On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:



In 1976 when I was a lot younger and more energetic, I built a cedar cape
Cod style house myself.
This was the norm up this way at that time. In fact, there was a Provincial
Govt program where those with minimal savings for a downpayment could use
sweat equity in order to get a $23K mortgage to build.
Of course I couldn't build my house for that amount...the program was geared
to small bungalows on modest serviced lots.
I had to find a 2nd mortgage for another $9K. Thought I was in debt up to
my eyeballs way back then..... but the house was beautiful.on a 2/3 acre lot
with well & septic system way out in the country (about 20 miles from city
center) To add to my financial burden, I traded in my 5 yr old Volkswagen
Beatle for a $5K Dodge Aspen S/W.
It all started in march of 1975 when I took over a share in a co-op program
when a member was transfered to the states by his company.
Wife and I cleared the lot of trees & brush while snow was still on the
ground so we could burn off as much as possible in big bonfires.
I hired a company to dig the foundation hole and another to put up the
concrete foundation. Got my brother and a few buddies to help out putting
the 1st floor on...then the wife and I would build the walls and ask
relatives to show up to help erect same.
The big 4' x 12" x 16' douglas fir beams were tricky to put up (post & beam
construction). Once, my brother & law and I fell off the ladders dropping
the beam and narrowly missing me on the floor.
I did hire a friend of my wifes' family to help finish off the double course
cedar shingles on the exterior walls, and another guy to lay the asphalt
shingles on the roof.
(turned out the roofing guy was married to a cousin of mine).
Once inside, an old friend who was a licensed electrician got the permit but
a friend of my brothers (apprentice electrician) did the work.
Next we got other neighbourhood friends to do the plumbing while home for
Christmas vacation from Alberta.
Lastly the in-laws gyprocked the entire house no charge. I just supplied
the materials.
Finally got in in February 1976.
A few years later I added an attached 1.5 story garage all by myself.
Now when I have a project, I hire a guy from my wifes' former company to do
most of the work while I act as assistant. (re addition for mon in 2002,
replacement of all the old windows with vinyl, tearing down of old garage &
building of 2 new sheds, decking & fence additions etc)

Must be a good feeling living in a house you built yourself.
Closest I came was doing the rear porches on my 2-flat.
3 vertical 6"x 6" x @30' - can't remember, they had to be butted.
Big job working alone, but I got my brother out once when I needed
him. The old posts had rotted.
The iced tea on that porch was always especially tasty.

--Vic