house on stilts

[EJ]

I am interested in a house on a steep slope. It is built into the hill and support by two large support posts on the downhill side. It has huge decks and nice views. Is there any thing to be concerned about this type of construction. I am planning to have a thorough soil, structure and foundation inspection B4COE. Would this be included with a typical home inspection? I am assuming I need to bring a specialist or geologists or something? Any advice, insight or experience with this type construction is appreciated. Thanks!

[looking]

A typical home inspection may state that you need to have a qualified structural or geotechnical engineer evaluate the house. Home inpsectors are not qualified to make engineering judgements. You may also have to check with various insurance companies you are considering to see if there will be any issue with covering the property. If they consider it to be a high-risk property due to slide potential, they may not insure/costs may be prohibitive.

[looking]

A typical home inspection may state that you need to have a qualified structural or geotechnical engineer evaluate the house. Home inpsectors are not qualified to make engineering judgements. You may also have to check with various insurance companies you are considering to see if there will be any issue with covering the property. If they consider it to be a high-risk property due to slide potential, they may not insure/costs may be prohibitive.

[looking]

A typical home inspection may state that you need to have a qualified structural or geotechnical engineer evaluate the house. Home inpsectors are not qualified to make engineering judgements. You may also have to check with various insurance companies you are considering to see if there will be any issue with covering the property. If they consider it to be a high-risk property due to slide potential, they may not insure/costs may be prohibitive.

[looking]

A typical home inspection may state that you need to have a qualified structural or geotechnical engineer evaluate the house. Home inpsectors are not qualified to make engineering judgements. You may also have to check with various insurance companies you are considering to see if there will be any issue with covering the property. If they consider it to be a high-risk property due to slide potential, they may not insure/costs may be prohibitive.

[looking]

A typical home inspection may state that you need to have a qualified structural or geotechnical engineer evaluate the house. Home inpsectors are not qualified to make engineering judgements. You may also have to check with various insurance companies you are considering to see if there will be any issue with covering the property. If they consider it to be a high-risk property due to slide potential, they may not insure/costs may be prohibitive.

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

May not be the same type of construction , but several homes that meet that description collapsed during the 1994 quake in Northridge.

I know because a friend of mine owned one.

Seems like a design that would be prone to failure during large quakes to me.

I would rather own something bolted to a slab foundation that is either on flat land or not backing to a downward slope, backing to an uphill slop I think would be more indicative of a cut lot.

Remember all mountains want to become flat land.

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

May not be the same type of construction , but several homes that meet that description collapsed during the 1994 quake in Northridge.

I know because a friend of mine owned one.

Seems like a design that would be prone to failure during large quakes to me.

I would rather own something bolted to a slab foundation that is either on flat land or not backing to a downward slope, backing to an uphill slop I think would be more indicative of a cut lot.

Remember all mountains want to become flat land.

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

May not be the same type of construction , but several homes that meet that description collapsed during the 1994 quake in Northridge.

I know because a friend of mine owned one.

Seems like a design that would be prone to failure during large quakes to me.

I would rather own something bolted to a slab foundation that is either on flat land or not backing to a downward slope, backing to an uphill slop I think would be more indicative of a cut lot.

Remember all mountains want to become flat land.

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

May not be the same type of construction , but several homes that meet that description collapsed during the 1994 quake in Northridge.

I know because a friend of mine owned one.

Seems like a design that would be prone to failure during large quakes to me.

I would rather own something bolted to a slab foundation that is either on flat land or not backing to a downward slope, backing to an uphill slop I think would be more indicative of a cut lot.

Remember all mountains want to become flat land.

[Nor-LA-SD-guy]

May not be the same type of construction , but several homes that meet that description collapsed during the 1994 quake in Northridge.

I know because a friend of mine owned one.

Seems like a design that would be prone to failure during large quakes to me.

I would rather own something bolted to a slab foundation that is either on flat land or not backing to a downward slope, backing to an uphill slop I think would be more indicative of a cut lot.

Remember all mountains want to become flat land.

[UCGal]

It sounds like the stilts are supported on caissons or engineered piers. You’d definitely want a soils test. Certain areas have a lot of “stilt” houses and soil that tends to liquify… the side of Mt. Soledad, above I-5 has always made me nervous.

Depending on when it was built, you may be able to get the original records/plans/inspections. I was surprised we were able to get the soils report for our street (homes built in 1964). It was all there at the city offices.

[UCGal]

It sounds like the stilts are supported on caissons or engineered piers. You’d definitely want a soils test. Certain areas have a lot of “stilt” houses and soil that tends to liquify… the side of Mt. Soledad, above I-5 has always made me nervous.

Depending on when it was built, you may be able to get the original records/plans/inspections. I was surprised we were able to get the soils report for our street (homes built in 1964). It was all there at the city offices.

[UCGal]

It sounds like the stilts are supported on caissons or engineered piers. You’d definitely want a soils test. Certain areas have a lot of “stilt” houses and soil that tends to liquify… the side of Mt. Soledad, above I-5 has always made me nervous.

Depending on when it was built, you may be able to get the original records/plans/inspections. I was surprised we were able to get the soils report for our street (homes built in 1964). It was all there at the city offices.

[UCGal]

It sounds like the stilts are supported on caissons or engineered piers. You’d definitely want a soils test. Certain areas have a lot of “stilt” houses and soil that tends to liquify… the side of Mt. Soledad, above I-5 has always made me nervous.

Depending on when it was built, you may be able to get the original records/plans/inspections. I was surprised we were able to get the soils report for our street (homes built in 1964). It was all there at the city offices.

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