Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Construction
Process
What is the permitting process for a floating home?
Who issues building permits?
How long does it take to build a complete floating home?
Concrete
Barges
Do concrete barges float?
What kind of reinforcing steel does a barge have?
How long will a concrete barge last?
Costs
What does it cost to build a concrete barge?
What is the permitting process for a floating home?
To obtain a Permit from the Marin County Building Department to build a houseboat, three full sets of Architectural and Engineering drawings and calculations must be submitted to the County for, firstly, a Planning Review to ensure adequate setbacks are maintained and the structure does not exceed size restrictions. Once Planning approval is obtained, the plans are checked by the Building Department for compliance with seismic, structural, energy loss, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes.
In Marin County, either the County of Marin or the city of Sausalito issues building permits depending on where the home is located.
How long does it take to build a complete floating home?
To build a complete houseboat of approximately 1200 sq. ft. takes about four months, given standard construction. The addition of specialty items, curved work, elaborate plumbing and tile work can add considerably to the time, especially long lead-time items.
Concrete barges float because of the sheer volume of water displaced by the barge. Acting in accordance with the laws of physics, the weight of water displaced equals the weight of the barge.
What kind of reinforcing steel does a barge have?
In a 16 x 36 barge, there is approximately 4000 lbs. of reinforcing, comprising #4 bars at 12” centers both ways in the walls and floor slab; #5 bars at 6” centers in the top of the floor slab and #6 bars at the top and bottom of the walls, + additional #5 bars at the corners.
As of July 1st, 2005, all reinforcing steel will be fusion coated unless Buyer requests mill finish reinforcing.
How long will a concrete barge last?
Some concrete barges built by the military during WWII are being used as houseboat hulls, and with better concrete and two coats of cold tar epoxy, today’s barges can be expected to last at least 40 years. With the use of fusion coated reinforcing the life expectancy exceeds 80 years.
What does it cost to build a concrete barge?
As of May 1, 2009, the price for a new barge is $64 / sq.ft. All barges have epoxy coated reinforcing steel and the exterior of the walls is coated with two coats of polyurethane epoxy paint. A barge 16' x 32' x 6' would be $32,768. There is a minimum pricing size of 16x32x6 and a maximum pricing size of 20x46x6.
Sizes range from 112x26, 32x65, down to 12x20. Barges larger than 20x46x6 can be priced upon request.
