Why not build your own house ?

[greekfire]

I say do your planning, wait for the right time, and go for it. I had similar thoughts back around 2000 and kick myself for not going through with it. I envisioned buying 5 acres or so in Valley Center and building my own home. What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!

Like all complex matters, I recommend breaking it down into more manageable components. I don’t have any real-world experience in this area, but you need a roof, walls, electrical and plumbing at the very least. Start from there and work your plan around it.

One thing that I think is worth mentioning is the value and importance of a basement. For those of us born in the south west, that is another floor level below ground. I think a basement holds significant value in terms of added living space and ongoing energy savings. The basement needs little if any cooling in the summer, and (if there’s a fireplace there) the heat will rise to warm the entire house. If you are considering building your own home from scratch, why not go all out and consider adding a basement to it? As always, check with local building codes to ensure this is a viable option.

Best of luck to you.

[fm]

nostradamus –

Yeah, I noticed this too, I like the modernist stylings of this designer
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.html

A major issue is probably matching the design style to the neighborhood. Also, the land itself is still expensive in the first place. But it seemed to me a contractor could learn to build some of these and build them for people who buy land.

[fm]

nostradamus –

Yeah, I noticed this too, I like the modernist stylings of this designer
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.html

A major issue is probably matching the design style to the neighborhood. Also, the land itself is still expensive in the first place. But it seemed to me a contractor could learn to build some of these and build them for people who buy land.

[fm]

nostradamus –

Yeah, I noticed this too, I like the modernist stylings of this designer
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.html

A major issue is probably matching the design style to the neighborhood. Also, the land itself is still expensive in the first place. But it seemed to me a contractor could learn to build some of these and build them for people who buy land.

[fm]

nostradamus –

Yeah, I noticed this too, I like the modernist stylings of this designer
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.html

A major issue is probably matching the design style to the neighborhood. Also, the land itself is still expensive in the first place. But it seemed to me a contractor could learn to build some of these and build them for people who buy land.

[fm]

nostradamus –

Yeah, I noticed this too, I like the modernist stylings of this designer
http://www.rocioromero.com/LVSeries/index.html

A major issue is probably matching the design style to the neighborhood. Also, the land itself is still expensive in the first place. But it seemed to me a contractor could learn to build some of these and build them for people who buy land.

[NotCranky]

“What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!”

I was thinking about this aspect. The place I built is not exceptional but we really enjoy it. The intangibles probably influence that more than the actual home and economics.

[NotCranky]

“What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!”

I was thinking about this aspect. The place I built is not exceptional but we really enjoy it. The intangibles probably influence that more than the actual home and economics.

[NotCranky]

“What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!”

I was thinking about this aspect. The place I built is not exceptional but we really enjoy it. The intangibles probably influence that more than the actual home and economics.

[NotCranky]

“What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!”

I was thinking about this aspect. The place I built is not exceptional but we really enjoy it. The intangibles probably influence that more than the actual home and economics.

[NotCranky]

“What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!”

I was thinking about this aspect. The place I built is not exceptional but we really enjoy it. The intangibles probably influence that more than the actual home and economics.

[Doofrat]

My father built two of our houses while we were growing up. I also know a young couple who built their own house and another couple who handled the contracting out of the construction.

My father only did it twice and the two couples only did it once. My father loves woodworking, but I think the hassles of building a house were too much.

I think a good comparison would be knowing nothing about computers, and deciding to just go out and buy the parts and put it together and install the operating system yourself. Sure, it’s possible, but because you’ve never done it, you don’t know all of the pitfalls ahead of time. Also, you’re probably not going to put out a prime piece of work. Of course, computers don’t require permits, inspections, flaky contractors, or the dreaded drywall guys.

You don’t say what your background is, but if you have a good construction background or woodworking background, you should have the skills to put out a good piece of work, but you also have to have the skills to negotiate with contractors (who will do the plumbing, electrical, cement, and possibly other parts) and the skills to deal with the city or county paperwork and inspectors. I don’t know the specifics, but there are also restrictions on purchasing land for construction and time limits for completing construction.

Hope this helps.

[Doofrat]

My father built two of our houses while we were growing up. I also know a young couple who built their own house and another couple who handled the contracting out of the construction.

My father only did it twice and the two couples only did it once. My father loves woodworking, but I think the hassles of building a house were too much.

I think a good comparison would be knowing nothing about computers, and deciding to just go out and buy the parts and put it together and install the operating system yourself. Sure, it’s possible, but because you’ve never done it, you don’t know all of the pitfalls ahead of time. Also, you’re probably not going to put out a prime piece of work. Of course, computers don’t require permits, inspections, flaky contractors, or the dreaded drywall guys.

You don’t say what your background is, but if you have a good construction background or woodworking background, you should have the skills to put out a good piece of work, but you also have to have the skills to negotiate with contractors (who will do the plumbing, electrical, cement, and possibly other parts) and the skills to deal with the city or county paperwork and inspectors. I don’t know the specifics, but there are also restrictions on purchasing land for construction and time limits for completing construction.

Hope this helps.

[Doofrat]

My father built two of our houses while we were growing up. I also know a young couple who built their own house and another couple who handled the contracting out of the construction.

My father only did it twice and the two couples only did it once. My father loves woodworking, but I think the hassles of building a house were too much.

I think a good comparison would be knowing nothing about computers, and deciding to just go out and buy the parts and put it together and install the operating system yourself. Sure, it’s possible, but because you’ve never done it, you don’t know all of the pitfalls ahead of time. Also, you’re probably not going to put out a prime piece of work. Of course, computers don’t require permits, inspections, flaky contractors, or the dreaded drywall guys.

You don’t say what your background is, but if you have a good construction background or woodworking background, you should have the skills to put out a good piece of work, but you also have to have the skills to negotiate with contractors (who will do the plumbing, electrical, cement, and possibly other parts) and the skills to deal with the city or county paperwork and inspectors. I don’t know the specifics, but there are also restrictions on purchasing land for construction and time limits for completing construction.

Hope this helps.

[Doofrat]

My father built two of our houses while we were growing up. I also know a young couple who built their own house and another couple who handled the contracting out of the construction.

My father only did it twice and the two couples only did it once. My father loves woodworking, but I think the hassles of building a house were too much.

I think a good comparison would be knowing nothing about computers, and deciding to just go out and buy the parts and put it together and install the operating system yourself. Sure, it’s possible, but because you’ve never done it, you don’t know all of the pitfalls ahead of time. Also, you’re probably not going to put out a prime piece of work. Of course, computers don’t require permits, inspections, flaky contractors, or the dreaded drywall guys.

You don’t say what your background is, but if you have a good construction background or woodworking background, you should have the skills to put out a good piece of work, but you also have to have the skills to negotiate with contractors (who will do the plumbing, electrical, cement, and possibly other parts) and the skills to deal with the city or county paperwork and inspectors. I don’t know the specifics, but there are also restrictions on purchasing land for construction and time limits for completing construction.

Hope this helps.

[Author]

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