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I want to build my own house, with my own hands that is.

Problem: I have no idea how you build a house :)

Is there a complete reference on how to do it? How do you set the foundations, how are the walls raised, roof, inside of the house etc etc

Don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy. Some stuff will be hard to do by me, some impossible, some I will restrain from doing (like electric part), heck I might even discover that I won't be able to do it at all...

But I want to know HOW it's done! For me it's like things you must be able to do in a lifetime like know how to ride a bicycle, change a diper, build a house....

Help!

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It's right behind the "How to build a car from scratch" manual. Over by the "How to perform heart surgery" book. ;) – techie007 Aug 19 '12 at 19:11
This question is far too broad to be answerable on Stack Exchange. If you have a more specific question we're only too happy to help. – ChrisF♦ Aug 19 '12 at 20:32
I don't even dare to comment on this one! – shirlock homes Aug 20 '12 at 10:34
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consider volunteering with your local Habitat for Humanity chapter to get some hands on experience in homebuilding. They also have a great book - amazon.com/Habitat-Humanity-Build-Revised-Updated/dp/1561589675 - that gives an overview of the construction process – Jason Aug 20 '12 at 14:37

closed as not a real question by ChrisF♦ Aug 19 '12 at 20:31

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

2 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

Yes you are absolutely nuts. This isn't a small fort/clubhouse/treehouse we build as kids. This is a structure that has tons of mass and forces acting on it. Building a house is NOT a DIY project. Depending on your locality, everything has to be done a certain way. Foundation thickness, footer depth, wall depth, insulation, roof shingle types, the amount of nails in each stud, cross bracing, type of wire a breakers to use, length and width of studs and joists. Many new houses (here in NY) have to be built with steel I-beams. Some walls need 5/8 fire code rock, others need double 5/8 rock for fire code.

Stick with leggos or something, it will be safer for you, your family and neighbors in the end.

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OK, point tacken. But you didn't answer the question. Let me ask in another way: what is the manual professional builders use? – bon Aug 19 '12 at 16:16
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Builders don't read/have manuals per say, they learn from years of experience. Usually start as a laborer and work their way up the ladder learning as they go. One guy does not do they whole job, they hire subs (professionals that specialize in certain fields) to pour the foundation, frame the house, pull the wire, install the security systems, plumbing etc.. There are code books that are read. I have been doing this long enough that I can build a house but I won't, there is too much involved. – Gunner Aug 19 '12 at 16:44
You want the manual? Buy all of the code manuals relevant to your location, and learn all of those. – whatsisname Aug 19 '12 at 20:52
I disagree that building residential house is not a DIY job. It is and have been done many times. However, as others pointed out, building a house is a major undertaking. Without carefull planning and realistic assement of your skills you will fail. I suggest buying a fixer upper house and practicing your skills on it. At least you will have a place to leave and can work on it incrementally. – Vitaliy Aug 20 '12 at 15:25
up vote 1 down vote

Maybe you want to find a sympathetic builder who will let you apprentice on the job. If you are fit and reasonably bright, she/he might let you hire on as a laborer, to watch, learn, haul, help as it goes.

My friend Dan, a master builder, would occasionally accede to these requests from those commissioning a home who also wanted to be part of the process. Of course, rather than paying the "helper", he charged them extra for the privilege.

P.S. I know how to do a lot of stuff. For example, I know how to install gas lines (and have done so in the past). I will no longer install gas lines because I am old enough and have made enough mistakes on things I "know" how to do to realize some things really are best left to professionals. On some things, when you make a novice's mistake, the consequences can be serious injury or worse, for you and others.

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