What do you consider a 'big' home?
pekemom
11 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (114)
Debbie B.
8 years agogbauer48
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Considering a wire mesh hoop house.....How do I build it?
Comments (11)For those of you who wanted to know about the gas well-- 50 years ago, my grandparents built a beautiful Farm and house on the property I live at. For energy, they had a gas well put in. The company who built it drilled 1200 feet in the ground and ran piping down into it. As the gas comes up the pipe by natural pressure down there, some of it is liquid, and some is a gas. It runs through various different valves in which the liquid is siphoned off into a 14 ft tall, 8-10 ft diameter steel drum. The remaining gas is run through piping to our house. Once or twice a year (I don't know exactly how often) a truck comes from the company and switches tanks. We then recieve a check for 100-150$ for the liquid gas that they take. They refine it and sell it to local power companies and such. There are a few downsides- 1. There is a huge green steel drum half a mile down the field. 2. Once in awhile(every two years or so) a pocket of gas makes its way to the surface around the pipe.....So we get a big brown stain around the well itself. 3. Our neighbors are required to have access to a well because of Mineral Rights- Why? Whose to say the gas pocket we are using ends at the property line. There is a possibility that we are taking gas from there property, so by law they are granted access. Which can be a pain- In the winter gas pressure drops, and its just strong enough to support one house....They run their heating as well....And the gas "goes out". When it goes out we have to go outside where the pipes meet the house and reset the connection to the house, because when pressure drops, the valves close. Not terribly difficult, just annoying! Our township has a regulation about gas wells- if you don't own more than 4 acres of property, you can not have one. We have 36 acres, and two gas wells. Right now, a company is going to drill a new well for commercial use. The well will be a little more than a mile into the ground, and they'll bottle it and sell it. We'll recieve between $1200 and $5000 a month depending on how much they collect. We are planning to have pipe laid from the rear gas well(about 7/8ths of a mile from our house) to bring gas from there. All our winter difficulties will no longer exist. My grandparents' house and farm burnt to the ground 20 years ago, and they rebuilt a small house. Then they passed away and my father inherited 36 of the original 60 acres, and my parents built a house here. Just a little history for you. The gas well has its good points and bad, and we like it, but I am starting to think Thermal energy may be the way to go. Feel free to ask questions- I don't know everything about it, but I'll try. Thanks, Kenny...See MoreWhat do you think of these roses I'm considering trying...?
Comments (28)Thanks zack, good idea, I wanted to get to that Rhode Island rose garden last summer but didnâÂÂt make it. I have done that buying a rose at the end of the season that looked good. ThatâÂÂs how I got my âÂÂGolden CelebrationâÂÂ. yorkrose, isnâÂÂt that interesting about the New Dawn. I can live with that, if it looks good the rest of the season. I wonder what it is spotting with, do you happen to know? mad gallica, I wish I lived closer and IâÂÂd happily be dragged! :-) You must have a GOR-geous rose garden! You are right about seeing them in person. I donâÂÂt get a chance to do that often at all. When I was growing up, we summered along the Massachusetts coast and I remember a house we visited often that had roses in the garden and I can still remember the pleasure I had from the fragrance and how beautiful they were. ItâÂÂs amazing how long an experience can stay with you and roses are one of those things that can do that. Well, if IâÂÂm ever planning a trip to New York, donâÂÂt be surprised to get an email requesting a tour. :-) I just looked up the Karl Forster on HelpMeFind. What a pretty white rose! I am surprised to see it was bred by Kordes in 1930. I always like to see the description âÂÂvery vigorousâ too. Thanks for that suggestion. IâÂÂll have to take a photo of the foliage on the New Dawn and post it, tomorrow....See Morewould you consider this house small or large?
Comments (9)For me, the width and length don't matter. It's HOW the inside layout functions for YOUR needs. In my opinion as a member of a family of four, 2800 square feet is a great size. It's average. There are many that live in smaller homes and many in larger. Is that total square feet or living (air conditioned) square feet? We moved from a house that was about 2500 square feet. I never felt it was too small at all. But the functionality wasn't there. We're now building bigger but that's because we added some things, not because we couldn't have lived with less space. 2800 is just fine as long as the layout is functional....See MoreWhat jobs would you consider to DIY in your home build?
Comments (17)Thank you everybody for your tips and info. Much appreciated! Awnmyown, Thanks for your encouragement and warnings about the boredom of taping drywall and difficulties involved in trim work. I think he will have a go at both of these in say a walk-in closet or such less noticeable spot and see how it turns out. He actually was very skilled at the trim work before, but on a much smaller scale. Good idea about the closet organizers and staining (e.g. staining the steps needs to be done) and door locks/handles, etc. There are lots of little jobs that are not too difficult for a handy person with some extra time available. Good for you to have built so much yourself. We have been GCing our build since the beginning and that has been lots of stress too (we are part way through plumbing and electrical rough-in and have the outside all cladded). Subs have done all the work thus far. Flgargoyle, It is amazing that you have done all that work on your own!! It certainly sounds like a labour of love. Too bad about the weather delays. Our two oldest kids are teen boys and one is a very keen labourer (he had volunteered for Habitat for Humanity). The other has some experience with electrical so may help install fixtures and has time to spare to assist with hanging the drywall. Autumn, Glad to hear from another DIY type who is also combining that task with raising a family (we have four kids). Looks like you will have plenty on your plate! Good to hear you have had good success with lots of DIY jobs. I will pass along your warnings about the taping to DH. Like you, we are wanting to give it a go before hiring out the mudding. Jrldh, We will keep your warnings in mind. We have a sub contractor who may be willing to be paid on an hourly basis to supervise DH's work. He has already tentatively agreed to this as we have given him lots of business. He lives close by so would schedule the paid supervision meetings to suit him. Carol...See Moredesertsteph
8 years agoworthy
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agoNancy in Mich
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agostringweaver
8 years agoNancy in Mich
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agolookintomyeyes83
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agodesertsteph
8 years agoTim Van Steenbergen
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agoLavender Lass
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agomushcreek
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agomushcreek
8 years agostringweaver
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agostringweaver
8 years agostringweaver
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agoShades_of_idaho
8 years agoTim Hook
7 years agoShades_of_idaho
7 years agoNancy in Mich
7 years agomelodiya99
6 years agoJustDoIt
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoShades_of_idaho
6 years agoNancy in Mich
6 years agoShades_of_idaho
6 years agoNancy in Mich
6 years agoShades_of_idaho
6 years agoShades_of_idaho
6 years agohandmethathammer
6 years agoNancy in Mich
6 years agoUser
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agosedona16
6 years agoIndigo Rose
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoNancy in Mich
6 years agoIndigo Rose
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoIndigo Rose
6 years agoNancy in Mich
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoAngela M
6 years agoHU-905602558
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoCheryl Smith
5 years agoDavid Moon
2 years agoAnnegriet
2 years ago
Related Stories
COLORConsider Giving Your House a Big Bolt of Blue
From fresh, vivid turquoise to power-packed cobalt, blue is a great way to lift a neutral color palette
Full StoryMOVINGHome-Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Consider Beyond the Inspection
Quality of life is just as important as construction quality. Learn what to look for at open houses to ensure comfort in your new home
Full StoryHOME OFFICESConsider the Home Office Bar
Stir Up a Little Mad Men Style With a Mini Bar in Your Home Office
Full StoryLIFEHave the Kids Left Home? 16 Things to Consider
‘An empty nest is not an empty heart’ and other wisdom for when the household changes
Full StoryHOME INNOVATIONSConsidering Renting to Vacationers? Read This First
More people are redesigning their homes for the short-term-rental boom. Here are 3 examples — and what to consider before joining in
Full StoryGREAT HOME PROJECTSConsidering Wallpaper? Here's How to Get Started
New project for a new year: Give your room a whole new look with the color, pattern and texture of a wall covering
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESConsidering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First
Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGConsidering Concrete Floors? 3 Green-Minded Questions to Ask
Learn what’s in your concrete and about sustainability to make a healthy choice for your home and the earth
Full StoryEXTERIORSCurb Appeal Feeling a Little Off? Some Questions to Consider
Color, scale, proportion, trim ... 14 things to think about if your exterior is bugging you
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
Debbie B.