House on the Rock

[Wolverine22]

Hello everyone! I am new to this forum and very green when it comes to construction topics, so bear with me. :D

I am looking at building a home in the Rochester, MN area. I have 4.75 acres to work with and hope to put up a 1600-1800 sq.ft. main floor house.

My main concern, aside from rising interest rates, lol, is the make-up of the parcel. It's on a hill (GREAT view of the valley) and the hill is pretty much all rock (slate?). I have completed a septic evaluation and will need to do a mound system. My next concern is the digging of the well and foundation excavation costs.

How nervouse should I be, cost wise, vrs if I was building on a "normal" dirt lot?

My next topic will be which cactus ("landscaping on rock", hahaha) holds up best in Minnesota winters! Thank you for your time and two cents in advance!!!

[roger g]

I think I would be talking to the local well driller and the local septic guy. They have been in the area for years and would know what is considered "normal" for there. Of course it might not be normal for you though.

roger

[Wolverine22]

Yes, I still have to do that. Thxs!

The biggest thing though is building on rock. How much more difficult is it?

A couple "locals" have mentioned a "pulverizer" will be needed and hence the cost will be a lot more. They did say though, when done, the foundation is better than if it was just dirt.

Another said the rock looks "rippable" and shouldn't be too big of deal considering a lot of times you hit rock 3-6 feet down anyways.

Another said a stick of dynamite does wonders, lol.

Any other thoughts or opinions on building on rock?

Would it be better to: A) just bite the bullet and hope the one guy was joking about the dynamite or B) haul in dirt to raise the area (does the dirt really have to be "engineered") or C) walk away because I am digging a money pit!

[roger g]

Where I have lived they get down to the rock, either wash it off or blow the loose dirt off and pour the footing right on the rock and then go up. As you well know that there are many differnt types of "rock" and that local proceedures are usually right, though some contractors like to spend "your" money . Building on rock is no more difficult only different. If rock is prevelant in your area then it shouldn't be differnt. It will in fact be quite normal

roger

[Wolverine22]

Thanks for the feedback Roger!

With me being a newbie and all, this is kind of like a tooth ache:

You know there's a cavity, you know you need to fix it, and you know there will be a bill. Yet, you still hold back because you want some reassurances for what, who knows! By then, you waited so long, you need a root canal!!!

[Wolverine22]

Say Roger, you mentioned some contractors like to spend "your" money. What money! Hahaha...

Are there some things to watchout for or red flag? Or, is the best bet to just get as many bids on the project as possible and look for some consistency in what's proposed (and then try to get the most bang for the buck)?

*I hate being a newbie! If anyone wants to hear a slightly distastefull joke or wants info. on fishing in MN, I can PS it.

[roger g]

Read as much as you can about building. Drive around your area and see how the houses are built. Ask questions. IF you get a written quote makesure you protect yourself against added costs. ie: if the cost incurred is greater that ten percent of the quoted price then all costs must be signed in advance by you. Or something like that. You are a newbe and nothing is going to change that fact.All you can do is lessen the odds. Sometimes it is cheaper ( also known to save marriages) to hire a contractor who assumes most of the responsibilty. This won't be your last home. Learn everything you can. Maybe the next house you can do more yourself.


roger