I have read this thread with some interest because I am in the process of building a new house - and I am doing all of the work myself. Dug the basement, formed and poured footers, built forms, poured the basement walls, the basement floor slab, etc. The only thing that I have contracted so far (and all I have planned to contract) is the installation of the septic system. I spoke with the inspector and she said I could do it myself, but it seemed very troublesome as compared to the quote that I got from my (licensed) installer. I have a neighbor who has been trying to install his own septic system for the past fourteen months, and he still can't make the inspector happy.
Yes, building a house doing the work yourself is very time consuming, but I'm not sure how that time could be better spent. You know all of the details of what you are doing, but you also have to be responsible for getting every last bit of material purchased and on site. I find spending time working on the house very rewarding, and I don't have to worry about someone taking a shortcut while I'm not around.
On a side note, I guess I don't understand what is wrong with using concrete form lumber in the building of a house. I plan on disassembling my forms (made from 3/4 plywood and 2x4s) and using them as framing material. The lumber has only been out in the weather for a month or two, rained on less than 10 times, and still seems very structurally sound. I can understand if the lumber is truly rotten, I wouldn't use it, but if it is strong enough to hold concrete walls in place while they are poured, it's strong enough for me.
Of course, the owner-builder will inevitably take longer to build the house than the owner-contractor (in most cases), but five years down the road, it won't matter that much.
Finally, there is a quote that I can't remember exactly or who said it, but it goes something like "The miracle that is a brick is lost upon the man who has never placed one".
Good luck and take care.
Yes, building a house doing the work yourself is very time consuming, but I'm not sure how that time could be better spent. You know all of the details of what you are doing, but you also have to be responsible for getting every last bit of material purchased and on site. I find spending time working on the house very rewarding, and I don't have to worry about someone taking a shortcut while I'm not around.
On a side note, I guess I don't understand what is wrong with using concrete form lumber in the building of a house. I plan on disassembling my forms (made from 3/4 plywood and 2x4s) and using them as framing material. The lumber has only been out in the weather for a month or two, rained on less than 10 times, and still seems very structurally sound. I can understand if the lumber is truly rotten, I wouldn't use it, but if it is strong enough to hold concrete walls in place while they are poured, it's strong enough for me.
Of course, the owner-builder will inevitably take longer to build the house than the owner-contractor (in most cases), but five years down the road, it won't matter that much.
Finally, there is a quote that I can't remember exactly or who said it, but it goes something like "The miracle that is a brick is lost upon the man who has never placed one".
Good luck and take care.