Has Anyone Ever Built Their Own House, I Mean with Their Own Hands.

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My husband is an architect and he is currently single handedly building our home. One very slow weekend at a time...so he works a solid seven day work week.

Yes, we are saving tons of money, but he has at his fingertips all the experts he needs to get things right. We have hired electricians, plumbers, HVAC people as you have to have certified people to get your permits signed by the inspectors.

I have lost track of the number of permits we have had and continue to need and number of inspections from the city...and the only reason the city is working with us so well is because of my husband's credentials.

If you are out in the country then yeah...go for it, my husband has learned a lot as he goes...in the city it would be more difficult for you.

If you can build it to "code" you can build it.

Building a house requires a lot of time and planning. After my ex left my children and I built our own home while I was working a full time job to support us. Before we started I spoke to my boss about the extra time I would be on the phone while building the house. I told him that I would get my job done no matter what staying late and coming in early. After it was over he told me he thought I was crazy!

I found someone I trusted who was also knowledgeable to be on site every day. He was a carpenter who had setup his own business. I knew he had the experience while working for others but no one would give him a chance on his own. I saved money using Mike on site everyday and he was able to show potential clients what he could do.

I spent all my vacation and weekends that year getting prices and estimates for everything from concrete to roofing. I pulled the permits in the county and made sure our home qualified for the Energy Star designation.

At the time I drove a Honda accord and thankfully the back seat folded down because we hauled everything we could ourselves. Get prices at Lowes and Home Depot but do not forget home improvement places that are not as flashy, like McCoys, their prices are usually cheaper and they deliver purchases over $500, free. Get them to price match and make use of their design services. We drew our own plans and had plan them printed for permiting and the trades but make sure you have an extra set because things happen.

Every day after work I drove by the house to check on things, get some work done and or sweep it out for the next day. We did all we could and subed out everything else. We finished in 3 months and we moved in on July 3, 1993! At the time the house cost me about $60,000. When we moved in it appraised for $95,000. It was an awsome expreience.

Plan, plan, plan and do not get discouraged. Our neighborhood has deed restrictions even though it is in the county. The board refused to let me build in the neighborhood at first, saying they felt a woman and 3 kids would never get it finished. After some struggle and a visit from a family friend currenty in the business they signed off and we began. Good luck to you!! Contact me if there is anything I can help with.

If you are a member of FB, I suggest you check out a group called "Tiny House Blog". They have great information about building a small home. And they link up with other sites that show others that have built small homes.

It is very honest and helpful.

http://www.facebook.com/TinyHouseBlog

Maybe consider building a small home and get the techniques down.. Sell it for a profit or use it as a guest home on your property.. These homes can be built on a trailer (then you do not have to p[ay property taxes and do not have to do all of the paperwork..

Or you can build it on the property.

I think you are amazing! Things are always harder and more involved than we origionally think but I think you can do anything you set your mind too. Research it well and plan and then go for it. Wish you were closer to me I would love to have a woman help me build a deck and a chicken pen.

It will be a long slow process if you do it yourself.
It took 10 years for my dad to finish a second story addition to my childhood home. It was great when it was done, but... OMG, it took forever!!
LBC

I was the General Contractor for the building of my home. I took care of all the permitting, material purchases and hiring of contractors when it was something I could not do myself. Plumbing and electricity usually require a licensed contractor to sign off on the job or it messes with your home owners insurance and in some places the permits. Plan, plan, plan. You can get price breaks on materials by pitting Home Depot and Lowe's against each other (price matching + 10% off) Use the contractor's desk since you will be spending aaaaaalllllllooooottttttt of money in their stores. Good luck to you!