How to build a house alone [video] • Hacker News Board

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#191

Post by bitexploder » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:12 PM UTC

philipps wrote: post #60

bitexploder wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

US building standards are pretty good for our wood frame houses these days. These houses can withstand pretty much anything but tornado or earthquake. Proper maintenance of the external facing structures of the house (roof, paint, siding, windows) mean it can last a very long time (100 years). We also insulate houses more or less depending on where they are. New homes are quite energy efficient.

I grew up in Germany and 100 years does not sound like a long time for a house to last. Maybe that’s they main difference: expectation of longevity. Which is surprising because while my hometown Cologne is in fact more than 2000 years old, many of its buildings were destroyed in various wars. I’m not sure where the cultural expectation that houses should last forever originates.

That was just an example. I think they can last pretty much indefinitely with maintenance. I know we have wood frame houses built in the 1700s and 1800s that still stand in New England and other places.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#192

Post by thowawayburnout » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:12 PM UTC

andys627 wrote: post #184

icebraining wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A problem is that you can't get a mortgage to build it yourself. Being cheaper in the end doesn't help you if you don't have the money right now.

This is a good thing. You want any home you may buy to have been built under the supervision of a licensed general contractor.

$2k gets you a general contractor licence in my area (Canada). The fact someone is licensed means almost nothing at all for general contractors. Its more important they have insurance.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#193

Post by quake » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:14 PM UTC

ctime wrote: post #77

Richard Proenneke built a home in the middle of no where Alaska in the 50's, using only hand tools, check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proenneke Alone in the Wilderness - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJKd0rkKss

I have so many fond memories of watching Alone in the Wilderness with my father and little brother. My mom would send us to bed, only for him to wake us up so we could watch it together late at night.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#194

Post by bluGill » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:17 PM UTC

andys627 wrote: post #185

sjg007 wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can get a construction loan in some States and in those States you are allowed to build your own house. Now the bank may have some requirements (show them your plans etc...) on you but you can generally act as your own general contractor. Still I think a reputable builder + home inspector + real estate attorney is the better way to go. At least if the contractor is registered with the State you can usually get ac…

I have not seen a lender that will give an "owner-builder" a construction loan without being a licensed general contractor. There are various common ways to structure a deal with a general contractor - fixed price, "cost-plus", or construction manager (where you convince them to "use" their license and they check your work).

Several of my family members have gotten such a lot, so as of 15 years ago it was still possible.

Building your own house is a good way to get end up in divorce. It hasn't happened in my family but they tell me that the stress is too high. You have to get that house built quick because the loan terms only give you a few months before you have to refinance.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#195

Post by vvanders » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:20 PM UTC

andys627 wrote: post #186

icebraining wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not from the US :) By "self-build", you mean you actually build it yourself? Doesn't the bank require professionals who can present invoices and such?

Yes they require _someone_ to have a general contractor's license and insurance.

Most actually go a lot further than that. We're in the process of building right now with a large-ish builder + separate lender. We can't even do the painting ourselves, the mortgage company requires that we hire it out.

I'm short on free time anyway so it's not that big of a deal but finding a lender that would let you do everything is probably a bit tricky.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#196

Post by cgh » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:22 PM UTC

bkovacev wrote: post #106

Does anyone know what are the exact materials used? I'm so used to concrete/bricks/blocks around the area where I live, that this makes me wonder whether it will bear against a stronger winter (while I know the video was filmed in the winter) or wind. Can someone share their experiences with this type of a house? Also, are all houses in the states built like this?

This is in Canada, a country that is not exactly known for mild winters. I grew up in a place that sometimes hit -20 to -40 degrees C with huge amounts of snow in similar houses. It comes down to insulation and waterproofing.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#197

Post by bluGill » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:28 PM UTC

andys627 wrote: post #186

icebraining wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not from the US :) By "self-build", you mean you actually build it yourself? Doesn't the bank require professionals who can present invoices and such?

Yes they require _someone_ to have a general contractor's license and insurance.

Those are both cheap and easy to get though.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#198

Post by markdog12 » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:31 PM UTC

Ha! He's trying to hide the location so OHS stays off his back, but he's maybe giving too much away (Footage of the neighborhood, -30C, etc). Hope he doesn't get in trouble.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#199

Post by Ftuuky » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:33 PM UTC

gkya wrote: post #170

Ftuuky wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, EN subs is a must have, I'm sure my brother is capable of that. Good luck with learning Portuguese. Just like French, you'll need some perseverance in the beginning. ;)

Thanks! Is there a YT channel or blog etc. where we can follow to be notified if that project becomes real? I already know italian, and I'm slowly starting to learn french, so I guess that will help w/ portuguese. I can already understand bits and pieces when I read, but listening, I have no chance.

There's nothing done yet. I just saw the videos posted in this thread, it reminded me of my father and I asked if this is something people would like to see. If anything gets done it'll be thanks to my brother since I live and work far away from my parents' hometown.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#200

Post by falcolas » Fri, Apr 20, 2018, 3:41 PM UTC

megaman22 wrote: post #80

bufferoverflow wrote: post #19

He isn't even wearing a hard hat. That's an OSHA violation. I watch the video about him installing the stairs, and I cringed half the time. The guy is very close to injuring or killing himself.

OSHA is ridiculous, nobody actually does everything it stipulates. It's a CYA set of regulations. Under perfect circumstances, with money and manpower and equipment, and time enough, you could follow all that garbage. But most of the time, you don't have any of that, and shit needs to get done, so you do what you can, as safely as you can, and accept a little risk.

One problem is people underestimate risk. Not wearing a hardhat is often viewed as a minor risk at best - your chances of being hit by falling debris when you're working alone is nearly zero. But a single blow to the temple can kill you, or worse, debilitate you for the rest of your life.

You can't get shit done when you can't remember how to work.