Things You Should Know Before Opting for House Raising
There are numerous reasons why you may wish to raise your house. Many people prefer to have their homes elevated following a natural disaster (or before one) to avoid flooding. If you don’t have the ability to build horizontally, lifting your home is a terrific option to increase the square footage of your living area. You can excavate for a basement or make room for foundation repair. Whatever your motive for lifting your house, it is a major undertaking that requires the services of a house lifter who can do it securely, correctly, and without jeopardizing the structural integrity of your home. Once you’ve assembled your team, it’s time to get to work. We’ve given five useful hints to help you along the way.
Are you thinking of adding a second storey to your house? House renovations such as elevating, raising, and building beneath your home can add significant value to your property and are an excellent choice for a growing family who wants to stay put. However, when it comes to house lifting, caution must be given to selecting the right builders, since a house lift can cause serious structural damage to your property if done incorrectly. Choosing a building business that specializes in house raising is critical for avoiding costly mistakes and maintaining your home’s foundation. Almost any home built on stumps can be lifted and built beneath. Varied postcodes have different legal heights to which a house can be elevated, which means you could significantly increase your usable space.
Why do individuals prefer to lift houses?
If you want to expand your living area, house-raising is a terrific alternative. This could be because there isn’t enough space on the side to construct an addition, or because the space beneath your house is ideal for developing underneath. Adding a second storey to your home can greatly boost its value and provide a fantastic return on investment. If you adore your home and cannot bear the thought of relocating, lifting a house and building beneath it is an excellent way to accommodate a growing family.
The following are the top reasons why people choose to lift a house and build underneath:
- A little plot of land: There isn’t enough space to build an expansion to the side of the house.
- The structure is incapable of supporting a second storey: A storey can’t be placed on top of your house.
- Flood-prone areas: You live in a flood-prone location and want to secure your home.
How to Prepare Your Home for a House Raising
Here are some things to think about when preparing to move your home.
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Employ a General Contractor.
You will need to employ a general contractor in addition to a house-lifting business to undertake the process of elevating your property. After all is said and done, your home will need to be surveyed, excavation will be required, a new foundation will be required, and minor repairs may be required.
It is best to take precautions and hire a general contractor. That way, if you do require their services, you won’t have to scramble at the last minute to find someone.
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The inside of the house
Because the majority of the work revolves around the foundation and basement or crawl space of the house, these areas must be cleared to allow contractors to work and bring in all of the necessary equipment. Basement storage goods, trash, and appliances should be removed by homeowners. Because our steel joists are installed side by side and front by the rear, any plumbing fittings that dangle below the floor joists, such as piping and ducts, must be removed as well. If there are any objects that are too heavy to move, please let the contractor know. There’s no need to take anything out of the house or move anything around in the interior living rooms. The home lifting procedure is slow and seamless, and everything within the house is safe while the building is being moved or lifted.
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Keeping Your Home’s Original Footprint and Existing Yard Space
A house built on elevated beams will not only give you the extra space you need to add an extra bedroom or two. It will also help to preserve your existing undeveloped land. By raising your house, you escape the zero-sum measures that come with horizontal expansion, which is usually homeowners’ first option. You won’t have to worry about mowing the lawn, intruding on your property, or even chopping down your beautiful trees. Lifting your home in this manner allows you to keep your home’s original footprint. With the flexibility to grow either upwards or downwards, you can be confident that an additional head height will not affect the architectural profile of your home.
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Consider Unexpected Costs
When considering having your home elevated, the costs do not end there. During the home-lifting procedure, there may be additional fees that you are not aware of. Typically, your home will have landscaping of some kind that will obstruct the actual lifting. If you are unable to remove your landscaping or chop down trees that will obstruct the project, you will need to hire a business to do so before the job begins.
Additionally, small cracking may occur in your home when lifting in some circumstances. This is something that a general contractor can readily fix. While this is not the case for everyone, it is possible, and you should be prepared for it.