Starting Out

[coolbluedog]

Hi All.  I'm pretty new to all this and have always had the dream of building my own home.  I've done a course on butt and pass log home building and would like to explore all options.

Anyway being slightly intimidated by the whole thought of doing this, please share some experience and advise.

Firstly I would like some good information on building the foundations.  I'm looking at a pier design and would like to know the best support structures to use.  I feel that a simple pier (let's say 9 or 12 pier blocks) wouldn't be laterally sturdy enough.  Just my over engineering brain at work here maybe ?

Secondly, what kinds of costs should I expect.  I know this is a nebulous question but I'm really trying to drill down to the fundamentals of building.  What I have so far in my mind is:

1) Engineering drawings and approvals by the county $$$ = ?
2) Permit fees
3) Materials (I know this depends on the house but what would the materials for a typical 20x30' cottage be.  I'm actually looking for something larger maybe but want to get the basics down
4) Equipment rental (bulldozers etc)?  Really necessary ??
5) Skilled labor hiring.  I'm expecting to be able to do the electrical and plumbing myself.  I'm an engineer and my buddy is a qualified plumber.


The other question I have is about living on the construction site and actually building as I go.  Are there any good tips for doing this and what should I look out for.

The area will be northern CA or nearby NV.  And if any of you are located near lake Tahoe, please give me a shout.  I would love to talk to you and tap your minds for information.  I'm sure the favor would be returned once I complete my home!

Thanks and safe building.

[considerations]

A blank piece of land is like a blank canvas...intimidating.  You are not alone...its a phase.  The building fever will overcome it.    
You are right, costs are difficult to predict, particularly when each individuals' circumstances vary so widely.

I want to encourage you to continue exploring this forum.  You will gain a "feel" for what people encounter and the decisions they made to gain a successful outcome.  There are a few posts where folks have shared their "costs so far", and the search function will allow you to find the threads.  I recommend you click on the "home" tab and then type in key words like "costs" to find those posts.

Some members take a minimalist approach, using the least costly materials suitable to the intent, while others have gone full bore on incorporating the "best of everything" in their projects. Some county permit fees can exceed the cost of construction.  Other counties have no building codes at all. How much can you DIY vs how much will you hire out? Sometimes you don't know till you get to a particular phase.  Final costs are therefore across the board.   If someone on the forum can be more specific, they can chime in now.  Personally, I had no clue as to costs, and am absorbing them as I go.  It takes longer, there are fits and starts, and your choices/needs may be different.

Living on the construction site and building as you go will depend on the specific area you end up in, their local regulations, and how much or not you decide you will follow those rules.  This is not an endorsement for any specific course of action.

Welcome to the forum.  It has been an educational and rewarding experience for me, who knew nothing about construction at first.  I've learned a lot, enough to get along fairly well on my project.  I would have been unable to get this far without the specific and expert answers, general guidance, and constructive sharing of experiences on this forum.