Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, gravel, water...
Reinforced concrete includes wired mesh to avoid some cracking.
The concrete quality is relative to workmanship, stable base (consistency of concrete/good gravel material/good bearing soil), drainage above and under, the final mixture of all the elements.
For rot to occur in wood, 4 elements must be present: temperature, oxygen, moisture, food source for living organisms. Pressure-treated lumber eliminates rotting and food source. The chemical most commonly used is chromated copper arsenate. For more information go to the American Wood-Preserver's Association.
~Poured concrete (common);
~Block for basement ;
~Pier for unstable soil / concrete with steel beam for soft underground;
~Permanent wood foundation.
The Primary foundation considerations are structural strength, dryness or water proof, energy efficiency.
To understand how a new construction is priced, you need to know what are the costs involved. The percentages below are just approximate numbers and may vary over the years.
~ 28% for the materials
~ 24% for the land
~ 20% for labor <li> 9% overhead
~ 8% profit
~ 6% Sales & Marketing
~ 5% Financing
(Excerpt from Certified New Home Specialist training class)
