Just a quick update on the status. Have been to see the structural engineer, and after a discussion, we have decided not to go with the frost protected shallow foundation, but to use a frost wall, but with modifications to frost protect it. This will mean more cost in concrete, but won't need any expensive designs drawn up, so should work out pretty even.
Took the plans etc. back into the planning office, with the news that we were going with the frost wall, and 20 minutes later I was paying a cheque for the permit. Should hopefully have it within a couple of days. Just need to get something done about checking the well and septic.
Hopefully if the weather warms up a bit this weekend, we'll be able to get up to the plot for a further explore.
That's it for now, I'll update when there is further news.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Good News
We have been a little tardy with our updates, but we have good news, our offer for the land was accepted. There are some clauses in the agreement that will allow us to pull out without losing our deposit, if either the well, septic tank and additionally if we fail to get planning permission, then we can withdraw and get our money back.
We have had some difficulty finding an Architect with time on his hands, so we drew up our own plans, based on general blue prints that we had. From that Jerry has been to the planning office
and shown them what we have, and have been told we will have no issue getting the permission. What we do need to get drawn up is the foundation plans, as we are going for a specialist/ non-standard foundation - which is called Frost Protected Shallow Foundation. This thankfully is accepted under the Canadian Building Code.
So the next step is getting an Structural Engineer to draw up the plans for the foundation, and put in the application to the planning office. We only have 18 days from acceptance (8th January) of the offer to get this through. Although they have said there would be no problem in extending it if we needed to, so we are not stressed out over that.
On the health front, I had not been well after our last update, I was terribly run down, but I am finally beginning to pick up again, feeling less like a wet lettuce, and starting to work more hours again. I am quite relieved to be getting up again, and not feeling as if my legs don't work. I am being watchful of how I feel, so as not to stay late, and find myself run down again. The extra quality time together has gone to good use, in drawing up the house plans, which has been interesting to say the least.
I take in my lunch to work, usually something to put in the microwave, which is the only option we have. Lately that has not been enough, and I got drawn to the vending machine yesterday to find chocolate, and disappointing that was - it was an Aero bar, and it didn't taste like chocolate as we know it. This was only the second time I had done this, and both times turned out to be a mistake, so I shan't be doing that again. I was telling everyone how good it was for the diet that you couldn't eat the chocolate there. I am down to 57 kilos, that is only 8st 9 in English, still a lot more than when we moved to France, but then I was falling over thin back then.
It is Valentines Day and we ran out of oil, so with a storm coming our way, will be an interesting night. I am wrapped in a quilt my friend Dianne in South Carolina sent us when we moved here, in preparation for living in the 'Frozen North'. So thanks Dianne, it is coming into its own tonight. We shall have to be very close tonight to stay warm and toasty.
We have had some difficulty finding an Architect with time on his hands, so we drew up our own plans, based on general blue prints that we had. From that Jerry has been to the planning office
and shown them what we have, and have been told we will have no issue getting the permission. What we do need to get drawn up is the foundation plans, as we are going for a specialist/ non-standard foundation - which is called Frost Protected Shallow Foundation. This thankfully is accepted under the Canadian Building Code.
So the next step is getting an Structural Engineer to draw up the plans for the foundation, and put in the application to the planning office. We only have 18 days from acceptance (8th January) of the offer to get this through. Although they have said there would be no problem in extending it if we needed to, so we are not stressed out over that.
On the health front, I had not been well after our last update, I was terribly run down, but I am finally beginning to pick up again, feeling less like a wet lettuce, and starting to work more hours again. I am quite relieved to be getting up again, and not feeling as if my legs don't work. I am being watchful of how I feel, so as not to stay late, and find myself run down again. The extra quality time together has gone to good use, in drawing up the house plans, which has been interesting to say the least.
I take in my lunch to work, usually something to put in the microwave, which is the only option we have. Lately that has not been enough, and I got drawn to the vending machine yesterday to find chocolate, and disappointing that was - it was an Aero bar, and it didn't taste like chocolate as we know it. This was only the second time I had done this, and both times turned out to be a mistake, so I shan't be doing that again. I was telling everyone how good it was for the diet that you couldn't eat the chocolate there. I am down to 57 kilos, that is only 8st 9 in English, still a lot more than when we moved to France, but then I was falling over thin back then.
It is Valentines Day and we ran out of oil, so with a storm coming our way, will be an interesting night. I am wrapped in a quilt my friend Dianne in South Carolina sent us when we moved here, in preparation for living in the 'Frozen North'. So thanks Dianne, it is coming into its own tonight. We shall have to be very close tonight to stay warm and toasty.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Well, our initial offer was rejected, and we rejected the sellers counter-offer, then he rejected our counter offer, but we have finally agreed on a price, the paperwork has been signed and sent to lawyers, and the deposit has been paid. So, hopefully by mid March we will own our land.
All we need to do now is organise checking the well/septic tank (although we will have paperwork to show they are certified by the powers that be) and get the building permit paperwork sorted out. These are clauses in the contract, so need to be done. What we need to get is a permit allowing us to build on site, but without having to produce all the blueprints of the building, as they haven't been done yet, so I've got a busy day tomorrow running around. I think the UK term is Outline planning permission. We know what we want to build, and have 'Blueprints' of examples of what we plan, but nothing official. We shall see.
Been busy researching on 'Frost protected shallow foundations' which seem to be the way to go, for two reasons. Firstly, they allow for a slab on grade to have 16 inch foundation rather than 4 foot, and secondly they will keep the heat in the house rather than leaching it to the ground. We need to convince the local planning officer that it is acceptable practice before proceeding. Thankfully, I have found plenty of information on the internet to support this, including referrences to the Canadian building codes, so that should be ok.
Picture above shows the current school project, 6 foot by 10 foot building with 8 foot walls. We have to include 2 windows and 2 doors in the layout. Currently stuck where it is, as we have run out of stock. Hopefully we'll get more on Monday and can continue. Seriously thinking of buying the one we're making for use as a power shed for the new build. Would be perfect for the battery store.
Will update tomorrow after meetings.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Just been back up to the plot to do some measuring. Need to make sure that the size of house we are planning on building will fit on the leveled area on site (looking at 50 foot by 30 foot)
Whilst pretty sure it would fit Ok, we've been doing some research on the web to check distances foundations must be from the well and septic tank.
After lots of checking, we have confirmed that the house will comfortably fit in the space and in fact could be a bit deeper, maybe up to 35 foot, which will allow for more square footage.
First photo is Gemma and Oliver, the second shows where the septic tank is, and also shows the power/phone pole.
So, next thing will be to make an offer on the plot and take it from there,
Lots of snow on site, and lots of animal tracks. Now, I'm no tracker but I can recognise deer tracks when I see them. Certainly tracks from lots of smaller animals. Also potentially Bear tracks as well, although I prefer to think they might be Sasquatch !! Oliver (the dog) was having a whale of a time sniffing around, but eventually decided that it was time to go home as his paws were getting cold. We have bought him boots for the cold weather, but we only have 3 of the 4 left at the moment, as he managed to lose one a couple of weeks ago. Talk is to get him a nice warm coat as well, but I keep saying he already has one, so we'll see. Photo to follow if that happens.
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