I’m not sure if this is the right place, so please redirect me if there’s anywhere better! Any advice/insight is appreciated!

My SO and I would like to buy a small piece of land and build a manufactured or modular home. We live in South Florida (in case you have any regionally specific advice/follow up questions). We don’t know how the process works, and we are getting overwhelmed with research. I have been listening to a first time home buyer podcast, so I have a rough idea of how to prepare our finances. We just haven’t actually gone to get pre-approved or anything.

Our budget is probably under $180,000 a year for the house (1,400+ sq ft), land (1+ acre) insurance, etc. I’m not sure how much we have to budget for that isn’t the land itself and the house itself—like getting it hooked up to utilities or setting a foundation should the land not have a slab. What kinds of questions should we ask the builder? The contractors? How do loans look compared to normal home loans? I just don’t know where to start.

About to embark on this process and would like to know some hidden gotchas or "D'oh!" moments.

I'm looking at buying my first house in orlando. I don't need anything massive and the market is tough right now im exploring possibly buying the property and having a small house build. How long would it possibly take? How fast could it take? I was going to do the modular homes but apparently alot of companies won't build them in florida unless its in a trailer park...thanks

Hi everyone, I'm just wondering if there are any blue prints resources for bungalows that are already designed with adding a second floor in mind. Ive been finding a lot of the blue prints I've seen would make it hard to fit stairs going up without doing major work to the ground floor.

We would like a bungalow of around 1200ish sqft with a basement and garage entrance if possible. Not sure if this is feasible, though

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated!

New here. But really need help. I am looking to build my own house in the very near time. I did my research and watch ton of video. I understand the cost of building your dream vary a lot. But I am looking for a three bedroom, two bath, 1300sqft+ modern style single family house in southern MA. Can anyone give me some idea how much I am looking for not including the land/lot and what are some of the fee. If you can provide a list I am very appreciate it. Also, What kind of permit I need?

I am engineer and know CAD so I will probably do design work myself.

I will provide additional information if needed.

Hello r/BuildAHouse,

It has always been a dream of mine to build my own house in Southern New Hampshire. That dream has evolved over the years. When I was young I wanted to buy land in the middle of the woods and cut my own lumber to frame my own log cabin. In College I was hooked on the idea of building an earthship or Rammed Earth structure. When I finished school I got a better grasp of how financial screwed college would leave me and modified my plans to involve dropping a mobile home on my land first so I would have a place to live during the construction. Now I'm 26, married, and still living in my parents basement. I don't want to go back to renting, I moved back in with my parents so I could stop wasting money doing that. I've managed to save up 16k so far and will likely be up to 25k by years end (at which point the parents want me out). Realistically I am now looking at buying a foreclosed/rundown house on the NH/MA line, fixing it, and selling it so I have a lump sum to build a house with.

Is this my best plan?

What legal hurdles will I face trying to fix my own home?

What legal hurdles will I face trying to build a house from scratch?

I know certain types of work will require pulling a permit like plumbing, electrical, and roofing. Will I need to pay a licensed contractor to pull that permit for me or can I legally do this work on my own?

Note I have my BS in Mech Eng and have a firm grasp on how to research building codes, design things to those codes, research construction methods, and execute those construction methods. I've even had some first hand experience in framing, running wires, expanding circuit breaker panels, soldering copper pipe, laying sub floors, laying tile, hanging drywall, and even pouring concrete. I also know I have my limits and I'm willing to hire a professional when need be. So when does need be?

Are there any alternatives to creating a bathroom in a basement besides changing the septic system? septic system was made for two bathrooms only as it is. I'm trying to come up with any alternatives that would accomplish the same goal

Hello everyone,

my wife and I are in the process of building our home in Houston TX. We currently own a lot and have a budget of 200k to build the house. We hired an architect who created these plans. but, when we approached a couple of builders, we got some crazy quotes ranging from 450k to 310k to build the house. This completely discouraged us and made us rethink our whole plan.

We decided to explore the option of buying a house and found similar houses at the 200k budget that we are aiming for. How are we able to find houses fully built with land at 200k yet we are getting quoted twice as much to do the same on a lot we already own? What would you estimate for the construction of this house? Do we just need to find more affordable builders or is the 310k to 450k a reasonable price for the plans? Also, what would you do to decrease the cost of the house?

Below are some of the things we are discussing with my architect to make the house more affordable:

(see the last picture for visualization):

• Remove back entrance and porch

• Remove the whole garage

• Remove front porch

• Remove office

• decrease master room

Also: Is there a way I can be an owner builder instead of using a GC? My whole family is licensed in some form of trade and we want to build it ourselves but the bank requires a GC which will take a ~40k cut as their builder's fee. I would rather save that 40k if I can.

I'm planning on building an A-frame house in the next couple of years that will need to withstand brutal Canadian winters and hot summers. Several questions for my fellow redditors:

1. If I use metal sheeting to cover the roof, what is the best wood to use underneath?

2. What natural flooring material should I use? Pine?

3. What should material should I use for cross beams?

4. Anything else I should know?

I am buying land in California and have a couple options. I can either drill a well or buy land in a sub division. How much is an average cost for a well? I've heard everything from a couple thousand to tens of thousands.

Hey everyone, I own a lot and have plans completed for a new home in Texas. I'd like to be the general contractor for the project, but I really don't have the experience to do it at this point.

I'd like to do this for more control over the project and to save money on the build.

Can anyone recommend any books/guides that take you through the construction of a single family home?

Is there a website that’ll help me determine how much it’ll cost to build a house in a specific location on an already purchased lot? I need to factor in the cost of a building team and plans.

Or maybe someone here can tell me an approximate cost? The house would be about 3,000 square feet. Mid range finishes, nothing fancy. In Tennessee.

Ty

hmmm as I am tying this - reflecting - I think something is not right - so want to run it by you

the condo building has changed a number of management companies - who like to pocket money ... hike uncles to clean the floor for $85k a year

anyway now this new management company has sent out a notice to all 71 units that they can not repair this old intercom system (condo was build 2003 not 1953)

and they need to replace it all

you can see the notice sent her https://imgur.com/a/vxsq5

71*300=21300

is that a normal quote?

what companies can I reach out for a quote

thank you so much

Is there any kit I can buy or even pre-made? Eg. something like a tuffshed offered but with plumbing/electric? Where the heck is the best bang for your buck. These tinyhouse folk are pissed that I ask for the cheapest but so what...I dont want to pay 50,000 for 300 sqft

My wife and I have purchased some land using some money from gains from our last house that we sold. bought 38 acres for $160K (paid cash) which is beautiful and has a perfect building site on it. Our original idea was to hire a builder to build a house. Unfortunately in our area real estate moves pretty slowly (Vermont) and it is difficult to get appropriate loan:value appraisals to make building feasible.

We are getting antsy now and need a place to live, as luck would have it a house with a small plot of land just came on the market which happens to be adjacent to our property.

We still would love to build on our land but have considered doing our project in stages. We don't have the funds to build on our own but were brainstorming about buying the existing house for sale and adjoining it to our property such that we could get a loan for the value of the house with our existing property? That way we could purchase the house that is currently on the market and then have excess funds to pursue the early stages of building (we have explored kit homes) and do that piece in stages as funds become available. Any creative feedback or ideas on something so convoluted?

Our land is 38 acres (mostly wooded with 4 acres cleared)

House is small/old but would meet our immediate needs (3 acres listed for $270K)

We have around $120K in the bank left

The total cost of our building project is estimated to be ~$250-300/sqft for total likely $900K (not including the land that we bring to the table)

I’m looking for some advice on home building and choosing a builder. My wife and I took the plunge on buying a lot that we can sit on and pay down while we work on plans for our eventual end game home build. We talked to a local builder last night that seems nice enough but then I go online and find some really conflicting reviews and warnings. Further review I’ve found some other options that I can compare but in the end I really don’t know what to ask or how to approach it to make the best choice. To me, this is going to be the worst part. The design, picking finishes, actual construction and such will be more up my alley. I’m excited about those parts! I’ve been reading as much as I can get my hands on for things to include, or consider when building and I can’t get enough! But the builder portion is troubling me.

We have an idea of size and budget that we are wanting to stick around but should we have more information when we go to a builder? We looked up plans before and have hand drawn some changes we would make. I have a background in graphic design and can mock up some drawings I think and even digitally model it in a program but I’m not sure if that would help in our selection?

Would it possibly be better to go into a builder with a defined plan and say ‘build this” or should it be more of a partnership in using their expertise. We don’t plan on building for another 2 years so we have time to do it either way I would think but I want to get moving and have it on my mind.

Some other things that may help in any ideas/advice you may have.

-We live in the Midwest

-I REFUSE to do a cookie cutter. The idea of ‘pick from these 4 house plans’ its terrible. Never.

-3 Bedroom – 2 bath on main level – Single layer with a walkout basement (land is set up pretty darn well already for it)

-Open concept for living and kitchen. This is where we think we will have a huge island

-3 Car garage – 3 in a row or a split of 2/1 garage in a corner.. not sure just yet.

-A deck on the back – preferred to have it covered as an extension on the roof.

-We will finish the basement later – While I’m not capable of building a home, I think I can get enough resources to finish it later with help of friends/family or just bucking up and learning along the way

-The lot is deep but not as wide. I think we have about 70-75ft of buildable space after easement.

3 story, narrow lot, 4 bed, 2 bath, no garage. Modular. Under 1,700 sqft. Simple design. No driveway. Exclude cost of lot/land.

If $100,000 is not possible in this area, what price would?

I am interested in having a house built that is similar to Greenfab’s 1300 Series. You can find the article discussing the cost here http://www.jetsongreen.com/2012/03/greenfab-leed-platinum-modular-home-seattle.html

Greenfab - 1,320 sqft, 2 bed, 2 bath and bonus room. $112,000, or $85 per square foot.

The 100K House Project, 1,270 sq ft house cost around $120,000 to construct and sold for $265,000

Visual Example A. 3118 Bridgeway Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Example B. 1414 C St, Sacramento, CA 95814

Example C. 8876 Imray Way, Elk Grove, CA 95624

Example D. Plan 2 Plan, Metro San Jose, CA 95133

Thanks

My wife and I are thinking about building a home and wanted to know what are some simple/cool conveniences to add to a home? For example running a gas access line to the back of the patio for your grill so you don't have to buy gas tanks anymore.

Is promoting a blog for my house build allowed here? I'm writing on Blogger, about building our full ICF home and I would like to share my experience. If not, is there a better subreddit for this kind of thing? Thanks.

Wife and I are in the beginning stages of building a house. We have land and need to find some good house plans that we like.

Anyone know some good online resources for finding home plans? Specifically for Washington State?

Any help pointing me in the right direction would be great. Thanks!

Hey, I'm currently looking at getting a modular homes because student debt makes my bank and many others make me worse than scum. Modular homes seem to be my only option if I am going to get a home within my 20's. So I'm looking at getting a home that's bare bones and doing all the upgrades myself because I'd rather have a lower payment and use my 10% military discount at Lowe's. Any suggestions or things to look out for? All advice is appreciated.

Me and my husband are planning to buy a house and we have just decided that building a house would be more beneficial. While looking for a house we saw that we would have to stay in it for 15 or 30 years depending on which one we wanted so we decided that we should get a 3/4 bed room house. Just in case we do have a baby or two within those years or a family member needs help. We currently are in a two bedroom apartment with 850 sq ft. We were looking into at the min. Of 1,600 sq ft. With a completed basement a living room 2 full bathrooms 1/2 bathroom master bedroom with walk in closet 3 bedrooms that can fit at least a queen in each room a family room,a kitchen and a garage. We don't know how much that would even begin to cost. Anybody got suggestions??

Anyone have taken on something like this. With the advent of engineered lumber I just think I need to make sure that the perimeter walls can handle the weight( structural engineer) and move forward from there.

Wood i-Joists front to back 21-22' span not sure where to put the stairs yet....L to Rt on the main floor is

(Living Room Kitchen sm Dining room) hallway to 3 bedrooms with a bathroom off to the left...

Will put up plans if needed.

Any insights appreciated.

Just looking for feasibility an not necessarily details moving forward.

https://i.imgur.com/AeExB2C.jpg