Just got my new house underway

[gclark94560]

Hi All!

I have always dreamed of building my own house. For a long time I thought I was going to do the whole thing all by myself. Well after completing my 1500 sq ft barn/workshop largely by myself , I decided I would like to see this house completed in my lifetime!

So, I have 3 experienced carpenters working "with me". This is sort of strange as I am both the General Contractor and the boss - and I am the carpenter's junior assistant. I sort of cover both ends of the spectrum.

The real hero of this project is my brother's IH 2444 industrial tractor. I have attached a set of Ebay Special fork blades to the FEL and have moved just about all of the lumber so far with this tractor. The crew loves not having to carry hundreds of 2X4 and 2X10 boards back and forth.

My fond hope is that the IH can reach up to the second story level to pass lumber up to that lever when we get there.

See TractorByNet.com | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, and more! for the ongoing website.

Greg Clark

 

[sr160009]

good luck on your house, let us know some details of your house project. I am also in the process of builing a house. All the info you can provide may help someone else, like me. I am going through this for the first time. Also Pictures is of your project is very much appreciated here.

Maybe we can get a few ideas from each other.

 

[EddieWalker]

Congrats on starting your new house.

Be sure to post lots of pictures so we can follow along with you, and ask questions. Sometimes a simple question can save you tons of money if it's something you never thought about. I know it's happened over and over again for me with my projects.

Eddie

 

[gclark94560]

Hi again!

Rather than posting a lot of pictures on TBN and taking up a lot of bandwidth, I have a web site devoted to the new house project. just go to:

TractorByNet.com | John Deere, Kubota, New Holland, and more! (-www.katibehrens.com-) for a blow by blow picture history of the progress.

Greg

 

[EddieWalker]

Greg,

Those are some great pictures and comentary!!! I'm really impressed by the size of those windows in the great room. The view is going to be awesome.

Are homes with crawlspaces common in your area? I was just about postive you were in the Northwest from the type of construction and those massive pine trees. When I saw that you are in AL, I was very suprised. The termite shield should have been a clue to me, but it's so rare to see a modern home build on Pier and Beam down here in the South.

Let us know when you update the website.

Eddie

 

[hosejockey2002]

I was just about postive you were in the Northwest from the type of construction and those massive pine trees.

Yep, they do look like the pines you see in the mountainous areas of central and eastern Washington. House foundations over there are poured concrete and go down three feet or more because of freezing winter temperatures. Don't see cinder blocks used, I think it's because water can get inside them and freeze.

 

[patrick_g]

gclark94560, I ran into the I can do that myself syndrome. I can do all the jobs but not at the same time. To get my house done enough to move in any where near a practical speed I hired a general contractor to partner with me. It was a LOOOOOONG time till we moved in. We have celebrated two Christmases and new years in the new house and I am still building on it. Virtually all the ground floor is done but I have lots to do in the basement and the upstairs.

Best of luck to you. You're off to a good start (minus the flu) and you have a beautiful site. Much of my project is chronicled at CountryByNet.com :: The Country Life Community in the Homebuilding section under South Central Oklahoma Farmhouse.

I did a walkout basement with the floor about 5 feet below the surounding water table and used conventional stick construction as well as ICF and open span steel truss (red iron) bld in different sections of the house and attached shop, garage, and tractor shed.

Pat

 

[Harvey7]

Greg


Nice photos and commentary, four guys can really get alot of work done, keep it up.

 

[gclark94560]

Greg,

Are homes with crawlspaces common in your area? I was just about postive you were in the Northwest from the type of construction and those massive pine trees. When I saw that you are in AL, I was very suprised. The termite shield should have been a clue to me, but it's so rare to see a modern home build on Pier and Beam down here in the South.

Eddie

Hi Eddie!

Most folks don't realize how much timber there is in Georgia and Alabama. The timber industry is the #1 money business down here. Lots of lumbering, plywood making and paper making here.

Yes, the pier and beam method is quite common, also solid slabs. I think termites and moisture have a lot to do with it. No problems with hard freezes to deal with here.

As of today, all first floor walls are up. Next is to true and plum them and add the second top plate.

 

[gclark94560]

Hi All!

The work moves on! I posted a artists rendering of the finished house on the web site today.

Greg