Post and Pier learned something today

[mella l]

Today I learned there is a difference in Post and Pier P&P, and poured in place PIP.

Post and pier are pre-cast piers put on top of leveled ground, and poured in place piers are set in a divot in the ground filled with concrete and piers are set in the wet concrete. This is my understanding and could be not exactly the case.

I'm wondering if anyone has any idea what the cost would be for 100 square feet of post and pier, versus 100 square feet of poured in place piers? Does anyone have an estimate on this? Mahalo for any thoughts on this issue. Mella L

mella l

Edited by - mella l on 08/19/2005 01:02:24

[Rob Tucker]

Hi Mella, I checked with Honsador and a precast 16" x 16" concrete pier, w/ embedded steel straps, was $24.13. Those would have to be bought and delivered to the site and placed.

A poured in place pier would be more expensive depending on how much the worker was paid to excavate, form and place the concrete. The precast piers are popular because they are fast and cheap.

Precast piers are legal here, but perhaps not much longer. The County of Hawaii operates on the 1991 Uniform Building Code (UBC). The 1991 code was developed in the 1980's before major events like the Northridge Earthquake and Hurricane Andrew. The county is in the process of moving up to the 1997 UBC. When this will take effect we are not sure. Ultimately the building code is the lowest building standard allowed by law. The 1991 standard is a bit antique.

Most homes on the Big Island were build before the 1991 code took effect.

I hope this helps


Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA

[mella l]

Thank you Rob,
It seems to me that the PIP would be the way to go. We'll have to see what the premium is for this, but I imagine it is worth the extra expense/investment/insurance.

Does anyone have an idea as to how the holes are made for the PIP, and also for metal posts for a chain link fence? A local who lives here and there part of the year, told me that small charges of dynamite are used for cesspools and fence posts. Is that correct?

We will be traveling over in September and need to have a little knowledge of what to ask, and what to expect! Thanks all. Mella L

mella l

[Glenn P]

We are also trying to get the best information on poured P&P versus slab. I understand the pros and cons of both but I'm not sure I understand the price difference between the two. On a 1500 square foot house does anyone know how I can find the differnece?

Glenn P

[loffelkopffl]

people usually use a backhoe with a hammer(hoe ram) to dig cesspools and you just rent a jackhammer for post holes.

[Rob Tucker]

Glenn, Anyone could argue with this but I would suggest that a raised floor would cost 50% more than a simple concrete slab.

RT

Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA

[mella l]

Aloha Glenn, I think Rob is correct on the pricing however for some unknown reason, bias I guess, I just do not want my water pipes going thru a concrete slab (sister in law just built an exquisite place on slab and had maple flooring in laundry room and hall way ruined by water leak which uplifted floor quite a mess and still not fixed and this is a high end home) nor do I want them to go thru my ceiling. It is probably a prejudice from colder climates where the pipes could freeze. But I want cool water not luke warm and I think we will probably do PIP foundation and pay the premium for it. I'm of course open to other view points and can be further educated! Mahalo loffelkopffl for the technique info don't know why but other than curiosity I need to know these things they are interesting no! Mella L

mella l

[Lee G]

The house we are building(owner builder) is on post & pier and code requires all four corners of the house to have poured in place concrete walls, Ours measure 6 feet by 4 feet by 24 inches high and 16 inches thick. So really the house is secured into the ground by the 4 corners and you still have all the benefits of a raised floor.
Lee

[mella l]

Hi Lee, Do you mind if I ask where you are building and the square footage of the project. Do you have personal experience being owner builder or is this your first project? Thanks

mella l

[Lee G]

Mella,
We are building in Ainaloa subdivision in Pahoa. Total square footage is 1900 sq ft
which includes carport & lanai. This is my first experience building my own home but am experienced in electrical construction.
Lee