Building New Home With Cash, NO DEBT - Advice Appreciated

[s219]

Oh, and I would never again use asphalt shingles. One corner of the house catches lots of wind and they are always blowing off. I wish we had done metal roofing, and I am looking at changing in the next few years.

Try running a bead of the black tar-based roofing caulk/adhesive under all the tabs along that edge. It should help a lot. We had to do that when I worked in a factory building modular sheds and guard shacks, to keep the gable-edge shingles from blowing off when transported by road at highway speeds. In that particular factory we actually used hot melt glue (big industrial guns) but I use the black stuff when building stuff myself now. After a couple days, it sets up hard.

 

[walker450]

If you can do it, go for it. Sounds like you know what your doing, and have resources to help. I designed and built my own house..............

I like the way you think!!! I too will be using geothermal, but I will sub that out. I will use a mini-split in garage living area and it will remain there even when converted to a regular garage.

I am in city limits so the HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing must be done by a licensed contractor. The electrical job will probably by done by family with me helping but nothing is finalized yet, that's way down the road. Possibly the same with plumbing.

I will also have a nice collection of tools when through. They will be well-used for many projects we have planned!

I am on salary so I do not get paid overtime. I average 80 hours per two weeks. My schedule allows me to have 2 weeks off in a row every 6 weeks for 9 months each year. This will help tremendously while working on the house.

 

[kevinwak]

I am on salary so I do not get paid overtime. I average 80 hours per two weeks. My schedule allows me to have 2 weeks off in a row every 6 weeks for 9 months each year. This will help tremendously while working on the house.

Yeah, with no paid overtime it is a whole different story. Working for yourself on your house is your paid overtime. I do love the fact that I built my own house, but after living in it for two and a half years there are some things I wish I could change. Mainly the roof. If it isn't shingles blowing off in the wind, then it is leaking in our valleys in the winter. Arrrrg. A simpler roofline would have been cheaper to build and had way less spots that leaks can form over time.

It is a worthwhile experience. Take lots, and I mean lots of pictures. I wish I had done a pic of every single wall just prior to drywall, so I know what is behind it for future referance.

 

[s219]

I like the way you think!!! I too will be using geothermal, but I will sub that out. I will use a mini-split in garage living area and it will remain there even when converted to a regular garage.

Consider a PTAC unit if the garage isn't too big. That will save quite a bit of money over the mini-split and is perfectly acceptable for garage use in the future. I have one in my workshop, based on the recommendation of our HVAC guy.