i am looking at pre-made architectural house plans on the Internet ranging from 300 to 800 square feet, some multi-level. I have no housebuilding experience. I don't imagine many of the millennials for which these are designed do.. I'm not even an engineer.
The question is: could a layman millennial like myself build something like this? Or would the cost of hiring builders and buying material rival that of buying a house that already exists?
If the answer is 'yes – you can do it!' maybe you'll humour me with a response to the below:
What would a shortlist of requirements for a simple own house build look like? Any good reading suggestions?
If I were to start looking for land on which to build a house from plans. These are the two simple scenarios I imagine:
- Off the grid. No where near a water main. This is a no go for me.
- Water main under the ground that I would have to dig down to and pipe to the surface. Add pressure regulator, water meter etc. Assuming this is all I need. Or do people sell land designed for projects like this with some other 'pre-build' kind of plumbing set up I don't know about?
I'm basically thinking that the hardest part of building a house is the ol' plumbing and electricity.
What is the order of things then?
Dig a hole for the basement and foundation. Lay down some steel reinforced foundation footing and walls, a concrete slab. Dig another hole at the water main, pipe over my liquids and I'm good to go?
Best Answer
I used to have a teacher that said
That being said every trade has a learning curve to acquire the skills and required tools to accomplish the task.
I am a Master Electrician and have been in the construction industry for over 30 years. I am just finishing building a new house and here is what it have learned so far.
Some things are just not worth trying to do yourself.
So, here is what I hired out:
Here is what I have done / am doing myself or mostly myself with paid people to help me:
I have been working in my spare time and paying out of pocket to avoid a large mortgage. It has taken me 6 years so far with about two more to go.
Sometimes I wish I had started this when I was much younger like yourself. On the other hand, I have acquired many more skills and patience in the last 20+ years that have helped me make this a great house.
Whatever you decide to do, understand that building even a small house is a complicated project and will require perseverance and patience. If you have ever spent a weekend doing a project then just multiply that by 1000 times or more, depending on the size of your house, and imagine how big a job this will be.
If you are still interested, then working in the construction industry for a few years first, will give you invaluable experience toward your goal.
Good luck!