Need homebuilding advice

[miko2d]

Guys/gals,
 I am thinking about having a house built in suburban area. I would really like to become proficient in the building process enough to make intelligent decions about designs and materials used - insulation, construction, etc.

 I am a kind of person that would pay extra for construction so that I could save on maintenance and energy bills later and be environmentally friendly.
 The existing houses for sale have the cheapest materials available while I see mentions of insulation and other stuff that is more expencive but much better quality and performance.

 Currently I am looking for the following things in order of priority:
 - References to resources to educate myself so that I could start asking intelligent questions.
 - A list of intelligent questions to ask.
 - What general things to consider - construction, building process, etc.
 - Any details, experience, suggestions, etc.

 miko

[midnight Target]

Ask Norm Abrams

But seriously folks, I watch "this old house" or Bob Villa and learn a ton about whats good and whats not. Seems like they only use the best of everything.

[Horn]

http://www.homebuilding.co.uk/
http://house-plans-home-planning.com/
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/pages/fh_links_03.asp
http://bestoftulsa.com/tulsashomes/advice_and_guides.shtml
http://www.homebuilder.com/Default.asp?poe=homebuilder

G'luck!

dh

[hblair]

Good Luck.

[Drifter1234]

if you are married, it will be the most difficult thing your relationship will endure.  Compromise compromise compromise.

It takes twice as long as you plan and will cost 50% more.  changes upfront are not near as expensive later on.

Think of it as a job.

Good luck it is very satisfying when done.

[Boroda]

Srub.

Izba-pyatistenka is a minimal thing to build.

One of my Jewish friends has a "srub" built in 1920, and it's the best house I have seen.

Srub.

How do You say it in English?

In Cyrrilic: "Ñðóá".

[Furious]

Hire a competent architect....and no I am not biased.


F.

[Hangtime]

get a job in construction.

no teacher better than hands on experience.

[Kanth]

Miko,

few things to look at.

first there are plenty of books covering this subject either at the library or at bookstores (amazon.com)

decide whether you want to have a house designed (for which you will need to hire architects -- more expensive) or whether you want to go with a local builder.

If you look at houses in your area and spot some you like the style of, find out the builder of those and see what they have in their catalog.

Also you can buy packaged appliances for your home from like sears(maytag, kenmore etc..) for washer, dryer, stove dishwasher etc and as a complete appliance package, which can be less expensive than buying them all seperately.

get thee to the library or bookstore =P

Originally posted by miko2d

 Currently I am looking for the following things in order of priority:
 - References to resources to educate myself so that I could start asking intelligent questions.
 - A list of intelligent questions to ask.
 - What general things to consider - construction, building process, etc.
 - Any details, experience, suggestions, etc.

 miko

[Kanth]

[miko2d]

Thanks, guys.
 I will digest the info and come up with more questions later.

 miko