I don't know if anyone is interested, but would anyone like to share some of the bigger tools? I need a cement mixer, but only one or two weekends a month, and I don't want to rent it that often. Anyone interested in sharing some of that kind of tools, like brush mower, scaffolding, etc.?

Francesca,

I COMPLETELY agree with you. I'm building a 1,200 sq. ft. two-story dome, and I would have gone smaller but I was worried about resale. People don't even want to look at a house under 1,000 sq. ft. anymore. It makes me wonder. Anyway, I will look around for recycled materials places - I stop by Habitat ReStores when I can, they sometimes have good stuff for cheap.

Hi, Justin! I am building in Johnson, near Interlachen and Hawthorne. What are you planning to do yourself on your house? What skills do you have? Would you be willing to trade labor? I'll help you, if you help me, kind of trade? What tools do you have and what do you need? Maybe we can share some of the bigger stuff. For instance I need a cement mixer but only one or two weekends a month, when I'm working on the house (but I won't need it until Dec/Jan or so). I have a brush mower for clearing, but I don't use it that often. If you're interested, let me know. My construction blog on this site is "The Hoskens Project".

If I were you I would get a copy of a cert. of occupancy from another county or an example somewhere, retype it with your county's info, and see if you can get a building official or zoning person to sign it for you. Might make the grade. Make it simple and direct.

Registration JUST opened, but looking for free passes for the 2012 show in Orlando. If you haven't gone, you really should. SO many ideas, so many opportunities, so many GIVEAWAYS! My kids each won a Ryobi cordless power tool kit (drill, circular saw, light, two batteries and a charger) for climbing a wall and ringing a bell. Anyone finding free passes, please post the link.

I am building a dome house. It's very similar to ICF, except there are no structural webs. My drywall is spray-glued to the Styrofoam, and that's all that holds it up. The drywall is lighter than regular drywall, it's Dens-Deck 1/4" water resistant with fiberglass in it.

Definitely check out Habitat for Humanity's ReStore.  We got our cabinets there, and they look brand new.  You never know what's going to be at their store or for how long, so go by once a week and ask for what you want.  They may have it in the back being cleaned up or priced.

If anyone can find a link (like last year) that I can register to go to the International Builder's Show in Orlando, FL, I will send them $50 as soon as I get registered using their link...

Yes, thank you very much, Toi!  I will send you a present if you PM me.

If you don't mind doing somethign unusual, you could build a dome, like I am.  It's almost disaster proof, very energy efficient, and not your run of the mill structure.

I am just starting on clearing the land I own between Gainesville and Palatka, and I am looking for subs for foundation, septic, well, and eventually plumbing and electric. 

I would like to do my own plumbing and electric. I'm competent but I have no knowledge of the building codes. How do I know what to use where? I tried to read the FL building codes online, and they are VERY hard to understand. Is there a book to interpret them, or should I get a sub to consult with me?

I only have a couple people whom I have worked with, one guy who cleared a lot of trees.  Ward's Land Clearing, but he's out of Palatka.  Very reasonable, and I would trust that guy without question.  Just not sure if he'd be willing to drive all the way to Gainesville.  There's another person near me, Beckham's Land Clearing at 352-481-5153.  He lives around the corner from where I'm building.  I haven't had him do any work yet but he will be clearing and providing fill for me within a week or two.

Actually, I had Perry's Concrete 386-329-5544 do the garage foundation.  He wasn't the cheapest, but he did an excellent job and the slab came out square within a quarter inch. 

I followed the link, and filled out the registration, but it's asking for $250, not free. Did you update the link for the show-only, no-free-passes link?

I tried it a couple times, then I waited 15 minutes and tried again and it worked. Since then I have not been able to get back into it...

I just found out that the 2008 Int'l Builder's Show is going to be in Orlando AGAIN! I could swear I saw that they were moving it to Las Vegas when I was there ealier this year, but the website says Orlando now, Feb 13-16 2008. I'm already getting excited to go!! Anyone who finds a link to free passes this year, I would like to buy them dinner.

I would say that's a goal you can accomplish.  Even if you contract out everything and your hubby doesn't do any of the work, you should be able to come in under $175K for a 2,200 sf  house, if you're careful and look for all the bargains you can.  Start planning!

If you have a small material lift, scissor lift, hand-crank forklift, or small crane or something like that you would be willing to rent out by the weekend, I am looking for something to help with my project.  We're lifting the large (6 foot per side) triangular panels for the exterior of our geodesic dome, and while the scaffolding crane I built works OK, I'd like to try something a little more compact and easy to move around.  The panels are not too heavy (120-150 pounds each), and they need to be lifted 15-18 feet into the air.  Anyone have any ideas? 

I have been saving some surplus rebar from a friend's project, and now I can use it in my foundation.  However, it has rusted a bit, enough that it's got a coating of rust all over it.  How rusty is OK for use?  Should I brush off any powdery surface rust and use it, or will the inspector tell me to replace it?  It's just surface rust, there aren't pieces falling off or anything.

I have a big corner tub, and I would like to have something other than tile for the surround. What are my options? I have seen a fake marble, plastic sheeting used, but I'm not sure where it comes from. Looks like Corian or Silestone. I like tile, but don't like cleaning it or trying to keep the grout nice looking. What are my easy, low-maintenance options? 

Another good move is to ask the sub you are using. Most of the drywall subs will know electricians and painters, most of the plumbing guys will know electrical guys and maybe concrete workers... you get the idea. A good paint guy will recommend a good drywall sub, since he has to paint over the work afterward.

My problem with a gas TWH is that I will have to install a propane tank if I go this route, and that's $1,000 in my area. Plus, you have to vent the gas HWH to the outside, with electric you can put it on the wall inside and no vent. Easier... but if the power goes out, you will be taking a cold shower.

I am building a two story, and one bedroom wall (over the stairway) will go from the first floor to the second-floor ceiling. I have seen "interior windows" where there's an opening so the bedroom occupants can look out into the first-floor living room. For better flow of air, as well as a "neat feature". I was considering doing that. The only problem I see is what to PUT in this opening. Louver doors would just let sounds right thru when someone wants to sleep... any ideas?

I have PGT vinyl-framed impact windows. They are what I would call medium quality. That being said, they are fairly inexpensive, and were very accurate on the sizing and such. Structurally, they were fine windows, although there was a little flashing/visible seaming on the frames where they are welded together, but that's looks, not functionality. They weren't BAD, just not perfect. I am happy with them. A 36"x36" was about $350, double-hung insulated impact. They operate OK, not the smoothest, but OK.

Thanks, Don, I got registered.  And I didn't even know about the expo, thanks for the posts! 

Gene, did you find a free registration link?

Thanks!  I just got registered.  See you there!  I owe you lunch...

We have been building for a couple of years now, and just had our first break-in on our storage shed.  Not much was taken, but I think they were interrupted in the crime.  I am looking for a DIY home alarm I can wire to the shed door, garage door, and house doors.  Just need something I can use to make noise, the neighbors said they will check on our property if it goes off.  Any suggestions?

Jason,

What is the average wind for your area, and how did you come up with it?  I am just beginning to build on four acres just north of Ocala, and I was thinking of solar too.  A windmill would be great!  How do I find out if I have enough wind?

If you don't mind...where is this discount supply place?  I live in Melbourne (east of Orlando) but I'm building just north of Ocala, so I'm in both places often.

I was given the option of using red-head expanding wedge bolts in the slab to anchor my steel building, or epoxied allthread for the same thing.  I looked at the strength ratings, and the epoxied allthread bolts were 4 times as strong as the 7" long expanding bolts.  I had no idea the epoxied stuff was so strong.  I would not worry a minute, but make sure the installers get something saying it meets specs.

I would like to meet, too. A family restaurant sounds like it would be good. Say 7 pm? Anyone know a family restaurant not TOO close, but nearby?

Has anyone found a link for passes to the next Builder's Show? Once again, I offer $50 (or a pair of shoes) for a good link for me to sign up my family...

I just ordered some of these (haven't received them yet), made by Laticrete. 

laticrete.com/floor_warming

They are normally $11 a sq. ft., and I found an ex-factory rep selling the few samples he has left for $2 a sq.ft.! He has the following size kits for sale, 25sf, 23sf, and 20sf. They are all 120-V AC and one foot wide by however long the sq.ft. says for the kit. If you want one I will forward your email to him. Bear in mind I know nothing about this guy, but he says he has five kits left; comes with thermostat and sensors for checking to make sure they are not damaged when you install, and a how-to video. I decided to risk it and ordered three kits for myself.

I bought myself a few digital game cameras. They are fairly cheap (under $100), waterproof and they take a picture of whatever moves in front of the camera. If you put on up a tree, you will see who takes what if it happens. Get one and play with it. Most of them have a "security box" option, you can buy a metal lockable box to make sure the camera doesn't disappear.

Builder's show was NOT like it used to be... many vendors were not there this year; there were a LOT less opportunities to try out tools and hardware. The show covered two buildings last time it was in Orlando, but this year only one building was used. Still, worth going to.

FOUND A LINK!! Free passes to the Builder's Show! If you haven't gone, you REALLY NEED TO GO. Even if you're not a builder, and don't intend to build soon, GO. It's amazing.

This year’s 2011 IBS Show is being held in Orlando, FL; January 12th – 15th. Register online for a FREE four-day exhibit pass at: buildersshow.com/TheDelaneyCo.