On the side, I run a business in which we purchase homes and apartments and rent them out. I have 33 rental apartments, 4 homes, and one condo, a total of $4.5 million invested. We closed today on one other condo, and I think we will close on another condo next week. I'm not wealthy, but I'm getting there. I still prefer 928's-

EVERYONE who has "built" their own home tells me they will NEVER EVER do it again! From my work with GC's on my apartment complexes I can tell you that I certainly will never build a house! Holy ben-wa balls Batman...this is a BAD IDEA! Buy a house that you like and then make cosmetic changes. If you try to build a house you are just a masochist! Go to a leather shop and buy a leather body harness, and a whip or some chains or something....hand them to your wife and let her beat the crap out of you with them! It will be easier than building a house I think!

N!

Actually I could build a house again, but since the one I have is my house through and through, I don't intend to or need to. I found it wasn't difficult. Before I retired my job involved managing contracts, which also called for me to create and implement budgets, manage people, meet deadlines, quotas, benchmarks, etc., etc. I found building the house a pleasure, even if it involved working with subs, suppliers, THE COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT, and so on. The work I did was fun and physical and different from the work I did before retiring. Because I was accustomed to a lot more grief, the process wasn't bad at all.

Started by building a 24'x32' pole barn to store my tools/supplies. - 3 months, only me and my generator.

Waited 4 years to start the house. Oh yea...threw a divorce in there for good measure. Re-marry.
1-1/2 days for hired excavation.
2 weekends to frame up and pour footers.
6 weekends to lay approx. 1250 blocks for foundation/piers.
Added drainage, back-filled and let sit until following spring.
Early April, working off a generator, start framing.
Framing/getting it closed in took all summer. Let sit until next spring.
Early April, start again. Installed windows, plumbing, electrical/electrical service. Inspections done, start drywall. About 140 4x8 sheets later, drywall pretty much done.
Basic structure pretty much done at that point. Spent the next 3-4 years finishing the inside. It really never ends. We added the garage/entrance after we moved into the house.
If I ever do it again, it will be half the size, and one level.

Norm was correct for most people..
But my buddy Floyd wasn't most people, he build at least 3 homes...

Here is the one he was building when he passed....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771569.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771701.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771768.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771826.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771910.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291771997.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291772084.jpg
He also build garages with each house, build them 1st so he would have a shop to work out of and secured storage.. He cheated on this one, as he knew he didn't have a lot of time...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291772351.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291772544.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291772650.jpg

I would build another house, but only if this one burned down.
I put up a 28'x56' garage 3 yrs. ago. (still need to side it) Wish i'd built it 30 years ago.

Didn't build from scratch, bought a small cabin on a lake in central Vermont, it used to be a girls summer camp...

Before:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291773286.jpg

after:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291773309.jpg

entrance:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291773343.jpg

my bro contemplating the entry from garage to house:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291773473.jpg

RacerBVD-Dude- you DA MAN!

That house is outstanding! I stand aside. I bow down to you! my 21 X 20 garage is an embarrassment! Folks, I can't hang in this group. These people have a lot more $ than I do!

What happened? Did the house get finished?

N!

Here is some more handi-work that my wife and I accomplished
The front doors were made from oak
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291776272.jpg
We built and installed the kitchen cabinets
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291776359.jpg
And this is the island
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291776402.jpg

I worked as a high school shop teacher for 30 years and bought and renovated numerous rental properties over the years. I finally built a house about 8 yrs ago. I acted as GC.The house turned out beautifully. My wife has now started to remind me that the best work I do is write checks.

man, i feel like i live in a shack now. nice job boys and girls, such talent here.

Front doors are fantastic...

What's up with the wall cabinets? Different heights and depths... is there a reason? I see where the hood is and the where the refigerator goes, but...

Probably so they can get wrapped with crown. Deeper cabinets must be taller so the crown installs correctly on the shallower/shorter cabinets.

Yes that is right, the different heights for visual impact and the different depths to accomodate the crown mouldings
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1291842907.jpg

Here is my current house.

House pictures by rditech - Photobucket


Bought house. Ripped back to shell. Did all plumbing, electrical, flooring, tiling, cabinet,doors and even art work.

Cabinet/furniture maker and builder by trade. 8 years of after work and weekends.

Nice work from all!

Ryan