Should I build or buy? (NC inland)

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . Bg, I have drawn and ran my plans on three houses and have interfaced with planning, building and code compliance on many permits and other items. I have had private professionals interject and tell me that I needed expensive elements that I did not. I have fought off fees that I did not have to pay.I have fought off attempts at forced compliance of scams. I have delt with a tremendous amount of incompetence, carelessness and outright shakedowns on the part of the planning,building and code compliance departments. That you would insinuate that problems mostly arise from being a diyfer is just so wrong on so many fronts. I am sure many are not as prepared to do this as I am, but clearly the failures are on the other side of the counter and with the real professional third parties to a huge extent.[/quote]

I believe you, Rustico, but perhaps you have more time, patience and skill than many DIYers and also know how to “bump yourself to the head of the line,” periodically.

The “system” is not set up for weekend warrior DIY wanna bes and/or persons who have to be somewhere else 8+ hours a day, come rain or shine. Also, persons who make an excess of $200K annually might be better served to collect their $100 hr at work and use their vacation time for . . . well . . . vacations! Even staycations (to supervise construction …lol)!!

I myself have tried to use a couple of different “plan and spec” software pkgs that belonged to friends and they are not for the faint of heart or persons that don’t understand construction basics and terms. They are not all that “user-friendly” either. In addition, no matter how good you are using these pkgs, the plan you created will have to be “tweaked” for your lot by an engineer, who will put his “seal” on them after tweaking, as will all commercial plans you buy for $800 – $2,000. I don’t know how many “hand-drawn” house plans by an individual landowner are accepted outright by cities and counties but would assume that figure is low (less than 1%, except in VERY rural counties such as Inyo, where it might be up to 8%).

Here in Chula, many homeowners go to the planning counter to get the rules on fence height and setbacks for the front of their lots and perhaps are able to install a vinyl fence between themselves and a neighbor. Or other similar small jobs. A great many projects around here (of what were originally permitted as rear “room additions”) go unfinished for years when started by the homeowner themselves.

You are the exception, not the rule, Rustico. You may have a large lot in your rural/semi-rural Jamul. A homeowner in your situation can learn a LOT over the years from planning bureaucrats (out of necessity and survival). I am assuming when you purchased your most recent property, it had a dwelling unit on it (or former “dwelling unit” which could be made habitable) on it and the scope of your “building” on it was limited to a room addition, outbuilding, patios and driveways, fences, moving septic/leachfield, etc. Correct me if I’m wrong here.

Here, the OP has stated he may be interested in building a mid-century modern dwelling. Unless he himself is an architect, he will not be successful in getting any of his “plans” thru the powers-that-be, IMO.

I agree that if permabear should choose one of the plans that an architect has already made a model for and already built (such as the “wedge” example), then he would only need this plan “tweaked” for the vagaries of the lot he chose and additions/deletions. This would only cost $17K to $27K, instead of the $75K+ I allotted here for “design fees.”

Everyone’s skill-sets are different. I’m sure a lot of Piggs which they had your savvy know-how and talents, Rustico.

[NotCranky]

BG, I don’t care what the OP or anyone else does. I am not telling people what to do. You are correct that they will probably need help, and in that, I wish them well.The houses you have posted are in a different league from most houses, including mine for that matter.

I started doing my own plans because it took too long and/or cost too much with draftsmen and architects in charge.I may have to use them again in the future, very carefully. I’d never use an architect for a house, except maybe as a consultant. I think you could go pretty far on that basis.

In the various building offices, I can’t get myself to the front of the line, but I can make people do what they should be doing when they don’t do it. When they are acting badly, I can usually catch on and make them stop, by going to the county board of supervisiors or the chief administrative officer when necessary. It does help to know who the good,useful, friendly and knowlegeable employees at the various departments are.

Just so you know, I have been handed really crappy plans done by architects, stamped by engineer and approved by building department that were missing things necessary to actually make the structure stand. I see inpectors pass stuff in new construction and remodeling that I wouldn’t let my dog live in.

My former broker helped tremendously with the learning curve on some of the items related to purchasing and starting the homestead.

When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked. I knew a thing or two about building and working with the authorities. I had been working from prints by others for a few years.I had once taken over a plan check from an lazy architect to get a project moving. I did all three house plans and plot plans with a pencil and an eraser, plus cut and paste.
The first guy I interviewed to start my septice was full of beand and running up a bid, so I drew the plans and installed the system myself. I don’t think the plan checkers in very many jurisdictions can tell you that you can’t do your prints this way if all the elements are there.

[NotCranky]

BG, I don’t care what the OP or anyone else does. I am not telling people what to do. You are correct that they will probably need help, and in that, I wish them well.The houses you have posted are in a different league from most houses, including mine for that matter.

I started doing my own plans because it took too long and/or cost too much with draftsmen and architects in charge.I may have to use them again in the future, very carefully. I’d never use an architect for a house, except maybe as a consultant. I think you could go pretty far on that basis.

In the various building offices, I can’t get myself to the front of the line, but I can make people do what they should be doing when they don’t do it. When they are acting badly, I can usually catch on and make them stop, by going to the county board of supervisiors or the chief administrative officer when necessary. It does help to know who the good,useful, friendly and knowlegeable employees at the various departments are.

Just so you know, I have been handed really crappy plans done by architects, stamped by engineer and approved by building department that were missing things necessary to actually make the structure stand. I see inpectors pass stuff in new construction and remodeling that I wouldn’t let my dog live in.

My former broker helped tremendously with the learning curve on some of the items related to purchasing and starting the homestead.

When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked. I knew a thing or two about building and working with the authorities. I had been working from prints by others for a few years.I had once taken over a plan check from an lazy architect to get a project moving. I did all three house plans and plot plans with a pencil and an eraser, plus cut and paste.
The first guy I interviewed to start my septice was full of beand and running up a bid, so I drew the plans and installed the system myself. I don’t think the plan checkers in very many jurisdictions can tell you that you can’t do your prints this way if all the elements are there.

[NotCranky]

BG, I don’t care what the OP or anyone else does. I am not telling people what to do. You are correct that they will probably need help, and in that, I wish them well.The houses you have posted are in a different league from most houses, including mine for that matter.

I started doing my own plans because it took too long and/or cost too much with draftsmen and architects in charge.I may have to use them again in the future, very carefully. I’d never use an architect for a house, except maybe as a consultant. I think you could go pretty far on that basis.

In the various building offices, I can’t get myself to the front of the line, but I can make people do what they should be doing when they don’t do it. When they are acting badly, I can usually catch on and make them stop, by going to the county board of supervisiors or the chief administrative officer when necessary. It does help to know who the good,useful, friendly and knowlegeable employees at the various departments are.

Just so you know, I have been handed really crappy plans done by architects, stamped by engineer and approved by building department that were missing things necessary to actually make the structure stand. I see inpectors pass stuff in new construction and remodeling that I wouldn’t let my dog live in.

My former broker helped tremendously with the learning curve on some of the items related to purchasing and starting the homestead.

When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked. I knew a thing or two about building and working with the authorities. I had been working from prints by others for a few years.I had once taken over a plan check from an lazy architect to get a project moving. I did all three house plans and plot plans with a pencil and an eraser, plus cut and paste.
The first guy I interviewed to start my septice was full of beand and running up a bid, so I drew the plans and installed the system myself. I don’t think the plan checkers in very many jurisdictions can tell you that you can’t do your prints this way if all the elements are there.

[NotCranky]

BG, I don’t care what the OP or anyone else does. I am not telling people what to do. You are correct that they will probably need help, and in that, I wish them well.The houses you have posted are in a different league from most houses, including mine for that matter.

I started doing my own plans because it took too long and/or cost too much with draftsmen and architects in charge.I may have to use them again in the future, very carefully. I’d never use an architect for a house, except maybe as a consultant. I think you could go pretty far on that basis.

In the various building offices, I can’t get myself to the front of the line, but I can make people do what they should be doing when they don’t do it. When they are acting badly, I can usually catch on and make them stop, by going to the county board of supervisiors or the chief administrative officer when necessary. It does help to know who the good,useful, friendly and knowlegeable employees at the various departments are.

Just so you know, I have been handed really crappy plans done by architects, stamped by engineer and approved by building department that were missing things necessary to actually make the structure stand. I see inpectors pass stuff in new construction and remodeling that I wouldn’t let my dog live in.

My former broker helped tremendously with the learning curve on some of the items related to purchasing and starting the homestead.

When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked. I knew a thing or two about building and working with the authorities. I had been working from prints by others for a few years.I had once taken over a plan check from an lazy architect to get a project moving. I did all three house plans and plot plans with a pencil and an eraser, plus cut and paste.
The first guy I interviewed to start my septice was full of beand and running up a bid, so I drew the plans and installed the system myself. I don’t think the plan checkers in very many jurisdictions can tell you that you can’t do your prints this way if all the elements are there.

[NotCranky]

BG, I don’t care what the OP or anyone else does. I am not telling people what to do. You are correct that they will probably need help, and in that, I wish them well.The houses you have posted are in a different league from most houses, including mine for that matter.

I started doing my own plans because it took too long and/or cost too much with draftsmen and architects in charge.I may have to use them again in the future, very carefully. I’d never use an architect for a house, except maybe as a consultant. I think you could go pretty far on that basis.

In the various building offices, I can’t get myself to the front of the line, but I can make people do what they should be doing when they don’t do it. When they are acting badly, I can usually catch on and make them stop, by going to the county board of supervisiors or the chief administrative officer when necessary. It does help to know who the good,useful, friendly and knowlegeable employees at the various departments are.

Just so you know, I have been handed really crappy plans done by architects, stamped by engineer and approved by building department that were missing things necessary to actually make the structure stand. I see inpectors pass stuff in new construction and remodeling that I wouldn’t let my dog live in.

My former broker helped tremendously with the learning curve on some of the items related to purchasing and starting the homestead.

When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked. I knew a thing or two about building and working with the authorities. I had been working from prints by others for a few years.I had once taken over a plan check from an lazy architect to get a project moving. I did all three house plans and plot plans with a pencil and an eraser, plus cut and paste.
The first guy I interviewed to start my septice was full of beand and running up a bid, so I drew the plans and installed the system myself. I don’t think the plan checkers in very many jurisdictions can tell you that you can’t do your prints this way if all the elements are there.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked . . .[/quote]

Rustico, all I can say here is “WOW!”

If you don’t mind my asking, in brief, what all did you build on your lot? Did you build a detached garage and outbuildings, etc, aside from your house? How many sf does your house have? And did you have to buy an easement from a neighbor to get road access or did an adjacent landowner just grant you use??

Forgive me if you posted all this on an old thread as I have not really had a chance to peruse them.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked . . .[/quote]

Rustico, all I can say here is “WOW!”

If you don’t mind my asking, in brief, what all did you build on your lot? Did you build a detached garage and outbuildings, etc, aside from your house? How many sf does your house have? And did you have to buy an easement from a neighbor to get road access or did an adjacent landowner just grant you use??

Forgive me if you posted all this on an old thread as I have not really had a chance to peruse them.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked . . .[/quote]

Rustico, all I can say here is “WOW!”

If you don’t mind my asking, in brief, what all did you build on your lot? Did you build a detached garage and outbuildings, etc, aside from your house? How many sf does your house have? And did you have to buy an easement from a neighbor to get road access or did an adjacent landowner just grant you use??

Forgive me if you posted all this on an old thread as I have not really had a chance to peruse them.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked . . .[/quote]

Rustico, all I can say here is “WOW!”

If you don’t mind my asking, in brief, what all did you build on your lot? Did you build a detached garage and outbuildings, etc, aside from your house? How many sf does your house have? And did you have to buy an easement from a neighbor to get road access or did an adjacent landowner just grant you use??

Forgive me if you posted all this on an old thread as I have not really had a chance to peruse them.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Rustico] . . . When I bought my lot it had nothing but an electrical pole in the easement.It was covered with brush otherwise.I bought it knowing that it was technically landlocked . . .[/quote]

Rustico, all I can say here is “WOW!”

If you don’t mind my asking, in brief, what all did you build on your lot? Did you build a detached garage and outbuildings, etc, aside from your house? How many sf does your house have? And did you have to buy an easement from a neighbor to get road access or did an adjacent landowner just grant you use??

Forgive me if you posted all this on an old thread as I have not really had a chance to peruse them.

[NotCranky]

BG,
I built:(While posting on pigington’s for the most part)
1488 sqft raise foundation, which I tore down and stuck in 10 large dumpsters because a neighbor ruined it by setting it on fire.(Please don’t ask or blame the victim)
2280 raised foundation.
679 on slab
several decks/patios retaining wall,fences ect.
2 electrical services
2 septic systems.
1 detached garage
Well and storage system(well drilled by others)
2 pump houses.
Chicken coop.

I didn’t do evey single thing but most of it, both by man hours and dollar value of labor. More by dollar value of total labor, because I did almost all the high cost things(and too much of the low cost stuff).

The original certificate of compliance was enough to get started w/o easements, which I finally bought two years ago. I now have access from the front and back of the 20 acres.

I have a neighbor who is talking about building with my help on an amazing but difficult lot. Honestly, I think the idea is nuts.

[NotCranky]

BG,
I built:(While posting on pigington’s for the most part)
1488 sqft raise foundation, which I tore down and stuck in 10 large dumpsters because a neighbor ruined it by setting it on fire.(Please don’t ask or blame the victim)
2280 raised foundation.
679 on slab
several decks/patios retaining wall,fences ect.
2 electrical services
2 septic systems.
1 detached garage
Well and storage system(well drilled by others)
2 pump houses.
Chicken coop.

I didn’t do evey single thing but most of it, both by man hours and dollar value of labor. More by dollar value of total labor, because I did almost all the high cost things(and too much of the low cost stuff).

The original certificate of compliance was enough to get started w/o easements, which I finally bought two years ago. I now have access from the front and back of the 20 acres.

I have a neighbor who is talking about building with my help on an amazing but difficult lot. Honestly, I think the idea is nuts.

[NotCranky]

BG,
I built:(While posting on pigington’s for the most part)
1488 sqft raise foundation, which I tore down and stuck in 10 large dumpsters because a neighbor ruined it by setting it on fire.(Please don’t ask or blame the victim)
2280 raised foundation.
679 on slab
several decks/patios retaining wall,fences ect.
2 electrical services
2 septic systems.
1 detached garage
Well and storage system(well drilled by others)
2 pump houses.
Chicken coop.

I didn’t do evey single thing but most of it, both by man hours and dollar value of labor. More by dollar value of total labor, because I did almost all the high cost things(and too much of the low cost stuff).

The original certificate of compliance was enough to get started w/o easements, which I finally bought two years ago. I now have access from the front and back of the 20 acres.

I have a neighbor who is talking about building with my help on an amazing but difficult lot. Honestly, I think the idea is nuts.

[NotCranky]

BG,
I built:(While posting on pigington’s for the most part)
1488 sqft raise foundation, which I tore down and stuck in 10 large dumpsters because a neighbor ruined it by setting it on fire.(Please don’t ask or blame the victim)
2280 raised foundation.
679 on slab
several decks/patios retaining wall,fences ect.
2 electrical services
2 septic systems.
1 detached garage
Well and storage system(well drilled by others)
2 pump houses.
Chicken coop.

I didn’t do evey single thing but most of it, both by man hours and dollar value of labor. More by dollar value of total labor, because I did almost all the high cost things(and too much of the low cost stuff).

The original certificate of compliance was enough to get started w/o easements, which I finally bought two years ago. I now have access from the front and back of the 20 acres.

I have a neighbor who is talking about building with my help on an amazing but difficult lot. Honestly, I think the idea is nuts.

[Author]

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