My name is Heather Martin, I'm 19, and the Official Supreme Goddess Of The Universe. I moonlight as grunt labor at Peace And Carrots Farm when I'm not out being a carpenter.
Because I could. And because I wanted my own house. :-)
When you're young and still being supported by your parents (food, rent, etc) is the best time to earn and spend large chunks of money and time. You still have a lot of freedom with both.
Though when you're older, you have an easier time deciding what exactly you want.
Wow, that's so cool! Where can I get your houseplans?
I got mine at www.countryplans.com. The site also has a great discussion board that can help you with all of your house related questions.
Can I really build my own house?
YES!! If you can dream it, you can do it.
Just be sure you read lots of books beforehand so you have an idea of what you want. Start small. You need to build two houses to get one that's constructed correctly. :-)
Is previous experience Necessary?
NO!! I didn't have a lick of experience building anything with regular old lumber before. I read some books, got some advice on the country plans message board and from a carpenter, and learned from experience.
Building is a lesson in humility. It teaches you not to be so full of yourself. Finding your house 13 1/2 inches off square really makes you realize you're not perfect. :-)
On the other hand, it boosts your self esteem. You'll be able to look at the house and say "I did that!" You become more sure of yourself and your abilities to do anything you want. (In a good way)
Your milage may vary depending on what kind of house you're building, size, how expensive lumber is in your area, if you hire other people to do work, etc.
When I get the entire house furnished, decorated, completely finished ... it will probably cost around 5-6 thousand. All the shell and insulation/sheetrock materials cost around $4,500.
How hard is it?
I've cried, sworn profusely, hurled tools, sulked and glared endlessly during the bad days. I've sliced numerous fingers, bled all over the place and gotten a bunch of bruises. I've come in crying and saying how I didn't want a real roof anymore, that jeez, it would just be a whole lot easier to install a big piece of canvas up there instead. Some days nothing went right.
On the other hand, I've worked a lot of days from 6am till 9pm because it was so much fun watching the house go up and come together. I relish my time out there with the birds and the leaves, building my own house with my own two hands. I also get to play the radio full blast with whatever music I want, and nobody complains. I can change the station 6 times a minute if I want to.
How long does it take?
5 guys with experience in carpentry working together have built the same model house as mine in 5 days.
I started mine nine months ago and am still not finished. However, I traveled for several months of that time. I'm also not experienced. And I like taking my time. :-) What's the rush? The sooner I finish, the sooner I'll want to add on, anyway. And I don't have the money to do that yet :-)
