Ideas Anyone - About ready to give up!

[ChristyACB]

Sure hope some of you out there have some ideas for me.

I've posted before that I'm retiring to Cherokee Village in Arkansas. I have just under an acre there on two adjoining lots. Good land for a nice garden and nearest neighbor out of eyeshot.

Here is the problem.

I've got to build the house. Fine, I've contracted to build 2 so far that I've lived in. But this time I'm thinking permanent and really good lumber is getting expensive and the typical builder's quality today won't last 100 years. To say nothing of all the other junk.

So, I thought I'd go either SIP, ICF or Concrete Block (or poured) for the home. I like concrete better since it will last for way longer than any of us will for sure.

1) No one will give me an estimate on the costs for a standard plan.
2) Very few plans for it and most are Floridian. Can't find anyone to just draft up a plan for a homesteader in concrete regular. But how can I pay for a design when I have no idea how much that idea will cost.
3) No one out there appears to be doing that type of work. Hard to find a good contractor from here so far away, but the internet yields almost nothing save high end mall builders and other big commercial builders.
4) I'm lost. Just lost.

Can anyone give me a pointer that puts me on the line where I should start. I'm absolutely baffled here and am about ready to just put my finger on a plan from any old book and built with sticks. But I don't want to be an 80 year old with a falling down house. I want concrete!

Thanks for listening to my ravings

Added: No offense to all the creative types out there, but I'm not looking for hay bales, shipping containers, trash bins or anything like that. I'd like a nice traditional home that is homesteader friendly and I'm exploring ICF and Concrete block or poured.

I will be past my physical prime from the get go and the SOLE worker on the place until I get too old to live alone...hopefully till I die. So creative high maintenance stuff after 20 years is super bad. Concrete is good.

[mr.breeze]

Have you given any thought to a log home, a well built one will out last you,IMO.

[ChristyACB]

I'm pretty set on concrete based on longevity and continued maint. I will be living on my own into old age. Lived in a log home before, more maint than an old lady on her own can do, I fear.

[ChristieAcres]

Construction of a home using Shipping Containers is gaining some popularity. Some are very interesting! There is a company, and that could be googled, who sell them pre-done. So, that when they are delivered, you have a home that is assembled quickly. I like the idea of concrete, but not the moisture issues (here in the PNW, that wouldn't work for me). If I could choose a home type, I would probably go with made of large beams/posts, exterior finished with stucco (permanently colored), and the longest lasting roof I could find. There is an outfit in Canada, still providing old growth lumber packages for this type of construction. DH wants to build another log home (he built one over 20 years ago- 3 story, beautiful home as he showed it to me). These days, DH isn't so keen on staying where we are. He has been contemplating a move to Alaska. Of course, there he would sure fit in, but I am not so sure he would like the Winters (not enough sunlight for him), and a lot of snow (cold, brrrrrr). Me? I'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

[ChristyACB]

Lori, thank you for your insight, but I'm really looking for information on concrete and all of that.

To clarify: it is in northern arkansas. No major moisture problems, occasional tornado warnings, generally temperate with even seasons (all 4 of them).

[sgl42]

when you say "have to build", do you mean that there is some sort of requirement that you build in a certain time period? (i know some land in some subdivisions is sold with such a requirement.) Or do you just mean that you want the house built and available for move-in at the moment you retire and move there?

if the later, you might consider short-term living arrangements there after you retire, so you can be there on-the-ground to inspect, determine which local contractors are honorable, etc. perhaps not ideal, but might be fewer headaches that trying to remotely manage a contractor of unknown reliability and honesty, and difficult communications for those last-minute issues that pop up under any circumstances even with quality personnel.

do you know anyone in the local community yet? are you a member of any groups now that would have a local organization there? eg, you're military, so perhaps starting a relationship with the local VFW there would yield some insights into who the quality contractors are. plus give you a running start on group to socialize with once you move in. any of religious or civic group, alumni associations, etc, might yield similar contacts that would be useful for sorting thru reputations better than the internet.

--sgl

[simplepeace]

Christy,

My first thought is to try a search for Florida building companies/ contractors. The economy in FL is really hurting as far as construction goes, and you may get a good deal on someone setting up temporarily in Arkansas to build for you - cost might not even be that crazy? It would be worth a try I think. I can't believe anyone is saying no nowadays.... wow

K

[palani]

http://www.concretehomesmagazine.com...d=44&Itemid=56
Seems like a lot of 'crete plans here.

If you are looking for skilled concrete finishers bring in a crew from Puerto Rico. Most of what is built there is concrete..... termite problem.

[AngieM2]

http://countryplans.com/

This is a simple plans, build yourself place and has a forum with the site owner/designer of the plans to answer questions.

i have one of their house plans for when I get a chance to build.

But - take a look at their plans, they are simple and they might be able to convert to concrete block houses.

Right now, I'm trying to find the University of Michigan or Minn site that has house plans that are from the 30's and time such as that - those are simple houses, and they might have concrete block style in there.

Angie

[KIT.S]

In Oregon you can check with the State licensing board for contractors. You might see if the same thing holds in Arkansas. Another choice would be to talk to the local Realtor's Association. They know the builders in the area, and you can probably get ahold of them by email.
Kit

[fordy]

Originally Posted by ChristyACB

Sure hope some of you out there have some ideas for me.

I've posted before that I'm retiring to Cherokee Village in Arkansas. I have just under an acre there on two adjoining lots. Good land for a nice garden and nearest neighbor out of eyeshot.

Here is the problem.

I've got to build the house. Fine, I've contracted to build 2 so far that I've lived in. But this time I'm thinking permanent and really good lumber is getting expensive and the typical builder's quality today won't last 100 years. To say nothing of all the other junk.

So, I thought I'd go either SIP, ICF or Concrete Block (or poured) for the home. I like concrete better since it will last for way longer than any of us will for sure.

1) No one will give me an estimate on the costs for a standard plan.
2) Very few plans for it and most are Floridian. Can't find anyone to just draft up a plan for a homesteader in concrete regular. But how can I pay for a design when I have no idea how much that idea will cost.
3) No one out there appears to be doing that type of work. Hard to find a good contractor from here so far away, but the internet yields almost nothing save high end mall builders and other big commercial builders.
4) I'm lost. Just lost.

Can anyone give me a pointer that puts me on the line where I should start. I'm absolutely baffled here and am about ready to just put my finger on a plan from any old book and built with sticks. But I don't want to be an 80 year old with a falling down house. I want concrete!

Thanks for listening to my ravings

Added: No offense to all the creative types out there, but I'm not looking for hay bales, shipping containers, trash bins or anything like that. I'd like a nice traditional home that is homesteader friendly and I'm exploring ICF and Concrete block or poured.

I will be past my physical prime from the get go and the SOLE worker on the place until I get too old to live alone...hopefully till I die. So creative high maintenance stuff after 20 years is super bad. Concrete is good.

.................Instead of approaching this project in Toto , why not focus on researching the three best types of exterior facades , like Brick , metal or wood ! Personally , brick is probably the most maintenance free and you indicated you're not interested in anything that requires annual upkeep !
.................Next , I'd think you'd want a reinforced basement\storm cellar where you can escape too when you've been talkin with Jack Daniels or Johnny walker , lol ! Maybe install one of those Brass Fireman Poles that allows you too slide into a nice big Hot tube with a Toddy in your hand Whilst the Storm rages .
.................My point is I suppose , divide the project up into pieces and focus on each individual piece and before you know it you'll be putting the crossword puzzle together with a complete solution that will become obvious . , fordy

[Crowbar]

I think you ought to think it over .My wife and I are retired and living in a nice home on a very private place. we hate to leave. But we are going to just because we have concrete floors . They are very cold in the winter and when you get older they will affect your legs and back. We are going to build a new home a sort distance away just because of the concrete .

[SueMc]

My son is interested in ICF. There is an Amish builder near here that is using this method for building. I don't know much about it myself but it seems worthwhile to investigate. Here is a website that may help in your decision making:

http://www.forms.org/index.cfm/buildingicf

[rambler]

Concrete can get kinda cold & moist in the wrong humid location. Takes good buliding skills to do that right. I think you are in a humid location. Seems hard to buck what is common.

So, just like you _don't_ want, I'm going to suggest something else..... Sorry.

Metal siding and the newer style metal shingles (not barn tin, but coated metal that looks like real shingles) would cost a bit but be maitenence free for any of our lifetimes. 50 year warrenty on most of that.

Would be something your heirs, or the next buyer, would be pretty excited to buy as it is common & normal materials......

Anyhow, you'll need a roof even on concrete, so might want to look into the metal
shingles. Asphault is just getting to be worse & more spendy all the time. Doesn't last.

--->Paul

[rancher1913]

talk to your local concrete dealer, they will have a list of local masons. talk to several small time older masons and find one you like and get him in on the ground floor. draw your own plans and let the mason do the rest. the older the mason and the more experiance the better. younger newbies will be to gung ho to do a quality job so the older and slower the better.

[chestnut]

For low to no maintenance I would go with brick and aluminum shingles. There's also cement fiber siding if you don't like brick. Happy retirement

[grams]

I'll ask some folks I know and see if any might be interested. Do you only want poured crete, or are you open to blocks? Do you have a sq ft in mind? When are you wanting to build? Those type homes are not unheard of in Arkansas.

I spoke recently with a guy in southern Ark who does the concrete homes. I will try to find his phone number so you can call him... maybe it won't be too far for him to travel to northern Ark for a job project?

[Grandmotherbear]

I live in 2 concrete block houses- one city, one country. They tend to hold the cold in the winter. One of the chaplains I work with told me about a couple who insulated their concrete block house with styrofoam- the long and cheap way. Seems like they cleaned up after every Sunday coffe hour, washed out the styrofoam cups and took them home and dropped them down the airspace in the outer wall blocks. Took years. If I was building from scratch, I think I would want to have a Tyvek-type house wrap to reduce this problem. I've had to put heavy curtains over the windows, which cuts down on the sunlight coming in a tends to make me hemmed in so I throw the curtains open and then GFB freezes..

[navygirl]

Take a look at this website... http://www.monolithic.com/. Monolithic Domes are becoming pretty mainstream. Simple to build, lasts forever, made of concrete, pages of of plans, almost impervious to all natural disasters and I believe you won't have any trouble getting an estimate out of them. Additionally, a lot of folks build their own after helping someone else build theirs (to learn how).
I wanted one but my land already has a house and unless I win the lottery, I don't see demo-ing this one to build a dome house...
Best of luck... looking forward to reading about your exploits with whatever you decide.