Second, when installing decking material, I found it aesthetically most attractive to create a frame on outside perimeter of deck surface using long Mahogany boards. Once outer frame is installed, main Mahogany decking boards can be simply installed within this outer framework. The result is a cleaner line when viewed from a distance or standing on deck itself.

Regarding Railing system, screws and bolts should be used exclusively as material use in this part of deck is typically thicker and requires more rigidity.

Painting, Staining or Sealing

Mahogany takes paint and stain well, however I have preferred to apply a clear sealer. The clear sealer enables natural red color of Mahogany to shine through, while still providing a layer of protection from environement. Typically I re-apply clear sealer every year to continue to preserve color. If you do not, Mahogany will bleach out.

Me_Donovan@comcast.net www.homeadditionplus.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and home additions. Mr. Donovan's formal education & profession have been as an Electrical Engineer & Marketing Manager.

Pulling Permits

Once you have selected and hired your excavator, chief framer, and foundation company, review with them your plans. Make sure you walk site with them, and carefully stake out house footprint, paying careful attention to lot setbacks, septic tanks, leach fields and well location. Once all are agreed upon with house plans and location of home, contact building inspector and review with him/her your plans. You will need to submit a very thorough package to building inspector prior to getting approval. There are frequently town and state forms that need to be filled out regarding wetlands, and home thermal analysis. In addition, detailed engineering drawings of proposed home may be required. In my case Framer was able to assist in developing additional sketches of house plan to ensure structural compliance to local, state and federal building codes. If I had used initial home plans I had obtained, those would have been sufficient. I also could have contacted an architect with my selected plans to provide additional details, however it was not necessary in my case.

After about a week and several hundred dollars later I had permit to build a new home.

Septic Design

My home required its own septic system on site. As a result, I required a septic design and an associated permit for new home. I recommend pursuing this as early as possible in any new home project as this can take up to 2-3 months to complete as both town and state approvals are required, not to mention site and engineering work.

Without knowing exactly where septic system and tank will reside, it may be difficult to locate exact position of home and in many cases building inspector may not approve building permit until septic design permit has been obtained. I was fortunate in that property already had a small septic system on lot, so building inspector gave me approval. I was at financial risk, however, in event new septic design was not approved or needed to be repositioned from proposed location. Fortunately that was not case and I was able to move forward on razing cottage and beginning site work.

To Be Continued ….

In Part 2 of “Building Your Dream House”, I will cover razing an existing building, performing site prep work, and pouring foundation walls. Stay tuned……………

Me_Donovan@comcast.net www.homeadditionplus.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and home additions. Mr. Donovan's formal education & profession have been as an Electrical Engineer & Marketing Manager.