Contractor for Coastal Building

If you live in one of the plains states you may not have ever considered how different living on the coast would be and how changes have to be made as homes are built in these areas. Because of weather conditions and erosion it is important to have a professional who knows coastal building to be the one to build your home on the coast.

If you live in a V-zone where there are the possibility of storm surges or waves that are 3 feet high or even more, it is required that a new home have an open rather than a closed foundation. What this means is that it is basically built on a pier foundation with a floor that is elevated. If you do not have this type of foundation and there is a disaster, then the National Flood Insurance Program will not cover your home and you will not qualify to be given aid from the federal government in the case of a disaster from flooding.

As you hire a coastal contractor it is important that they be very familiar with codes. The problem with some codes for weather barriers on the coasts is that they are not enough. If a contractor only follows the code then it may not be sufficient to protect the home as much as a homeowner would want. When hiring a contractor make sure and talk to them about codes and ask them if they do the minimum or if they are willing to go above the code and make the efficiency of weather barriers even more durable.

As you look for the right coastal contractor, this attention to detail and perfectionism in making sure your home is safe is something to consider. You should also take the time to look at homes the various contractors have built over the years. Go to those homes and see if they are still in good condition after major storms possibly coming through the area. This will help you to know whether this builder's work stands up to major weather.

When looking at coastal contractors it is important to consider the licenses of the contractors you are considering. You should check with the licensing board of your state to make sure that the contractors you are considering are licensed and in a good relationship with the board.

Another important consideration when having your home built on the coast is checking with the prospective contractors about how they guarantee their work. If they do not guarantee their work at all then you might be wise to look elsewhere.