Foudation suggestions for garage

[neglessr]

I'm planning to build a 30 x40 detached garage this spring. I plan to do most of the work myself. I can't decide if I should use trench footings or just use a slab with a thickened edge (say 12"x 24")with a lot of reinforcement.
If i went with the trench footings I'd do a 26" deep trench (below frost line central mo) and form up 10" above grade to build up on. I figure the extra concrete (12yds at $90py) + rebar will add about 1500 plus my labor to the project.

There are no codes or permits to be had so I'm on my own.
any thought?

[Jay_H_237]

You can find alot of good info here,

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/

[lethal289]

That would be pouring one hell of a lot of concrete. IMO that is not necissary and is extremely overkill.

Around here, normal footers are trenched. About 18" wide by 3' deep. Concrete is then poured in the bottom 12 inch's of the trench. Then we use 8x16 concrete block to bring the footer up to grade. Fill the area with 2b stone at least 4" thick, then poor a concrete slab on top 4" thick with wire mesh reinforcement. You are then safe to build the structure from there. On the outside of the concrete block you can use a french drain pipe to help keep water out of the building! In the footer use 2 - 3/8" rebar rods continuously around the building. If your garage is going to have a second floor you can consider 12 inch block. Hope that helps

[GypsyR]

Pretty much described my self-built 30x30's foundation to a T. Working fine for me.

[lucmann]

I used the monolithic pour like you described. I'm in the city limits so a 36" footer is required and I had a concrete contractor do the forms since I don't have that experience. They sank the J bolts in at floor level so I don't have a raised concrete foundation under the stud walls. My ceiling is a few inches lower but no big deal. Probably is more concrete than needed but saves the cost of separate visits to pour footer, foundation and slab.

[Beach Pony]

Check your local codes for specs on footings and slabs. Don't just guess. Also, if I am reading your post right, why are you going to pour a 10" slab? That is a waste of money. A 6" slab will be plenty for your application. Again though, check your local codes.

[neglessr]

If I did the trench footing i would use a trencher around the perimeter 26" in deep 8 inches wide... then adding to the height, I would form up another 10" high above the grade so the footing (plus short wall) ends up a total of 36" x8"...26"below grade 10" above.

Then later pour the 4" slab inside the perimeter.

So basically I end up wit a 6" high 8" wide concrete wall around my slab to frame up from.

No codes here..Its every man for himself.

[HoosierBuddy]

Originally Posted by neglessr

No codes here..Its every man for himself.

Oh...there are definitely codes. Just because your county doesn't have building inspectors or enforcement doesn't mean you don't have codes that apply to any construction you do.

If you don't meet the codes you won't have a building inspector make you fix it...but that doesn't mean the codes don't apply to you. I'm not sure where not meeting them will come up and bite you, but I can see where they might if you ever wanted to sell your property or maybe even with regard to property insurance.

Phil

[neglessr]

Johnson co mo

Johnson County is one of 114 counties in Missouri.

The Good

* Current and previous bids are available.
* There is no planning or building codes for the county.
* Commissioners are listed, individual contact information is not provided
Other officials listed with contact info.

The Bad

* Budget is not published.
* Information is not provided on meetings, audits, and local taxes.
* Does not disclose if belongs to taxpayer-funded lobbying associations.
* Information on how to make a public records request is not provided on the site.

[HoosierBuddy]

There are national codes that apply. Some states counties and municipalities have codes that are tougher than national codes. Your county doesn't have those codes, but that doesn't mean codes like "the national fuel code" and the "national electric code" do not apply to you. They do.

Phil

[1966conv]

Even though you don't have codes and maybe not much frost, what's your water table? (are you going to end up with a floating pad)

Check with what other contractors do in the local area where you live. Then maybe decide.