Welcome to Marshall Remodel Mad County! If you're new here, I'm Paul Marshall, and this is my wife, Emily. We're a family of five, including three kids, and we kicked off Marshall Remodel about nine months ago. Today, I want to take you through the journey of our latest project – building our dream home on a piece of property we acquired in the mid-summer.
A bit of background about us – I used to have a full-time career, but my passion for remodeling homes led us to start this venture. Over the years, I've developed a range of skills, initially out of necessity due to financial constraints, but later because I wanted things done my way. Today, I'm excited to share our progress on the post-frame style home we began building a few months ago.
As the channel gains momentum, I've received numerous questions about the build. So, I thought it would be a great idea to address them in this blog post. Let's dive right in!
Crafting Our Plans:
One common question is how we came up with our plans and whether we involved an architect. Well, Emily and I sat down, discussed our vision for the house, and I took it upon myself to draft the plans. Using quarter-inch grid paper, I sketched out the layout, incorporating Emily's feedback along the way. We decided not to hire an architect, as I'm handling the construction myself. However, if you're planning a similar project and intend to hire professionals, engaging an architect for detailed plans is advisable.
House Specifications:
Our house is a 48x48 post-frame style home, with plans for a second story. Upstairs, we'll have three bedrooms for our kids, a guest suite, and a common area. The total square footage, including the attached four-car garage, will be around 4,000 square feet. The garage, with a sidewall height of 10 feet, is designed with utility in mind, housing all the essential systems in a dedicated room.
Construction Challenges and Solutions:
Clearing the land was our first challenge. I spent $500 on equipment rental to clear the overgrown property. The driveway, 550 feet long, required $1,600 worth of 3-inch base rock. Unexpectedly, leveling the site for the house revealed a significant drop, necessitating $5,500 worth of 3/4-inch road rock to create a stable base.
To address potential tornado threats in the Midwest, I opted to build a storm shelter beneath the garage. The cost of excavation, concrete footing, and forming materials totaled $1,700, a reasonable investment considering the peace of mind it provides.
Material Costs and Savings:
A significant portion of our budget went into materials, particularly from Menards. The building package, including laminated posts, trusses, steel, and trim, cost $55,000. Doors and windows added another $20,000 to the bill, with the Crestline vinyl windows impressing us with their packaging and quality.
To make the most of our budget, I took advantage of Menards' 11% rebate program. This resulted in substantial savings, with a total material cost of $75,000 for both the house and garage. It's worth noting that I custom ordered certain windows to fit the specific requirements of our design.
Utilities and Infrastructure:
The in-floor radiant heat system, covering the garage and house's 4,300 square feet, came with a $5,000 price tag. Additional costs, such as plumbing and the septic system, were essential considerations. The septic system, designed for a five-bedroom house and influenced by soil quality, cost $6,900.
Concrete Floors and Construction Assistance:
Concrete work, a crucial element of the build, was contracted out at a cost of just under $30,000. A noteworthy expense was the two-month rental of a lift, amounting to $5,600. While it might seem pricey, the time saved and safety benefits justified the expense.
Water, Electric, and Rebates:
Connecting to the local water supply and installing the necessary polyethylene pipe incurred a cost of $1,744. Electrical work, including signing up with the electric company and obtaining a permit, cost $3,000.
One of the key advantages of sourcing materials from Menards was the 11% rebate program, resulting in $10,000 in savings. This rebate allowed us to redirect funds to other aspects of the project.
Total Costs and Future Plans:
Summing up the costs, we've invested around $142,000 in the build, with $10,000 in rebates effectively reducing the total to $132,000. As we move into the interior framing and finishing stages, the remaining funds will be allocated wisely.
This journey has been challenging, rewarding, and filled with unexpected lessons. From crafting our plans to navigating construction challenges, we've learned and grown throughout the process. We're excited to share more updates as Marshall Remodel Mad County continues to evolve. Stay tuned for the next chapter in our remodeling adventure!
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Interested in tackling your build on your own? If you want to explore the possibility of being your GC or self-building, our Patreon membership is for you! It's a community of like-minded people offering support, discounts, Q/A, and more.