Post & Pier: Deciding How High

[YurtGirl]

Over a certain height (I think it's 6'?) and the county wants to consider the space additional square footage. So there's a charge for that, not much though. The draftsman shouldn't charge actual square footage on that unless it's a slab downstairs, or walled in... even if it's a slab, it's more of a lanai sf than residence, so it certainly shouldn't double it. But it does take a bit more infrastructure to go higher, so I can understand the cost going up a BIT.

As for building, material cost shouldn't skyrocket unless, again, you go for slab downstairs. If it's just post and pier, then it's sheer walls, taller posts and bracing. Labor for that will rise though, certainly, because the builder's work increases considerably having to lift all the materials, work on scaffold and above their heads.

My take on going higher is this: In wet areas, dry space is like gold. For the cost, it makes far more sense to build high so that you can have utilizable space under a residence rather than to build out or build additional structures. If you plan on calling the space 'parking' then be prepared to face more cost in permit costs and materials. Stairs can be a pain in the butt, but a lack of dry space is worse to me.