"If you don't have a structural engineer who knows how much things cost..." BINGO! My engineer built a complicated lake house from the ground up for his parents early in his career. He learned how difficult (and expensive!) some processes are and passes that knowledge on to my jobs. My builder friends have 20-25 hold downs on their plans, whereas I might have 8. Steel is expensive now, and making sure the placement of the anchors in the concrete is 100% accurate takes time and head-scratching on the field, trying to predict where other framing members need to coexist in the same space. Even more head-scratching happens when you realize you missed it the first time. Since I also design homes, I know what the engineer needs to fulfill the lateral force requirements, so I do my best to sprinkle in substantial wall lengths to double as shear walls. If I ask, my engineer will happily explain load paths and force transfer methods to me, helping me become a smarter builder. For example, reducing the width of a massive sliding door by just a foot can save $1000 in in the cost of the door and up to $400 in the hold down hardware and labor. You mentioned challenging the beam size too-the plan may spec 4x10 headers in first floor unless noted otherwise. Why does a 2'-0' window need the same header as a 6'-0" window?! It might not need any header at all if there is a continuous rim joist above it. More ways to eliminate superfluous wood mass and maybe save some bucks. You guys did a fantastic job planning out the content of your video. It was loaded with expertise and excellently presented.
@stipcrane - first, thank you for the compliments, secondly, EXACTLY!! I could not have said it better myself. Your description of the value of a good structural engineer is right on. I have a few that I work with willingly and a few that i hate working with because they always cost the client more money that they need to. Even if we get the structural plan to be what we want, then we have to harass the framing subcontractors to build it per the plans and not build it like they are used to(16’oc studs, Headers over no bearing openings, 3 stud corners, FSC Lumber, No Added Formandehyde sheet goods,,etc). Trying to do better, is always a challenge. Congratulations for doing it right. It is hard work.
"If you don't have a structural engineer who knows how much things cost..." BINGO!
My engineer built a complicated lake house from the ground up for his parents early in his career. He learned how difficult (and expensive!) some processes are and passes that knowledge on to my jobs. My builder friends have 20-25 hold downs on their plans, whereas I might have 8. Steel is expensive now, and making sure the placement of the anchors in the concrete is 100% accurate takes time and head-scratching on the field, trying to predict where other framing members need to coexist in the same space. Even more head-scratching happens when you realize you missed it the first time.
Since I also design homes, I know what the engineer needs to fulfill the lateral force requirements, so I do my best to sprinkle in substantial wall lengths to double as shear walls. If I ask, my engineer will happily explain load paths and force transfer methods to me, helping me become a smarter builder. For example, reducing the width of a massive sliding door by just a foot can save $1000 in in the cost of the door and up to $400 in the hold down hardware and labor.
You mentioned challenging the beam size too-the plan may spec 4x10 headers in first floor unless noted otherwise. Why does a 2'-0' window need the same header as a 6'-0" window?! It might not need any header at all if there is a continuous rim joist above it. More ways to eliminate superfluous wood mass and maybe save some bucks.
You guys did a fantastic job planning out the content of your video. It was loaded with expertise and excellently presented.
@stipcrane - first, thank you for the compliments, secondly, EXACTLY!! I could not have said it better myself. Your description of the value of a good structural engineer is right on. I have a few that I work with willingly and a few that i hate working with because they always cost the client more money that they need to. Even if we get the structural plan to be what we want, then we have to harass the framing subcontractors to build it per the plans and not build it like they are used to(16’oc studs, Headers over no bearing openings, 3 stud corners, FSC Lumber, No Added Formandehyde sheet goods,,etc). Trying to do better, is always a challenge. Congratulations for doing it right. It is hard work.
this is fantastic educational content
Thank you very much @jasperzanjani7584. We really appreciate your feedback.