Skill sets required to build a cabin?

[duncanshannon]

Hi-

I'm new to the site (duh) and am very encouraged about what I've read!  We are considering buying a 5 acre parcel and are currently exploring the options to get a cabin on the land.  I found this site and have spent a couple hours reading and getting the general orientation to the site, the purpose, reading about people projects, costs etc.  I love it!  (its pretty incredible the amount of traffic/posting and the friendly nature of this forum... really love it!)

I can get my head wrapped around a lot, picking a design that I like for a cabin (prob. the 20' 2 story universal). I think i can get my head wrapped around what needs to be done (clear lot, well, septic etc).  I'm sure I'd hire the foundation, well, septic, wiring, plumbing and maybe roof).

My question is... how do I know if I can pull off the rest myself?  I'm an IT guy in a desk job.  In college I worked for a remodeler who mostly painted... so a little experience with light construction (never any real framing) but not much. I own a chop saw, circular saw and some basic tools (have a friend that works for dewalt   )  

It sounds like there is a ton of support here and it sounds like the plans are setup to be pretty easy (relatively speaking).

I'm in reasonably good shape (33, 6'6", 275) and would love to build my own place.

So... how should I try and assess my ability to pull this sort of project off?  It would be a slowly (over weekends, 2.5 hrs away) and pay as you go.  No less than a couple years from buy land to finish cabin.  

What should I read? Should I look for some local classes on framing?  What are good projects to take on around home that could be good practice?  

Thanks a ton-

duncan

PS - i did search the site quite a bit to see if it had been discussed before and I couldnt find anything. sorry if its a FAQ and i just couldnt find it...

[Redoverfarm]

Learn all that you can from builders publications.  There is one by Wagner which pretty well covers the complete experience of framing a structure.  The copy that I have is one that was used in the school system vocational classes.  Then make a dry run so to speak. Building a small shed or outbuilding that to can either build on site or at your present house and transport it to your site.

The desire and determination is up to you.  But you do have to have a little hands on carpentry skills.  Thats where the dry run comes in handy. 

There are plenty here that will guide you through some of the processes or hurdles.

Oh Yeah   

[MountainDon]

What John said.

Plus... I work best when thinking it through completely and drawing on paper. Others may differ on the paper part, but thinking the process through from bottom to top helps me. Same as when I load a computer with a new O/S and programs; I have a plan, I know the series of steps I'll be doing.

I would advise to read and ask questions before lifting a tool.  Many problems encountered are because of not thinking it through fully, trying shortcuts or 'new' innovative methods of construction. And keep in mind that just like everything on the internet, just because somebody built something in a particular way and displays his craft someplace, that doesn't make it 100% correct all the time. We try to guide, advise and assist as best as we can. Having a proper set of plans helps a lot too.

[glenn kangiser]

Then get the mindset -( your mind and ability to learn is your best skill set)- that you can do more than what you were trained in.  You are an IT guy......... with an unlimited mind - except by the restraints you have been taught to place on yourself.  Studying, trying and doing, failing some then succeeding will get you to your goal of building your own house. 

As the others mentioned - try a small useful project first to learn the skills.  We have had many IT guys build their own houses. 

[dug]

Redoverfarm, Glenn and Mt. Don are all spot on.

Desire and determination will get you far. So will careful research and planning.

I am in the building process and though I am fairly able with my hands but I am a little short in my planning ability. I have paid the sum of many extra hours work and wasted cash due to inefficient use of materials because of my lack of detailed planning. You should be able to change things as needed along the way but I now believe planning for every detail possible before you drive the first nail is more important than the physical skills involved, and will ease the process greatly.

I find it easier on myself to approach the build as a series of small jobs, different steps to complete. Some harder than others. 

[Redoverfarm]

If you have a Habitat organization you could do some volunteer work and pick up a good bit.  The problem with working for an organization without some background research is that you are not sure they are doing it the correct way. Generally they are if it is a contractor but if you are helping another laborer maybe not. 

[duncanshannon]

Allright... if you folks insist! 

Im up for it.  I deff. like the idea of a test run... will need a shed of sorts to store tools, no?

If this really happens, i'm sure i'll be here a lot.  I'm thinking i'll do a good job on documentation too.. maybe even a template project plan that could be re-used to help others in the future.

I see an "Ultimate Guide to House Framing" by John D Wagner. $12 on amazon.  I'll pick up one of those and start reading/planning a warm up project!

Thanks for the prompt and plentiful responses. I really cant believe how helpful this community seems esp. compared to alot of other forums out there. The Admins and regular contributors really deserve a congrats!

[HoustonDave]

I just picked up Wagner's "House Framing" last week and am about 3/4 through it.  I won't break ground for another 2-3 months most likely myself.

I found that I did remember quite a bit of the techniques from when my family built our house (I was a teenager at the time and helped with pointing the blocks, framing, sheathing, shingles, siding, electrical, plumbing, etc) and that there was a TON of details and tips that I didn't know or remembered wrong.  I highly recommend that book.

I have done something interesting that as an IT guy you may find intriguing.  I am using Google Sketchup (free program) to virtually build the structure from the ground up BEFORE I put shovel to dirt.  I'm literally starting at foundation and building up stick by stick and sheet by sheet as if I were really doing it, and comparing that to what Wagner and the plans say to see what I am forgetting or what things will interfere with each other.

Here's some screen captures of work in progress doing that on a small (12x18) cabin. 







I'm doing as many here have suggested.  Small cabin first, then a larger structure.  The first cabin will probably end up as a storage or studio area when the main structure is done.

You can download Google Sketchup here:

http://sketchup.google.com/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=SketchUp

With it you can also do some lot modeling as I have done here. 



Even imported trees that others have created.  There's a big 3D library online.  Sketchup is pretty easy to pick up.  I went from never heard of it to this in about a week or two of fiddling with it.

And the book "Google Sketchup for Dummies" is quite good.

[HoustonDave]

Oh, and for the record, I think my build on those beams is wrong.  It's a sandwich of 2x Pressure Treated and 1/2" Plywood with staggered joints, but I think I also want the joints to fall at the post locations for increased strength.   

[MountainDon]

Nice sketchup work.

Yes, it is preferable to have the 2x joints fall directly over a pier.

PT wood is not required for the beams if it is more than 6 inches above the ground. Ideally the beams should be a foot above ground level to make it possible to crawl under the beam. Then a minimum of 18 inches to the bottom edge of the joists. Only the piers need to be PT wood if the above is followed. In a real build you would also have diagonal cross bracing between piers and beams and piers and joists.

Also, on the floor sheathing, in a real build those panels would be staggered so there would be no place where the corners of 4 panels meet. Flipping the center row of panels would do that. And to be correct a row of blocking down the center. Nice job, but it is just missing those details.

[poppy]

  to the forum Duncan.

Being young and big, you are ahead of the curve when compared to old farts like me and others. 

I obviously don't know you, but being 30 something and in IT, you could fall into the habit of quickly doing something and not really worrying about making a mistake, because in computer work, changes are easy.  It's just been my experience that many young computer experts make mistakes in their haste to finish a project, knowing they can easily fix them later.

Dave's suggestion of using a design program is a good one because it's better to make mistakes on the screen than in lumber.

[Squirl]

You might want to try and build a small shed first.  A 1200 square foot building is a lot to jump into off the bat.  You will probably need or want a shed anyway to keep tools/building materials secure during construction.  I saw you mentioned about tools.  I have built an entire structure with simple hand tools and no power tools.  It isn't difficult, just more work and time consuming.  I didn't mind because I was already in the woods and didn't want to put up with a generator.  I never would have heard the wild turkeys if I had my generator roaring.



BTW, Dave, They sell lumber in 12' lengths.  I don't think you need to have any breaks in your cabin. Here is the 12x8 I built.
http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=7305.0
Note, I did not show the lag bolts which should be added with this type of foundation.

[MushCreek]

I'm sure you can do it! Above all else, learn all of the safety stuff, and practice it religiously. Use all of the safety equipment, every time! I knew a guy who fell off of his roof and DIED! There are ways and equipment that will keep you safe, but only if you use them.

[duncanshannon]

hi again-

thanks for the advice. very good stuff. I'll deff. go the sketchup route and plan pretty extensively. (i think i wont be to foundation phase for a couple years). 

I'll have plenty of time to build a shed too... sounds like dear wife just added 'finish the basement' to the list of family goals... and sounds like a great way to get some practice!

Again... i cant believe the level of support from this forum... you guys are incredible!

thanks