Just a basic little home about 800± square feet. I've been looking to buy but I'm not finding much in my price range.

I've done a little woodworking and even built a small boat so it seems like a small house shouldn't be that difficult. I could probably hire someone to do the foundation, plumbing, electrical and roof.

Anyone have experience with a project like this? Any advice for a novice?

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Northern California Coast

Go for it! Depending on the scope of your pipe dream, build a basement:

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

You probably know about this site, but just in case you don't.

[www.notsobighouse.com]

Go for it

Any source of fieldstone nearby?
[www.homesteadingtoday.com]

Quote
steve...
I've done a little woodworking and even built a small boat so it seems like a small house shouldn't be that difficult.

I helped build two of my parent's homes. My father is a union electrician who did construction and had the knowledge necessary to build a house. It is not for the novice. We did everything but the steps and the stone fireplace. He had access to anything he needed including technical expertise from other journeymen. It is not something I would or could do. Get a good builder and let them have at it. Two years ago you could have built cheaply. Not so much today.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Others have done it; do your homework and, you can too. Have you considered building a kit?

There are some rather attractive modern modular homes on the market, such as these and many others...

[modernistmodularhomes.com]

[www.bluhomes.com]

[methodhomes.net]

They showcase their larger homes, you have to dig into the sites to find their smaller ones, but they all make them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2013 10:36PM by M>B>.

Just promise us you do a better job than this guy.

[www.bcsportbikes.com]

Oh, and be sure to see post 100. It's got a time lapse video.

I would suggest you do not drink anything while watching, or reading.

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Good Luck!
Jamie Dresser
Other World Computing

Quote
OWC Jamie
Just promise us you do a better job than this guy.

[www.bcsportbikes.com]

Oh, and be sure to see post 100. It's got a time lapse video.

I would suggest you do not drink anything while watching, or reading.

O
M
F
G
!

I'm only on page three, and already I'm hooked and making popcorn...

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

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Eureka, CA

Quote
OWC Jamie
Just promise us you do a better job than this guy.

[www.bcsportbikes.com]

Oh, and be sure to see post 100. It's got a time lapse video.

I would suggest you do not drink anything while watching, or reading.

That's really gone "viral"
It was 22 or23 pages long when I read thru it.
Half of the world is going to see the build of that shed
and maybe its collapse.

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

Do NOT read that thread on a full stomach. My wife can't understand why I'm laughing unconsolably. Past my bed time but I'm afraid if I don't read it through now the host's server will irrecoverably overload and crash and I'll miss the end.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2013 12:17AM by Speedy.

Learn the Building Codes for your area.

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steve...
I could probably hire someone to do the foundation, plumbing, electrical and roof.

Might as well throw an architect in there as well, If you are planning to build the house legally.

I'd build it with the plan of building additions in the future. Make it a possibility, even if you think you won't ever need the extra space. You can build your own house if you can build a boat!

Quote
billb

Quote
OWC Jamie
Just promise us you do a better job than this guy.

[www.bcsportbikes.com]

Oh, and be sure to see post 100. It's got a time lapse video.

I would suggest you do not drink anything while watching, or reading.

That's really gone "viral"
It was 22 or23 pages long when I read thru it.
Half of the world is going to see the build of that shed
and maybe its collapse.

I would find it funniest if the shed persevered.

I built my own house with the help of my wife and kids. With the exception of a few items we did all of the work ourselves. Our situation at the time was different and the house is much larger than we really need long term. I really wanted a very small house as well.
It was lots of fun. I learned lots of things. It took about twice as long as I expected it would.
I saved for a while before we started, purchased the land with cash. Started clearing as I saved some more.
Paid for the house as we went along. End result is I have a really cool house with no mortgage. Only taxes and insurance. I could tell you tons of stories.
Go for it, it'll be fun.

Quote
iaJim
I'd build it with the plan of building additions in the future. Make it a possibility, even if you think you won't ever need the extra space.

Absolutely! Some simple forethought in initial construction can save a world of headaches and added cost later on such as:
1, Put in a full-size basement and give it standard house ceiling height rather than the typical low basement ceiling height in case you want to add rooms downstairs later. Install appropriately sized, spaced, and braced window cutouts in the basement walls and simply brick them up until they're needed.
2. Use windows that require the same width opening as doors so that should you want to add a door to a new room later, all you'll have to do is remove the window and knock out a few cripple studs.
3. Install ceiling joists appropriately sized for a full second floor, just in case. Setting aside a location for a staircase to the second floor free of pipes, wiring, and HVAC runs isn't a bad idea either, even if you don't install one at first. Directly above the interior stairs leading to the basement is usually the most space-efficient spot.
4. Run a few tubes of conduit from the fuse box to the (prospective) second floor to simplify wiring issues later on.
5. Run water and drainage lines to any location where to might want to add a bathroom later. Also, make sure your service line is of a large enough diameter to deliver appropriate water pressure to the maximum number of bathrooms the home will eventually have.

Quote
iaJim
You can build your own house if you can build a boat!

I'd say so!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2013 11:27AM by Thrift Store Scott.

Great advice, Thrift Store Scott.

And thanks everyone for your comments and information. I'm going to put it on the back burner for awhile but maybe someday I can follow through with my 'pipe dream'.

---

Northern California Coast

Quote
steve...
Great advice, Thrift Store Scott.

It was my pleasure.

Quote
steve...
And thanks everyone for your comments and information. I'm going to put it on the back burner for awhile but maybe someday I can follow through with my 'pipe dream'.

While your project is on the back burner, here is an outstanding resource for books to give you some ideas to mull over-
[store.doverpublications.com]
Dover Publications specializes in, among other things, reprints of period architectural catalogs featuring house plans from the late 19th and early 20th century. Of particular interest to you might be the works of Gustav Stickley, the leading proponent of the "Craftsman" movement which promoted simplicity and functionality in architecture and interior design. Many of the "kit house" catalogs from the 1920s also feature "Craftsman-style" plans of modestly-sized bungalows that could serve as inspiration for the layout of a modern home.

This book can be helpful.
[www.amazon.com]

I have a friend who I helped build about 6 houses 5 of his own.
He bought this book did the drawings and the take offs. For one project he had only 1 left
over 2x4.

His experience was building a TV cabinet and a Spice Rack.
We formed and poured the foundations also. He just hired friends for that and a cement truck.

He did hire licensed contractors for the Electric and Plumbing.

You can do it ~!~ It's great experience ~!~

The book is downloadable as a PDF also I think.

[PDF]
Modern Carpentry A Practical Manual by Fred T - Evenfall Studios
www.evenfallstudios.com/woodworks.../modern_carpentry_1.pdfFile Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat
MODERN CARPENTRY. A PRACTICAL MANUAL. A new and com lete guide containing hundreds of quick methods or 'performing work in carpentry, ...

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“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"
Steve Jobs

"There are only two mantras yum and yuk mine is yum "
Bernard Mickey Wrangle<>Tom Robbins<> "Still Life With Woodpecker"

"There is a fine line between a rut and a groove"
G.D. Kittredge III

"






Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2013 02:33PM by haikuman.

Speedy's photo is all about financing your pipe dreams *(:>*

http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/oakland-marijuana.jpg

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“Stay Hungry Stay Foolish"
Steve Jobs

"There are only two mantras yum and yuk mine is yum "
Bernard Mickey Wrangle<>Tom Robbins<> "Still Life With Woodpecker"

"There is a fine line between a rut and a groove"
G.D. Kittredge III

"