Building a house!

[Heather]

Matt the children and I have spent the last few weeks adding a couple of additions to the barn out at Mr. Graybeards!  We are converting it into our new home.  With the concrete poured we cemented the memories of the children helping us by laying them in the wet concrete complete with initials and the date.  The boys have measured, carried, and stacked hundreds of 2x4's, and I have cut just as many.  Matt(besides me and the kids) is doing this practically by himself with the occasional one or two folks coming to lend a hand every few days or so.  It is HOT and the work isn't easy.  We have sweated, got sunburns, smashed fingers, and got more scrapes bumps and bruises than I can count.  We put up the some walls for the second story today, and let me tell ya it wasn't easy.

Through all of the heat, minor injuries, and back breaking work I must say we are having the time of our lives.  With every swing of the hammer we are creating memories we will cherish forever.  It touches the heart to hear my children ask what can we do next to build our house daddy!  With each wall that goes up and each pipe that is laid we are closer and closer to having our dream home that we can say was built by these ten hands!

Heather

[magooch]

Heather and Matt, I admire your ambition from my own experience.  I built my own home--basically by myself.  When I look back on it, I can't believe I ever found time to do it.  Anyway, good luck with your project.  Be very careful about picking components such as windows, lumber and such.  Do not use Chinese dry-wall (sheetrock). 

I always approached the job from the perspective of doing a whole long series of little jobs.  If you contemplate the entire project, it gets to be overwhelming.

[williamlayton]

Don't cut corners---remember--a big, wide front porch.
My prayers for s very happy home.
Blessings

[DEACONLLB]

My wife, our two teenage sons and I built our house 30 yrs ago took almost a year working ever day but we got her done and we all swetted a lot that is the reason they use the term swet equity. you will look back and really enjoy it when it is finished because you are building what you wont, not what some builder thinks you need.

Deaconllb

[ms]

Good luck! 

[Matt]

Here are a few pics of our progress

[Matt]

and some more

[Old Syko]

I built my own home in 2001 with my only real help being my, at that time 77 year old father.  I remember as a toddler, when my father built his home with very little help from anyone but his father.  His dad gave him a new hammer when he started on his home and when I started, he passed that same hammer on to me.  Funny, the kind of things that seem important at such a time.  Dad built his home in the mid 50s.  While working on mine one day I asked him, "How long did it take before you knew you were done?"  His answer was "I'll let you know."

It's very hard work both mentally and physically but I felt better while doing it than I've ever felt in my life.  Enjoy the process.  My hat's off to anyone with the grit to do it themselves.


 

[Matt]

Well to those who have built their own home themselves, my hats off to you... This is some of the hardest work I have done in my 38 years. I must admit that I love it and am having the time of my life doing it but man it is rough... I just wish we were not pushed for time, as I figure we have about another 15 -20 days to have it where we can move in as we have to be out of where we are now. If it was not for the time issue I think that this may very well be the most fun I have ever had working. The only real bad part is that I have not been able to "Work" to make any money in almost a month now so things are getting real tough but I am sure we will get through it in the end and have a HOME that we can be proud of. Well I am off to try and stand up two more walls by myself...



ps: to all those who are PM'ing me about the eZine Project I just dont have time to put it all together at this time but as soon as the house is done I will get back with you.


Matt

[powderman]

MATT, HEATHER. Congratulations, sounds great. Nails are cheap, use plenty, especially on the floors. Nailed too sparsely nails will work loose on floors after a short period of time. I know this from being a carpenter and doing maintenence at several apt complexes. Charlie.  

[williamlayton]

Dang it all---I am proud of you guys.
Wish I were close enough to help out.
Don't push it---in the event you are not finished---the barn will sufficefor awhile and Faye and GB will share the toilets and kitchen.
Blessings

[Matt]

Here are the latest pics... These were taken yesterday and do not show the back wall for the upstairs which went up today.

Matt

[boondocker]

Kudos to you and Matt, I have built my own home with some occasional help of family members.
I started in 84 and finished in 86. My wife even quit on me. Everything was done by me, no sub contractors
even tho I should of got some pros on spackling lol. I have fixed that since then and also built a fine 30x40 garage.
I have my oldest daughters feet and hand prints in the basement floor with the date at one year old. Sweat equity
is a good thing and be prideful in doing it yourself.

[Matt]

yeah I have a motto... I will not pay someone to do something I can do myself.... we will not use any sub contractors... not that we could afford them anyway... I will be doing all the electrical and plumbing myself as with the framing and roofing which I hope to be ready to start setting the metal roof after tomorrow.

This is the first house I have built but have done hundreds of remodels so it is not new to me. I am starting to wish I had put it on paper though as trying to keep all the plans in my head is really starting to wear me down. When finished the house should be around 2700sq ft which to us is huge... and the funny thing is it is only a 2 bedroom house... mind you the bedrooms are 15x36 for the boys and 20x32 for me and Heather. Kitchen will be 12x32 and a 8x12 bathroom for the boys downstairs and the master bath will not have walls and will be more or less in the master bedroom other than the crapper of course which will have walls... laundry room will be 8x10 and then we have another bonus room that will be 8x10 for what ever Heather decides on it. I will keep posting the pics GB takes as we go along for those interested in seeing the project completed.

Matt

[Matt]

MATT, HEATHER. Congratulations, sounds great. Nails are cheap, use plenty, especially on the floors. Nailed too sparsely nails will work loose on floors after a short period of time. I know this from being a carpenter and doing maintenence at several apt complexes. Charlie.  

already used over 60 pounds of nails and have not even finished the framing.... yeah we will be using plenty...lol

[45454]

Where's my "thumbs up" ?
Thumbs up anyway !

[Dand]

If at all possible, make a little time to breath and have fun too. I've seen folks get REALLY stressed building homes - near to breaking sometimes. The framing and such is relatively fast and fun. But attending ALL the details of finishing and the fine points can drag on and on. If you have a bank loan deadline breathing down your neck it can get really hard.

But you sure have a great attitude. I wish you clear sailing and a good time. Great learning for the kids and they can be helpers!

[Old Fart]

Those pictures showing your boys reminds me of when I was a child. Our farm had a house on it when we first moved there so we didn't build it, but we did build every other building on the farm. It may seem like work to the adults on site, but to the boys it's an adventure.

I used to work as a carpenter when I was young and making my way through college. When you say you're wore out I understand what you're saying. Enjoy the experience. Good for you guys.

[Tommyt]

Your Family is doing the Biggest thing in your Lives (as of Yet) enjoy it.
The memories will last more than a Life time your kids will be tellin theirs
"The Great day of Helping Mom and Dad"
I hope you just read this and not think I'm tellin you too
 Why ? such Space in the Bed rooms ?
something I tell others when they are Building
PUT in Chase's anywhere you can or think maybe needed down the Road
and Don't Cheap out on Dead Wood and Think of what you will and where things will
Be Hung, Put some Wood for it
 I like helping people out wish I was closer I would lend a Paw or 2
I added a room and Put Outlets up near the Ceiling with 110 and Phone line and Ethernet
makes nice for Hanging TV and maybe Router just some thought
Please don't take my thoughts no further than Ideas and Question
Hope not to Derail If so I'll delete it.

Tommyt

[Heather]

Last night I was on my way home from work when my car just stopped and wouldn't pull the hill to my house.  Upon further inspection Matt said that the transmission went out.  LOVELY...JUST LOVELY!  Today when I should be out building the last wall I am stuck at home.  I am sure I can get some packing done here, but the thought of Matt building a roof alone is kinda scary to me.    Knowing Matt it won't take him but a few hours to fix my car, but that is a few hours of daylight he is not able to build.  It is one of those situations that there really isnt' a good solution and I hate that.  We will make it work somehow...we always do, but it just seems like every corner we turn something else goes wrong.  They say what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger, so I figure by the time we have the house done, I will be superwoman!

[Heather]

Your Family is doing the Biggest thing in your Lives (as of Yet) enjoy it.
The memories will last more than a Life time your kids will be tellin theirs
"The Great day of Helping Mom and Dad"
I hope you just read this and not think I'm tellin you too
 Why ? such Space in the Bed rooms ?
something I tell others when they are Building
PUT in Chase's anywhere you can or think maybe needed down the Road
and Don't Cheap out on Dead Wood and Think of what you will and where things will
Be Hung, Put some Wood for it
 I like helping people out wish I was closer I would lend a Paw or 2
I added a room and Put Outlets up near the Ceiling with 110 and Phone line and Ethernet
makes nice for Hanging TV and maybe Router just some thought
Please don't take my thoughts no further than Ideas and Question
Hope not to Derail If so I'll delete it.

Tommyt

We'll take all the ideas we can get!  The reason for the size of the bedrooms is kinda funny.  The boys room is so big because there are three of them.  It should be three separate rooms, but for now they are still just 3 5 and 7 so we figured they would enjoy a wide open space to run and play in the house.  As they get bigger we may add a couple of walls to give them all a decent size room.  As for our bedroom...well...we poured a pad for the kitchen laundry room and bathroom, and it only made sense to us to make it two stories and make the upstairs our bedroom, so our bedroom is the same size of kitchen laundry and bath. 

[Tommyt]

As for our bedroom...well...we poured a pad for the kitchen laundry room and bathroom, and it only made sense to us to make it two stories and make the upstairs our bedroom, so our bedroom is the same size of kitchen laundry and bath. 

Nice 
Sorry about your Vehicle

Tommyt

[burntmuch]

The framings looking good. Sounds like you two are teaching your kids to Not be helpless, More of our generation needs to do that. I had to teach a 21 y/o man how to use a hammer couple mths back. Good for you two & good luck. Wish I was closer. Id give ya a day or two. 

[briarpatch]

Good job guys, I lost my house during the hurricanes here in florida a few years ago and could get no help to rebuild. All the contractors were booked up. So it was up to me all the way.
There are a few things you will learn as you build your own house. Who your friends are? we cant expect them be there all the time but when the going gets tuff they will know and come running.
When they walk up with a hammer, saw, some tool or just "what do you want me to do" it gives you a real boost.
 When you are fighting the clock and money problems it will show you your limits. Dont be afraid to back up to a wall and just slide down on your butt and cry like a baby for an hour. When you get up you will be a new man.
When you are just beat and cant stand to look at the house anymore, throw down the hammer get your wife and kids and go out. Do something different. You may not think you can afford to, fighting time and all but you cant afford not to. Like a good cry it will make you a new man.
Whose help you really need? I once ended up behind a man in pickup at a stop light several years ago. I could see ladders, wheelbarrow and other tools in the bed of the truck and he had a sign on the window of his trunk in big letters. I build houses only God can build a home.
One last thing. Maybe you are planning on this or not. If you will nail a 2x6 above your windows the full width with some over hang on each side, it will make it easier to hang your curtains and window dressings later on. Give you something to nail to. We call them curtain nailers.
Best of luck
 
 

[DEACONLLB]

Now that we are giving tips on building :)Here are a few Make sure to nail 2x4 or 2x6 between the studs where you plan to hang towel racks in bathrooms as well as tissue paper holders as well as where you will mount your kitchen cabnets and if you plan an island counter with cabnets make sure to put nailers there also to hang them on. Nothing like knowing there is something to nail or screw into solid wood. same with fans and light fixtures put in some nailers to hold the boxes. Nailers are real important as it makes the finish work alot easier when you go to install whatever.
Looks like you are doing a great job, I do hope matt used glue on the wood floor beams as it cut down on the floor poping when you walk on it. Wish I was close as I could have helped out and have years of experiance as a carpenter and builder.

Deaconllb

[DalesCarpentry]

Hey Matt. If you pay the gas I will come down this weekend with my tools and cut the roof for you. Besides it will go much faster with nail guns. Let me know Dale

[krod47nw]

Matt,

Great job on the house.  We are now living in our 3rd house we built ourselves.  You just can't beat the sense of pride and accomplishment building you own home brings.  Plus the money saved is not bad either.

We have been considering a move to Alabama from here in Florida.  You said you have no plans on paper.  Does that mean that there are no local building regulations or requirements?  This would be great news to me.  Here in Florida on our current 4000 sq foot house, I had $25,000-$30,000 in paperwork.  Between building permits, wind code requirements, impact fees, surveys, and the required plans and engineering for them to accept everything.  It is just ridiculous.  I am very interested in knowing what is involved in building in your area.  I have spoken by PM to Graybeard several times about land near him.  We have also looked around in that part of the state, and found several areas we liked.  Any info you can pass on would be appreciated.

Good luck in your new home,

Kevin

[Graybeard]

Building codes and permits pertain only to cities down here. We're not in any city or even police jurisdiction out here so no building permits and such to deal with.

I sent them a new pile of photos this morning that I forgot to send last night. Here's one of the youngest grandson Wyatt doing his thing in the corner. When he's not busy hiding the keys to anything he finds a key to the car has been his constant companion while up there.

[Mrs Graybeard]

My job on this project is to make sure Matt had plenty of Gatorade to drink.  I have use three cans of the Frost Glacier Freeze so far.  

[krod47nw]

GB,

Thanks for the info on the building permits.

I have several pictures of my daughters in similar poses during our housebuilding projects.  As they got older they were able to be very helpful building our current house.  They were about 7 and 10 at the time. I had them doing everything from sweeping and cleaning to setting tile.  Now in their 20s they still have big smiles on their faces as they point out the areas of tile they helped set and the other things they did.  the pride in doing it yourself easily rubs off on them.

Mrs GB,

Don't underestimate the importance of your job on the project.  We built in the hot Florida sun, and realize how important those jugs of gatorade are.   I remember many times having to stop for a while because the heat was getting to me. 

Good luck to all of you on the project. 

Kevin