“It’s All in the Foundation”

Phase I of foundation being poured

When people think of a home foundation, they visualize a flat piece of concrete with pipes sticking out of it waiting for walls to be added.  In some circumstances, residential foundations look very different.  The topography of the land below the slab often dictates complicated engineering modifications in the home and foundation design.  A common way to deal with excessive slope is to design a 2 story home where the second story is literally below the first.  Some refer to this plan design as a “walk out basement”.

Our team of Master Builders at Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes in Austin recently completed one such foundation in the custom home community of Vineyard Bay overlooking Lake Travis.  Three independent concrete pours are typically required for this type of design; the lower section, the retaining wall and finally the upper section.  Rear sloping lots will open to some type of view.  In the case of this particular custom designed home, a panoramic view of Lake Travis.  This two level foundation allows more rooms to be on the rear of the home as well as lowering the bottom floor closer to grade for easy access to a pool or other outdoor living features.  We will follow up with framing photos of this home to show everyone how the new rooms lay out.

Custom home builders such as Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes of Austin Texas consider topography, lot drainage, and lot access when making initial foundation evaluations.  Other factors include; sewer/septic locations, electric and other utility locations, and trees to be salvaged, in addition to the orientation of the home site to take advantage of views when determining the actual foundation cost.

If you have not selected a lot for your custom home Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes will do an assessment of the property you have in mind.  This service is beneficial to determine the best possible land for your individual needs.  To discuss your custom home ideas call the 2011 & 2010 “Master Builder of the Year”, Steve Zbranek at 512-261-0344.

Zbranek & Holt Custom Homes, the 2010 “Texas & Austin Custom Home Builder of the Year”, proudly builds in Austin, Westlake Hills, Lakeway, Lake South, Dripping Springs, Marble Falls, Horseshoe Bay, Wimberley, Fredericksburg, Georgetown and the surrounding Hill Country area.

Posted on Monday, July 25th, 2011 | Categories: Articles, In the Press, News Updates, Steve Zbranek, Tony Holt