Ironwood Custom Builders has worked on a wide variety of custom home building and remodeling projects over the years. While we enjoy each and every project we work on, some of our favorites are also the most challenging. With that in mind, we’re excited to share this addition and remodel in Bountiful, Utah. Keep reading to get the scoop about this project!
Project Details
Project Name: Fergusson Residence
Location: Bountiful, Utah
Project Type: Addition & Remodel
Project Cost: $980,000
Designer: Walker Home Design
Structural Engineer: Iridium AE
Civil Engineer: McNeil Engineering
Project Goals
Our clients love the bones of their home and its location. However, the interior of the home is due for an upgrade. This project will also help the homeowners solve another problem: the extremely unsafe slope of their driveway. Portions of the existing driveway reach a 27% slope — for perspective, the steepest part of nearby Parley’s Canyon is a mere 6%! The steep slope of the current driveway poses potential safety risks and can be hard to navigate during inclement weather conditions.
Description of Work
To accomplish the task of reducing the slope of the driveway, Ironwood Custom Builders is going to build a new garage in front of the existing structure. However, the new garage will be 15 feet lower. Building the garage floor lower has a significant impact on the slope of the driveway, reducing it by 44%. A spacious master suite with an elevator will be built above the new garage. The old garage structure will then be converted to a new family room while the existing main and upper floors will be remodeled and updated.
Challenges
Lowering the floor of the new garage by 15 feet is the biggest hurdle of this project, as it requires extensive site work and retaining to be done. This accounts for much of the project price tag, clocking in at just under $200,000. Most of the existing lot has slopes in excess of 30%. Building code doesn’t allow you to build or even encroach upon slopes of that magnitude while building. The city is also requiring we keep the existing slopes and vegetation intact. Because of this, we have a very narrow envelope to work within without damaging or impacting the area.
This project will be challenging but so worth it in the end! Our team is excited to tackle the Fergusson project over the next 12 months, and we’d love it if you would follow along. Like our Facebook page and check back on our blog for photos and updates on this project.
Have questions about the Fergusson project or working with Ironwood Custom Builders? Get in touch with our team to learn more. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide information about working with us on your next remodeling or custom home.
