Started New House

[EddieWalker]

In 2002, I moved away from CA. Sometimes, I worked on a few new houses being built. It would cost over $200 a sq ft to build those homes. They were half a million dollar homes, and not very fancy. Minimal trim, stucco siding and allot of carpet flooring. The big money was in the fees for permits and engineering. Then building them to earthquate code was pretty extreme. How a family could afford to buy a 2,000 sq ft track home for $500,000 was just beyond my comprehension, but even more amazing to me was why would they buy such a house. It's a big part of why I moved away. There are allot of nicer places to live where you can buy a VERY nice house for a quarter of what the were selling for in California.

I have a bunch of friends still there, and my parents still live near Jackson. I think they are just resigned to life there and have decided that they don't have a choice. It's sad, but I know that they would be happier in another place, but they feel they can't leave because of a job that really doesn't pay very much, or family is close by.

Eddie

 

[buckeyefarmer]

As is I paid over 20,000.00 in county fees to build this house.
There is a reason California has one of the worst economies in the country, too much government with their hands out taking peoples hard earned cash, most of the good people and businesses are running out of the state! meanwhile the legislature keeps passing more taxes and legislation and wonders why the economy is so bad.

I feel your pain. I'm working on a building project that is about to cost $70K more for "environmental" fees because the town is dragging their feet on a zoning change. New environmental requirements coming in effect soon will make it very hard and very expensive for anyone to build around here.

 

[saltman]

Eddie things have changed here as you know with the huge realestate slump, but what hasn't changed are all the fees and the big government. So nobody or few are building here or anywhere it appears where fees are too high.

Seems if you wanted to stimulate the building economy here all you would need to do would get the banks to loan money and reduce government fees.

Anyway I got a pretty good deal due to the slow down and am paying about 200,000 for the house, I still have to do the cabinets, appliances, plumbing fixtures, solar and all painting but they are doing everything else. Oh an I had to pay all building permit fees.

My plan to tolerate California was to move 60 miles from anywhere buy a lot of land and build a comfortable house that was totally self sufficient, no water bill no electric bill.
So far it's working out but if I didn't have a daughter I would have left this state 10 years ago.

Buckeyefarmer, I got lucky with the Environmental Review only because I was so far from town otherwise I would have been hit with that as well.

I even had to pay a 2,500 dollar traffic tax for all the traffic I am causing by building a house and having so many people drive out there?

Anway I am glad I did it and it's going to be a great escape for me.

 

[dieselsmoke1]

Great looking project! Amazing how different your terrain is than what we have on the east coast.

 

[jayste]

I even had to pay a 2,500 dollar traffic tax for all the traffic I am causing by building a house and having so many people drive out there?

Traffic tax? You've got to be kidding! Where's the harm in the traffic when you're 60 miles from the city? Even in the city it seems crazy! I guess it's time for another "Tea Party"!

Jay

 

[saltman]

The framing is almost done, they are suppose get the inspection on Monday. Really looking like a house now!

 

[EddieWalker]

I really like the porch. I'm wondering why part of it is smaller the the other part? Did you consider making it all the same size? With the fireplace already in there, could you have an outdoor fireplace?

I sure like that lift they are using!!!

Eddie

 

[mjncad]

Do you have a floor plan you can post Saltman? California is a pretty state; but as you've said, it's screwed up big time. Sadly Colorado is following Cali's path to ruin.

Keep the pix coming!

 

[saltman]

Eddie the porch is 12 feet off of the dining room, to allow for an outside dining space. The rest of the patio/porch is 8 feet. I guess you could have made the entire porch 12 feet but the house would have been wider since the patio is covered by the 12x12 pitch roof of the house. Or I could have made the dining side smaller but I like the outside dining area.

Good idea on the outside fireplace. Not in this design but maybe I can add it later, running over budget as is.

The lift is worth every penny they spent to rent it, it's amazing how fast 4 guys and a lift can work. The call it a Peddibone or pettybone?

mjncad, I attached a pdf floor plan. It's funny the liberals here think California is "cutting edge" When it's broke, bad schools, bad crime, bad roads, but hey it has a bullet train and extreme envrionmental regulations.. The are proud to be leading the country in Env. regulation.

Here's another one for you, it's required I use floresent lighting in the home, even though I am 100% off grid and generate my own power!!!

 

[dave1949]

Looks like it is coming together. That outside dining will be great atmoshere I bet. A few candles, some wine, the starry sky - who knows what it could lead to?

The traffic tax must be for all the road wear by the inpectors

I think it is going to be a nice home.
Dave.