building our own home
Bri R
4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (45)
One Devoted Dame
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Best Home Design Software?
Comments (35)Reno has a good summary of the development of CAD/CADD from the mid 80s or so. AutoCad, for example, started as a 2-D drafting program for engineering applications. It was much later that they bolted on programs that would allow 2-D architectural applications (for example, the intersection of intersecting walls in plan view with the intersections deleted). 3-D came much, much later for AutoCad, and initially consisted of an add-on program from other vendors, if I remember correctly. Early 3-D programs were mostly wiring diagrams which were hard to see and visualize, much less solid 3-d pictures. DataCad and other early programs were designed from the beginning for architectural design; the 2-D and 3-D was integrated earlier, but these vendors lacked the financial and marketing resoures of AutoCad. Then European software vendors entered the marketplace for both engineering and architectural users, with advanced features like finite analysis and light-ray applications. As the market developed, and low-cost computing emerged, applications began to focus on data base/relational applications and designing for architect in 3-D, rather than starting in 2-D and merging to 3-D. All of this is probably far beyond this forum for consumers interested in building their own home! The good news for most who visit this forum and thread is that a few of the major software manufacturers of engineering and architectural software have also marketed simplified versions of their software that will do 2-D and 3-D applications ranging from decks, to landscaping to fully integrated house design at reasonable expense. The bad news is that none of the software is "smart" enough to prevent mistakes and errors in the input process. It still takes substantial experience and judgement to make these computerized tools work efficiently and effectively. Good luck!...See MoreDetails when Building
Comments (17)Swinging a hammer yourself...doesn't get any better. You're not good at the creative part. OK. Are you sure? There are people who some things just come naturally. I've known some. Most creative people I've known got to be creative though hard work, risk taking and never saying they weren't good at it. I think it's more of choice. If you're more interested in having the details then for sure let someone else do the creation. But if you're interested in the creating part you should go for it. You'll likely surprise yourself and it opens up a whole new world. The last thing is home size, even room size. When I bought the house we're living in I made plans for expanding it to 2000 sq ft. Gutted it with that expectation. I don't remember why but at some point I asked myself why 2000 sq ft. Because that's how big a house is I thought. Only reason. When I gutted the kitchen I found that originally it had been tiny. The house was originally 900 sq ft and was big for the neighborhood. Pretty big families with kids were raised in these homes. Why did my wife and I need a home that was 2-3 times larger? Started searching the web and found all the tiny/small house stuff and I was hooked. The reason I bring this up is because building a small house well is easier and cheaper than building a big house. That may seem duh, but it's real easy to dismiss it. It's harder to dismiss when you've driven your 30,000 th nail. The time and money saved can be directed into things you really want. A few months ago I re-roofed the house. Think it was 21 squares. The whole time I'm up there I'm thinking how dumb this is. I don't even use 2/3 of the house. I seriously considered tearing down part of the house. Central air went out, on the roof deal. $8000 to replace so I got a split system that came pre-charged and could install myself. $2000 and the house is so much more comfortable and quiet. And best of all no ducts in the attic. There have been many more benefits. Smaller is worth a serious consideration....See MoreBuilding Our First Home - Can't Decide on Builder or Floor Plan
Comments (56)Have you looked at other Wedding venues and tried to pick their brains on all the issues you need to be aware of in setting this plan in motion? Have you considered building with a Bed and Breakfast Inn and make your living quarters part of a house and eventual complex. This is what I am talking about developing a Master Plan. Actually, a Business Plan as well. Get educated on local codes, zoning etc. because there might be areas that simply won’t let you do what you want to do. This is another reason to sit down with an architect and s/he can outline potential issues. Then weave in your personal short term objectives. Start with the end in mind. You may be jumping into the pool at the deep end to start to learn how to swim. It can be done, but you can drown too. Any home should have every bedroom with ensuite bathroom. At some point, you might want a separate home and then this house would be readily converted to a B&B for guests of wedding party members etc. it is an exciting venture but get informed. Meet with people who understand and can help you gain knowledge before you go much further. Hoping to help you avoid costly mistakes. This is not a small endeavor....See MoreSelf contracting app/software for home building
Comments (36)Why do you think it is taking longer? TLDR: See millworkman's comment - It really goes back to economies of scale, all things being equal, your house is less attractive to a sub-contractor, than someone who represents continued work. This is an absolute certainty and there are largely three ways to combat this. Hire someone who the sub will see as an opportunity for continued work to represent you (that is usually a G.C.), or pay more money so that the sub sees your job as more attractive, or find someone that has limited opportunities to work with G.C.'s (this can either be someone who does high quality work at a high price or low quality work for a mid price). Without one of those three things happening you need to anticipate delays. It is possible that your build will happen without any sub-contractor delays, however in most of the U.S. right now, that would be the exception and not the rule. Note: only a few years ago the situation was quite different so be wary of stories where everything went right a few years ago. Those delays can and do add cost, and you should anticipate their arrival and work to minimize their impact. ----- The most important thing about self contracting a project, is being honest with yourself about your abilities. That supposed savings is seductive, yet for most people it doesn't materialize, and not because it wasn't available, simply because those people were chasing savings over creating savings. The things that create savings for self-G.C.ing homes are actually the exact same things that would lead to some success as a contractor were you to enter that business. For example, a large part of G.C.ing is managing your time and schedule well, if you are excellent at managing time and scheduling, then you may create value, and if you were a G.C. that would be a viable pathway to value creation for clients. Or maybe you or your spouse are incredibly talented with construction, having done it for years, or maybe you are incredible at visualization and design so you can communicate and achieve your design efficiently. With all of these things, you are still going to encounter the economies of scale problem, but may still create some savings because of your skill set. However, most people want the savings without any efficiencies to create savings, and attempt to simply cut out a step in the value chain. That rarely works. G.C.'s create value, denying that value is a foolish move. Working to substitute your value for theirs might pay off, and it might not. But either way, they are earned savings and not simply avoided costs....See MoreBri R
4 years agoDebbi Washburn
4 years agoJeffrey R. Grenz, General Contractor
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoOne Devoted Dame
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoOne Devoted Dame
4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
4 years agojmm1837
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoDebbi Washburn
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoeld6161
4 years agolarecoltante Z6b NoVa
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoBri R
4 years agoKirsten E.
4 years agolarecoltante Z6b NoVa
4 years agoJanie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK
4 years agobry911
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agolindacottonwood
4 years agoDebbi Washburn
4 years agoB Carey
4 years agoJanie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK
4 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
4 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
4 years agojmm1837
4 years agorobin0919
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoloobab
4 years agoDaniel OConnell
4 years agobry911
4 years agoOne Devoted Dame
4 years agokatinparadise
4 years agoDaniel OConnell
4 years agodecoenthusiaste
4 years agoBri R
4 years agokatinparadise
4 years agoMichelle
4 years agoGreenDesigns
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agorobin0919
4 years agorobin0919
4 years agokatinparadise
4 years ago
Related Stories
HOME TECHBuild a Smarter Kitchen Now With Gadgets You Already Own
Technology can improve your kitchen's efficiency for next to nothing — just look to your old phone or tablet
Full StorySHOP HOUZZShop Houzz: Build Your Own Coffee Bar
Essentials to make your home your favorite coffee spot
Full StoryWOODWORKINGBuild Your Own Wooden Deck Chair From a Pallet — for $10!
Take the ecofriendly high road with a low-cost outdoor chair you make yourself
Full StoryFRANK LLOYD WRIGHTWhat Frank Lloyd Wright's Own House Tells Us
The buildings dreamed up here changed the course of architecture — and Wright's home was no less a design lab than the studio itself
Full StoryGARDENING AND LANDSCAPINGHow to Get an Outdoor Kitchen of Your Own
New project for a new year: Build a cooking space for your yard or patio to make entertaining a breeze
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESNesting Boxes: Houses With Homes of Their Own
Framing one box with another creates a whole new style of modern indoor-outdoor living
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: An Artist Maps Out Her Own Haven of Happiness
A 1960s Australian vacation lodge is home to an artist-curator whose vintage collectibles fit beautifully in the seaside abode
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: A Family Makes a Converted Auto Body Shop Their Own
Eclectic style and color light up an open-plan home in Brooklyn
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSHouzz Tour: A Modern Mountain Home Takes Off With Its Own Airstrip
In Colorado, a glass and concrete home hugs a former hayfield that’s now a launching pad for antique planes
Full Story
Anglophilia