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How to build a house alone [video]

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Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#251

Post by lostlogin »

sjg007 wrote: post #174
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.

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…

If some places you can structure it such that the bank will give you x amount once y work is complete. Eg they give you 20k, and once foundations are signed off by the council (or whoever) the next install will be handed to you for framing or subfloor. On completion of that another amount can be borrowed. It’s a good way to go.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#252

Post by lostlogin »

newnewpdro wrote: post #244
sjg007 wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or a remodel is a quick way to divorce as well.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are from periods of major DIY home rennovation projects. Remodeling the kitchen, replacing the windows, installing tile and hardwood floors, all sorts of fun and hugely educational experiences. These were times of pleasure, excitement, and productive collaboration for the entire family. When I see comments like these it makes me wonder what sort of dysfunctoinal marriages people…

But was it a fun memory for your parents? I remember renovations being exciting too but the reality of looking after children with an unsafe house, no proper kitchen or bathroom etc, gets old really fast.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#253

Post by lostlogin »

chrisBob wrote: post #213
icebraining wrote: post #100

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Land alone is often pretty expensive; can you get a regular mortgage to buy it?

Our land loan had similar interest to a mortgage, but was interest only with a balloon payment after 24 months. The bank's intent was to issue the loan and roll it into a construction loan with similar terms (which is what we did). This was all through a small local bank where the loan officer inspected the house himself prior to each construction draw. The biggest challenge we had with the loans for land, constructi…

I’d have called that a medium to large house with 3k being huge - what is typical? Looking where I live, we are typical for 1960s, and just over half the current average of 205 square metres. Guess my idea of large is actually small.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#254

Post by theEXTORTCIST »

elif wrote: post #180
toomanybeersies wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My father's hobby is property investment. Well, it's a bit more than a hobby, he owns around 10 houses. He does as much work as possible himself, or when I was living at home, by getting me to do it for free (well, I get inheritance one day). The amount of money he's managed to save by doing his own work is staggering. We saved at least $10,000 by building a retaining wall ourselves. We mixed up over 6 tonnes of conc…

>We saved at least $10,000 by building a retaining wall ourselves. We mixed up over 6 tonnes of concrete in a 200 L concrete mixer. I have done it both ways... Concrete trucks are about $80-120 / yd. mixing bags of concrete, assuming you have free aggregate and sand, is about $200 / yd

I am trying to understand your post. Is it cheaper per yard to hire a concrete truck than to mix concrete (with free aggregate/sand) yourself?

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#255

Post by tzahola »

SmellyGeekBoy wrote: post #113
tzahola wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it's just how houses are build in the US.

Many new builds in the UK too, sadly.

At least there’s less chance of a hurricane there, though I wonder how they protect the wooden structure from the year-round damp climate.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#256

Post by jbigelow76 »

pascalxus wrote: post #241
mrleiter wrote: post #16

Back in the 50s, my great grandfather built the house where my mother and my grandmother grew up in all by himself. It took him 6 years, but he had no help. He started digging into the ground with a shovel. He was a carpenter and bricklayer and used his spare time and skill to do it. This house is still standing and my grandmother still lives in it. This is him with his wife, my great grandmother: https://i.imgur.com…

That's impressive. The good old days. I wish this was still possible today. Unfortunately, with every last screw, bolt and wooden panel dictated by regulation, it seems it's not possible anymore.

Houses aren't being built anymore? No wonder there's a housing shortage.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#257

Post by pasbesoin »

pascalxus wrote: post #241
mrleiter wrote: post #16

Back in the 50s, my great grandfather built the house where my mother and my grandmother grew up in all by himself. It took him 6 years, but he had no help. He started digging into the ground with a shovel. He was a carpenter and bricklayer and used his spare time and skill to do it. This house is still standing and my grandmother still lives in it. This is him with his wife, my great grandmother: https://i.imgur.com…

That's impressive. The good old days. I wish this was still possible today. Unfortunately, with every last screw, bolt and wooden panel dictated by regulation, it seems it's not possible anymore.

Other responders comment on the sensibility of many regulations. I agree.

What I find less acceptable, is placing them in the hands of and behind the paywall of commercial interests.

In some cases, that does make them quite expensive for the individual.

It also places consumers of building and trade services at a disadvantage. Is your job being done correctly? Well, the building and other code defining a good bit of this, may not be readily accessible to you.

Creating it is and should be a public effort. The public should pay for that, up front. And then we should all have access to it.

Transparency is also essential for good and effective government. And regulation is a part of that.

Re: How to build a house alone [video]

#259

Post by oh_sigh »

nostromo wrote: post #227
mrleiter wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I currently do not have one by myself, but you can see some of it from Google Maps street view: https://goo.gl/maps/rXx5DKRT4K12 It's this one: https://imgur.com/a/afZgOZ2 Naturally it has been maintained over the years, new roofing, new paint, but all in all it's the same house.

Those large roof overhangs are so wonderful. Why aren't they more common in America? Not only do they protect your siding and walls (greatly extending the life of your siding) but they also have huge energy benefits in warm areas by keeping the sun off of your walls. Oh, and if you have a basement, they help keep it dry. Build bigger roof overhangs, America! http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/ever…

Basically - they are more expensive to build. My dads friend was a builder in our town, and you can tell all of the houses he built because he was the only one who would refuse to build houses with small eaves, because he knew the problems it would cause down the line for the homeowner.
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