Recent posts

#41
Owner-Builder Projects / Re: 20x34 2-story universal in...
Last post by NathanS - February 18, 2024, 12:00:12 PM
Quote from: Maine homestead on February 04, 2024, 10:40:49 AMResurrecting this forum, hopefully that is okay.

First, thank you for creating this detailed post on your build of the universal cottage! It has really inspired us and answered a lot of questions. We are looking to build the same house but just extend the length to 36ft. We will be building in Maine so the climate will be similar to yours. I think the main differences we are going to make is using roof trusses 7:10 pitch and Ijoist floors. I'm considering 16 oc framing instead of 24 oc. I see a lot of mixed reviews on 24 oc framing (straightening the walls is harder, walls shake when doors are closed, etc).

I'm just curious how your house is holding up. Is there anything you would have liked to have done differently during the original build? Have you encountered any moisture issues? Any recommendations you would make to someone who wants to build this same house?



Glad some people are still reading it! Sorry for the delayed response as I don't come on here as much anymore.

No issues with moisture or anything structural to the house. The 24" oc framing never makes any sound or feels weak, especially with roxul and exterior insulation. The wind really has to be howling to hear anything at all. Modern houses are fully sheathed versus the old triangular braces which would add to the rickety feeling, in my opinion. The pros are a little more insulation, lighter weight when lifting, and a hair cheaper. The cons of trusses are just that you can't install them alone. I can stick frame a roof alone in total comfort.

Design-wise, I wish the 8x12 mudroom went out to 10 feet, and that it ran the length of the house. Id put a little gable roof section in the middle over the entry door and put an office on the other end for my wife. Even though the ground level footprint would have increased it wouldn't have been much more work - the foundation may have even been easier. I also would consider 'wrapping' the lean-to around the house for a nice covered eating area and maybe even a small library type room separate from the living area.

A basement is also something to consider. With my current knowledge, skill and financial means I would probably go that route. Back when we were building everything was new and we had a budget to stick to, and our land is wet, so no real regrets.

We have 2 kids now so the design changes really revolve around that. Once they are older a lot of the additional spaces would likely be unused, more to take care of, and more work to heat.
#42
Referral Links / Re: Medeek Project Plugin
Last post by Medeek - February 17, 2024, 11:51:10 PM
Tutorial 5 - Estimating Custom Rebar (12:15 min.)

#43
Referral Links / Re: Medeek Project Plugin
Last post by Medeek - February 17, 2024, 11:01:16 PM
Version 1.1.7 - 02.17.2024
- Enabled custom rebar within the Medeek Estimator for Slab-on-Grade foundations



Per customer request.
#44
Owner-Builder Projects / Re: Okanogan 14x24 by a lurker...
Last post by OlJarhead - February 17, 2024, 10:58:25 AM
#45
Referral Links / Re: Wall Plugin for SketchUp
Last post by Medeek - February 17, 2024, 02:09:50 AM
Version 3.4.9 - 02.16.2024
- Added an RGB color code input into the Add, Update and Import menus for custom materials.
- Added an RGB color code input for each color in the Materials tab of the Global Settings.
- Added a "Toggle RGB Input" button to the Materials tab of the Global Settings.





Updates per customer request.
#46
Referral Links / Re: Medeek Project Plugin
Last post by Medeek - February 13, 2024, 12:01:41 PM
Version 1.1.6 - 02.13.2024
- Added foundations within the Medeek Estimator: Slab-on-Grade, Slab, Stemwall, Grade Beam



There is still a lot more work to be done with adding all of the various hardware and items into the estimating for foundations.  This is just a start.
#47
Referral Links / Re: Foundation Plugin for Sket...
Last post by Medeek - February 13, 2024, 11:50:25 AM
Version 1.9.5 - 02.13.2024
- Improved the serial number verification logic within the License tab of the Global Settings.
- Updated the javascript logic within the License tab of the Global Settings.
- Added statistics for the following foundation types (Medeek Estimator integration): Slab-on-Grade, Slab, Stemwall, Grade Beam
#48
Owner-Builder Projects / Re: Okanogan 14x24 by a lurker...
Last post by OlJarhead - February 12, 2024, 06:31:59 PM
#49
Land: Buy, Sell, Find / Re: Building on open space lan...
Last post by MountainDon - February 10, 2024, 05:20:33 PM
Quote from: Josh_Whatcom on February 09, 2024, 10:57:50 PMGood evening all! 

Does anyone know what I need to do to keep the land as open space? 

Where I am, depending on the size of the parcel, it is common to designate 1 acre of the plot as residential and the balance as agricultural. Taxes are higher on the residence portion, but quite low if it can be actually zoned as ag use. There will be requirements for that. There may be some other in between tax rate designation as well. I'm not sure of the minimum acreage requirement to do that ( 5 or 10?) but that will vary from county to county, state to state. Ask at the county assessor's office.
#50
Land: Buy, Sell, Find / Building on open space land - ...
Last post by Josh_Whatcom - February 09, 2024, 10:57:50 PM
Good evening all! 

I am being gifted some acreage out in Whatcom county WA that is currently zoned as open space / dairy, and want to keep it for that use (it is a field that gets hayed) and build a home on in.  I see many land owners around me have their land as open space / ranches, and ones who have bought property and built on it are now zoned as residential.  Does anyone know what I need to do to keep the land as open space?  (I plan on developing < 10% of it).

Thank you!