Ever built a kit home?

[guppy]

Just wondering if anyone had any experience with building a kit home (the home is shipped to you in "panels" and you put it together yourself or hire a contractor to put it together for you). Just one of the ideas that my husband and I are kicking around to do in the next few years. He's very handy and is thinking he might be able to put it together with the help of some family members. I like that it's not considered modular and when it's built I've read it's considered "stick-built" in all home documents. Has anyone built a kit home/hired someone to build it for you/know of someone who's built one? Any info you have is greatly appreciated!

[cptacek]

Interesting. Do you have any web sites where something like this is sold?

[Seeker]

Originally Posted by cptacek

Interesting. Do you have any web sites where something like this is sold?

If you lookup the key words "kit home" you'll find dozens of sites. Many of them operate in a specific state only.

Me and DH are also considering this at some point when we retire; we have an empty plot of land in another state.

[cptacek]

lol seeker. why didn't I think of that? duh.

[guppy]

yeah, if you google it you'll find all sorts of info. Also search "panelized kit homes". It's very cost effective compared to buying a new home, plus you can customize the home yourself (by buying a certain type/floorplan). I've found a few larger homes in the 30-80k range which is intriguing. Of course there's a million other costs you have to take into consideration (land development, foundation work, finishing work, etc.) so I was just wondering if anyone else had experience with this.

They have some 2500 square foot models I'd be interested in but I'm just concerned about needing a lift/crane to do the second story. Maybe my husband and I will go for a ranch with a full basement instead. It's all up in the air. Just thought I'd throw it out there to all you budget concious people that there's yet another alternative!

[Broken Arrow]

To me, the biggest obstacle in home-building is the plumbing, electricity, and foundation work. The first two either requires certification or they don't come cheap.

Otherwise, the framing of the house itself isn't that difficult....

I'm not saying this can't be done, nor am I discouraging anyone else from doing so. I have seriously considered taking a similar path, and I'm just stating what I think are the challenges involved.

Oh, and I also want to add another interesting option to consider: Habitat for Humanity. It's a good charitable organization where you volunteer yourself to help build houses, and in return, you are also eligible for one of their houses with a great discount. One of my sisters volunteered to help re-build houses in New Orleans, and in return, she got a great deal on one of their houses down there.

[bjl584]

Kit homes are stick built homes. They are considered kit homes because they are all preplanned. In theory, everyone on your street could be living in a kit home. They would all look alike and have the same floor plan. The only customization would be your choice of exterior color, interior wall color, flooring, trim and molding, and countertops. Basically they are "cookie cutter" style houses. Basically all the same with only a few options being different from home to home. This makes these types of homes cheaper to build since all of the materials that go into them is exactly known, can be prepackaged, and can be delivered to the job site very efficiently. A true custom built home is "one of a kind." The floor plan, trim, etc. are unique, and there are no other homes like it. Quality wise, they are on par with the average stick built home.

[EEinNJ]

I've looked into this in the past, companies like Deck House, Timber Peg. I'm also into "pre-fab modern" like you see in Dwell magazine. When you look at the cost of the kits, it seems like these kind of houses should be a bargain. The reality though, is that it almost always ends up costing (much) more than a professionally stick-built house. This is especially true when it's a custom house.
Side note, I live in a dome house that I understand was built from a kit back in the 70's.

[sandrark]

Interesting thread. We haven't built one, but I have one already picked out if and when we do.

Wood River Floor Plan | Timber Frame & Log Homes

Sandi