Thank you for your time in creating and maintaining the OwnerBuilderBook website and database. It is a great source of knowledge and helpful ideas. Not to mention the support of numerous others doing the same owner-builder process. Bill W., Monkton, MD

as of 3-18-08

Posted to Raider-Bills-Tenn-House by Bill in Largo, FL on 3/20/2008 9:25:48 AM

Well I have my trusses up! No wind until the boom truck showed up then gale force winds.

Next trip will be framing out to the eaves and getting my roof deacking on and dried in.

Photos

Front	Greatroom
rear of house

2-10-08

Posted to Raider-Bills-Tenn-House by Bill in Largo, FL on 2/10/2008 9:57:20 AM

2-10-08

Much done since last post!

I'm up to the trusses system which I haven't decided how I want to do yet.

I like the timber frame look so will check into that. At the very least I can scissor truss and put in beams cut from my land.

In the mean time, next trip at the end of the month I will get my drain system in so I can work up against the house from ladders.

Going to line with Platon membrane, lay perforated pipe to daylight, gravel 2' then fill with dirt.

Doing this out of pocket so far. I live in Florida so have been driving to the site [12 hours] monthly. So far I have been able to do all the work myself or with friends helping.

Oh as you can see I bought a tractor! Has a set of forks, backhoe, bush hog and grader box. 4wd. Great help lifting those beams and trusses!

I'm going to use a 6x12 as a header beam all the way around the house with 3" inside revel. Should look good espessically if I can figure out a good way to timberframe or post and beam the roof system.

Photos

Floor system	Front	Rear
veiw on hazy day

Just getting Started 5-31-07

Posted to Raider-Bills-Tenn-House by Bill in Largo, FL on 5/31/2007

Howdy!

I am building a ICF house in  Englewood, Tenn . 40x48 ranch style drive out basement w/10" ceiling, 2, 10x 8 OHD  in basment on the 48' or south facing side. Upper level will be ICF perimeter with 24x 40 timber frame greatroom in the center. Greatroom ceiling hieght to be determined by Timber frame trusses. Walk out side will be my mountain view so I want a large amount of windows there plus a full length 48' porch which will be elevated above the OHdoors.

All rooms will be off the greatroom.

I don't really care if the timberframe does anything other than to hold up the roof and look good for the greatroom.

I have strongly looked at Reddiforms but support and supply are not in the area so have started looking at AMVIC which has a dealer within 40 miles and Build Block which seems to have a salesman everywhere.

On the walkout side, basement which will have 2 OHD's  would ICF's be best there or should I frame that out. Same question applies to the upper level same side where french doors and windows are desired?
MAybe ICF to the window sills on upper level then wood frame above that to the gables?

Additionally, I am not opposed to having a Pro design this and supply blureprints $$$ of course providing, but finding someone that is knowledgable about ICF's and timberframe has been impossible so far. Plus my design is a very simple one. My only real concerns are where to put stairs from greatroom to basement and my floor joist and beam locations.

My idea is to ICF to the eaves then stickframe gables.

LAnd is bought, roads cleared and graveled, power, water and septic scheduled for next month.
I also should be able to get the footers in then too.

Most of this will be DIY with a helper or 2.

I bought and am having moved to the property a double wide foreclosure to stay in while I am up there. In that I live in Florida It will be easier than staying with friends plus I'm right on site.

I'm stock piling building supplies like windows and doors to save $$$ and figure I can build around whatever I have on hand.

Still looking for a tractor I've pretty much decided on at least 50 hp 4wd with FEL, Backhoe with thumb, Brush hog, grader box and post hole digger.
It is old Bowater land. There wasn't really any trees bigger than say 10 " at chest height that I dozed down. Most were tulip poplar with some cedar and pine mixed in.
I wasn't going to clear so much away from the road but got sort of carried away with the dozer then had to clean up my mess so to speak. I'll plant something along side the road in the fall maybe some kind of wildflower or something to attract the deer and turkey's as well as keep erosion down.

My road is about a mile long all graveled.


Thanks,

Raider Bill

Photos