The 'Whole Enchilada' in the bookstore here is not just a good deal, but a great deal. I know, I just got back from Barnes & Noble. Becky Belnap

Andrea's Forum Posts: 2
Journal Entries: 4
Interview Answers: 24
Average Forum Rating: 3.00



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Construction 101

Posted to ANDREA by Andrea in Dallas, TX on 8/2/2008 2:57:36 PM

Today I completed the construction 101 class with habitat for humanity. it was a great experience! I got to use a circular and miter saw and got to nail stuff! I also learned a lot about the construction process.  Next week will be my first time volunteering on an actual house build. I'm soooo excited!

In addition to learning how to build houses which will be great for my own house build, I'm also helping very troubled families live the American dream!

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Posted to ANDREA by Andrea in Dallas, TX on 7/19/2008 12:16:47 PM

So, this week, I've been doing more reading in The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home and the information in their is very detailed but a little too much for me. My hubby hasn't had any problems with it.  I guess because he's done some construction in his past and likes to build and gut and rebuild things.

So, I was getting frustrated trying to learn all the terms and decided instead of getting frustrated, I need to get some help. So, I signed up to be a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. 

Since I have a long way to go before even breaking ground, I figured this would give me time to learn how to build a house hands on.  And, this is not just a selfish  pursuit. Deserving families get a brand new home!

So, I go to my first training session August 2nd! I'm excited! All they ask for is one day a month. But, since I have a goal, I will be going at least one time per week. 

And, my hubby has also signed up! So, we're going to be doing this together. 

Yeah!!

Posted by RogerC in Phoenix, AZ on 7/21/2008 RogerC's Forum Posts: 54 Interview Answers: 3 Average Forum Rating: 3.36 Randomly Selected Image 7/21/2008	What an abolutely perfect plan.  I love that you are going to get educated by helping others.  Good for you and the families who benefit from your good-heartedness!
Posted by Grant in Blacksburg, VA on 8/9/2008 2008, 2009 Merit Award Winner Grant's Forum Posts: 363 Journal Entries: 20 Interview Answers: 164 Average Forum Rating: 4.05 Grant's Selected Image 8/9/2008	This really is a great idea!  No better way to learn that I can think of. regards, Grant

WE CAN DO IT!

Posted to ANDREA by Andrea in Dallas, TX on 7/12/2008 12:24:43 PM

Okay,

So the past four weeks after making my first journal entry I've spent comparing appliances and fixtures and trying to further refine my house design so that when I go back to the designer, she will be better able to help me put this house together.

I have also given The Owner-Builder Book to my hubby to read and I am continuing with The Complete Guide to Contracting your Home.

Now that I've read The O-B Book and that I'm reading the Contracting Guide, I am terribly aware of how much work I still need to do. It's sometimes become so overwhelming that I've had to step away for three to four days before coming back.

Wow! Imagine how overwhelming this process would've been if I hadn't read The O-B Book!

So, I have also created a name for our building company, set up a fax number and email address and have looked into getting a builder's license. Can you believe all it takes in Texas to become a builder is to pay $500 and fill out an application! This is ridiculous! So, hubby now that he sees that anyone with $500 and a pen can become a builder, he wants to build a spec house before we build our dream house so that we can get some hands-on experience.  He's also interested in making a big chunk of money from someone who is too scared to do this process themselves.

He keeps talking about our friends who just built a 6,000 square foot house and paid $600,000 for it.  They just moved into the house in December, 2007.  The builder got a $50,000 fee; plus since it was a cost-plus contract, the builder also made an additional $50,000 from their house! Not bad for 8 months of work.  By January, 2008, they weren't happy with their house and are currently in litigation with the builder.  It turns out that their house is sloping and cracking and that the duct work was done incorrectly.  According to the state inspector, this work will all have to be redone!

So, I think this shows that we can do this and do it better and save money in doing it. The O-B Book talks about how we will be better as builders because this is our dream and we will be hyper-vigilant in making sure everything turns out right. I believe this and am looking forward to the process!

So to all those who are wavering...

YOU CAN DO IT!

This is only the beginning! Wow!

Posted to ANDREA by Andrea in Dallas, TX on 6/27/2008 10:10:31 AM

Well. I am scared and excited and nauseous and excited and just every emotional state you can think of and I won't be building for at least two years!  We just closed on our land.  We purchased 7.5 acres by the lake in Waxahachie, TX.  Our loan matures in five years so we have between now and 2013 to break ground!

2013 seems like a long time but really, it's not, especially since I've read the book and realize all that's still necessary for me to do! I thought I was generally ready, LOL! I had already read the idiot's guide and the dummy's guide.  I also ready tips and traps and was working my way through the guide to contracting when I discovered this book.  Wow! This is the greatest book! Thanks! It let me know that I was on the right track but still had a way to go!

So, I'm starting to work on my 1,000 hours. I have plans halfway done.  We are using a designer.  I've made a lot of changes since reading the book and one thing I've done that I hadn't done before is included the type of fixtures and appliances I want so that the dimensions can be drawn into our plans. So, we were halfway done with plans, but with all the revisions, etc, I guess we're gonna have to pay our designer more. but, I'm okay with that because I want to make sure all the detail is there before we start so that there won't be any surprises. Oh! Designer also has agreed (in writing) to be present during the foundation and framing phases to make sure everything is going as planned. Yeah!

Well, that's all for now.

Wow!

I have a long way to go but I can't wait to get there!

Posted by Mike in Upstate, NY on 6/27/2008 Mike's Forum Posts: 3 Interview Answers: 58 Average Forum Rating: 4.00 Randomly Selected Image 6/27/2008	Congrats on your venture... It took us alittle over 2 years to get started. Thats from drawings to ground breaking. I wish you all the best. You started off on a better foot then me because I didn't have this site nor did I have the book. But everything worked out. I'm sure all your ideas will all come together. Again Congrats and work together. Many sleepless nights will come.
Posted by Phong in Sachse, TX on 9/17/2008 Phong's Forum Posts: 0 Randomly Selected Image 9/17/2008	Congratulation on your project!! I saw that you are using a designer for your plan and he seems to be willing to go extra miles in the project with you. Could you tell me how much he is charging you? I am designing my own house using chief Architect but think I might go through a designer to get finalize. Again, congrats on your project as it is going to be a long and exciting journey!!