BitChin home build

I am nearly complete on this house building project but will post pics documenting the build and new pics as I complete the project along with Garage/barn addition.

Planning started June 2011 (goal was to move away from city to small property in rural area)
Land - 5 acres in a small housing area located 11 miles out of town
Also have 3 acres with a pond that is mine to take care of but is technically common property

Purchased land Sept 2011
Finalized building plans and completed county permit process Jan 2012
Installed driveway (715') along with construction access Feb 2012

I acted as the GC for the project and did most interior work myself (with much assistance from my wife

Excavation on 2/19/2012
Basement start 3/1/2012
Timberframe raising 4/9/2012
Occupancy permit 1/13/2013

House is a story and half Timberframe
1925 sq ft main level
2170 sq ft basement
555 sq ft loft
500 sq ft bonus room (theater) above garage
4 car attached garage
SIP construction around TF: walls R24, roof R40
Basement 2x8 frame for walk out area with spray foam
Bonus room spray foam 3" closed cell with cellulose fill


I'll add pics in several postings

Here are joint cutting pics from the Timber framer along with basement pics

What kind of heat source did you plan on?

I have a 3t Bosch ground source heat pump for basement and main level along with 3 Mitsubishi hyper-heat 1t mini-split heat pumps for loft, theater and garage
In addition we oriented the house to take advantage of passive solar - south facing windows are keeping the house warm all day with single digit temps and strong wind
located in SC KS zone 4

More foundation and early site work pics (Feb/Mar 2012)

Basement framing

Frame raising
(wife "pegging" frame)

SIP install

Exterior weather barrier applied and house enclosed

porch cap, patio, drive pics

Misc progress pics