Building a house.

Me and my gf are both fixing to graduate college. She graduates this coming spring. I graduate the following spring. We'll get engaged somewhere in that neck of the woods. We are planning on building a house on my grandparents land. During her first year of work, while I am finishing up my last year at school, she will be living with her parents still and just saving up money for building. I dont really know exactly what I'm trying to ask... I guess what do yall think the best approach would be for building, and furnishing the house. Our income will both start out at about 35-36k a year... Of course this is hypothetically speaking we both get a job. We both want a cabin, but nothing huge. I know this is a pretty broad question... just looking for general guidance.

 

Let me know if you need advise or something.... worked construction for 6 years and heve 3 semesters in for architecture

 

sorry i wasnt clear in my original post. We aren't planning on building until she has already been working a year so we have money for a down payment. Then we will get married once everything is in line. THEN we will start building. So to sum it up, were not going to build until we are married and have roughly 35 grand cash to start off with.

 

I can answer any roofing/gutter/insulation related questions

 

Do you weave or flash your vallies??

 

Closed cut with galvanized flashing underneath

 

I am a structural Engineer, let me know if you have any building related questions.

 

sweet thats how ive done it, looks good and never no leaks

 

Well thanks for all the help yall. We've been throwing the idea back and forth today about trying to do the building ourselves (with family help) so I'm sure I'll definately have some questions for yall!

 

look at lots and lots of different house plans to find the one that works for u the best

 

will do. and i see that you and some others are from this general southeastern area. maybe yall can just come build it for me. Is building a cabin more complex than building a house(structurally speaking.)?

 

Easier! Dont you remember Lincoln Logs???

 

man that brings back memories. i was a master at lincoln logs.

 

haha me too. Cabins are simple. You can actually buy a pre fabricated one and set it up yourself. They are pretty nice too. My dad is looking into this.

 

heres one we are lookin into. its probably way to expensive even if we built it.
http://www.goldeneagleloghomes.com/log_home_plans_pricing/view_plan.asp?Plan_ID=CountrysBest

we just like the general layout of it

 

Straw Bale House!

 

Do alot of research. Review all of the building codes in your area. What is the zoning? How much are permit fees? Do you have a specific home plan in mind that you can send out for bids? Will you be attempting to build the house yourselves or are you going to meet with some general contractors?

I don't know your backgrounds but building your own place without a lot of construction knowledge can get very expensive real quick. Plan out your goals and set some cost limitations for yourselves and see if it is really possible this early in your lifetimes.

 

Huge! yet nice.

 

cool there is nothing worse than when people leave a big wide flash showing on the roof.... and it always leaks!

 

SOunds like your getting your future together. You can start saving money and at the same time stockpiling supplies for a home if you have the land available already. If you have tall timber in your area you can harvest the logs on the land if this is suitable. Many people have done this and you putting in the labor and sweat will save lots of money. Look for deals on windows, doors, fixtures beforehand and store them somewhere safe for the build. Check with your local agencies (out here K-State had a site for this) for owners of local sawmills to cut your timber to spec. Once you have materials, plans, permits get some friends or contracters to set the piers or pour the foundation then go to town.
I'm going to do this too within the next 7yrs and have my dream cabin. I have my piece of dirt already. Have plans on a 3400 sqft unit with detached steel garage.