BoatBanter.com - Building your own home

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Boater[_3_]

December 31st 08 01:54 PM

Building your own home

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his name
address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and
phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. After all, Harry
Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are, where
you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be warned. My
secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to post
my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you telling me
that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is subject to threats
of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address and
phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 01:58 PM

Building your own home

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and
phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. After all,
Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

Boater[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:03 PM

Building your own home

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling
you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one
a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a
coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured
I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal name,
address and phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats.
After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:05 PM

Building your own home

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one
a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a
coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured
I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal name,
address and phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats.
After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement
shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:07 PM

Building your own home

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H
Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.
Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house
was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace a
piece of lumber.
Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling dimensional
product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

That is a very unusual and special piece of lumber. VEry hard to find
in most lumber yards. It is 4 ft. x 12" x 16 ft.

John H[_8_]

December 31st 08 02:09 PM

Building your own home

On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......

It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H

Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.

Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house
was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace a
piece of lumber.

Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling dimensional
product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

John H[_8_]

December 31st 08 02:11 PM

Building your own home

On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:58:06 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and
phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. After all,
Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

I've had a better thought. I think posting his name, address, and phone
number is suitable when he calls someone names. That way, the offended
party can give him a call or write a little note explaining that bad
behavior is not welcome.

I like it. I may start the New Year with that resolution.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Jim	December 31st 08 02:14 PM

Building your own home

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes
one a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is
NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I
figured I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal
name, address and phone number every time I make a post in
rec.boats. After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out
what that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't
need to post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are
you telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet
is subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with
cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name,
address and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you
must agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Now you are catching on.

John H[_8_]

December 31st 08 02:16 PM

Building your own home

On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:07:51 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H
Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.
Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house
was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace a
piece of lumber.
Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling dimensional
product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

That is a very unusual and special piece of lumber. VEry hard to find
in most lumber yards. It is 4 ft. x 12" x 16 ft.

It's even bigger than any bridge timbers I've ever worked with. Hell, now I
know who's been cutting down our giant sequoias.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:18 PM

Building your own home

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:58:06 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*
John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.
You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H
I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and
phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. After all,
Harry Krause has brass balls.
You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

I've had a better thought. I think posting his name, address, and phone
number is suitable when he calls someone names. That way, the offended
party can give him a call or write a little note explaining that bad
behavior is not welcome.

I like it. I may start the New Year with that resolution.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Harry stated that is the advantage of posting your personal info. It
would result in a kinder, gentler rec.boats. You may be right. It will
be interesting to see if actually has that effect.

Boater[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:19 PM

Building your own home

Jim wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes
one a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is
NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I
figured I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal
name, address and phone number every time I make a post in
rec.boats. After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out
what that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't
need to post my legal name, because you already know who I am?
Are you telling me that someone who makes his name be known in
Usenet is subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water
with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name,
address and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you
must agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Now you are catching on.
It doesn't really matter anymore. I'm moving. The damn landlady raised
my rent again.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 02:21 PM

Building your own home

Jim wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes
one a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is
NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I
figured I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal
name, address and phone number every time I make a post in
rec.boats. After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out
what that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't
need to post my legal name, because you already know who I am?
Are you telling me that someone who makes his name be known in
Usenet is subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water
with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name,
address and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you
must agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Now you are catching on.

It looks like the cat has Harry Krause's tongue, he can not answer a
simple question, all he does is make threats.

[email protected]

December 31st 08 02:24 PM

Building your own home

On Dec 31, 9:11*am, John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:58:06 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."

wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.."
*

* * John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. *He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. *If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and
phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. *After all,
Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. *I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. *Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? *Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and *phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

I've had a better thought. I think posting his name, address, and phone
number is suitable when he calls someone names. That way, the offended
party can give him a call or write a little note explaining that bad
behavior is not welcome.

I like it. I may start the New Year with that resolution.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I like that idea!

[email protected]

December 31st 08 02:26 PM

Building your own home

On Dec 31, 9:03*am, Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.."
*

* * John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling
you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. *He believes not to do so makes one
a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a
coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. *If he has no objection, I figured
I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal name,
address and phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats. *
After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. *I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. *Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? *Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and *phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted fromhttp://www.teranews.com**- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's precious! Harry follows Reggie around like a sick puppy, then
asks Reggie to stop harassing him!

Jim	December 31st 08 02:31 PM

Building your own home

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Jim wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his
address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got
you 'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting
his name address and phone number. He believes not to do so
makes one a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a
handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I
figured I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal
name, address and phone number every time I make a post in
rec.boats. After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out
what that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't
need to post my legal name, because you already know who I am?
Are you telling me that someone who makes his name be known in
Usenet is subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water
with cement shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name,
address and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you
must agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up
into dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Now you are catching on.

It looks like the cat has Harry Krause's tongue, he can not answer a
simple question, all he does is make threats.

I think you have him in a position now where he will beg for mercy.

Don White

December 31st 08 03:49 PM

Building your own home

"John H" wrote in message
...

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Good work genius...just maybe you aren't as clueless as you present here.

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 04:20 PM

Building your own home

D.Duck wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...
Jim wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*
John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his
address.
You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H
I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one
a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a
coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured
I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal name,
address and phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats.
After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.
You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement
shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.
Now you are catching on.
It looks like the cat has Harry Krause's tongue, he can not answer a
simple question, all he does is make threats.

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Oh, .... never mind ... ;)

D.Duck

December 31st 08 04:21 PM

Building your own home

"Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq." wrote in message
...
Jim wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his
address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start
calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which
allows him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his
name address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one
a coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a
coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal
name, address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured
I would just add a sig file so it would post his legal name,
address and phone number every time I make a post in rec.boats.
After all, Harry Krause has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are,
where you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be
warned. My secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Harry Krause,

I didn't think I was messing with anyone. I can not figure out what
that rambling statement means. Are you telling me I don't need to
post my legal name, because you already know who I am? Are you
telling me that someone who makes his name be known in Usenet is
subject to threats of death, by being thrown in water with cement
shoes?

or

Are you telling me you don't care who knows your legal name, address
and phone number?

I am willing to consider letting you off the hook. In return you must
agree to stop harassing me immediately.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

What happened to those brass balls you had, did they shrivel up into
dust?

The condition of my balls is not germane to this discussion . Please
stop harassing me.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Are you saying you do not want your personal info published in
rec.boats? If so just say so.

Now you are catching on.

It looks like the cat has Harry Krause's tongue, he can not answer a
simple question, all he does is make threats.

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Boater[_3_]

December 31st 08 06:47 PM

Building your own home

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

December 31st 08 07:07 PM

Building your own home

Boater wrote:
D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.

Those balls shriveled up real fast didn't they.

Harry "No Balls" Krause.

You want everyone else to post personal info, but lost your balls when
you thought about your personal info being posted. You coward.

John H[_8_]

December 31st 08 07:41 PM

Building your own home

On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:46 AM

Building your own home

Calif Bill wrote:
"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the general
I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H
Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16 feet
long.
Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house was
built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace a piece
of lumber.

You're right but he's talking about building a house now.

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:48 AM

Building your own home

Boater wrote:
Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq. wrote:
John H wrote:
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:12:47 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
*

John H
It appears that Harry has no problem with me posting his address.

You put Harry in a tough spot. His only choice is to start calling you
names or just not answer. Soon he'll be pretending he's got you
'filtered'.
It will be in his special filter, named after himself, which allows
him to
read all the posts from those he 'filtered'.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I have to assume Harry Krause has no problem with me posting his name
address and phone number. He believes not to do so makes one a
coward, and we all know that anyone who owns a handgun is NOT a coward.

I decided to give him 24 hrs to object to me posting his legal name,
address and phone number. If he has no objection, I figured I would
just add a sig file so it would post his legal name, address and phone
number every time I make a post in rec.boats. After all, Harry Krause
has brass balls.

You don't know how you are messing with Bub. I know who you are, where
you are and what size union made cement shoes you wear. Be warned. My
secret friend is ready to pounce.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

And that's today's comedy segment!

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:49 AM

Building your own home

Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
snip..
He, Jimh, and Donnie
make a great team.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Wish we could say the same about your motly ragtag group.
Ineffective leadership is the most obvious problem with quality of
recruitment a close second.

There's that "we" again from the dumbest of the three!

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:51 AM

Building your own home

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:53 AM

Building your own home

D K[_2_]

January 1st 09 02:54 AM

Building your own home

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:07:51 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H
Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.
Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house
was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace a
piece of lumber.
Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling dimensional
product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H
That is a very unusual and special piece of lumber. VEry hard to find
in most lumber yards. It is 4 ft. x 12" x 16 ft.

It's even bigger than any bridge timbers I've ever worked with. Hell, now I
know who's been cutting down our giant sequoias.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

It's usually douglas fir or yellow pine.

[email protected]

January 1st 09 03:03 AM

Building your own home

On Dec 31, 9:54*pm, D K wrote:
John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:07:51 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
"D K" wrote in message
news:OqKdnRuuuf8KfsfUnZ2dnUVZ_uSdnZ2d@giganew s.com...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
news:6t6ll4dsjf0fim33pkcdgf6f0ordar41m5@4ax .com...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
news:54hkl4dhglf6nte37t993ml2r4tft3m0uv@4 ax.com...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. *Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity.. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... *or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. *I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the ****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. *There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. *Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

* *John H
Lord help us! * I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' *means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.
Wrong. *It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. *If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. *My mothers house
was built in 1908. *A 2x4 is 2" by 4". *A problem when having to replace a
piece of lumber.
Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling dimensional
product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 *x 3 5/8 inches

Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H
That is a very unusual and special piece of lumber. *VEry hard to find
in most lumber yards. * It is 4 ft. x 12" *x 16 ft.

It's even bigger than any bridge timbers I've ever worked with. Hell, now I
know who's been cutting down our giant sequoias.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H

It's usually douglas fir or yellow pine.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Our house in Essex is full size rough cut 2x8's and 10's of Chestnut,
it's a hundred year house. Across the street the house is 200 and has
the same rough cut beams as well as 20-30 inch planks for walls under
the clapboard...

Happy new year guys!
JustWaitAFrekinMinute...

Don White

January 1st 09 02:49 PM

Building your own home

wrote in message
...

Our house in Essex is full size rough cut 2x8's and 10's of Chestnut,
it's a hundred year house. Across the street the house is 200 and has
the same rough cut beams as well as 20-30 inch planks for walls under
the clapboard...

Happy new year guys!
JustWaitAFrekinMinute...
************************************************** **************

Better watch out..the guy who doesn't know what kind of 2 stroke oil to put
in his 4 stroke engine, or how to winterize an engine after boating for 75
years
will be all over you for having 8 foot wide lumber.

John H[_8_]

January 1st 09 03:00 PM

Building your own home

On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 10:49:52 -0400, "Don White"
wrote:

wrote in message
...

Our house in Essex is full size rough cut 2x8's and 10's of Chestnut,
it's a hundred year house. Across the street the house is 200 and has
the same rough cut beams as well as 20-30 inch planks for walls under
the clapboard...

Happy new year guys!
JustWaitAFrekinMinute...
************************************************* ***************

Better watch out..the guy who doesn't know what kind of 2 stroke oil to put
in his 4 stroke engine, or how to winterize an engine after boating for 75
years
will be all over you for having 8 foot wide lumber.

Don, he wasn't using the apostrophe to describe a unit of measure, as you
were.

But, you've realized your mistake. Get over it.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq.[_3_]

January 1st 09 03:21 PM

Building your own home

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I think it makes sense to post his Name, address and phone number EVERY
time he mentions his Bozo Bin. ;)

[email protected]

January 1st 09 04:04 PM

Building your own home

On Jan 1, 11:05*am, John H wrote:
On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:21:15 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."

wrote:
John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H

I think it makes sense to post his Name, address and phone number EVERY
time he mentions his Bozo Bin. *;)

You handle the Bozo Bin.

There, I've partially broken a resolution already, talking 'about' him. Oh
well, some are meant to be broken.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

C'mon John, do it for the rest of us;)

John H[_8_]

January 1st 09 04:05 PM

Building your own home

On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:21:15 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I think it makes sense to post his Name, address and phone number EVERY
time he mentions his Bozo Bin. ;)

You handle the Bozo Bin.

There, I've partially broken a resolution already, talking 'about' him. Oh
well, some are meant to be broken.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

John H[_8_]

January 1st 09 04:11 PM

Building your own home

On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 08:04:22 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On Jan 1, 11:05*am, John H wrote:
On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:21:15 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."

wrote:
John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H

I think it makes sense to post his Name, address and phone number EVERY
time he mentions his Bozo Bin. *;)

You handle the Bozo Bin.

There, I've partially broken a resolution already, talking 'about' him. Oh
well, some are meant to be broken.
--
** Good Day! **

* * John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

C'mon John, do it for the rest of us;)

Do what?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Don White

January 1st 09 04:54 PM

Building your own home

"John H" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 08:04:22 -0800 (PST),
wrote:

On Jan 1, 11:05 am, John H wrote:
On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:21:15 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."

wrote:
John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:47:57 -0500, Boater
wrote:

D.Duck wrote:

You DO know this Boater is a fake don't you?

Reggie is in my bozo bin along with the rest of the turds.
Smells much better in here now. Herring realized he was in there and
changed his handle to get around it...poor dumb schitt thinks that
still
works...but the log says no, no, no.

:)

Starting tomorrow, that name-calling will earn a name, address, and
telephone number posting.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

I think it makes sense to post his Name, address and phone number EVERY
time he mentions his Bozo Bin. ;)

You handle the Bozo Bin.

There, I've partially broken a resolution already, talking 'about' him.
Oh
well, some are meant to be broken.
--
** Good Day! **

John H- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

C'mon John, do it for the rest of us;)

Do what?
--
** Good Day! **

John H

Get a life and stop obsessing on Harry!

CalifBill

January 1st 09 08:57 PM

Building your own home

"Don White" wrote in message
...

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...

"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater
wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing market
to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has anyone
in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity. You
can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an
equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as
General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......

It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to be
way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not line
up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at 2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the
****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because he
was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to
think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H

Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam 16
feet long.

Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers house
was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having to replace
a piece of lumber.

Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling
dimensional product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

It is that everywhere now. But a 2x4 in years past was really 2" by 4" and
rough on the sides.

CalifBill

January 1st 09 08:58 PM

Building your own home

"D K" wrote in message
...
John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:07:51 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III, Esq."
wrote:

John H wrote:
On Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:48:59 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
...
"D K" wrote in message
...
Don White wrote:
"John H" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:29:54 -0400, "Don White"

wrote:

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:34:39 -0500, Boater

wrote:

Gene wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:03:49 -0500, "Reginald P. Smithers III,
Esq."
wrote:

We are thinking about using this downturn in the housing
market to
build
a new home, and acting as our own General Contractor. Has
anyone in
the
group done this and do they have any words of advice?
Yes, with three houses and two workshops. Not only was I
General
Contractor, I was also 50% of the labor.

Your only real savings, in this market, will be sweat equity.
You can
buy cheaper than you can build.... you just have to find an
equally
desperate mortgagee and mortgagor.... or you could do it the
seat
equity route, if you have the cash, tools, and a desire to
make it
happen.

No bank is going to let *you* (as their mortgagor) serve as
General
Contractor unless you hold a contractor's license.

Advice? You're crazy to even attempt it...... uh, but wasn't I
thinking about adding on to the workshop.....

.... Oh, never mind......
It's an incredible burner of time. I had to do it because the
general I
hired to build a custom home in Northern Virginia turned out to
be way
overextended financially from previous projects, and could not
line up
the subs I wanted, and was teetering.

I can imagine the waste of time. I had the misfortune to have
my
house torched once - if it wasn't for a neighbor coming home at
2 AM
and raising the alarm we might have been killed.
Anyway, I hired a private adjuster, and you wouldn't believe the
****
I went through with him and his crews.
Had to show his "carpenter" how to cut stringers.
Came home from work one day and his "plaster guys" had done the
kitchen with 1/2" drywall, no shims, to replace the nearly full
inch
of plaster and lath. There was almost a half inch gap between
the
door and window casings and the drywall.
Had it all torn out by the next day I got home from work, but
there
was always some BS waiting for me.
I'd leave work saying, "Let's see what they ****ed up today."
Anyway, I finally got everything done about 85% right, but I
never
yelled so much and got in so many faces in such a short period
of
time. Actually, I went easy on the crews, they were what they
were,
but laid into the adjuster, who's really a GC, a lot.
What was good is the adjuster did keep us in the house because
he was
real good at getting the essentials quickly restored.
That was important to me as I had the wife and 4 little kids to
think
about, and work, so there was no way I even had time to be my
own
general.
Win some, lose some.

--Vic
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)

A 1ft by 4ft by 16ft beam is a hefty beam all right.

--
** Good Day! **

John H
Lord help us! I hope you don't ever plan to build your own house.
When I put a " after a number...that means INCHES
when I put a ' after a number...that meens FEET
so...4"x12" x 16' means a four inch thick by 12 inches wide beam
16 feet long.
Wrong. It's 3-1/2" X 11-1/4" X 16'

Depends. If it is dimensional lumber or older lumber. My mothers
house was built in 1908. A 2x4 is 2" by 4". A problem when having
to replace a piece of lumber.
Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling
dimensional product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is
really 1 5/8 x 3 5/8 inches
Hey Donnie, what's a * 4' x 12" x 16' *?

Or are you going to say it was just a typo?
--
** Good Day! **

John H
That is a very unusual and special piece of lumber. VEry hard to find
in most lumber yards. It is 4 ft. x 12" x 16 ft.

It's even bigger than any bridge timbers I've ever worked with. Hell, now
I
know who's been cutting down our giant sequoias.
--
** Good Day! **

John H

It's usually douglas fir or yellow pine.

And a glulam beam.

Vic Smith

January 1st 09 09:18 PM

Building your own home

On Thu, 1 Jan 2009 12:57:18 -0800, "CalifBill"
wrote:

"Don White" wrote in message
.. .

Up here, the lumber yards use the old measurements when selling
dimensional product.
Everyone with half a brain (sorry Johnny) knows that a 2" x 4" is really 1
5/8 x 3 5/8 inches

It is that everywhere now. But a 2x4 in years past was really 2" by 4" and
rough on the sides.

Heh. That 1 5/8 by 3 5/8 is what I remember buying as 2x4's when I
first started buying lumber.
When I noticed it was 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 some years ago I looked up when
it changed to the smaller dimensions, but got no real answer.
Still confused. Maybe I was getting Canadian stuff.
Found this, but I don't have enough beer in the house to get through
it.
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/misc/miscpub_6409.pdf

--Vic

Vic Smith

January 2nd 09 12:30 AM

Building your own home

On Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:14:21 -0500, wrote:

I think you will find they are 38mm x 89mm now along with that plywood
that is 12mm and 18mm. The approximate "inch" designations like 15/32
plywood are just for old geezers who don't believe in the commie
metric system.

Is that the system that was supposed to be on the road signs 30 years
ago?
When I had a '64 VW bug, I had every metric wrench needed for it and
could estimate metric nut/bolt sizes with about 99% accuracy.
Still remember the engine to bell housing nuts were 17mm.
Junked it in '74, and never needed to know a metric weight/measure
since. Wish I could forget that 17mm.
Of course I'm not the one plotting space vehicle trajectories that
crash into Mars because of confusing meters and yards.

--Vic

D K[_2_]

January 2nd 09 02:50 AM

Building your own home

Don White wrote:
wrote in message
...

Our house in Essex is full size rough cut 2x8's and 10's of Chestnut,
it's a hundred year house. Across the street the house is 200 and has
the same rough cut beams as well as 20-30 inch planks for walls under
the clapboard...

Happy new year guys!
JustWaitAFrekinMinute...
************************************************** **************

Better watch out..the guy who doesn't know what kind of 2 stroke oil to put
in his 4 stroke engine, or how to winterize an engine after boating for 75
years
will be all over you for having 8 foot wide lumber.

You really do get dumber by the minute!

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