Mökin oikaisu ja alapohjan purkutyöt (Hämeenlinna)

Kuvaus

Vapaa kuvaus remontista:
Conversation with Gemini
I'll upload pictures and will prompt you once all are uploaded

I have received all the images. I am ready whenever you are—just let me know what you would like me to do with them!

I have received this second set of images as well. It looks like you've provided several views of the crawlspace and foundation.

Please let me know when you are finished uploading and what you would like me to help you with regarding these photos!

Finland, mökki. The pictures are from the crawlspace under the mökki. Tell me what you see, the problems but also good things if any. Don't hallucinate, just facts

Based on the images you provided of the crawlspace under your mökki, here is a factual breakdown of what is visible, including both the positive aspects and the areas of concern.

What I See (Factual Observations)
Foundation Type: The mökki sits on an open pillar/post foundation (pilariperustus) over bare soil and sand.

Support Structures: The supports consist of a mix of dry-stacked concrete blocks/pavers, wooden posts, and at least one adjustable metal screw jack resting on a concrete pad.

Underside of the Structure: The subfloor features green-painted or treated wooden joists and bare wooden floorboards.

Ground Features: The ground is uneven dirt and sand. There are pre-cast concrete drainage channels laid out on the ground in one area, and a white corrugated plastic pipe extending down from the structure above.

Debris: There is scattered debris under the structure, including loose wooden boards, a toy truck, and some wire/cable.

The Good Things
Excellent Ventilation: Because it is an open crawlspace, there is abundant airflow. This is crucial for a mökki to help dry out moisture and prevent severe rot.

Adjustable Supports: The presence of an adjustable metal screw jack (seen in the 20260720_190803 and 190858 photos) is a highly beneficial feature. In Finland, frost heaving (routa) can shift foundations; these jacks allow you to easily re-level the cabin if the ground moves.

Surface Water Management: The concrete drainage channels on the ground show that proactive steps have been taken to direct water away from the foundation.

Clearance: For the most part, the main structural joists and floorboards are elevated well off the ground, keeping them away from direct soil moisture.

Problems & Areas of Concern
Failing Subfloor Enclosure: Several photos show large sheets of bottom board (likely a wind protection board or tuulensuojalevy) and white fabric detaching and hanging down toward the ground.

Exposed Insulation: Because the bottom boards are failing, the insulation (which appears to be mineral wool or fiberglass) is exposed. It is sagging in some places and is highly vulnerable to rodents, insects, and moisture.

Makeshift Piers: Many of the supports are just unmortared, dry-stacked concrete blocks. While very common in older Finnish cottages, these can easily shift, lean, or settle over time due to frost heaving and soil erosion.

Moisture/Algae on Wood: There is visible green staining (algae or moss) on the undersides of some wooden joists and boards. This indicates that the wood has experienced prolonged exposure to high humidity or dampness.

Wood-to-Ground Contact: Some wooden supports and discarded lumber left on the ground appear to be in direct contact with the soil. Wood touching bare earth acts as a sponge for moisture and will eventually rot.

Loose Wires: There are loose, unsupported wires or cables hanging down below the joists, which could be snagged or damaged by pests.

The mökki has a tilt. How to fix this urgently. Also, is it possible to just remove all the rotten stuff for now without putting a new floor

I completely understand the urgency. Dealing with a tilting cabin and seeing failing materials underneath can be stressful, but the good news is that both of these issues are very common with Finnish mökkis and are entirely manageable.

Here is the factual, straightforward reality of how to handle this right now.

How to Fix the Tilt Urgently
You can level the cabin yourself without needing to rebuild the foundation immediately, but you must work carefully.

Locate the lowest point: Use a long spirit level or a laser level inside the cabin to find exactly which corner or side has sunk.

Adjust the screw jacks (easiest fix): If the sinking section is supported by one of those metal screw jacks seen in your photos, you are in luck. Spray the threads with a lubricant like WD-40, grab a large wrench, and turn the heavy nut upwards to raise that section of the floor beam.

Use a bottle jack for the concrete blocks: If the sinking section rests on the dry-stacked concrete blocks, you will need a hydraulic bottle jack (pullotunkki) and a thick, sturdy piece of scrap timber. Place the jack on a solid, flat base on the ground, put the timber on top of the jack to distribute the force, and slowly pump the jack to lift the wooden beam right next to the sinking concrete pillar.

Add shims: Once the beam is lifted just enough to be level, slide solid shims on top of the concrete blocks to fill the new gap. Use durable materials that won't compress or rot, like thick metal plates, heavy-duty plastic wedges, or pieces of bitumen roofing felt (huopakatto). Slowly lower the jack so the beam rests entirely on the newly shimmed pillar.

Prioritize safety: Never put your head or body directly under a section of the cabin that is being supported only by a hydraulic jack. Always keep the existing blocks directly under the beam as a fail-safe while jacking it up.

Removing the Failing Underside Materials
Yes, you absolutely can—and should—remove the failing materials immediately without putting in a new floor.

Stop the rot: Ripping out the sagging wind protection boards (tuulensuojalevy) and the falling insulation is the best thing you can do right now. Leaving them there traps moisture against the healthy wooden joists and the underside of your actual floorboards, which will eventually cause severe structural rot. Pulling it all out allows the wood to breathe and dry out.

Expect a colder floor: The only consequence of doing this is that your floor will no longer be insulated. Since it is currently July, the only difference you will notice is that the floor might feel a bit drafty or cool at night, much like a traditional, old-school summer cottage. You do not need to replace the insulation or the floor right away; just wear warm socks.

Protect yourself: You must wear a high-quality respirator mask (like a P3), safety goggles, and gloves when pulling this down. Old fiberglass or mineral wool is terrible for your lungs, and there is a high risk of encountering old rodent droppings, which can carry diseases like Hantavirus (myyräkuume) in Finland.

Do you have access to a hydraulic bottle jack and some sturdy timber at the mökki, or will you need to try adjusting just the screw jacks for now?

I need a contractor. Estimate prices for lifting up the mökki and removing the rotten stuff. Rural Hämeenlinna

Here is a factual estimate for hiring a professional to fix the tilt and clear out the crawlspace of your mökki.

Contractor Rates in the Hämeenlinna Area
In the Hämeenlinna and Kanta-Häme region, the hourly rate for a professional carpenter (kirvesmies or timpuri) generally ranges between 40€ and 80€. Based on current listings for local contractors in that area, many charge between 45€ and 56€ per hour, including VAT.

For the demolition portion of the job, a cottage handyman (mökkitalkkari) can often handle the work and typically charges around 40€ to 55€ per hour.

Estimated Project Breakdown
Since the crawlspace is somewhat tight but accessible, and you already have adjustable screw jacks in place, here is how a contractor will likely break down the work:

Task 1: Leveling the Mökki (Mökin oikaisu)
Because the existing supports are dry-stacked blocks and screw jacks, this is primarily a labor-intensive task rather than a heavy masonry rebuild. It generally takes 1 to 2 workers a full day to safely map the levels, jack up the sunken corners, adjust the screw jacks, and place secure shims.

Estimated Labor: 8 to 16 man-hours.

Note: As a point of reference, minor foundation leveling repairs for small log cabins often start around 990€.

Task 2: Removing the Failing Underside (Purkutyö)
Pulling down the rotting windbreak boards (tuulensuojalevy) and the sagging insulation is filthy work requiring respirators and protective gear. The time depends on how easy it is to maneuver under the joists.

Estimated Labor: 8 to 12 man-hours.

Total Estimated Cost
If we assume a combined total of 16 to 28 man-hours billed at an average local rate of 50€/hour:

Labor Estimate: 800€ – 1,400€ (including VAT)

Additional Costs to Factor In:

Travel Expenses (Kilometrikorvaus): Because you are in rural Hämeenlinna, expect to pay for the contractor's driving time and fuel. This is typically billed between 0.30€ and 1.25€ per kilometer.

Waste Disposal (Jätemaksu): The contractor will need to bag the nasty insulation and haul it away (likely to the Karanoja waste center in Hämeenlinna). Expect an additional 100€ – 200€ to cover their trailer use, driving time to the dump, and the municipal waste weight fees.

Tax Benefit: Keep in mind that you are eligible for the kotitalousvähennys (household tax credit) on the labor portion of this bill, which will significantly reduce your actual out-of-pocket expense when you file your Finnish taxes.

Would you like me to draft a short, professional Finnish-language request for a quote (tarjouspyyntö) that you can copy and send to local contractors?

Yes, I will put it on urakkamaailma and add the pictures. Make it zhort and add English translation

Here is a short, factual, and professional project description you can copy and paste directly into Urakkamaailma. I have included the Finnish version first, followed by the English translation.

Finnish Version (For Urakkamaailma)
Otsikko: Mökin oikaisu ja alapohjan purkutyöt (Hämeenlinna)

Kuvaus:
Etsin ammattilaista maaseudulla Hämeenlinnassa sijaitsevan kesämökin akuutteihin korjaustöihin. Urakkaan kuuluu kaksi osa-aluetta:

Mökin oikaisu: Mökki on painunut vinoksi. Perustuksena on avoin pilariperustus, joka koostuu pinotuista kevytsoraharkoista sekä säädettävistä metallisista kierrejaloista. Työ vaatii matalimman kohdan etsimisen, tunkkauksen ja harkkojen kiilauksen/kierrejalkojen säädön takaisin suoraan.

Alapohjan purku ja jätteenkäsittely: Roikkuvien ja kastuneiden tuulensuojalevyjen sekä vanhojen eristevillojen purkaminen mökin alta. Työhön kuuluu myös näiden purkujätteiden poiskuljetus ja jätemaksut. Uutta eristystä tai pohjaa ei asenneta tässä vaiheessa.

Kuvat ryömintätilasta ovat liitteenä. Tila on matala, mutta sinne pääsee ryömimään. Etsin tekijää nopealla aikataululla.

English Translation (For Your Reference)
Title: Cabin leveling and crawlspace demolition work (Hämeenlinna)

Description:
I am looking for a professional for urgent repair work on a summer cabin located in rural Hämeenlinna. The contract includes two parts:

Leveling the cabin: The cabin has settled and is tilting. The foundation is an open pillar foundation consisting of stacked concrete blocks and adjustable metal screw jacks. The work requires finding the lowest point, jacking it up, and shimming the blocks/adjusting the screw jacks back to level.

Crawlspace demolition and waste disposal: Removal of sagging, damp windbreak boards and old insulation wool from under the cabin. The job also includes hauling away this demolition waste and covering the waste disposal fees. No new insulation or subfloor will be installed at this stage.

Pictures of the crawlspace are attached. The space is low but accessible by crawling. I am looking for a contractor on a fast schedule.

For point 1, just mention it's tilting, looks like the foundation is a mix and that it will need to be lifted and levelled, likely replacing parts of the foundation

Here is the updated, concise version with the changes made to the first point, followed by the English translation.

Finnish Version (For Urakkamaailma)
Otsikko: Mökin oikaisu ja alapohjan purkutyöt (Hämeenlinna)

Kuvaus:
Etsin ammattilaista maaseudulla Hämeenlinnassa sijaitsevan kesämökin akuutteihin korjaustöihin. Urakkaan kuuluu kaksi osa-aluetta:

Mökin oikaisu: Mökki on kallellaan. Perustus näyttää olevan sekoitus erilaisia tukia, joten mökkiä täytyy nostaa ja oikaista. Työn yhteydessä pitää todennäköisesti myös uusia osia perustuksesta.

Alapohjan purku ja jätteenkäsittely: Roikkuvien ja kastuneiden tuulensuojalevyjen sekä vanhojen eristevillojen purkaminen mökin alta. Työhön kuuluu myös näiden purkujätteiden poiskuljetus ja jätemaksut. Uutta eristystä tai pohjaa ei asenneta tässä vaiheessa.

Kuvat ryömintätilasta ovat liitteenä. Tila on matala, mutta sinne pääsee ryömimään. Etsin tekijää nopealla aikataululla.

English Translation (For Your Reference)
Title: Cabin leveling and crawlspace demolition work (Hämeenlinna)

Description:
I am looking for a professional for urgent repair work on a summer cabin located in rural Hämeenlinna. The contract includes two parts:

Leveling the cabin: The cabin is tilting. The foundation looks to be a mix of different supports, so the cabin will need to be lifted and leveled. It is likely that parts of the foundation will also need to be replaced during the process.

Crawlspace demolition and waste disposal: Removal of sagging, damp windbreak boards and old insulation wool from under the cabin. The job also includes hauling away this demolition waste and covering the waste disposal fees. No new insulation or subfloor will be installed at this stage.

Pictures of the crawlspace are attached. The space is low but accessible by crawling. I am looking for a contractor on a fast schedule.

Remove the urgent in the beginning and end. In the end, add that i also need an estimate when the work can start

Here is the updated version with those adjustments made.

Finnish Version (For Urakkamaailma)
Otsikko: Mökin oikaisu ja alapohjan purkutyöt (Hämeenlinna)

Kuvaus:
Etsin ammattilaista maaseudulla Hämeenlinnassa sijaitsevan kesämökin korjaustöihin. Urakkaan kuuluu kaksi osa-aluetta:

Mökin oikaisu: Mökki on kallellaan. Perustus näyttää olevan sekoitus erilaisia tukia, joten mökkiä täytyy nostaa ja oikaista. Työn yhteydessä pitää todennäköisesti myös uusia osia perustuksesta.

Alapohjan purku ja jätteenkäsittely: Roikkuvien ja kastuneiden tuulensuojalevyjen sekä vanhojen eristevillojen purkaminen mökin alta. Työhön kuuluu myös näiden purkujätteiden poiskuljetus ja jätemaksut. Uutta eristystä tai pohjaa ei asenneta tässä vaiheessa.

Kuvat ryömintätilasta ovat liitteenä. Tila on matala, mutta sinne pääsee ryömimään. Pyydän ilmoittamaan tarjouksessa myös arvion siitä, milloin työt voisi aloittaa.

English Translation (For Your Reference)
Title: Cabin leveling and crawlspace demolition work (Hämeenlinna)

Description:
I am looking for a professional for repair work on a summer cabin located in rural Hämeenlinna. The contract includes two parts:

Leveling the cabin: The cabin is tilting. The foundation looks to be a mix of different supports, so the cabin will need to be lifted and leveled. It is likely that parts of the foundation will also need to be replaced during the process.

Crawlspace demolition and waste disposal: Removal of sagging, damp windbreak boards and old insulation wool from under the cabin. The job also includes hauling away this demolition waste and covering the waste disposal fees. No new insulation or subfloor will be installed at this stage.

Pictures of the crawlspace are attached. The space is low but accessible by crawling. Please include an estimate of when the work could start in your quote.

For part 2, change it so it says that it's less specific. I'm a layperson and don't know these things. Just mention that the stuff needs to be removed snd disposed of

Here is the updated version with a simpler, more generalized description for the second part.

Finnish Version (For Urakkamaailma)
Otsikko: Mökin oikaisu ja alapohjan purkutyöt (Hämeenlinna)

Kuvaus:
Etsin ammattilaista maaseudulla Hämeenlinnassa sijaitsevan kesämökin korjaustöihin. Urakkaan kuuluu kaksi osa-aluetta:

Mökin oikaisu: Mökki on kallellaan. Perustus näyttää olevan sekoitus erilaisia tukia, joten mökkiä täytyy nostaa ja oikaista. Työn yhteydessä pitää todennäköisesti myös uusia osia perustuksesta.

Alapohjan purku ja jätteenkäsittely: Mökin alta pitää purkaa kaikki siellä roikkuvat ja irtoilevat materiaalit pois. Työhön kuuluu myös näiden roskien poiskuljetus ja jätemaksujen hoitaminen. Uutta pohjaa ei tarvitse rakentaa tässä vaiheessa.

Kuvat ryömintätilasta ovat liitteenä. Pyydän ilmoittamaan tarjouksessa myös arvion siitä, milloin työt voisi aloittaa.