My feed is flush full of people who tell you they have no experience building a house but yet are able to dig, put down a footing, lay a foundation (or using cement posts), lay down the beams, lay a floor and rough in, and finish a house. All to code, apparently. And all within a spring and summer.

Some of the houses are pretty simple, such as in a square, but others are more complex and multiple stories.

So if someone gave you the perfect piece of land for you, but the conditions are that you had to build your own house, could you do it? And I mean, do it and trust that it wouldn't fall down all around you. And in less than 9 months?

Now many of you might say: Sure! I'd watch a shit-ton of youtube videos and I'd be able to do it. But it would take me 3 years.

Like me.

I’ve built a garage, a shed, fixed boats and cars, and rebuilt two houses…

… I could build a house starting with pencil and paper.

I believe I know how but I’m old enough that I couldn’t build what I want in nine months, nor would I try to build in my spare time after work. I have all of tools but not the heavy equipment.

I sure cou- did you say 9 months?

The pipes, slats, and shingles would be less of a hassle than getting permits. I don't think I could handle the BS of getting all of the permits.

How would such a endeavor be financed? Having a big fat wad of cash laying around would make it a lot quicker without saving up for supplies (and permits).

As for me, I have built a 28x32 shop, a 4 car shed, a well house, and an automatic transmission (without watching U-tube videos).

I could build a house, IF it were made of canvas and had only two poles!! Even that may take me quite a while to finish!!!!

If you're willing to cut some corners, you can build a house much faster.

I have built 4 houses from a poured foundation. I worked for a residential contractor for 10 years and we mostly did additions and renovations but on occasion, someone would hire him to build a home. So it was building and remodeling daily.

We did everything from light concrete and electrical to framing, roofing, drywall, custom kitchens and baths, custom basements and garages or whatever a customer might need.

It was a 4 man group, usually just two of us as the contractor's son, my best friend, called out every other day and the contractor we worked for was rarely on site. He would sub out to small crews for the houses and we would pair up with them as supervisors to make sure the plans were followed correctly.

Fast forward twenty-five years and two careers later, I still enjoy breaking out my tools and working on the home.

Once the foundation was poured we would have the framing, roof, and siding up in less than a month. And that was slower than some of the builders we worked for doing punch lists. Big crews can frame roof and side a house in 2 or 3 weeks depending on weather and materials available.

What size house and where?

You'll never hear me claim to be particularly good at any of it, but I can do framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, siding, flooring, roofing, and most of the other necessary functions. I've got little to no experience with masonry or concrete, but I'm sure I could learn. That's definitely a part you want done right, though, since everything else kinda sits on top of it.

I'm confident I could make something liveable...but it probably wouldn't be pretty!

A cabin or shop with no permits, Yes.

I regular house with niceities. Not with out some help, No.

I have done a fair amount of building and renovated some structures very successfully. There were always two of us. And the other party had more experience than I did. I did an equal amount of work though.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross, September 07, 2024 09:56 PM

The mind is willing but I could not do the lifting and other heavy work required.

I could hire a few laborers and get it done.

quote:

Originally posted by sig2392:
The mind is willing but I could not do the lifting and other heavy work required.

I could hire a few laborers and get it done.

You know you can use and old buick to stand walls up right?

I could, but I don't know why I would want to. I'm passable at all the skills needed, but would be very slow compared to those that do it for a living. Additionally I would need someone to consult on code (except electrical). I would happily build a cabin in the woods at my own pace.

I am having one hell of a time building one of those prefab green houses from Cosco.

A good friend of mine built his own home, using his own work and with subcontractors. Watching it happen convinced me to never attempt such a project. And it took just over a year to complete!

Could I? Yes. In 9 months? Not a chance. I think half the contractors around here have a hard time finishing a house in 9 months.

I watched and helped while my dad built many houses. Forty years ago I would have been willing to give it a go. That’s assuming I could subcontract plumbing, electricity, masonry, and HVAC.
But considering I hit my head missing a step on a piece of PLAYGROUND equipment and got a concussion last weekend, wouldn’t be prudent.

I probably could but wouldn't try to build a house on my own. If I did it would be a one story rancher and I'd need a professional to lay the foundation.

I could, and could roof it, plumb it, wire it, tile it, install furnace and ducting, and could form a foundation if I had to.

No
There’s not too many tools I can’t sharpen/maintain/use, and not too many projects I haven’t done. But a lot of them have been 1-3 times. I even had to design and draw a house in Jr. year drafting, and we built a house for Sr. year Building Trades class. I’m proud of the skills I’ve learned over the years. But no way could I do it all and certainly not in 9 months.