FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Building Your Own Home (Advice for an Idiot)

tedbeef | Posted in General Discussion on July 8, 2022 09:23am

My wife and I want to build a 2-story 1400 sq. foot home in beautiful (and heavily regulated) Santa Cruz, CA. And when I say build, I mean we’d be doing the labor ourselves (barring foundation, electric, drywall and maybe plumbing). Due to a lack of experience, we’re aiming to keep this build as simple as possible: essentially a large box with a walkable roof on a stem wall foundation.  

After reading a handful of books from Taunton Press; JLC and Black + Decker; watching numerous videos on YouTube and FHB; following Ian Schwandt’s home build; consulting with the building department; and working with Habitat for Humanity… we’ve convinced ourselves that this is doable, and perhaps even a smart idea given the outrageous costs of buying a home in this town. 

What are we missing? We’re looking for advice of any kind (practical,  anecdotal, cold-hearted, or blindingly optimistic, etc.). Ideally from people who have done this themselves. 

Other details that may be useful: 
• We’d like to complete the build in 12 months from breaking ground
• We have zero family in the area, but we do have an group of unskilled friends who think we’re crazy
• At some point while building, we might have a kid 
• I might have the luxury of taking time off for many months

Thanks for reading.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Tim_William | Jul 08, 2022 11:58am | #1

    I'll give you my perspective as a weekend warrior also trying to build an ADU in my yard all by myself.
    1. Anything you do will take 5 times longer than you think
    2. You will not really save money by doing it yourself (tools and time are expensive)
    3. Buy materials from a real lumberyard and make friends with them
    4. Get on a first name basis with your local code officer
    6. there is a reason architects and engineers exist and charge for their services

    My primary motivator for doing it myself is the fact that all the tradesmen in my area are busy helping the 1% build waterfront palaces, and my pissant project isn't worth their time. A secondary motivator is, you know, mid life crisis.

    1. tedbeef | Jul 08, 2022 04:47pm | #3

      Ha! I'm sure there's some sort of undiagnosed midlife crisis fueling my dream as well. Ignorance is bliss for me I suppose.

      I just checked your profile. Are you in Camden?? I grew up there and still have family in the area. The age old saying still stands: if you live there you either have three homes or three jobs.

      When you say things take longer than you think, are there any phases of building that have been particularly challenging?

      1. Tim_William | Jul 10, 2022 12:42pm | #10

        Yeah I’m in Camden, conveniently right around the corner from Rankins and Hammond Lumber. We relocated to Maine in 2018. I love it.

        For the time thing, you have to account for your personal learning curve (aka incompetence). I have some construction experience, but it still takes forever to do most tasks. Lots of mistakes are made. It’s like anything else, without practice you just can’t expect good results on the first or even second try.
        On top of that, just finding a span of time to focus is a challenge when your aren’t full time engaged. I’ve got two kids and a FT job, so… yeah.
        I am lucky that I have family in the trades and can tap them for advice.
        For me personally, I take immense satisfaction in doing things myself and that’s my primary motivator.

        I’ve had a few bad experiences with GCs, but the flip side is that a good sub probably won’t pick up a one-off project for a homeowner if it conflicts with their steady work for a builder. So being your own GC can get iffy.

        My ADU project is still in the drawing phase but I am in the midst of a remodel on our house. This appears to be a rite of passage up here in Maine, everyone I know bought an old house and spent their first few years of ownership fixing it up.

        One detail I’ll throw out there… you can avoid a ton of foundation headaches if you opt for helical piers. This might not fit your needs, but it is fast and involves no concrete. It’s that way I’m going on my building, we already installed a deck on the house using them.

        1. tedbeef | Jul 10, 2022 10:46pm | #16

          Thanks Tim. Good luck with the ADU.

  2. michaelpape | Jul 08, 2022 01:47pm | #2

    Might want to consider Prefab or SUP panels. There is still plenty of work to do.

  3. user-6754280 | Jul 09, 2022 12:28pm | #4

    I did something similar myself a couple of years ago, along with the baby a few months before we broke ground. I hired help with the framing, roofing, concrete, brick, drywall, insulation, and grading/sod. Did the HVAC, plumbing, electrical, flooring, cabinets, trim, doors, and windows myself. ~3000 sqft, 3 full baths, 2 half-baths, took me just over 15 months while working full time and I lost 25 pounds.
    The biggest lesson I learned is to ask a lot of questions and get very specific quotes when hiring out work. One example was with the foundation. We did ICF's and the quote included forming/pouring the spread footings and waterproofing. Except the quote didn't include the strip footings for the garage and porch, because the ICF guy didn't do those. I assumed when he quoted the footings it was for all of them. My mistake for not verifying, not too costly but slowed down the process.
    The second is to plan as much ahead of time as you can. There are companies that design HVAC and plumbing systems for reasonable prices, even having a rough idea of where things should go can save a lot of time, and everything else has to work around these systems.
    Things that took longer than I'd like were mostly on the exterior, air barrier and roof. I sprayed on a liquid WRB and used 2" of polyiso board with taped seams. If I did it over I think I'd use the insulated ZIP panels, it's expensive but would save a ton of time and the roof can be water tight as fast as you set/tape the sheathing. Instead of gables I would do a hip roof at a lower pitch, max of 8/12. We did a 10/12 it was tough to walk, and required purlins and piggyback trusses for the peak. Walking those wasn’t a whole lot of fun.
    I had the wall panels pre-framed by the lumber co. If you go that route get the panels from a lumber company that does it in-house. Ours were built by the truss company and the quality of work wasn’t great. If budget allows I’d get engineered lumber for any tile or cabinet area walls, and pay extra attention to plumbing/squaring those walls. Just makes it that much easier to get a nice finish at the end when you will be in a hurry.
    It was a lot of work but I’d do it again given the chance. I’d say go for it and good luck.

    1. tedbeef | Jul 10, 2022 10:15pm | #13

      Encouraging! That's a lot of of work in a relatively short span of time.

  4. Jud_Aley | Jul 09, 2022 01:04pm | #5

    "there is a reason architects and engineers exist and charge for their services"

    There is also a reason good General Contractors charge for their services.

    Ted, best of luck with your project.

    1. Tim_William | Jul 09, 2022 05:09pm | #7

      Touché

  5. Jud_Aley | Jul 09, 2022 01:07pm | #6

    Ted-
    Send me a personal email and I'll send you some helpful check lists.

  6. User avater
    Deleted | Jul 09, 2022 10:09pm | #8

    “[Deleted]”

  7. User avater
    unclemike42 | Jul 10, 2022 12:16pm | #9

    Things to think about.

    Financing. (while you build and live elsewhere)

    Codes inspection. Engage the local building zoning and codes department and understand how finished the job has to be before they will let you move in and stop paying for two places.

  8. jhrodd | Jul 10, 2022 07:23pm | #11

    I built my own 2000 sq.ft. house (moved in April 2021), I only subbed out the drywall, insulation, electrical, and heating. Everything else, from drawing the plans, excavating, foundation, framing, plumbing, siding, roofing, trim, etc. I did almost completely solo. My neighbor and his dad gave me a hand pouring concrete, installing the windows, and getting the longest metal roofing panels (40 ft.) up to the second story rooftop. So about 12 hours of extra labor. It took me 18 months working 7 days a week and cost about 300K, that includes the 1300 sq.ft. shop. I'm also 70 years old and it's not my first house.

    1. Tim_William | Jul 10, 2022 09:35pm | #12

      That is awesome. Cheers.

      1. jhrodd | Jul 10, 2022 10:16pm | #14

        Thanks! Some days were more fun than others. I bought a Kubota tractor with a backhoe and forklift attachment plus rented equipment when necessary.

    2. tedbeef | Jul 10, 2022 10:19pm | #15

      That's truly impressive! Thanks for sharing the photo too.

      Any tips on lifting walls as a solo builder? Did you use jacks? Heavy equipment?

      1. jhrodd | Jul 10, 2022 10:46pm | #17

        I used wall jacks, pretty easy for one person to lift 30 feet or so of wall. This picture is the house behind the one I started in 2020. I converted an abandoned shop project into a Carriage House and lived in it while I built a small house on an existing foundation that had been sitting unused since 1998. Then we lived in that house while I built our present house next door. Worked pretty slick.

  9. user-7213295 | Jul 11, 2022 01:37am | #18

    I did it and if I can do it anyone can. My son and I just completed our first house. Only 500 sf but don’t let the small size fool you…still took 10 months, a boatload of money and lots of help. We had an architect draw the plans so we would have detailed drawings and could ask lots of questions of them. We helped my nephew get his license during the build and he was a huge help (secret weapon #1) on everything after the foundation. A friend is a seasoned builder and agreed to ‘consult’ on the build (secret weapon #2). He would spend an hour or so with us every Monday morning pointing out mistakes, planning, applying needed encouragement plus tool lending and more. It was a huge but fun undertaking and we are all proud of the result. Most importantly, no one got hurt, my son still loves me and, thanks to buying a small drone we have a lifetime of captured memories. Picture it like running a marathon. Uphill. In boots. With a map written in another language. Whatever you do…don’t take it too seriously.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity

Learn about different approaches to making updates and repairs to older homes with historic charm.

Featured Video

How to Install Cable Rail Around Wood-Post Corners

Use these tips to keep cables tight and straight for a professional-looking deck-railing job.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 684: Masonry Heaters, Whole-House Ventilation, and Porch Flooring
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Repairing an Old Home While Maintaining Its Integrity
  • Tools and Gear for the Moms Who Get it Done
  • An Easier Method for Mitered Head Casings

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers
  • Issue 327 - November 2024
    • Repairing Damaged Walls and Ceilings
    • Plumbing Protection
    • Talking Shop

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 81%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data