Last week's storm was probably the first weather event in the last 40 years when the Cape experienced widespread coastal flooding. All of the areas that experienced this flooding are in documented FEMA flood plains. The combination of high winds and moon tides created the perfect conditions for flooding, especially along Cape Cod Bay. We are often invited to look at potential projects in these waterfront or coastal areas, and the fist thing we always check are the flood maps for each area.

Below are pictures from the Barnstable Harbor and Yarmouthport areas on Cape Cod Bay

Here are some things to consider if you currently own properties in a documented flood zone (A, AE or V) and are planning a renovation or new construction project:

1. Is your property in a flood zone and what type of flood zone are you in? You can start by looking up your address here: FEMA Flood Map Portal
2. How does being in a flood zone impact your renovation or addition project? Take a look at the Substantial Improvement Requirements from FEMA also known as the 50% rule. This means that any work on an existing structure that exceeds 50% of the value of the existing structure will require that the ENTIRE STRUCTURE meet current flood zone requirements and be lifted out of the floodplain.

If you are in fact in a flood plane (Zone A, AE or V) your ability to renovate or build new will be governed by the current flood zone construction requirements. In basic terms, FEMA will require that any new home or major renovation or addition project be built to current flood zone construction standards. Currently FEMA requires that all new construction or major renovations be lifted at least 1' above the floodplain. In areas closer to the shoreline where there may be waves during a flood the home may have to be 3' or more above the top of those waves.

Those considering projects in these areas should also be aware that traditional basements are not allowed, as foundations in these areas must be designed to allow water to flow through without causing structural damage. Furthermore, all mechanical systems such as heating, cooling and electrical equipment must installed above the highest flood elevation.

If you are considering a custom home or renovation / addition project in one of these areas, feel free to contact us at info@capecodbuilder.com to see how we can help!

If you would like more information about building in coastal areas, click here for our waterfront property guide

We have had the opportunity to design and build several beautify custom homes over the last few years and we wanted to take this opportunity to show some of the great kitchens, which are always a focal point of the interior design. Here are some of our favorites.

 If you are considering designing, building or renovating your Cape Cod custom home, consider working with the team at REEF.  We provide complete design, permitting and construction services throughout Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts.  If you would like to know what your new Cape Cod Home might cost, please download our Construction Cost Guide!

This week the Baker administration announced new proposed legislation that may lead to the creation of up to 135,000 new housing units in the Commonwealth. This proposal includes a combination of grants and incentives for municipalities to encourage smart growth through zoning changes that have hindered housing development in the past. Over the last several years, many towns have adopted exclusionary zoning (such as 2 acre minimum lot size requirements) that virtually prohibits reasonable density for residential development. Housing costs have skyrocketed over the last several years, namely due to zoning and building code changes. We hope that this bill will be well received by the legislature, and provide opportunities for housing development at all levels. On Cape Cod, sensible housing development has reached a critical point and all sectors of the economy are scrambling to find reasonably priced housing to sustain a year round workforce. Incentives for development around village centers, and reasonable zoning that includes things like accessory apartments are key to attracting a viable workforce to the Cape.

For more information on this proposed housing plan, click here!

If you are interested to find out what current housing costs are on Cape Cod, click here to download our Construction Cost Guide

This Saturday will be the 118th Army/Navy Football game. After last year's great Army victory - we'll be looking for another Army win! Go Army- Beat Navy!

Since the last part of this series a lot has happened! We completed the design process and were able to obtain our final building permits through the town's building department. This process should take about 30 days, but with a large home, expect lots of questions from the building commissioner. Structural details and engineering had to be submitted and reviewed with our engineer and this process takes time. We began work in September, clearing the site and moving out excess soil that would have otherwise been in our way for construction.

Most of this soil will have to be brought back into the site for back fill, due to the limited area to work and the constraints inherent to construction in a conservation area. With the fill removed, we were able get to work on the basement footings and walls.

After the footings are installed, the next step is to form and place concrete in the lower level walkout basement walls, which will remain below grade once complete - you can see the form work in the next photo

Once the concrete has been poured in the lower walls and it has cured, the forms are removed and rigid foam insulation is placed against the walls to protect from frost from migrating through the foundation walls and heaving the soils below the house.

Here are some pictures with the foam insulation installed:

With the foam in place - the lower walls can now be back filled and we are ready to grade and compact the soils under the areas inside the footings to prepare for the flood slab. This is an important step in the process, as it saves time because it would be impossible to use heavy equipment inside the foundation after the walls are poured.

Next steps? This week we will be setting up the rest of the form work for the basement, installing the remaining reinforcing bars and pouring concrete in the walls! We will also start working on the foundation waterproofing system, drainage work and the plumbing that will go under the slab for the basement bathrooms.

If you are considering designing and building a waterfront new home, please consider our team here at REEF!

Here are some more useful links!

Construction Cost Guide for Cape Cod

Waterfront Property Guide

Interested in Post and Beam construction - check out our Timberpeg Page

We wanted to share some video a project we just completed! This custom home, designed and built by our team here at REEF features stunning, panoramic views of Cape Cod Bay, and Provincetown, and offers one of the most breathtaking sunset views we have every seen. This project was the result of a lengthy and fairly complex planning and design process due to the sensitive and unique location of the property. We'll be sharing interior photos next week - so check in to see what the inside of this custom home reveals... you might be surprised!

If you are considering building your custom home here on Cape Cod click here to download our waterfront property guide!

The REEF team is proud to present our new website! We have gone with a more visual format for the site, so we can better show our design and building capabilities, and we still offer our great informational guides and blog. Let us know what you think!

Click here to check it out! www.capecodbuilder.com

Over the last 10 years, we have seen the intensity and frequency of major weather events increase. In response to these increased risks, we have seen building codes change, specifically with regard to structural design and wind resistance. However, given the increasing intensity of weather events, you may want to consider designing a Hurricane Safe Room as part of your custom home or renovation project.

Hurricane safe rooms are designed as hardened structures or rooms that meet FEMA design guidelines and provide life safety protection in extreme wind events such as a hurricane or tornado.

These rooms are generally small, and constructed of concrete, or concrete block and reinforced to resist the highest levels of wind and structural loading that one may expect in a major weather event. Often times, these rooms are located in a basement area, except in documented flood zones.

Here's a link to some Frequently Asked Questions about Hurricane Rooms from Fema's Website with some great information.

FEMA also provides a basic design guideline that shows how a basic room might be constructed

Hurricane Safe Room Design

If you are considering a new custom home or renovation  project on Cape Cod, let the team at REEF Builders design and build your Cape Cod Home. 

If you want to know what your Cape Cod home project  might cost click here to download our Construction Cost Guide