Build your own House? or move into built house?

[Enigma]

well, because i've moved into a house that my parents have designed, i thought i'd ask you guys a question.
i'm wondering, what would you guys do if you had choice?

1. build your own house, and move into it.

2. move into a house that is already built.

tell me which one you'd do, and why.

[The Collector]

Move into a house already built: I have someone to sue if something breaks, or there is toxic waste on the dirt of my house. :P
Actually, building your own home requires you to plan out and devise it's construction before you need it. Building a house is more of a "spur of the moment" thing where you don't require long periods of planning, hiring of contractors, procuring materials and so forth.

Most people don't have the time to plan out their own home construction (some people work, some would like to party, some have other important affairs to carryon with). While I am sure those who are: rich, have the time and coordination, or those lucky enough to have a house custom-built for them (as in your case) will be happier with their purchase, but by no measureable means happier then anyone who moved into a house built by a developer. I would have to say a decent house and a customized house are both decent, but one requires a lot of time and possibly more money: but at least you "know" your house a lot better then a person who buys it off a developer.

[Edit: Added spaces to my bricks to make them paragraphs. Also have to state more explicitly that I would rather move into a house built by developer b/c of convienence.]

[Bad]

As a carpenter for 15 years I would recommend buying a good used strarter home for your first dwelling. Then down the line once time money and experince allows build your own place.
For new construction get a reputable general contractor with referances and i can not stress this enough a BUILDING CONTRACT. It will protect both you and the contractor.
For a used home get a home inspector if you are serious about a house. It will be the best $200-$400 you ever spent

[Earth-Command]

Buy a house and move into it.

Building your own house is a nightmare.

A friend of mine is in the process of having his first home built. Got the builders to quote on the job. In the first week they found they had mis-quoted the cost of suppling power to the site + $2500.

Then when they put in his glass sliding doors they wern't secured properly and blew out in a storm, you would think they would replace them, no they repaired them and told them they put in new ones.

This just a few of the dramas they have had. They have a building contract and the most the builder has to pay a day for breach of contract is $45 a day.

:wowsers:

[Paladin]

Given the ability to do so, I absolutely would build my own. And I mean build it. With my own two hands and the tools in my toolbox. No contractors, just me.

Nothing can compare to the satisfaction of knowing you built something yourself.

-Paladin

[jpaugh78]

My father just got done building his house (just like Paladin just said....with his own hands....no contractors). It is by far the best looking house i've ever been in. Generally when you have contractors build a house, they don't really try to do a "good" job....they try to get it over with. My father has been a carpender for his whole life, and he puts most other carpenders to shame. He always takes his time and makes everything look as good as possible. I really wish everybody could see the hard work that he put into this house.

I personally don't know shit about building a house...but if I had unlimited money to do so, i'd pay my father to build me a house.... ;)

[SquidDNA]

In all probability I'll likely get a "used" house when the time comes.

Someday, though, I'm going to have a steel house built. Damn thing will be a fortress. Of course, that'll be after I've cured my third major disease, my second nobel prize, and my fifth beast-man variant. :lol:

[jpaugh78]

Don't forget to make it stainless steel......would suck to have a big, old rusty metal house.

[SquidDNA]

Actually, depending on the project, fast-rusting steel can be preferable because the initial layer of rust protects the bulk of the peice from further oxidation. That's as far as I remember-- you see a lot of railroad overpasses like this.

[ionfish]

I rather like the colour and texture of rusting steel, so long as it doesn't threaten the integrity of the structure.

Paladin's already summed up my views pretty well, so I won't waste time repeating them. Suffice to say that building something is one of the most satisfying experiences you can ever have.

[Zepherian]

Build that steel house somewhere hot Squid ;) I like my seafood well done...

[Trinity]

I am in the process of building a custom home with a General Contractor... what a farking royal pain in the arse. Run away! Buy a spec home or one from a previous owner. It's just got to be easier and less stressful.