Mid Life Crisis

[Hagwoodhunter]

Ok so I have a job(teacher/coach) good health, beautiful wife, healthy kids. No payments since we just sold our house (first world problems).  I want to avoid getting trapped in a mortgage. You guys and gals have done it. Where do I start? What do I do. I have a Mill lt 30, I have land ...or the bank has land and i pay them. I want a simple 3 bed 2 bath home and a shop. I got some money to work with Where do i start? What do i do? what have you done what works best. I can wire plumb etc i just want to get it right this time and i think debt free is my best bet. I don't need a log castle but i don't want a shack or one man's wilderness cabin either. Energy efficient would be nice. THanks in advance

[fishfighter]

You can start were I did. Start with your foundation and build from there.

[Crusarius]

Fishfighter, Definitely good advice

Step 1 setbacks.
Step 2 sewage / septic.

Start with the basic needs and once you are sure everything you need / want can be obtained then go from there. I have known many ppl to buy property expecting to build only to find out the lot was not a building lot or did not have something that was needed. the #1 thing I hear about is the property not percing (septic test). Once that happens it gets quite a bit more expensive. There are also very strict rules where septic and leach fields can be placed around waterways.

Make sure what you want is obtainable then move on from there.

[Don P]

Next is plans and construction type and seeing what the building official needs. Make sure the house will fit with the site. Start with general floor plan layouts, the napkin sketch, and then work towards the details. If there is furniture or stuff that must move with you make sure it fits in the sketches from the beginning.

[flyingparks]

Find out about what is required in your area by your municipality. And yes make sure you're allowed to build a house you want with what you want. Think water/power/sewer. Sounds like you might be "in the sticks." See about septic, it's a good idea to dig test pits...for groundwater issues. Wells...see what other's in the area are producing. Power...see how much it would take to bring power to your desired site. Just some preliminary considerations.

[Southside]

The very first question you have to answer honestly is how committed to this is your wife and family?  That's a hard one, some people may say they are all in, but don't realize what they are agreeing to and 6 months later things are getting ugly.  Are you able to remain where you are living now for a while or do you have a date where you need to be out by?  Life takes it's own path, things get delayed, mother nature stands in the way, physically you get limited at times, so plan on the project taking at least twice as long, and costing twice as much as you think it would ever take.  (Assuming you are doing most of the work yourself to keep the finances in line).  

I have done it, faced with having to do it again vs a 30 year mortgage I would do it again, but honestly I have no desire to do it again.  When we bought our place we had to tell the agent to stop the owner from bull dozing down the house, no exaggeration.  The well quit about 3 days after I managed to get the power hooked up and some what functional, the septic was dead on day one, the cloth coated wire with no ground anywhere showed just how reliable it really is, the basement was more like a swimming pool, etc.  

Tiny house living is all the rage these days on HGTV - well, try living in a camper if you want to experience it first hand - we did it, for way too long, to the point I won't publicly admit to just how long.  

I am pointing this out so that you will consider the potential impact on your family during a transition if you have to go that route, not to discourage you in any way.  On the up side there is tremendous pride in looking at a home that you constructed using your own tools, lumber, and skills.  You look at a fixture and remember felling the tree that makes up the trim, you can point out the stump - that is a rush that makes it all worth it in the end, you just have to make it to the end is all.  

Good luck!!! 

[Ianab]

What about getting a basic relocatable / kitset / prefab house built on the site. This gets you a small but comfortable (and affordable) house over your head in the least possible time. 

It's not your dream home because the rooms are small, and it's only got one bathroom. But it's new. insulated, heated and comfortable. You and the family can live there, with a small mortgage while you work on the later stages, without the time constraints and the stress of not having a decent house.  

Now, fire up the sawmill.

Build your workshop, because that will make working on the other things easier. 

Build an attached garage and games room for the kids. Build a covered deck for the summer. Add on a new master bedroom with ensuite. Remodel inside the original house with real timber, so it's more spacious and makes better use of the extensions, AFTER the extensions are usable. 

This gets you a house you can move into in maybe 6 months. Then the pressure is off, and if it takes 6 more years to complete the various stages as time and money allow, so be it. You and the family aren't living in a trailer or a construction site (well there may be one round the back where the new workshop is being built). But the house is all intact and comfortable. 

[petefrom bearswamp]

All good advice here.
I did this twice first time I was 28 yrs old the second when I was 32.
Both times had a full time job and it took a lot of evenings, and weekends.
Broke my foot falling off the roof of the first one a 24x48 60 degree a frame.
Slowed me down for a week and then hopped on one foot and kept at it.
Had 3 kids by the time i did the second one and a very understanding wife.
It certainly can be done but can be a struggle.

[Grizzly]

Don't most guys just go buy a corvette or something?  :D :D

It sure is interesting to read how difficult and challenging it can be to pursue a project like this and even have members pointing out those difficulties. And yet no one says don't do it. Just be aware of what it's going to take. Interesting.

I finished out our new house back in 2006 working solely after work in evenings and on weekends. That was an exhausting year and even if I was healthy I wonder if I would do it again.

[DDW_OR]

as most have already stated:
will the government allow you to build a house, if so the codes, plans and inspections
septic - is the ground favorable
Well - have someone come out and divine where to drill. my dad and i did ours, 85 feet, 15gpm, and Very soft and tasty
Power - how close is it

the first building i would put is a pole barn, as large as you can

if you can build then see if there are any approved plans you can use. that way you do not have to start from scratch.

if you have a hill then maybe a daylight basement.

[GAB]

Fishfighter, Definitely good advice

Step 1 setbacks.
Step 2 sewage / septic.

Start with the basic needs and once you are sure everything you need / want can be obtained then go from there. I have known many ppl to buy property expecting to build only to find out the lot was not a building lot or did not have something that was needed. the #1 thing I hear about is the property not percing (septic test). Once that happens it gets quite a bit more expensive. There are also very strict rules where septic and leach fields can be placed around waterways.

Make sure what you want is obtainable then move on from there.

It is my opinion that A WATER SUPPLY should be Step 2.  If you can't find water I would not build.
Proper septic is anther item that I would make sure I have before I would start building.
If you have time, saw out your house framing lumber a bit wide, stack it to dry and resaw it to size just prior to using it.  Your building should be squarer as you will have the opportunity to remove some of the defects that occurred during drying.
You need to familiarize yourself with local and state rules and regulations.  Make sure you know how long a building permit is good for and can it be renewed how often, and for how long each time.
You not only need your ducks in a row, but all foul in a row.
I hope your wife is a good board holder and an excellent gofer as such a project can strengthen or destroy a marriage.
Wishing you the very best in your endeavor.
Gerald

[Crusarius]

Thanks gerald I always forget that step. Water is very important. The good news is it can be trucked in if you feel its necessary. But coming out of the ground is so much nicer than having to deal with transporting and storing it.

[Hagwoodhunter]

Thank you all for the advice after further review ....I think I'm going with the Corvette idea😂😂😂😂😂 seriously tho I appreciate all the information and due to a change in circumstances it looks like it may be more of a getaway cabin.