ok, we are buying an old farm house in Nebraska. There is an original old 2 story home (aprox 360 sqft footprint) there is a 2 story addition (aprox 345 sq ft footprint) and a 1 story adition (270 sqft footprint) The house was originally built in the early 1900's. One of the additions is not much older than the original house, and the 1 story addition I think was added in the 30's maybe. There is not much of a basement, and most of the house only has a dirt crawl space. All 3 parts of the house slope one way or another as the foundations either were not right to start with, and have settled since then. The only way that I can really see to fix it would be to lift the house, and have eral footings put in, and a real basement. has anyone done this before? Any idea on the costs? Who do I call? I dont want to do it myself. This is way to big of a project. do I contact a general contractor? or some other kind of contractor or what? Any ideas? Anything would help.

I'm going to be finishing my basement soon and I have a question about the joists. Here's my current plan just so you know: Caulk the sill if needed poly against the wall from grade level down 2x4 wood stud wall with unfaced batt insulation poly sealing the stud wall with a little extra up top for next step. Stuff the band joists with batt out to the stud wall and cap with rigid foam (cap is now flush with the wall below). Caulk the edges and seal the poly against it. The question I have relates to fire code. The walls will be covered with drywall but what about little rigid foam cap between the joists? Do I need to cut a pattern in the top of the dry wall so it can slide right up to the subfloor or is it enough to leave that cap exposed because the room will have a drop ceiling? Or is there another way of covering the rigid foam? Thanks! Sean