The contractor said it would take 3 weeks, we are now in week 8 and the weather has not been an issue. When he came to start the job, in order to save $$ (we think), he excavated himself and did not level the ground right. We now have mud squishing into the doors thanks to a heavy rain. All the way around the building, it is just a mess and we know at some point we will need a retaining wall, however, we also believe that it would not be this bad had he leveled the site properly to begin with. There are numerous other problems I won’t go into here, but I’m curious if there are any contractors out there that specifically do garages (pole) and what your process is in building them. How would they fix it? My husband is insisting they dig out 2 feet from the sides and fill it with stone…. will this solve the problem. Also have an approx 8″ stone ramp because of this…should we make the contractor concrete it?
This is a large garage with an upstairs (I think about 23ft high). The contractor said it would take 3 weeks, we are now in week 8 and the weather has not been an issue. When he came to start the job, in order to save $$ (we think), he excavated himself and did not level the ground right. We now have mud squishing into the doors thanks to a heavy rain. All the way around the building, it is just a mess and we know at some point we will need a retaining wall, however, we also believe that it would not be this bad had he leveled the site properly to begin with. There are numerous other problems I won’t go into here, but I’m curious if there are any contractors out there that specifically do garages (pole) and what your process is in building them. How would they fix it? My husband is insisting they dig out 2 feet from the sides and fill it with stone…. will this solve the problem. Also have an approx 8″ stone ramp because of this…should we make the contractor concrete it?
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:38 am
Rule one of any structure, slope the ground away from the foundation. If you are talking about a true pole barn, then there should be at least 1- 2×8 treated board running along the bottom. This is a batten board. The gravel inside the building should come part way up this board with any concrete floor on top of that. Outside you can pile dirt up to half way up the batten board(s), sloping it away from the building. Just digging a trench filled with gravel will work IF you install a drainpipe around the building. It will have to be beefed up in the front where you will be driving over it due to compaction. Schedule 40 will work for that.You will still need the sloped area around the edge of the building. The builder was feeding you a line of garbage when he said 3 weeks.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
dakota_r is right with what he’s saying.. is this contractor licenced? or insured? if so, ask him for each.. then contact his insurance co. i’am a gambler of small amounts, but i’ll bet big on this one.. i’ll bet he’s niether?? send him on his way.. good luck..