Do It Yourself Stick Built?
We're been looking at a lot of home building options, and I'm stuck between stickbuilt and prefab.
I have family and friends who would help us build the house for free or cheap, so we'd only need a contractor to do a part of the work. We could do framing, drywall, electricity, and plumbing.
With this DIY help am I better off building myself? What are some good sites with free or cheap blueprints for bungalows.
Roughly how much will this cost us per sq foot if we are doing most of the work ourselves?
Thanks!
Oh and the place we are building on has a house that is in bad condition and is being torn down so there are hookups there.
Oh- the plumber is an actual plumber, it's his job. So is the electrician. All these guys built a relatives house for them, so I have faith in them for at least the electric and plumbing and drywall and stuff.
I would probably want to get the framing done by professionals, as well as foundation and stuff like that.
Be careful, sometimes free help can be the most expensive.
However, there is an upside to this as well. The parts of the job that you're talking about, the framing, electricity and plumbing are probably areas you want done by professionals.
But there are builders that will work with you to give you a partially finished house (called a "shell") where you complete the finishing. Drywall, cabinetry, final flooring, painting and trim.
These are labor intensive, but they can be done by reasonably skilled handyfolks.
The outfit that comes to my mind immediately is Lumbermen Homes here in the Northwest, but there are builders all over the country that do this.
Be sure to ask for references, then check them out.
As to cost per square foot, that varies based on your area and the type of materials you decide to use.
A simple, basic house with inexpensive fixtures and materials can be as little as $30-$40 a square foot.
But when you start adding the marble countertops, the cherry wood flooring and custom cabinets, top grade fixtures, etc… you can go over $200 a square foot easily.
It's up to you. Search for "shell house builder" in your area.
Talk soon,
Joe Beaven
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jbarelli Says:
Be careful, sometimes free help can be the most expensive.
However, there is an upside to this as well. The parts of the job that you're talking about, the framing, electricity and plumbing are probably areas you want done by professionals.
But there are builders that will work with you to give you a partially finished house (called a "shell") where you complete the finishing. Drywall, cabinetry, final flooring, painting and trim.
These are labor intensive, but they can be done by reasonably skilled handyfolks.
The outfit that comes to my mind immediately is Lumbermen Homes here in the Northwest, but there are builders all over the country that do this.
Be sure to ask for references, then check them out.
As to cost per square foot, that varies based on your area and the type of materials you decide to use.
A simple, basic house with inexpensive fixtures and materials can be as little as $30-$40 a square foot.
But when you start adding the marble countertops, the cherry wood flooring and custom cabinets, top grade fixtures, etc… you can go over $200 a square foot easily.
It's up to you. Search for "shell house builder" in your area.
References :
Posted on January 8th, 2009 at 9:32 am