I would suggest you get a plan from an engineer before putting in that offer.
Barndominium?
- Thread starter Cujet
- Start date
I would suggest you get a plan from an engineer before putting in that offer.
No, the slab is fiber mesh concrete over gravel and I don't believe there is any insulation under the slab. I'm quite sure the site prep was minimal in nature. The 'what-iffs' here are bothersome. I have a local repair company investigating on Monday. After speaking with the guy, I'm quite sure he will confirm my suspicions. I hope he has a solution.
We've been looking in TN for decades now. There is always something that I can't live with. Either the 30 acre plot has the house 30 feet from the highway, adjacent to a junkyard, prison, quarry or the house is 3 stories. There have only been 2 homes that fit our needs. Remember, my wife is often in a wheelchair, and I can't do stairs due to autoimmune muscle related problems.
I know a few people who've retired to new communities along the I75 corridor south of Knoxville. Maybe look at new construction ranch in a HOA?
If you like it, you'll be able to figure out something that works then, with bedrock not far down, maybe just drive some piles to that to keep the posts from sinking anymore. And put 2-3' of 2" insulation around the perimeter and up the base of the siding, to keep the ground under the edge of the slab unfrozen so it doesn't move either.
Also I suppose you need figure out if the building is stable without the posts providing horizontal strength? I'm sure they are fine now, but in the future getting up to 30 years in the ground, I suppose they might rot out?
Maybe the piles can be used to keep the lateral strength of the post even with part in the ground rotted?
Have you looked at property? A custom build barndominium might just give you piece of mind as you'll have no problems with the structure? And size it for you, with the floorplan you want?
Based upon the criteria the OP has expressed in his home searches, they are seeking 20-30 acres of rural property with lots of workshop /garage space for his hobbies/vehicles. Don't think any new HOA communities will offer what they desire.
My current house in Jupiter Farms, FL. 2 acres 2475sq, 3/4br, 2ba 3car with a storage room over the garage. Backs up to the Everglades. Have a little shooting range w/backstop. It is unique in this area as the location is great, but it really is too small for my needs. And wheelchair use here is difficult. As there are stairs at every entrance. And narrow spots.
During design, I lowered the garage floor and ceiling 2 feet. Yet left the roofline the same. So there is a bonus room (storage only) above the garage.
My goal is a flat floor, no stairs or steps and an open layout. The hope is that we can enjoy rural life and grow old in our new location without having to go downstairs to a basement to do laundry (for example). A bit of planning has always served me well.
I'm a former athlete, dirt bike/road race car guy, and have adequate strength for tasks. But at times muscles just stop working. No pain, just 'inop'. It's very weird. A combo of at least 3 different autoimmune diseases brought on by Epstein Barr virus at age 33.
Had a qualified pole barn and Barndo builder inspect today. He dug out a section and found what I found. Without excavation we can't know anything. He mentioned he sets each pole at 3 feet deep on top of 80 pounds of concrete and rebar. That's the typical footer. His claim is that in 40 years of building barns like this, he's only had pole settling once and it was due to lack of required soil compaction and testing in 4 feet of fill. It seems his site prep guys lied.
His opinion was that the soil is probably fine, but the poles were not set properly. He's bringing back pics to his engineers. He did not offer any remedy.
His opinion was that the soil is probably fine, but the poles were not set properly. He's bringing back pics to his engineers. He did not offer any remedy.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Thanks for sharing the update. Seems the challenge is go with your heart, or go with risk aversion.
A lot harder at 60 years of age to recover if things don't work as desired, then at age 30 or 40.
A question to ponder... what is more important, the physical beauty, or seamless movement in and around a home.
I would have to ponder, if these structural beams are so wrong, what else is that wrong that can't be inspected. Septic field, well, water distribution, house waste water drainage, the list goes on forever.
It is reasonable to assume, if the structural beams were done so wrong, many other things are likely "done so wrong".
You got plenty of time , you have a home. A course of action to consider is to find a home "done right".
You are not desperate, you don't have kids that need to attend school, you don't have a local job with no place to live. You have all the right cards to play in your hand.
Patience is the key is so many things.
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In the end, the ability to move about the house is really important for my wife. She is functionally disabled due to her truck crash, subsequent internal hardware and other muscle weakness issues. I can't imagine she will improve over the years. She can walk, but it takes a toll on her. She's a PC gamer and not an exercise type person, so being inside is the norm. 2 years of physical therapy just wrapped up. I don't think there is any chance of her stepping foot in a gym again. A flat yard is really important too for when she does want to play with the pup. She is likely to fall over in uneven terrain.
This is Ian, a 4 month old Norwegian Elkhound. Mean little devil... Bites the wood to death!
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Wow, what a great looking Norwegian Elkhound. Looks super big for just four months old.In the end, the ability to move about the house is really important for my wife. She is functionally disabled due to her truck crash, subsequent internal hardware and other muscle weakness issues. I can't imagine she will improve over the years. She can walk, but it takes a toll on her. She's a PC gamer and not an exercise type person, so being inside is the norm. 2 years of physical therapy just wrapped up. I don't think there is any chance of her stepping foot in a gym again. A flat yard is really important too for when she does want to play with the pup. She is likely to fall over in uneven terrain.
This is Ian, a 4 month old Norwegian Elkhound. Mean little devil... Bites the wood to death!
