Here are the materials i have bought: cement, hollow blocks, gravel, sands, steel bars. I have no budget to hire a contractor, so i am interested in building it myself, with a little help from my friends.. I have no architecture experience. Just want to build a simple single storey house, 1 bedroom, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom.
2007-10-31 16:46:00 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Start with a plan. Know what you what, get the permits, get your buddies and good luck. Go to a building supply store like Lowe's or Home Dept, they have books that will walk you through this. Start with looking at something like a lake cottage, these are usually small one bedroom designs and will have the dimensions of what you need.
2007-10-31 21:20:25 · answer #1 · answered by sllde 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually say if you understand the basic steps in building, then you can build. This doesn't mean do all the work yourself, but you are able to schedule materials, subcontractors, inspections. Some builders I know couldn't swing a hammer, but know how to organize, and contract work. I know framing, roofing, tile, trim, and other things, but I understand my limitations in other fields. For example, I am terrible at drywall, but I can call, get a bid, budget, and contract a drywall contractor, and then inspect the finish drywall job to determine if the sub did a satisfactory job so I can pay him.
But if you don't understand the basic steps, have no money, and then in all honesty, you are biting off more than you can chew. I'm not trying to be mean, but prevent you from getting into something you probably don't have the skill set to accomplish. Understanding your limitations is essential to gaining knowledge. Not to worry, most people can learn the steps to building. But that isn't enough, really. You really need some practical experience to run the project. And you are going to need some money. Between land, permits, foundation, framing, windows and doors, and roofing, you will have spent at least half your budget. Probably closer to 75%. And you haven't even roughed in, insulated, drywalled, interior finishes or exterior finishes.
Start with a plan, which should be easy, small house. Then get a budget and find some land. Add it all up. Then take honest inventory of skills. What can you do? I can roof, but I wouldn't. Too labor intensive. Do these before you spend a dime actually building.
2007-11-01 03:18:44 · answer #2 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect No Money suggests no house.
Without knowing at all where you live; answer number one has valid clues. You'll need permits and inspections from day 1 through the process; until it gets to lock up.
You will need licensed trades people, not just for plumbing and Electrical issues; and it's really for your benefit and any liability issues.
Without knowing at all; the skills levels of any of these "Friends" someone better have some construction knowledge.
SIMPLE is a relative word, as it regards the construction. For skilled labor it's "easier" but this isn't exactly like the 3 little pigs nursery rhyme...No offense.
Beyond those things mentioned, you'll need a roof/ lumber/ windows/ doors/ fixtures/ anything at all to "finish" both the interior and exterior. All those don't seem to be on your list of things already purchased; but will have to be.
On a NON sarcastic note; a better option for YOU would have been to research Ready made Lawn buildings OR, KIT houses/ Small dwellings in kit form that would likely be somewhat easier than "from scratch" though would still have impact type fees attached.
Steven Wolf
2007-10-31 23:27:49 · answer #3 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could build a shed or kids play house. Otherwise you need to meet building codes have work inspected and have licences to do certain work.
2007-10-31 17:11:36 · answer #4 · answered by Garfield 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I built my house, I put together a website that outlines each step of the building process, photos, what I learned, etc.
Feel free to reference it for your project, it may help you understand all the steps of the building process:
http://www.hallsnet.com/david/house
2007-11-01 08:10:07 · answer #5 · answered by David H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should contact local building and codes, # 1 you need a licensed electrical contractor and plumbing contractor. if im not mistaken you need to pull permits for all the phases in construction. framing , HVAC, electrical, and plumbing and in order to pull permits you need a license for all these trades.
2007-10-31 16:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by lstbob51 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you only have to meet code requirements and get inspections, you can pull permits as the owner of the property.
2007-10-31 17:35:21 · answer #7 · answered by T C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pay me a hundred dollar and i will build it and i will even throw in a heater
2016-04-11 07:00:54 · answer #8 · answered by Aline 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋