I hope this hasn't been asked & answered many times.
I want to build a complete, simple (simple!) house 28x56, 3-ft cinderblock foundation, 5-in-12 gable roof completely on my own, no help, except for the initial concrete pour.
I'm thinking way the heck out in the boonies, maybe Arizona, or more likely, Wyoming.
The reason I want to do it all on my own is that I want to look at it when I'm done, and say "I did that all by myself". I know it's a little crazy. I know I will have to quit my job, or take leave of absence. I know it will take months. I know there is a chance I could get hurt or maybe even killed out in the middle of nowhere.
Going for me: I'm 41 years old, in good health, and pretty handy, good with math, and not too incredibly stupid(I hope
). I am physically fairly strong when I need to be. I know what square plumb and level is, and how not having it will make a disaster. I've done some construction (well cover and a couple of decks). I know it doesn't compare, but I have some small frame of reference.
Going against me: My back is not "bad", but I do have to be careful with it. I'll have to go slow, especially early on, until I get used to the labor. When I'm ready to do this, I'll be late forties at the earliest. My job is sitting in front of a computer all day.
Bottom Line: Is this a lunatic, escapist mid-life-crisis pipe dream, or could I have a shot at doing this thing?
Thanks to all,
--Goose
I want to build a complete, simple (simple!) house 28x56, 3-ft cinderblock foundation, 5-in-12 gable roof completely on my own, no help, except for the initial concrete pour.
I'm thinking way the heck out in the boonies, maybe Arizona, or more likely, Wyoming.
The reason I want to do it all on my own is that I want to look at it when I'm done, and say "I did that all by myself". I know it's a little crazy. I know I will have to quit my job, or take leave of absence. I know it will take months. I know there is a chance I could get hurt or maybe even killed out in the middle of nowhere.
Going for me: I'm 41 years old, in good health, and pretty handy, good with math, and not too incredibly stupid(I hope
). I am physically fairly strong when I need to be. I know what square plumb and level is, and how not having it will make a disaster. I've done some construction (well cover and a couple of decks). I know it doesn't compare, but I have some small frame of reference.Going against me: My back is not "bad", but I do have to be careful with it. I'll have to go slow, especially early on, until I get used to the labor. When I'm ready to do this, I'll be late forties at the earliest. My job is sitting in front of a computer all day.
Bottom Line: Is this a lunatic, escapist mid-life-crisis pipe dream, or could I have a shot at doing this thing?
Thanks to all,
--Goose
