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Journals
Name Visits Posts Pics Videos
LittleLakeCorner41,7091016040
9/29/2009Groveland, FL
ICF-Keller-Tx32,347321220
10/6/2009Roanoke, TX
Bobs-Blog30,592614140
9/16/2009New Florence, PA
TheHoskensProject27,845721651
FridayDome-ville, central, FL
toolehouse27,001891450
9/20/2009Reno, NV
OwensNewHome22,4501013810
8/29/2009Chandler, AZ
octagonaltopsider22,2898120
8/17/2009Cupertino, CA
Working-Wilton19,501332970
9/8/2009Wilton, NH
Homestead17,71163850
6/12/2009Smithville, MO
1860s-Texas-Rehab-Ne...16,313411850
11/13/2009Boerne, TX
PennsmithLostValleyT...15,296552150
9/9/2009Dripping Springs, TX
tanglewood15,26224442814
1/28/2010Colorado Springs, CO
DreamHome14,377261900
6/7/2009Orlando, FL
ICF-in-Ann-Arbor10,832293710
1/25/2010Dexter, MI
Dennis-Dream-Home9,485385050
8/27/2009Readington Twp, NJ
Arkansas-First-Timer9,13439880
3/27/2009Trumann, AR
AirparkHome-Remodel8,96621410
9/15/2009Hillsboro, OR
Seven-Peaks-Faswall-...8,071342520
11/9/2009Graeagle, CA
CastleHeims6,83621590
6/5/2009cedar rapids, IA
Victor--Susan-086,098211210
3/17/2009Ruckersville, VA
Plant-City-Craftsman5,4864100
11/22/2009Plant City, FL
The-Cortes-Adventure5,157320
6/13/2009Snowflake, AZ
Naperville-Webster-S...4,5912250
6/1/2009Naperville, IL
PahrumpProject4,2495390
1/17/2010Spokane, WA
3024,1079290
11/28/2009Belfair, WA
SouthernEcoHome3,89219210
8/4/2009Jacksonville, AL
Schrammelot3,7057900
9/11/2009Pierson, FL
steve-n-carolyn3,6213130
4/29/2009Sun City, CA
threegables3,488201340
9/29/2009Hartland, WI
Artist-Haven-Home3,368961
1/13/2010Kansas City, MO
ArnoldCaliforniaSier...3,2521480
WednesdayArnold, CA
Workshop3,119520
6/13/2009Florissant, CO
Eschete-Dome3,10911220
1/20/2010Lafayette, LA
Castle-Rock-Lakehous...2,91410840
4/27/2009Necedah, WI
SOPHIA--SAMUELDELAWA...2,60211310
12/2/2009Smyrna, DE
TheBeachHouse2,36913200
1/16/2010Shoreline, WA
Keener-Road2,2094100
3/11/2009Elizabethtown, PA
YaNYca2,154300
11/28/2009Boston, MA
RR-Homestead2,08130740
MondayJanesville, CA
TheHouse2321,988470
9/18/2009Bronx, NY
Back-Home-In-Crisp1,987111510
3/22/2009Ennis, TX
NorthPoleHome1,976390
9/19/2009Anchorage, AK
High-over-Lake-Granb...1,89311210
1/5/2010Granbury, TX
Small-Timber-Frame1,827110
4/2/2009Central Mass, MA
Where-to-start1,822610
5/16/2009Lemoore, CA
Techbuilt-Scammed1,440100
2/25/2009Rebew, LA
choanne8311,327100
2/9/2009charlotte, NC
Oleg1,308360
4/22/2009San Diego, CA
Shane1,170600
10/31/2009San Antonio, TX
OurFarmstead1,12318240
12/17/2009Lititz, PA
MadisonGA1,0811130
2/26/2009Madison, GA
Sherman1,07315990
SaturdayDowners Grove, IL
EatonLoch-Haven1,072110
4/1/2009Roanoke, VA
Rick-and-Tinas-dream...1,031120
3/14/2009Auburndale, FL
NC-Newbie1,010100
3/10/2009Boone, NC
Huckleberry-Home984200
4/8/2009Williamstown, NJ
MoeCompound957340
4/9/2009Camano Island, WA
windowsnsiding955110
3/28/2009Long Island, NY
Vonk881100
4/7/2009Zeeland, MI
Steinys-Hideaway859200
6/9/2009venice, CA
Hidden-Meadow-Home848160
5/20/2009Murrieta, CA
Utah-Warehouse802220
5/20/2009Fairview, UT
Massive-Undertaking7841100
8/26/2009Wimauma, FL
PensacolaBeachHouse772110
6/22/2009Gulf Breeze, FL
12YEARSINTHEPLANNING750120
6/16/2009LADSON, SC
ADCountryHome7491130
10/31/2009Fort Worth, TX
Cheriki-Organic-Farm7151150
1/5/2010Ft. Collins, CO
Tornado-Reconstructi...684800
9/24/2009Port Neches, TX
Cobblestone-Lane671100
7/30/2009Great Falls, MT
Steel-in-San-Diego656201
9/14/2009San Diego, CA
h20dave656230
7/21/2009waterloo, AL
River-House645220
9/7/2009Clinton, NJ
Southport-NC-Home63315961
FridaySouthport, NC
Utah-Casa629200
9/28/2009Saratoga Springs, UT
Williams-New-Home-Si...626110
8/2/2009Windsor, NC
Dream-site-on-the-La...604200
8/5/2009La Porte, TX
Delisledigs602200
8/22/2009Jacksonville, FL
Lafayette598200
8/11/2009Cramerton, NC
SantaFe-in-AJ579100
8/28/2009Apache Junction, AZ
The-New-Ries-Homeste...56212511
1/12/2010Polk/Richfield/Erin/Hartford, WI
Blessings554100
9/11/2009farmville, NC
httpownerbuilderbook...554100
9/28/2009Cincinnati, OH
digs529100
9/30/2009Tracy City, TN
Holloway486100
10/21/2009Petersburg, VA
Austrian-Chalet469580
1/30/2010Twin Lakes, CO
WestermanFarm347130
11/10/2009Dickson, TN
herbalslim138100
1/27/2010shenzhen, IN
DancingPines138200
1/25/2010Clinton, LA
Richfield-Home133100
1/16/2010Richfield, WI
Log-Cabin92150
1/23/2010indianapolis, IN
The-Kinzel-House72100
1/21/2010New Orleans, LA
Top Rated Posters
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Name Items
Cabinets2
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Georgia builders?2
Granite countertops2
House Features2
Initial thoughts2
next step9
Questions I need ans...3
To Do - Interior16
To Do Exterior7
Water / Sewer2
Cheap Solid State Drive
Home The Book Bookstore Forums Construction
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Mark Smith, Managing Editor
mark@ownerbuilderbook.com		 Paul McGown, Editor
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webmaster@ownerbuilderbook.com
2/8/2010

I bought the book, all of the Special Reports, all the Construction Bargain Strategies books and several other MP3 & DVD files. Mark's book and related information IS THE BEST MATERIAL AVAILABLE! If you are just getting started, you can't lose buying these materials.
Jack in Martinsburg, WV

Future Owner-Builder Survey

Will your project be a starter, step-up, custom, or dream home?

Starter
 
5.30% (31/585)
Step-up
 
12.14% (71/585)
Custom
 
56.41% (330/585)
Dream home
 
26.15% (153/585)
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Latest 5-Star Post
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No idea offhand.I rely on RS Means Residential Cost Yearbook to come up with cost information/deltas. Unfortunately, it is in a box between houses or I'd look it up!  I would not be caught without this basic reference.  I learned to use it when I worked in a civil-engineering office in college - a LONG time ago.  It has a couple ways to estimate costs, and then you apply a zip code factor to adjust the national average to your building area.  Pretty easy to use, especially th
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Pete in Centreville, VA
Future Owner-Builder Survey

What total square footage will you build? (Incl. garage, basement, decks, etc.)

Less than 1,000 square feet
 
1.86% (12/645)
1,000 - 1,500 s.f.
 
2.79% (18/645)
1,500 - 2,000 s.f.
 
4.65% (30/645)
2,000 - 3,000 s.f.
 
19.07% (123/645)
3,000 - 4,000 s.f.
 
26.36% (170/645)
4,000 - 5,000 s.f.
 
20.47% (132/645)
5,000 - 6,000 s.f.
 
13.33% (86/645)
6,000 - 7,000 s.f.
 
5.27% (34/645)
More than 7,000 s.f.
 
6.20% (40/645)
Average: 4,027
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Latest Post
Rich,          I wouldn't run it under your driveway because there could have something go wrong with it or Dominion Electric want to do some kind of maintenance on it. This would inevitably be in the winter or rainy season and they would have to tear up your driveway and you would be blocked out of your house at a bad time.    My two cents. Joe
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Joe in hermiston, OR
Latest Journal Entry
A little background about our project, in April of 2007 my wife and I bought roughly 2 acres in Mullica Hill New Jersey since then we have been working to develop a plan that will make this project a reality. We have two children 11 years old that are not looking to move into the new home primarily because they have develop friendships in our current town. My wife sympathizes with them my point of view is that the soonest they learn how to deal with change the better they will be 
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Pablo in Mullica Hill, NJ
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Construction Bargain Strategies
121. Free Trees Find out off the Internet where you can get free seedlings to plant in your yard, or other free tree programs. Check with your county agriculture extension agent as well. Nat'l Arbor Day Foundation gives 10 seedlings when you become a member. Owner-builder Preston Heiselt found a reforestation source and planted 6,000 free seedlings on his ten-acre property. Taylor Fitterer noticed that his city was widening a road and was able to get three free mature trees that were slated for removal. Their value was over $1,000 each. He paid $45 apiece to have them cut out with a big root ball and placed in his truck. The rest was up to him.
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Thought from the Book
One lender told me that a couple came in to see him and said they were sure they could owner-build at a savings because "all builders make 30% profit." The lender asked them the penetrating question: "Have you built before?" "No." "Have you remodeled a house?" "No." "Do you maybe have relatives in the industry?" "No." "Did you perhaps have a summer job at some point in construction?" "No. But we did read a book about owner-building and we know all about it." The lender declined the loan.
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Qualifications of an Owner-Builder

by Mark A. Smith

A telephone survey we conducted revealed that persons acting as their own general contractor in the construction of their residences ("owner-builders") saved an average of 35% off the contractor price of the house. Do you have the right stuff to take on your own residential construction project? Here are the ten leading qualifications of successful owner-builders:

1. You come to the job each day prepared to fire people if needed.

This consists of being clear about what you expect and holding subcontractors accountable for it. You are writing the check, you are in power. You stage your payments so that you can pay for performance to date and release the sub if necessary. You can put your foot down if needed.

2. You are somewhat familiar with construction.

You have interest in the subject of building and some aptitude, and are willing to learn. You talk the talk of the business. This can be learned from building shows on television, from builder magazines to which you can subscribe, from interviewing subs, and from observing building projects, among other places. Even though you may not perform a given trade, you can talk about it knowledgeably.

However, overemphasis on building knowledge can interfere with the exercise of good planning and management, your principal tools.

3. You communicate well.

You make clear your expectations, and make certain they are understood. You can talk to all kinds of people. You can win loyalty and build relationships with the team. You are capable of making endless phone calls to check on things.

4. You pay patient attention to detail.

Winston Churchill, who liked to lay brick on his English country estate and was a competent oil painter, said, "Genius is the capacity for taking infinite pains." The tiny details done right add up to a distinctly superior house. The O-B must be prepared to take the time to see that things are done right.

5. You have job flexibility.

Either you or your spouse need to spend four hours a day or more on-site during construction. Many construction lenders interview their applicants about the circumstances of their employment to ensure this flexibility.

6. You have determination and problem solving ability.

You don't lie down at the appearance of the first knotty problem. There are several every week during construction. You will stick with them until they are solved.

7. You are financially motivated.

Parkinson's Law is that work expands to fill the time allotted to it. A corollary is that a construction budget expands to the borrowing limit of the owner. If your limit is low, you will be more ingenious in finding ways to meet it.

8. You are organized.

If not in general, at least for this project, you are organized to a fault. You will tend to the agreements, paperwork, schedule and budget tirelessly.

9. You are a good shopper.

You can tell differences in quality, can find bargains, and won't overspend on anything.

10. You are a good student.

You watch well and learn quickly. You can get answers to your questions.

 


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Owner-Builders Helped by The Owner-Builder Book


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southernecohome.aspxI'm Planning My Energy-Efficient "Green" Home...

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