This site is truly great and big thank you's to all the main contributors. Your detailed answers not only show you have some idea of what you are talking about, but it then all makes sense to those of us on a very steep learning curve. Lisa in Groveland, FL

Cheryl's Forum Posts: 8
Journal Entries: 3
Interview Answers: 66
Average Forum Rating: 3.00



Randomly Selected Image

Subscribe to this journal...

Drilling A Well Ourselves...

Posted to Our-First-OB-home by Cheryl in Gardner, KS on 7/27/2010

Well, (pun intended!) it looks like we'll be going forward with drilling our own well. Our (one) bid came in at $6,000. While that isn't bad, we think we can do better. We are going to purchase a $2,000 air compressor/generator combo unit that has enough CFM and PSI to handle the drill, and about $1,500 in materials. We're budgeting $4,000 for the job, and estimating it will take us 3-5 weeks to drill, as we have heavy clay soil that is difficult to dig through. In the end, we're hoping that we end up with a working well, no water utility bill, and an air compressor/generator that will be useful for the balance of our building project. My husband is quite convinced we can do it. One of his friends thinks it's a great idea, the other laughed his backside off, until he found out he was going to be recruited to help! We still have to get financing in place, and then we'll begin. Hopefully before it gets cold. We'll try to post pictures or video as we go.

Bids, bids and more bids...

Posted to Our-First-OB-home by Cheryl in Gardner, KS on 7/10/2010

I'm finding it's hard to get subcontractors to call you back. I've finally collected bids on most of the stuff I don't think we can do (or shouldn't do). Our budget is already blown. So, we're re-working and reconsidering what and how.  

Posted by Doug in Carstairs, AB on 7/10/2010 Doug's Forum Posts: 0 Journal Entries: 5 Interview Answers: 36 Image from Doug's blog 7/10/2010

I agree on the calls back; we too are finding ourselves pursuing the subs and suppliers for prices. Around here construction activity is waning, but so seems the will to sell! My wife and I are currently planning to build a 2,350 ft + basement two-story home. Our concrete and cribbing is coming out around $30K as well, and the truss and lumber package between $30K and $40K. The nice-to-have list on our home has grown a little shorter, as yours has. There may be an opportunity to upgrade later in the construction process, or after finishing.  Good luck with your tender/pricing process, and we hope to see your progress on this site!

Posted by Cheryl in Gardner, KS on 7/11/2010 Cheryl's Forum Posts: 8 Journal Entries: 3 Interview Answers: 66 Average Forum Rating: 3.00 Randomly Selected Image 7/11/2010

Yes, I figure if we get the shell done, and enough of the interior to pass all inspections and the bank sign-off, we'll be in there! It's going to take us a long time to finish, as we're doing everything on the interior ourselves. We may end up with a very "open" floor plan, just so we can meet the 12-month timeline. My husband works a full-time+ job, and I substitute-teach, along with having two kids in numerous activities. If we can survive it, we'll have an amazing place to call home... Good luck to you guys as well, I'll try to keep an eye on your progress too!

The beginning...

Posted to Our-First-OB-home by Cheryl in Gardner, KS on 5/11/2010

Well, here we go! We have been dreaming about this for about 8 years, and now we are closing in on reality, which is somewhat terrifying! 

We own our land free and clear, about 9 acres just west of Gardner, KS. Our goal is to begin construction this fall. We are currently getting bids for our 2,300 sq. ft. house. It's a single story with a full walk-out basement. After talking with friends who built, they all said if they built again, they would do a single-story because they are easier. More cost on the roof and exterior, but we like the idea of simpler for us DIY'ers.

Our upcoming challenges will be finalizing a budget and getting financing. We don't have a lot of cash available, like I've seen in other budgets here, but we are hoping that owning the land outright will weigh heavily in our favor. 

We plan on doing SIPs panels for the main-floor walls, but doing a standard roof. If anyone has used PermaCrete, I would interested in feedback on your experience. I'm considering that for a stucco-like finish for our exterior. 

I've already found tons of useful information on this site, and plan to continue to excavate!