Special Project

I have heard from a few of you about the "picture clue" in my last blog post. Thanks to the Facebook readers as well. Matt Lucas of 31-W Insulation knew what was going on because he was a contributor on this project. Again, here was the picture clue:

What was going on here? One guess was that we were finishing a basement. Actually, this special project consisted of a framed first level on a raised slab and a 2,000+ square foot finished modular home placed on top of that. The picture shows where we cut into the floor of the home to create space for a staircase down to the newly framed first level!

We had the first level precisely framed with extra support on the perimeter and other loading bearing areas so that the modular home could be set on top in three adjoining sections by a crane. The project is almost complete and here are several pictures that show the sequence of events.

The brick columns and arches really dress up the front of this home. The upper porch columns, railing, and steps to the ground level will again change the look from the road. I'll post more pictures when the project is complete!

This is one of those special projects that reminds me of how unique a custom home can be. I don't think there is another one like it. And most importantly, its just the way the homeowners want it!

Interior Trim Work - Part 2

Some additional pictures of an elaborate trim package being installed in one of our custom homes...

How long does it take to build?

A question that we often get asked: "How long will it take to build my house?" The answer depends on several factors:

• Size of the home (both heated and non-heated areas)
• Type of site work required (clearing, grading, digging basement, etc.)
• Amount of detailed features in the home
• Weather
• Availability of materials

The majority of the homes we have been building take less than 5 months to as many as 10 months. This slideshow makes it look incredibly quick!

At Master Plan Homes Inc, Jon and I are licensed residential builders that want to build our homes in a timely manner without sacrificing the integrity of the job.

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What is a Footing?

Many people that build a custom home find that the process is also an education. There are so many choices to make and things to consider that you end up learning a great deal.


One of the unseen components of a new home, and one of the most important, is the "footings" which are a part of the home's foundation. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines a footing as:

"an enlargement at the lower end of a foundation wall, pier, or column to distribute the load."

The most typical footing is made of concrete supported on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill. This concrete footing's purpose is to support the slab, crawl space foundation, or basement walls that sit on top of it.



Footings are usually dug out of the ground with an excavator. The International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings specifies the minimum width and depth required based on the soil type and construction dwelling type.



Reinforcing bars (steel rods, also called rebar) are then placed inside the footing to reinforce the concrete.


Finally, concrete is poured into the excavated area.



Footings are so important in the construction of a new home, that both Richland and Lexington County require footing inspections before the concrete is poured to make sure that they are constructed properly.



At Master Plan Homes Inc., our footings exceed the minimum requirements for width and depth to ensure a solid foundation on which to build. If you have other questions relating to this post or about construction in general, contact us.

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About Master Plan Homes Inc.

Let's get started out with a description of Master Plan Homes Inc.

Our company is owned and operated by Jon Foster and me (Salim Khalil). We both reside in Lexington SC and we both have offices in our homes. Having home-based offices allows us to keep overhead expenses down and therefore provide very competitive rates for our services. The primary service our company provides at this time is custom home building.

We typically work with people that have purchased a lot or land, either have or are working on house plans, and are ready to build their home. We have built homes across Lexington, Columbia, and Chapin ranging from under 2,000 square feet to over 5,000 square feet. Some of these homes have been in developed neighborhoods while others have been on private land.

Jon and I are known to be very honest men of integrity. When we build someone's house, it is very important for us to provide services with care and respect - it is going to be their home afterall. Often times our professional relationship with clients turns into personal friendships which we value.

If you plan to build a home in the area, feel free to contact us:

Jon Foster
803-331-8338
Jon@MasterPlanHomesInc.com

Salim Khalil
803-260-7546
Salim@MasterPlanHomesInc.com

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Master Plan Homes Inc.

Master Plan Homes Inc. now has a blog!


Stay tuned for more to come.


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