Question about steel buildings and home construction.

Question

I am looking at buying a steel building like the one in the link below but I have a few questions.

This building would be intended residential use.

Keep in mind that I live in the northeast when answering these questions:

1) What type of foundation would I build and how much on average would it cost?

2) What are the pros and cons of a slab foundation?

3) What are the average costs for hooking up or installing town water or well, town sewer or spectic tank as well as having electrical services run into the house?

http://www.unitedsteelaluminum.com/Jpegs/building_model.jpg

Thanks a lot for your help

Answer 1

Better research your local Codes.

There will be stringent requirements for ventilation, insulation, and structural integrity that I doubt that that structure will meet.

In the north-east, insulation will be a major problem.

Answer 2

well for the foundation, im not sure if you could get away with a thickened edge slab or not, you would probably require a pile foundation, either way you would have to get an engineer to design or approve of the foundation design (at least thats the way it works here). slab foundations are more likely to be subject to heaving and cracking, so im pretty sure you need a pile foundation. i have no idea on the costs of any of these things. the building itself would also require engineering on the entire structure, again im going by what we require for new houses, your city/municipality might have different requirements. they might not even let you use that building as a residential home, you would have to check with them first. you also have to meet requirements for windows, doors, insulation, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide etc... you should contact the local governing body and see if they have any pamphlets on what is required