Have you ever built a house?
@above31rubies (1863)
United States
February 27, 2008 8:58am CST
We are just finishing up our new house. We hired some of the work out, my husband did what he could around making money to pay for it, and my dad has done most of the work with his own two hands. It has been a very LONG process- and the decisions from how many outlets do you want in here to how high do you want the shower head to what color siding...?!? But, I know there are headaches with having a builder doing it for you too (and he sure wouldn't ask where I wanted the shower head before just throwing it up wherever he wanted it!) I have said I will NEVER do this again (and we are building planning it to be our grow-old home, but you never know) but I also think it's probably a lot like having kids...in the middle of labor, you scream you will NEVER do it again, but 4 kids later...hahaha. So, have you ever built a house? Did you hire a builder or do the work yourself? Did you enjoy the process? Did it take longer than you expected? Cost more? Will you ever do it again? Is your house now DONE or is there a never ending list of to-do's left over...? What you change now that you have lived there for a while?
4 people like this
7 responses
@ThomasWest3 (36)
• United States
5 Oct 09
I built my own house in 2007-2008. I did most of the work myself. I had always dreamed of building my own house and although it was trying at times, I enjoyed myself. It took twice as long as I thought it would to complete it, but it came right in on budget. I would definately do it again!
@pholdermomof3 (214)
• United States
24 May 08
We have actually built two houses. After the first one I said never again but we outgrew it and had to build a bigger one. My husband, father in law, and brother in law did most of the work. It was a long ordeal but worth it. I really need a bigger one now too. Hubby would kill me. We have 3300 sq ft heated and 5000 including garage and porches. It was much cheaper doing it ourselves. Of course it helped that hubby worked at Lowe's at the time.
@dfollin (25351)
• United States
24 May 08
I have never built a house,but would love to be able to afford to do so.I have dreamed for years of building a log home.I want solar electricity,lots of fireplaces,preferably a rambler style with 4 bedrooms,3 and a half bathrooms,1 office for myself with windows to the back so I can work and watch the kids in the yard.I also need a small classroom.Attached garrage.In the kitchen I want a flat top electric stove,a refrigerator with an in the door crushed ice dispenser that has a water filter.I also want cabnets that has bins that pull down rather then high shelves,a dishwasher.The backyard should be fenced with a tall wood fence for privacy,a patio for cooking out,a play yard for the kids and a flower garden.The front porch needs a bench style swing.I better win the lottery,huh? :)
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
24 May 08
I've never built my own house, but my husband builds houses for a living and has been doing so since he was a kid working with his father. He's done framing, interior finish (his current occupation), and siding I believe. I'm pretty sure he's done other things on homes as well, but I'd have to ask him to be certain. He'd love to built our own home one day, and as we have the same taste in homes I'd have no problem with it, especially since I know it'd be built well, but by the looks of it we'd have to win the lottery first! Oh well, I guess he'll just have to keep building homes for other people for now.
@spectrum42 (393)
• United States
24 May 08
When I was 17 years old, my family built a house. Our family did everything but the drywall (running out of time before move-in date) for that house. My parents still live there now. After going through the process, I don't think I will ever build that way. I'd rather either have it built for me and just make the decisions or find a house that's already done and do some decorating or minor changes, then move in.
@jyoti_medha (567)
• Mauritius
24 May 08
I never built a house but life is so expensive nowadays, everything is so expensive that it will really cost much to build a house. And i must admit that it really causes stress for those building a house.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
27 Feb 08
I've never done it, and at this stage of my life, probably never will.
I know how much stress this has caused you, but I'm also very excited that you'll be there soon and I know it will be worth every bit of aggravation you've gone through!
(rubies and I are friends on another list and she's been sharing this experience with us).
Marie Anne
