Phases I & II
Phase I:
___ Visit an Earth Sheltered home (contact us for available locations). ___ Read the articles on our website to be well-informed.
___ $80-100/square foot for basic home, with owner completing some of the work with allowances. $100-120/square foot for basic home with owner not involved on job site. $28/square foot for shell, with concrete and pumper allowances. Homes built more than 40 miles away incur additional costs of travel / lodging expenses and per diem for crew plus equipment moving expense. (Additional charges will apply for out-of-state.) These prices reflect local prices in Bastrop County Texas.
___ Consider financing: If by owner, RCS Construction requires proof of financial capability from banking institution. If by lender, Lender may require plans with certain specifications. Owner must get those exact instructions to RCS. ___ Acquire suitable land (one acre or more). An east-facing home site is preferable for southern United States.
___ Engineered soil analysis is recommended. We require a number for psf (pounds per sq/ft) bearing capacity of your soil and no expanded clay. Expanded clay must be treated before we arrive at job site. This is Owners responsibility and further Owner indemnifies and holds harmless R.C. Smoot Construction, agent, and heirs for all soil conditions.
___ Spouses do separate His and Hers “personality homework” for your dream home. On legal pads, write up His and Hers lists.
- Lists of “needs” vs. “wants”.
- One page for each room (I want… I don’t want…)
- Make a 365-day, 24/7 analysis of your home use. How are you using this room? When are you using this room? How many people use this room? Do you have pets?
___ Consider services for your property (electricity, water, gas, telephone/internet, sewer or septic), future considerations.
- What services are already available?
- Determine costs to acquire necessary services for your site.
___ Call city/county to inquire about necessary permits.
Phase II:
___ Contact Ralph Smoot (RCS) for site analysis at (512) 844-8820. Ralph visits your property and discusses your hopes, plans and budget with you. Within 40 miles of Bastrop, Texas, minimum of $300. Outside this area, $300 per day plus all travel expenses and $1.25/mile.
___ Preliminary Construction Contract is reviewed and signed at the time of the site analysis. Payment is made for site analysis and preliminary drawings. Cost for drawings is determined by the size of the home.
___ RCS prepares preliminary structural design based on “personality homework”, site conditions, and ensuing discussions.
___ RCS submits preliminary design to owners for reevaluation.
___ Owners review preliminary plans in light of their “homework”, then call RCS within thirty days to finalize the plans, which would include the following:
- Furniture placement
- Convenient and adequate electrical switches and lighting
- Window placement, optional skylights
- Systems for security, media, intercom
- Laundry facility
- Bathroom fixtures
- Hobby area
- Cabinet configurations
- Architectural look
- Future expansion considerations
___ RCS completes final drawings and submits three sets to owners.
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