New Land, New Home Build

[extrakt0r]

Thank you very much sriddle1ny. I am doing just about everything you state in your post. For the past 6 months I have literally been watching EVERY Holmes on Homes episodes writing down all the tricks to the trade.

We are doing a 2 HVAC setup. 4.5 Ton for the main, 1.5 for the upstais. Bottom will be LP and top will be Elec. I am also putting radiant heat in the concrete floor and plan to do so on the main floor, under the subfloor as well.

It is my hope by year 3 to be powering most of my heating needs off solar.

To everyone else:

Again, thanks again for the advice, but I am 30 years old. I am in no way, shape or form building a house for a wheelchair at this time. I have no desire to have ramps all over my house and a roll in shower. My shower is going to be walk in anyway so it isn't an issue. If you look at my plans all my doors ARE 36" with the exception of the doors going into the two guest rooms, which are 30". If during construction we can bump them to 36" I will. There are very little hallways in the home to start with so i see no need to make them larger already.

If I have it my way, when the time comes I will be moving my old butt to a condo in Florida where someone can take care of me and gift the home/land to my kids to do with as they please. If I cant move around my house I sure as heck cant maintain it, much less 10 acres of land as well.

The only thing that is going to be upstairs is my office and media room. All 100% critical rooms are on the main floor, so I don't HAVE to go up steps if I bust a leg. Our old home was a traditional 2 story and I hated the stairs after about 6 months. We basically have a ranch + bonus room IMO.

As far a subs go, here is the approach I have taken. For about the last 6 months I have been going to the neighborhoods where homes are being built and talking to the subs building those houses, and getting their info, and literally watching their work. I have only been dealing with subs in the 500K+ neighborhoods, hoping that they are better (one would think) I have selected most of my subs this way. I have received 3 bids from each trade and selected NOT off price, but rather their work as I watched them, and their price. For example, I am going with the most expensive framer, because I like him, he does good work and has a good crew. And every place I have checked on him w/o his knowledge he has had good reviews.

Thanks again for the advice/comments.

 

[Redbug]

As far a subs go, here is the approach I have taken. For about the last 6 months I have been going to the neighborhoods where homes are being built and talking to the subs building those houses, and getting their info, and literally watching their work. I have only been dealing with subs in the 500K+ neighborhoods, hoping that they are better (one would think) I have selected most of my subs this way. I have received 3 bids from each trade and selected NOT off price, but rather their work as I watched them, and their price. For example, I am going with the most expensive framer, because I like him, he does good work and has a good crew. And every place I have checked on him w/o his knowledge he has had good reviews.

That's a really good idea! I think I will go that approach when our home building begins. I'm glad you mentioned it. Then, you have a better chance of things being done right than someone you don't know anything about off the street. Why didn't I think of that, before?

 

[extrakt0r]

Yes. The other thing is during this "tough" times, the sub who are currently working, are probably the ones that have been around the longest.

Also, something else. Get an LLC setup. In MO it costs $50.00 and can be done online, then get an IRS tax number.

From that point on, use your LLC and EIN for everything you do. For example, when you go and setup your builder account at the lumber yard, use it. Same with all your materials. Builders get between 20-40% off everywhere by default.

There is no reason they need to know you are an Owner Builder. You are another custom home builder, who is building a home - it just happens to be yours.

Keep track of everything, all your expenses. They are all tax write offs your "business" incurs during this process. Mileage to the job site everything.

Do what I did. Get a LLC savy tax guy and let him go to work for you. I am going to be building this house in the $60/sq foot range with all top of the line stuff in it just by playing the game and doing my research.

 

[extrakt0r]

Oh and, when poaching subs, you will eventually walk up introduce yourself and that person working will not be a sub, but the builder working on that house. Some are ok with it, some get pissy about it. I just :laughing: at the ones who get pissy about it.

Take lots of notes, and get business cards and a domain name email addy for your LLC. Perception is everything.

 

[extrakt0r]

You have to be very detail orientated when being a GC. Here is a example of my Phase 1 and 2 detail sheet I am using on the home build.

I have wrote this all up by myself by research, visiting jobsites, talking to subs and watching and reading books/shows.

 

[mikefromnh]

Do you plan on staying beyond retirement in this home. Seriously consider handicap baths, over size doors and hall ways to accomodate wheel chairs. I know my house when I build it in 3years will be handicapped friendly even if we never have to come to that. I also will plan on a walk out basement. Just my .02 cents worth.

idaho2

+1 on the wider doors (or is the +12, I lost count)

Spend some time reading about universal design. Many of the concepts make life easier for people of all ages. Wider doors aren't just for wheelchairs.

When I built my house I put in all 3'0 (36") doors or wider because I have had many requests for wider doors during remodels. When it was time to move my sons crib from one room to the other it was a two minute projects since I could roll it right through the door instead of having to take it apart and put it back together. Wider door cost very little to install now verse later.

Other ideas such as covered entryways are appreciated by everyone. And having a no step entry is great when the wife comes home with the groceries. I have a little cart that I load up and roll into the house straight into the pantry (through 36" doors of course)

Lever handle door knobs are much easier to use when your hands are full (or if you develop arthritis) Same with the rocker style light switches.

Bathrooms are simple to design with a roll in shower but very expensive to retrofit. If you every break a leg or worse it would be very handy.

My house is completely wheelchair accessible but you wouldn't know it at first glance -- no ugly retrofitted ramps etc -- just smart design. I built it knowing that it will be my home for the next few decades (I'm 35) so it seemed like cheap insurance.

 

[ultrarunner]

My friends bought a home with several pocket doors and they hated them...

The way the space was laid out there really was not an alternative.

I went and took a look and found they had premium stain grade all wood 8 panel doors throughout the home... the problem was the pocket door hardware was the cheapest I had ever seen and there was no way it could support the weight let alone someone actually opening and closing the doors.

When I pointed out the option of up grading to commercial hardware at the cost of around a $100 per door... they were all for it.

We changed out the tracks... I was able to cut an opening for a 12 x 12 access panel which limited the damage and repair work.

It has been 7 years and they are very happy to have easy sliding, fully functional door.

The lesson learned is to use good hardware in areas difficult to access.

 

[extrakt0r]

I think I am going to nix the 36" doors altogether and just put in 24" everywhere.

Keeps me motivated to stay young, and skinny :laughing:

Should be able to do at least one of those!

 

[farmfun]

I didn't examine your plan to see if they'd fit, but I'd consider a 30" door bare minimum. Unless other walls are restricting the size to 30", I'd suggest going to at least 32", preferably 36". The smaller the door, the harder it is get furniture thru it ... and why not go bigger.

I also prefer pocket doors. You don't have to design walls & traffic flow (or furniture placement) to account for the swing radius of hinged doors. They don't look "normal" in some places, but I'd use them where it makes sense & looks right.

Boy this is good advice - by limiting the doors' width below 36'' you may pay dearly later.

 

[dstig1]

I think I am going to nix the 36" doors altogether and just put in 24" everywhere.

Keeps me motivated to stay young, and skinny :laughing:

Should be able to do at least one of those!

Welcome to the wonderful world of homebuilding on TBN. You will get tons of advice no matter if you want it or not. Some will make sense in general, some will make sense for you, and some will not. It all comes with good intention, so try to take it as such.

Here's mine

30" doors are narrow. Up them to 32, if you can't go for 36. Everyone who is telling you this, is doing so for good reason. BTDT...

I haven't got around to posting plans on my build thread yet (A(nother) home in the (different) woods - yes, I'm a wisea$$), but I've basically got them finished now. As soon as I do, the floodgates will open on advice...