Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Sweat Equity

[Matt Lawrence (matt]

On Mon, 7 Jul 2003, Forbes Jan wrote:

> While building your own sounds like a solution, there are still substantial
> fixed costs involved in building your own home.  If built by an unskilled
> person, costs can blow out e.g. there may be issues with local planning
> authorities, things needing to be redone.  The work alone means it can take
> a long time to get a house on the ground.  The finished product does not
> necessarily look professional and may have ongoing problems.  And where do
> you live in the meantime if your income and assets are tied up in the
> construction project?  Would you be prepared to live long term in a caravan
> or tent?  

Well, I suggest that one person building a house is a rather daunting 
prospect, but thirty people building houses one at a time could be much 
more practical.

As far as the quality of the work, I wouldn't hire any typical 
construction folks here in Austin, Texas, their work is just too shoddy.  
If I get a chance to build a house, I'm expecting to do a great deal of 
the work myself, that way it's up to *my* standards.

Also, finding an architect who is well matched to the project can also be 
a challenge.  I know one here in Austin who will be my first choice on any 
project I undertake.

-- Matt

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