Coming along nicely 



should have the deck and garage roof done this week

We did not have to truck any dirt in.  The dirt came from the enormous whole we carved into the hillside...this saved us ton of money on dirt 

The whole garage sits on about 6ft of dirt too!

I am so happy I don't have to mow that hillside again...things often got sketchy 

man that is gorgeous. I've been trying to buy a house for almost 2 years and its so depressing. Either the house is 30k over priced(some shmuck with credit and no brain will buy) or the property taxes are outrageous. We've entertained building, foreclosures, tax sales, etc but with life and a job and kid its hard to fulfill my due diligence to obtain accurate information.
Did you hire a home building company or did you hire a GC? Even county/state regulations regarding just the land prep for building scares me, and makes me feel like I cant go through or even inquire about something I have so little knowledge of.
Would love to buy a 40k lot in cash and build a 180k-200k home on it, but again, the fear of unknown expenses blow up my most diligent cost sheets.

I'm confused by the picture of the garage (and also the house) with a dirt floor.  I'm assuming the house is going to be a pier and beam foundation for that part, but why would you not have a concrete foundation poured already for the garage?

Tribbe wrote:

I can see on your house plan that you have a room called mud room, what is that?

In Alaska it would be known as an Arctic Entry way. Either way a very handy room to have.

I'm curious, and I hope you don't think me rude for asking, but how much is this costing for:

the lot?
the demo of old house?
architectural fees and building of new house?

Damn that's a nice garage.

Sorry for the delays...having a custom house is a real PITA...but worth it!  Should be wrapped up by March

Wow, great update. It looks like it is really coming along. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

oh wow, peeling off that blue protective film would be the best! haha. Like removing a new watch or tech device film on steriods!! hahaha

Soon I need to start a "best bang for your buck" garage lift thread 

bentmettle wrote:

The workers from the first few photos in 2016 have really grown up fast. 


Really amazing -  I don't think I'd have it in me to deal with all the planning, work, and re-work.

It has be very trying...

We started 5 years ago...now we have had two kids and moved twice.  Balancing rental agreements, ever sliding completion dates, loan extensions has not been fun, but it will be all worth it!  We are so excited to move in!

To use the property as "down payment" on the construction loan we had to have owned the property out right for 2 years. or paid 35% of the total build cost upfront (no thanks)

1st year: Bought the house and tried to fix her up and live in it.  We spent too much money on that dream.  Found out Baby one was on his way so we decided to abandon the idea of renovating the current house.

2nd & 3rd year:  Designing the house, sending my plans to be approved by an architect, finding a builder and getting permits.  Began Demolition of house and the abandoning the old well/septic. 

4th & 5th year: Began construction.  We had a hiccup last year when our builder had personal things to take care of so we took a break through the winter months.  Dealing with the county has been the biggest eater of time!  They are so stuck in their way and are hard to work with.  Our builder has building for over 30 years and county inspector is in his 70's.  They bumped heads a lot, but all the final permits and plans are signed.

We are on the final leg now.  Hopefully 1 month left!