Frequently Asked Questions
About Construction Options
Where do I start to build my new home?It’s a big deal and can all be very confusing. There are so many questions, each with so many answers. First step is to have a consult meeting with your contractor to discuss what you want to build, where you want to build it, and how much you want to spend. We will then use our understanding of the local construction road maps to navigate you through this maze to bring you home!
How long does it take to build a house?Design and construction of new houses can take between 4 months and a year. The actual time depends on many factors including size of home, changes made to the original design plans along the way, availability of special materials, and the weather.
What does “R Value” mean?The R-value is the measurement of a material's capacity to resist heat flow from one side to the other. For houses, R-values measure the effectiveness of insulation or the outside material. A higher number represents more effective insulation.
Concrete slab or raised pier foundation?Local building codes and restrictions, base flood elevations requirements, local environmental and soil conditions, the actual location of your new home, and selected building materials are all factors in answering this important question. Based on the above factors, the cost difference between the different foundations can be minimal. Insulation and environmental conditions may indicate one foundation specification, whereas location, base flood elevations and other factors may contradict those very same findings. Consulting with both your design professional and your licensed general contractor is critical to designing the optimum foundation for your home.
Where can I find out more information specific to homes in Louisiana? The LSU Agricultural Center website provides great information for homeowners on topics ranging from hurricane preparation to moisture control to concrete tile roofing. This information may help answer your questions or help you forumlate some questions for your contractor. https://www.lsuagcenter.com/topics/family_home/home
Francioni Builders LLC provides this website as a service to the public. Francioni Builders LLC is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for, damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this website.