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For me, there are several downsides of slab-on-grade construction;
Slabs are harder on the feet, legs, hips, etc. because there is no "give", especially for us older folks. Even a "stiff" framed floor, while having no percievable flex, gives enough to reduce stress on joints.
Slabs WILL crack allowing termite and centepede avenues.
Post and Pier allows access to underfloor plumbing and electrical for repair and alteration.
BTW, importing fill which is not mechanically compacted to 95%+ will turn to Jell-o in a major earthquake.
Dan
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Just reviewed old threads of P&P vs Slab, lots of good info.. Daniel, I agree that consideration on how slab effects the body are important. I have not lived on P&P (at least in my adult life) and occasionally have minor leg & joint pain now living on slab with travertine tile, in my early 50's, can only imagine how getting older may effect me. I did find a possible solution I liked during my recent research. Use of both systems. When I visit the property next month I will be searching for a depression. Use of P&P for the Building and Slab for the Drive/Garage area. This would allow for level access (or close to) into the home and all the advantages of the P&P. The property has heavy growth, may take some time and lots of bug spray. What is the best way to find what I'm looking for, "depression"...
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That is what SB did for a project in HPP. House is on P&P - they built up grade so garage is on slab with an apron. Can walk straight from the garage slab to house P&P.
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The rule of thumb we've always heard for salt air issues is the cut off in HPP is 7th for worrying about salt air corrosion and tsunamis. A coworker of mine built right by you, and she and her contractor husband said they were very conscious of salt air corrosion when they built. They preferred to invest up front in corrosion resistant materials, rather than deal with a steady stream of piddling maintenance issues.
We live about half way up HPP and can see rapid onset of corrosion on any exposed hardware we've put in. We had to replace every damn roller on the sliding doors and windows so far, with stainless steel this time around. Exposed metal corrodes here, the nearer you are to the ocean, the more it corrodes. At over two miles up the subdivision we sometimes hear waves hitting the shoreline.
You are moving into a nice part of HPP, we looked at a lot I loved right around there, but preferred to buy.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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Is there a current topographical map of your lot area? They are available at Basically Books and online.
David
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Topo Map, sometimes you forget the obvious, will check to see, thanks...
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To site your home, because a puka is in a particular location seems a bit like the tail waggin' the dog.
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Don't forget Google earth for a possible perspective. Not always great, but perhaps informative.
David
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Not enough detail on the Topo I found online. Will walk the lot with knowledgable home designer to make recommendations on site location. Agree siting home due to Puka in certain location (unless also convienent for house position) would be a longshot. Looks like I will be putting on plenty of bug spay, and trying to make my way through the heavy foilage, I know to walk careful, looking for cracks/ankle breakers. I need to see if I can locate the pins anyway.
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If you build up you could easily get a killer view of Mauna Kea there. My coworker did, it wasn't part of the plan, but her kitchen window looks right at the mountain. They couldn't tell until they got the second floor up.
We didn't know we had a mountain view until we had been in our house for a month due to rain and clouds. Morning seems to be the best time to see the mountain.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
