Possible Projects

[brianb_cobbres]

I am toying with the idea of picking up a property in a very exclusive community in my area. This is a very old subdivision that was built in the 20's and 30's to be a vacation are for rich Atlantans. It is now a nature preserve and a self governed city with very strict covenants.

Anyway, the area is a real mix of original 30 bungalows, modern structures, and some more unique buildings. The typical modern structure sell for 300+ and much more the closer you get to the lakes.

I am considering picking up one of the older 30's bungalows for around 130k, updating and enlarging to the tune of 100k then reselling in the $349k range. I can control the resale as the area can easily absorb anywhere from 300-500k and for sale listings are a few and far between.

I would have to do at least double the floor space, major update, and higher end materials. The problem is this would be a long project requiring permits, plans, approvals, all that fun stuff and would time up resources but would be a fun project.

Not sure why I am posting this, not sure what I am going to do. This could be a very profitable project but is more about the project itself than the money. I really may have to consider this.

[Debbie]

Perchance it will involve the Universal Design project?

[brianb_cobbres]

Had not thought of that. Hmmmm, makes it all the more interesting.

[ThreeRiversREI]

Perchance it will involve the Universal Design project?

Universal Design and Green Building Techniques?

[k6saunde]

Universal Design and Green Building Techniques?

"Green Building techniques" is using building materials that are recycled products or environmentally friendly. Products like low "E" Paints, glues, carpets etc. are also considered Green Products.

Bambo floors for instance is considered a green product, because it is a very fast growing grass, hard as nails, less expensive than hard wood, and replenishable in a short period of time.

It can also refer to products that help reduce energy costs, such as specific building materials that have a higher R-rating. Also appliances that are enery star rated are considered to be Green products.

Pretty much anything that reduces energy costs, has low toxic emissions, is environmentally friendly or is recycled is "Green"

If I'm not mistaken, I believe "universal design" is designing a home with all potential home owners in mind. Things that many take for granted. Like, a Level entry into a home, wide hallways, Sinks, stoves and counters that can be raised and lowered to accomodate someone in a wheel chair, Bathroom size and accessability for wheelchairs and walkers. Light switches at a reachable height to all. The home itself has alot to do with the design as well. Some homes are better suited to being a Universal Design than others. For instance, a split level is NOT a good candidate for Universal Design. Where as a Ranch is an excellent candidate.

The thinking is the population is getting older. which means more wheel chairs, walkers, etc. They are trying to make the homes accessable to all buyers not just the young and healthly ones.

[ThreeRiversREI]

For instance, a split level is NOT a good candidate for Universal Design. Where as a Ranch is an excellent candidate.

However, even our 2- & 3-story (+basement) row houses here in Pittsburgh can be Universal Design candidates by simply making sure closets of sufficient size are stacked above each other on the various floors to allow the possibility of an elevator to be installed at a future date.

Similarly, the split level could be designed such that ramps, rather than stairs, connected the levels back and forth.

[k6saunde]

However, even our 2- & 3-story (+basement) row houses here in Pittsburgh can be Universal Design candidates by simply making sure closets of sufficient size are stacked above each other on the various floors to allow the possibility of an elevator to be installed at a future date.

Similarly, the split level could be designed such that ramps, rather than stairs, connected the levels back and forth.

Yes and NO, you could make almost any home a candidate for universal design. But the majority of elderly and handicapped people prefer single level living. They dont want or need the steps so why buy a home with steps in them? If you are moving out of your home of many years because it has steps, why would you buy a home with steps? Why not start with a home that has single level living to start with and make the other design changes to make it universal. Or stay where you are and make your home universal design?

Its just my opinion, but when was the last time you heard an elderly person, or someone in a wheel chair say " Man, I wish this house had more steps"?

I listen to my parents (79 and 75 years old) talk to their friends all the time. They all say the same thing "I hate having to go up and down stairs". I even suggested one of those chairs that go up and down the stairs.

A piece of advice..... Don't suggest that.

My brothers inlaws had a beautiful 2 story home that they lived in for 30+ years. They sold it and built a brand new ranch home with wide hallways, low light switches, open bath and shower to accomodate a wheel chair and alot of other universal design features.

Why did they do that? neither of them are disabled in any way. They can still walk up and down steps without any trouble. He is an architect, he could have easily and for much less cost installed an elevator and all the rest in their old home. Their new home has just as many bedrooms, bathrooms as the old home and is a mere 100 sqft bigger.

So why then? The reason was they wanted to plan for the future. If one or both of them where disabled in the future they wanted to be able to get to any room in the house without having to go up and down stairs. And if you have ever used a personal elevator. You would know that they sound like a dump truck and move so slow you can walk up and down the steps twice in the time it takes the elevator to go up or down once. Not exactly a selling point. Not to mention, the cost of installing one.

As far as buiding ramps to go from between levels on a split level home???

That would work if you plan on building the ramps on the outside of the home and wrapping them around the house. The code for ramps if im not mistaken is one inch of rise for every 12 inches in length. So say you have 6 steps with an 8 inch rise. that would be a total of 48 inches. To make a ramp to accomodate the rise. The ramp would have to be 48 feet long. Then you have the steps to the basement and the garage. Another 6 steps and another 48 foot long ramp.

Here is the actual code for PA

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/034/chapter50/s50.27.html

Yes, you can make any home a universal designed home. But why would you?

Sometimes just because you can do something doesnt mean you should.

[ThreeRiversREI]

I listen to my parents (79 and 75 years old) talk to their friends all the time. They all say the same thing "I hate having to go up and down stairs". I even suggested one of those chairs that go up and down the stairs.

A piece of advice..... Don't suggest that.

Go back and reread what I said. At no point did I suggest more steps or one of the lift chairs that goes up and down stairs.

What I suggested was making a home elevator-ready by vertically stacking closets of sufficient size. And, where practical, making space for transitions to be accommodated by internal ramps INSTEAD of steps. You quoted the code for construction, but I have SEEN ramps with a greater slope and a home-owner WOULD be allowed to install a ramp with a greater slope if they wished.

Again, I'm not saying to install an elevator, only make room. I'm not saying install a ramp (to code or otherwise) but allow room for one (of a practical, if not code-compliant, grade).

Then again, the point of this discussion was not a multi-story home, a split-level home, ore even a home in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at all. The point of this discussion was a home Brian was considering purchasing, presumably in the state of Georgia.

Brian originally brought up Universal Design in a Sunday Night Chat a week and a half ago. then he started this thread (http://www.magicbullets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6216) about the topic. So "Eddie" (http://www.magicbullets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6284) and I, who participated in both of those earlier concept discussions, were interested if he was going to put his ideas into practice when he started talking about a new rehab project.

I'm not a moderator, so do what you want. My suggestion would be, however, to keep this thread to Brian's new project and keep the debate about the merits of Universal Design to the other thread (http://www.magicbullets.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6216).

[brianb_cobbres]

What I suggested was making a home elevator-ready by vertically stacking closets of sufficient size.


That is the acceptable standard for Universal Design. If I remember the dimension need to be 5' X 5'

And, where practical, making space for transitions to be accommodated by internal ramps INSTEAD of steps.

Correct, UD is not about puttin in ramps but making allowence for them to enable future installation.

You quoted the code for construction, but I have SEEN ramps with a greater slope and a home-owner WOULD be allowed to install a ramp with a greater slope if they wished.


Yery true. ADA guidelines and building codes mainly cover commercial buildings. A homeowner can put in whatever pitch they see fit. The guy I had look at look at Caribou raced on the weekends so pitch was not a problem for him. And ramps are not always necessary. Simply leaving space for a scissor lift may be sufficient.


Again, I'm not saying to install an elevator, only make room. I'm not saying install a ramp (to code or otherwise) but allow room for one (of a practical, if not code-compliant, grade).

That is what UD is about. Not making ADA compliant just making life easier for all concerned.


Then again, the point of this discussion was not a multi-story home, a split-level home, ore even a home in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at all. The point of this discussion was a home Brian was considering purchasing, presumably in the state of Georgia.





Is there any reason we are arguing over this?

[ThreeRiversREI]

Is there any reason we are arguing over this?

*blushes and looks guilty for a moment before hurriedly pointing at k6saunde* HE started it! :SM141: :SM141: :SM141: :SM141:

[Debbie]

Brian,

Do you want to discipline them or do you want me to? :hehehmn:

[Dan Auito]

Definitely let the person who started a thread ask to get back on track, otherwise let the conversation flow would be my 2 cents.

[brianb_cobbres]

Brian,

Do you want to discipline them or do you want me to? :hehehmn:




Its funny. I start a thread specifically to discuss Universal Design and it goes virtually ignored yet I start a rambling thread about a project I am considering and suddenly get people attention. Sheesh.


Pulling thread back on semi-track. Has anyone gotten involved in major improvement projects like this?

[Debbie]

Its funny. I start a thread specifically to discuss Universal Design and it goes virtually ignored yet I start a rambling thread about a project I am considering and suddenly get people attention. Sheesh.


Pulling thread back on semi-track. Has anyone gotten involved in major improvement projects like this?

We've only done minor projects involving UD.

BTW---your UD thread wasn't ignored. You ignored my response! :SM108:

[brianb_cobbres]

I am toying with the idea of picking up a property in a very exclusive community in my area. This is a very old subdivision that was built in the 20's and 30's to be a vacation are for rich Atlantans. It is now a nature preserve and a self governed city with very strict covenants.

Anyway, the area is a real mix of original 30 bungalows, modern structures, and some more unique buildings. The typical modern structure sell for 300+ and much more the closer you get to the lakes.

I am considering picking up one of the older 30's bungalows for around 130k, updating and enlarging to the tune of 100k then reselling in the $349k range. I can control the resale as the area can easily absorb anywhere from 300-500k and for sale listings are a few and far between.

I would have to do at least double the floor space, major update, and higher end materials. The problem is this would be a long project requiring permits, plans, approvals, all that fun stuff and would time up resources but would be a fun project.

Not sure why I am posting this, not sure what I am going to do. This could be a very profitable project but is more about the project itself than the money. I really may have to consider this.



Hmmm, I may have friend and investor interested in this project. Fun stuff

[k6saunde]

*blushes and looks guilty for a moment before hurriedly pointing at k6saunde* HE started it! :SM141: :SM141: :SM141:

Who ME??? :hehehmn: