New Home Construction

bmac · May 16, 2005

Well, after many delays, it looks like we are finally going to begin construction on our new home. We bought 12 acres a year or so ago and have been muddling through the design process since last summer. The building site was cleared today and they expect to begin excavation of the basement tomorrow.

Question: Is their any interest here in a thread that documents this process with photos? If so, should I run it here or in the Photo section?

Obviously, this would be a long process (I'm guessing 9 months) with significant periods of inactivity when nothing of photographic interest occurs. I just don't want to bore you folks or take up space with photos if there is little interest.

Bird · May 16, 2005

Yes, I think there is interest. I think you can put it here or in the photo section, but just pick one and keep it all together in one thread to make it easier for the rest of us to follow. Of course, there's another option available and that is to put the discussion, narrative, etc. here, and have your own photo gallery in the PHOTOS section of TBN instead of just the photo forum.

newcountry · May 16, 2005

It's been done before and I've enjoyed it. I wish I would've done this on our house. I definitely had the pix, but fortunately not very many interesting stories. Those are the ones where things go bad or wrong. We were VERY lucky in those regards.

Hope yours is a boring tale too!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

EddieWalker · May 17, 2005

I've been posting most of my projects for the simple reason that just one right comment or idea could save me money, improve my project or solve a problem.

You'll also find that answering questions about your project will help you see it in a different light, which for me, has led to a different, and better aproach.

I enjoy following the posts of everyones projects because of what I can gain from them. Your project will be unique to you and your location, but it could very well help out one of us in our own projects.

Eddie Walker

DKinWA · May 17, 2005

We'll be starting our new home as well before the end of summer and was thinking about doing the same. I even thought of setting up a webcam, but I have no idea how to go about it. I'll probably have to go the picture posting route, but it's still fun to document the progress.

goodoleboy · May 17, 2005

I am interested in the process. I am working for a builder right now part time so I like to different designs and building methods in different parts of the country. Here In Oklahoma its bricks mostly go up 100 miles and vinyl siding is the big thing.

BillG_in_TX · May 17, 2005

Another option would be to chronicle your project over in TBN's sister site - CountryByNet.
They have a lot of forums, and one is dedicated to Home Building.
Check out Pat's Oklahoma Farmhouse project. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Highbeam · May 17, 2005

Hurry up and start posting. You've missed the best part, the clearing. I hope you have some before, after, and during pictures starting from the raw land phase.

I'm in the raw land to clearing phase and have a few threads about it. I would really like to see how they dealt with the clearing and how you chose to put your home where you did.

Jagmandave · May 17, 2005

I'd love to see a post with pics as you progress, I learn something everytime I watch a project go together. I'm planning to start construction this fall as well. Anything special about the new house in terms of materials or technique?
I'm going to build a house using ICF's, not a lot of them done that way around here in Kansas.......
I also like the idea of a webcam to monitor things from home or work, don't exactly know how I'll accomplish this, but I'm going to have one on site with Pan, Zoom, and Tilt as there is broadband cable in the hood and I can hook up to it, so I can get real time updates.......

Highbeam · May 17, 2005

That might be a little strange. Would you tell the contractor(S) that they are being watched at all times? You would likely catch them doing drugs and peeing in your bathtub around these parts.