(Otherwise Known as: Ain’t Skeered!)
Workshop Foundation Pour
Venturing out on your own home construction project can be a daunting challenge. Depending on where you decide to build there is an unending maze of bureaucracy to negotiate before you break ground! We are fortunate that we chose to build in New Mexico, in a county where the rules have not gotten too ridiculous. Some counties of New Mexico, such those which serve Santa Fe and Albuquerque, are simply out of control. It seems that the larger the population, the bigger the government and hence the more rules and administrative requirements there are. The well-meaning technocrats continue to find new and creative ways of protecting us from ourselves. I realize that many of the rules and codes are well-intentioned, but I digress. Some of the important keys to overcoming the fear of the unknown are; a measure of self confidence, massive research and a good friend who is in the construction industry in the area where you are planning to build.
Settlers did it centuries ago… so can we!
For centuries the settlers built their own homesteads with few tools, no money and materials harvested from their land. It was simply how things were done. There was no question about doing so, it was a matter of survival. For over a century Americans have relied on artisans and professionals to build their homes. We have lost a measure of confidence in our ability to do such things for ourselves. You need to have some self confidence. It serves to support your notion that you can actually manage a project on your own. Even with the most basic of skills, you can do some or much of the work yourself. If you frequently do home repairs or renovation projects, you possess many of the skills to tackle some of the work on your own. Critical things such as wiring, installing an HVAC system and metal roofing, for example, might be the projects you reserve for the subs. If you are not handy with any tools or are physically unable to perform the physical tasks required, you can still manage the project and save a hefty amount. I always balk when I hear someone say, “If you are not a doctor you wouldn’t perform your own heart surgery why would you build your own house?” The two are not the same. They are not even close. Granted, there are many pitfalls and potentially dangerous aspects of building your home, but you CAN do it yourself! I never realized that until I began to do the research.
Where to Start
The research is important, of course, to provide you with the knowledge of rules, requirements, codes, costs, procedures, which sub-contractors to select for your project, which products are the best or cheapest and a host of other subjects. I would recommend spending several months doing that research so that you can examine the scope of your project, determine what you will accomplish yourself and narrow the costs down. We spent the better part of a year doing the research. It’s amazing what you can find online. I also relied heavily on books which detailed construction techniques, Name Your Link
A Helping Hand
Having one of more friends or trusted confidants to rely on will be of great benefit. We are fortunate to have a good friend who is a general contractor in our hometown. We treat it like a business transaction and pay for work and advice. No one wants another weekend job for a friend! Keep the relationship professional and you can still remain friends long after the project is finished. Our friend knows almost all of the subs in town. He knows which ones to trust, who does the best work, and who charges reasonable rates. He knows where to find the best prices on materials, and how to negotiate some of the bureaucracy. We elected to have our workshop built while we are still living in another state (1326 miles away!). When we arrive in New Mexico, the workshop, complete with full bathroom and laundry hook-up and an RV pad complete with water and electrical hook-ups will be ready for immediate move in. We plan on living in our RV while we build our house. We’ll be on-site so we won’t have to worry about material security and the commute to the job-site can be done in house slippers if needed. Food, bathroom, laundry and the most important ingredients — coffee in the morning and home-brewed beer in the evening — are right on site!!
Simply said, we ain’t skeered no more.