On Nov 23, 4:59*pm, jeff wrote:

actually, i've been considering some type of participatory venture with
more experienced (quite a large collection of folks at this moment)
craftsmen. problem has been mainly, or completely, geographical
distance, excessive cost estimates given by the "locals", and my own sloth.

Sloth is easy enough to maintain under any circumstances, at least by
those of us with decades of practice. Recollecting the distances
involved in your case, I'd be inclined to remain reclined.

despite economy and financial uncertainty, including my own, it's past
time to do something. i figure i'll begin slow on snowbird with the
1-bedroom, leaving the acres at england branch for my second effort, and
having the first go on the snowbird lot. *have to build something with a
bit of architectural interest, just for my own aesthetic, but, as i said
earlier, small. *i've got the susanka small house ideal in mind...get
the snowbird lot cleared for a 30 or 40 x 40 foundation, get septic tank
and well permitted and installed, find a good foundation guy, build
foundation - cement block.

Was unfamiliar with "susanka." Googled. Interesting ideas. I was
particularly struck by: "Not So Big doesn't mean small. It means not
as big as you thought you needed. But as a rule of thumb, a Not So Big
House is approximately a third smaller than your original goal but
about the same price as your original budget." Not exactly the sort
of language I'd use to convey the idea of a good deal. Generally,
smaller should be cheaper, no? Even

that's 2011. whew, i'm tired already.

It'll get easier with experience. There will be all sorts of
aggravations, to be sure, but eventually you'll be working with a
broader and more refined knowledge base. Makes a world of
difference. Meanwhile, thus far, you've got somebody else doing the
heavy work.

that'll give me a year to practice with those pointy things and hammers
before starting the frame. raise high the roofbeams, it's a perfect day
for bananafish!!

Exactly! However, as fine, necessary and useful a tool as a hammer
is, I'd recommend getting electricity in as soon as possible (or
investing in a gasoline run generator), and purchasing a good sized
compressor and a couple of pneumatic nail guns. HUGE time and labor
saver. But be SURE to get some expert guidance and lots of practice
with the nailers BEFORE starting on the house; dangling from a rafter
is a truly bad way to begin the learning process.

and when construction begins, safety and proper building will require
wayno to remain east of the catawba. i'll give due notice.

One suspects that compliance will not be terribly difficult to
enforce.

giles