I'll have my wife post about being a widow because i didn't hire someone. Should put a smile on your face.

I will admit that when i first started this thread, i was a little irritated. To every problem there is a solution though and i've come to terms with having to do it myself and am actually somewhat happy about it. Those bids were what it took to get my wife on board with the diy. So no, currently i am not tore up about this or anything, nor have i been since the day i started this. The sarcasm... well that's just how i deal with the internet in general and comments like "it has to be professionally done or you will hurt yourself or be in way over your head."

You are also wrong about me rubbing the contractors the wrong way.

This can be viewed as a massive vent with an instant feeling of "why the fuck did i just vent like that to people i've never met and don't know me for shit... i must have felt like trolling."

You're getting off cheap. I do the books for my Son's business and his rate is over $4/hr. That's a 25% surcharge on his starting employee's wages ($16/hr). When I show him the "Quarterly Report" before I file it he always says "WTF? If this crap keeps up I'm going to lay them all off and just do what I can by myself". He then stomps off muttering "$%^#ing taxes!".

Powder, one thing to take into consideration is trade experience. Sure there are people laughing at you for saying you could do it yourself, but that's because tradesmen hear it alllll the time. 99% of the time, they can't do it themselves. If you are the 1%, awesome, but you will still be stereotyped when you make that comment.

When I ran my design firm for 13 years, I can't count how many times a client said he would frame his house, prepare the land, run his own elec etc to save some $$. There was a handful who could, and did do it. The rest ended up in a pile of crap deeper than they could dig out of, eventually having to call in a contractor do fix or re-do all that the homeowner had done.

I have seen marriages ruined over construction projects, projects burned to the ground because of frustrated self builders and building inspectors getting frustrated over the lack of construction practices by people who, may understand basic framing, doesn't understand the details when it comes to structural or shear connections.

So, while you can take offense by some of the comments... Also realize that those comments are not coming from people with inexperience.

There is a guy who I designed a HUGE house for 6 years ago. He was going to do a lot of it himself and live on a trailer on the property. 6 years later and he is still framing. A month ago he came to me because he had some issues with the inspector and a rated fire wall assembly. The owner didn't understand the detail for continuity on a fire wall and had installed perpendicular framing members stud-to-stud, as well as a partial roof system on top of the wall... Without sealing that firewall first. I had to re-do quite a few details and make a lot more work for both the owner and inspector to prove UL values with a new half-assed fire rated assembly.

What was a basic and standard detail for a normal contractor ended up costing the homeowner 5 weeks of construction, 2k in materials and losing the trust of the inspector, who will now inspect nail by nail, no doubt finding more issues and items that would need to be remedied.

I tell you what. In my "hastiness" to jump to conclusions on your lack of provided information, seeings how you were so nice to everyone around you. I will dedicate one whole weekend to helping you out on your project. No cost to you. Let me know when we can start.

That's a darned fine offer.


Waguns could make it like an old-fashioned Amish barn raising, except add in a lot of ice cold beer.

Have you ever met DUDE? His beard would make Amish men jealous.

Heck, his beard makes Amish women jealous.

I am in the 1%, i'm not trying to be cocky by saying that, but generally when people have the confidence to say such things, it comes off as cocky. I'm a tradesman myself and understand mechanics really well, to the point i surprise myself with what i can do at times. I've completely rewired and re plumbed my entire house as well as changed the floor plan, remodeled the kitchen and bath, created a utility room, etc. Somehow i think a ground up shop build will be more fun and go a little smoother than the remodel... but i have been wrong before.

I do understand there are those that talk like me and don't walk it though, and i understand those people give birth to the stereotype, so i cannot be too butthurt when people who've never met me don't give me the benefit of the doubt.

To anyone i may have offended, i apologize.

That is indeed a mighty fine offer, one i may take you up on. Saying no to help would be a mistake, i know this. I will let you know when my permits go through.