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Building a new home

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Medic343, Jul 6, 2018.

  1. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:37 PM
    #1
    Medic343

    Medic343 [OP] 5+4+3=2

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    So I have a feeling that this thread may blow up, but the more information I can get the better right!?
    The future wife and I just purchased 2 acres of land to build our new home on. What advice to you all have when it comes to building a custom home? Neither her nor I have ever done this and we are a bit overwhelmed to say the least.
     
  2. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:49 PM
    #2
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Resi Kings, 35” Trail Grapplers on 18” Methods, ICON Delta Upper Arms, Front-Runner bed rack, Yakima SkyBox16, 2018 honeycomb grill, 2018 LED headlights, plastidipped bumper covers
    OMG LOL. I learned so much. Every day for 4 hours - 360 days straight.
    You’re in a different region, so a lot of my tips and tricks probably wouldn’t pertain to you. (i.e. - pouring your driveway slab 3” into your garage so that you NEVER have water in your garage, and it drains from the cars - I live in PNW so this is huge for me).
    Also dropped a duct into my garage so it’s heated/cooled. :)
    Did one big tankless hotwater heater - have never ran out of hot water, and the recirculating option means even when it’s 15 degrees out you have hot water in 1 second.
    Where you place the home, front faces north, back faces south - so many things lol.
    I took pictures of every wall opened up - so I knew where every water line was, every electrical line.
    Also - I did the Samsung smart hub and leviton smart dimmers. I can flip my lights on when I’m 3 states away.
    Run cat 6 - everywhere!
    Put outdoor plugs - everywhere! I ran them all over my property - did the trenches myself and electricians wired them.

    I had a “dream home thread” on ARFcom - and it was pages and pages long filled with ideas. I used most of them.

    And congrats - it’s tiring as hell but soooooo worth it in the end!
     
    JH5370, Ostrich, Black Wolf and 6 others like this.
  3. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:50 PM
    #3
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    ‘Somewhere’... a State of Mind
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    Hand Protectors
    Buy the best designed plans from an architect with HIGH DETAILS. Hire the best contractor in the area. Get on his schedule now. Write checks and stay out of the way.
     
  4. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:52 PM
    #4
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Resi Kings, 35” Trail Grapplers on 18” Methods, ICON Delta Upper Arms, Front-Runner bed rack, Yakima SkyBox16, 2018 honeycomb grill, 2018 LED headlights, plastidipped bumper covers
    Also, really think about your layout. We did master downstairs, and laundry/mud room. Then the kids bedrooms and bathroom we did upstairs and placed them over to the side of our living quarters.

    Insulation! I insulated myself every single interior wall - and used Rockwool on areas for super sound barrier.
    I insulated under my stairs - you can NEVER hear anyone in the house from other rooms - ever.
    Insulate every ceiling as well! I insulated every inch of the garage too! LOL
    Also did insulated garage doors.
    We’re at 4,000 sq ft interior and 1,250 sq ft garage and our energy bill last month was $40! LMAO! That’s with AC on.
    Also - screw down nearly every damn floor board 2 X what the contractors do.
    I don’t like squeaky floors - and it’s worth a few hours and $200 in screws.

    I would be more than happy to give you my cell # and help in anyway possible. I had help from a lot of friends that built and a guy that does 20MIL Customs.

    We cleared 9 of 13.5 acres and ripped out every stump (39 log trucks worth).
    So it was a ground up. Punched the well, did the septic - I was part of everything.
    Went from this
    190B96C2-BDE2-40EF-BB8C-AED4B04B5A1E.jpg
    To this
    0ADA29FF-C356-4EA4-90C0-EC99124F7318.jpg

    I’ve since done a bunch more landscaping and finished the center island.
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2018
    GODZILLA, kparrow, monaco730 and 30 others like this.
  5. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:53 PM
    #5
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Resi Kings, 35” Trail Grapplers on 18” Methods, ICON Delta Upper Arms, Front-Runner bed rack, Yakima SkyBox16, 2018 honeycomb grill, 2018 LED headlights, plastidipped bumper covers
    You must be a contractor lol.
     
  6. Jul 6, 2018 at 2:54 PM
    #6
    Professional Hand Model

    Professional Hand Model A.K.A ‘Golden Hands’

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    I slept in a Holiday Inn and watched HGTV for a night so yes you are correct.
     
    Watt maker, saybng, 15Yota and 10 others like this.
  7. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:09 PM
    #7
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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  8. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:14 PM
    #8
    Sunnier

    Sunnier Pity the warrior that slays all his foes

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  9. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:19 PM
    #9
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic Professional Hobo

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    Maybe run a water spigot to the back of the land? Never know when you might need a hose back there.
     
  10. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:21 PM
    #10
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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  11. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:23 PM
    #11
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    If you have male children, slope their bedroom floors to a floor drain and have a fire hose handy for cleaning those rooms.
    If you have female children, have multiple layers of motion activated flood lights outside their bedroom window.
     
    GODZILLA, Devcom, PNW_Husky and 15 others like this.
  12. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:26 PM
    #12
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Yep!!!! I ran 5 throughout my property off of the well.
    VERY good advice.
     
  13. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:35 PM
    #13
    aRabidLunatic

    aRabidLunatic Professional Hobo

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    I brought that up because I bought a house with an acre. I wish I had a spigot near the back so when I plant trees I can water them easier. I think there is a way to tie a line into the sprinkler lines but not sure about..
     
    4x4_Angel likes this.
  14. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:36 PM
    #14
    Medic343

    Medic343 [OP] 5+4+3=2

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    Kenny
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    Man I have a feeling this thread is going to be a lifesaver, I am glad I started it. Thanks for the quick replies and good advice. You are definitely right though my needs down here in the desert are going to be far different than yours in the PNW. As this starts to develop I will continue to drop in and get more info out, right now I just have to get the land prepped and ready to start plans.
     
  15. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:39 PM
    #15
    Coolhardy

    Coolhardy New Member

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    Too many to list
    Sarcasm never ends...
     
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  16. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:41 PM
    #16
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    Resi Kings, 35” Trail Grapplers on 18” Methods, ICON Delta Upper Arms, Front-Runner bed rack, Yakima SkyBox16, 2018 honeycomb grill, 2018 LED headlights, plastidipped bumper covers
    Yea, the sprinkler line is a bummer unless there’s a specific line ran (zone) that isn’t being used. Otherwise when you tap into the main sprinkler line your water only comes on when your sprinklers are on.
    A dedicated spigot is the bees knees. :)
    I put timers on all my spigots - they cover 150 trees down one side of the property, 150 trees down the other, bunch of blueberries, fruit trees, and our garden.
    There are so many things that I didn’t want to keep spending money on, but it’s soooo much cheaper to do before the yard/house goes in.
     
  17. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:48 PM
    #17
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    4:88s and Auburn LSD, dealership faux Pro, 35" BFGs on XD wheels, OME Lift with Dakars
    Run 20 AMP circuits instead of the standard 15 AMP in every room.
    Run a couple of 30-50 AMP circuits in the garage.
    Tankless water heater
    Triple pane windows
    All things I wish I did!
     
  18. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:52 PM
    #18
    Boosted4runner

    Boosted4runner Join the NRA please.

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    2015 DC MGM TRD Tundra, Kings, 5.7, 2018 front end
    Resi Kings, 35” Trail Grapplers on 18” Methods, ICON Delta Upper Arms, Front-Runner bed rack, Yakima SkyBox16, 2018 honeycomb grill, 2018 LED headlights, plastidipped bumper covers
    Yes! I think we did a 400amp panel and 200 amp panel.

    If you plan on a shop - prepare now!

    I’m excited for the OP - such a crazy fun process.
     
  19. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:53 PM
    #19
    Ike74

    Ike74 New Member

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    My advice is know you will never be on budget or on schedule . . .
     
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  20. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:56 PM
    #20
    Grumpy Uncle

    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    4:88s and Auburn LSD, dealership faux Pro, 35" BFGs on XD wheels, OME Lift with Dakars
    Y'all are also about to have many disagreements. Start learning to compromise and holding your tongue. Not jinxing you, just some advice.
     
  21. Jul 6, 2018 at 3:57 PM
    #21
    mdavis

    mdavis I need a beer.

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  22. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:04 PM
    #22
    yoneytan

    yoneytan New Member

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    I build 3-4 custom homes a year and I can give you one piece of very valuable advice.... HIRE PROFESSIONALS!

    Make sure you get excellent referrals. In this field you don’t want to learn that by the time you figure out someone is not good at what he does it’s way too late. Hire companies with great reputations and make sure they’re all licensed and insured. Those are the only people who stand to lose something if they screw up. The “handyman” builder may be cheaper but there’s a reason for that. I build in California so codes will be different from where you’re at and giving advice on a forum beyond what I just told you won’t be very helpful. Congratulations good luck with the project.
     
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  23. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:06 PM
    #23
    BIGUGLY

    BIGUGLY I the SheepDog. I have the capacity for Violence.

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    The more electrical outlets the better. Have the electrical boxes I .ceilings for lights made that can support a fan if you want one. Spray foam insulation, that stuff works wonders and insulates sound as well . If you have the funds a full concrete home. Using liteform type of product. Amazing how well insulated the house is and how quiet it will be.
     
  24. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:15 PM
    #24
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

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    Do this! I don't understand why every new house built in the last 15 years doesn't have this. I'd also run speaker wire in any media room you have.
     
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  25. Jul 6, 2018 at 4:36 PM
    #25
    Tacogrande

    Tacogrande New Member

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    Husky weatherbeaters,short antenna,window deflectors
    Plan for a heavy high quality safe / safes. Wire for high quality camera and security systems.
     
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  26. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:19 PM
    #26
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    All I can say is hell yes!!! I have been thinking about this myself. Good luck, do a lot of research, and most importantly, post a lot of pics!!!

    Also, if you do a youtube search there are a handful of self-builds on there. One that I recently stumbled on was I think called the "red poppy ranch". Anyway, I am not saying anything is wrong or right with how he does stuff, but here is a pretty neat timelapse of the first 671 days of his build....and he isn't done yet:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQE4PyvVwM8
     
  27. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:19 PM
    #27
    Atomic City Tundra

    Atomic City Tundra Cam Tower Leak Addict

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    That kicks a ton of ass right there. You got any more pics of the build progress?
     
  28. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:24 PM
    #28
    4x4_Angel

    4x4_Angel Perfectly Imperfect Tomboy....TTC #132

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    ToyTec BOSS Lift, FRAC, 18" Fuel Pump wheels, Nitto Ridge Grapplers
    :rofl:
     
  29. Jul 6, 2018 at 5:29 PM
    #29
    tye

    tye New Member

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    Diamondback cover, flowmaster exhaust, n-fab sliders
    Have a large garage with heat water etc.
     
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  30. Jul 6, 2018 at 6:09 PM
    #30
    yoneytan

    yoneytan New Member

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    My favorite room in the house. Definitely consider a home theater.

    47B2E16E-FB67-4C58-BDA2-99060D84D5A8.jpg
     
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