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New Garage Build

Fireman4

New member
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Messages
4
I have been planning on building a garage for a long time and have read many post on Garage Journal. They have gave me many ideas and things to look out for. Well I finally am starting my build, signed the contract, paid my first part of the money. Now they want extra money because the county I live in requires commercial footers. The salesman says they did not know this when it was quoted. What is the difference between a commercial footer and a regular footer on a pole barn?
 
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daddycreswell

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
259
Location
Middle Tennessee
I can't answer your question, but I can say if you have already signed a contract with the company it is on them to eat the extra cost if there is any. It's the companies fault that they didn't find out what the county required before hand. Stick to your guns and don't cave in. If they breach the contract you have a valid legal suit you can file against the company. Good luck.
 

texas webb

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2012
Messages
52
Location
San Antonio Texas
Probably a deeper wider footing with more steel.May require inspection.Its on him to know the codes in your county.Ask your county inspector what is required.If the contractor backs up get your payment back start over.
 

skippy24

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Messages
546
Location
Reno, NV
Local codes will determine the difference. Without location it will be hard to answer that question.
 

rustynutts

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Joined
Nov 13, 2009
Messages
54
Ask your salesman to explain the difference between the footings and then check with the county code official on what is required. Also ask the code official what inspections are needed and when. If the contractor doesn't have the inspections when required, the code official could stop your project and have them redo work already completed, so the work can be inspected.
 
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Fireman4

New member
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Messages
4
They have explained it and it concrete around the poles , not just on the bottom of them. They build most of their buildings without it. The county I live in requires it and they forgot to put it on the contract. They want me to sign an amended contract and give more money. If I decide to back out I still have to pay for drawings but can get the rest of my money back.
 
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hangfirew8

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Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
879
Location
Central Maryland
between a commercial footer and a regular footer on a pole barn?

The answer depends on the building code for your area. Call the licensing office and ask them what the difference is. If they have no clue, you are being taken for a ride. Another resource is the architect who drew up your plan, since that architect is supposed to be following local code. But the true authority is the licensing office, not the architect.

Chances are the contract you signed has language about building to a plan, and building to code. I'm sure it also has language about incurring extra cost if you divert from the plan, but the real question is what it says, if anything, if the plan is not to code.

While others here may be certain, whether or not they owe you a "commercial footing" (whatever that is) depends on the wording of the contract.
 

hangfirew8

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
879
Location
Central Maryland
They have explained it and it concrete around the poles , not just on the bottom of them. They build most of their buildings without it. The county I live in requires it and they forgot to put it on the contract. They want me to sign an amended contract and give more money. If I decide to back out I still have to pay for drawings but can get the rest of my money back.

Sorry, missed this.

If the plans are not drawn to code, and that was what you were paying for, then you shouldn't have to pay for the plans.

But they won't see it that way.
 

jnkpile

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Messages
154
^^^^^^this makes sense to me! Keep that in your back pocket(;
However do the right thing. Was it an honest mistake? Or is he actually an incompetent contractor?
Either way you decide to act, you still require these more expensive footings, right?
 
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Fireman4

New member
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Apr 16, 2014
Messages
4
Thank you all for your advice and post. That is correct, either way I need the proper footings. If it was a honest mistake I would feel better about it, I just hope they are not making up something because they quoted too low.
 

LB-1911

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
5,745
Location
Northwestern Il.
I have been planning on building a garage for a long time and have read many post on Garage Journal. They have gave me many ideas and things to look out for. Well I finally am starting my build, signed the contract, paid my first part of the money. Now they want extra money because the county I live in requires commercial footers. The salesman says they did not know this when it was quoted. What is the difference between a commercial footer and a regular footer on a pole barn?

Who is taking care of the site plan and permitting process?
 
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Fireman4

New member
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Apr 16, 2014
Messages
4
Who is taking care of the site plan and permitting process?

I am getting the permits and planning where it goes. There was no need to pay someone to drive down there and do something I could do.

They would not budge even after talking to the manager. I do want this building built strong, there is a lot of wind down here. I caved and going with it, knowing I may pay a little more but will be getting a better building in the end, hopefully.
 
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