Learning from others (Day 14 of 273)

Our radiant heat guy (Levi Ross, Sunshine Propane) introduced us to one of his clients that recently built a house in the Cape George Colony, which is on the west side of the Quimper Pennisula and on the outshirts of metropolitan Port Townsend. They used Warmboard and did a lot of their own work, so Levi thought we'd have lots in common with them (yes, thanks Levi).

Anyway, last night Roger and Kyanne Anderson invited us over for dessert and a little "house talk." Well, that was quite an experience: good apple cobbler and more info on housebuilding than we could absorb. Nevertheless, the most important thing we learned is that everyday people can be their own general contractor and builder.

Roger was a lawyer and law professor; Kyanne is an occupational therapist, and they both are working part time after retiring and moving from Toledo. What was so interesting was the level of involvement that they had with their new house. They hired a local contractor (Little and Little, PT) to build the shell, and then they took over with most of the finishing work and remaining subcontracting (drywall, roof, interior wall painting). They installed cabinets and flooring, the staircase and hand railing (with returns), laid the tile and wood flooring, put up all the molding for the doors and windows, and are currently doing the landscaping. I was blown away to learn that Kyanne, a diminutive women in her 50s, did all the electrical work herself. She was tutored by a local electrican (Gary Estes, Craighead Electric, PT) who then looked in on her periodically. Her wiring passed inspection on the first try, which is better than some "professionals" manage to do. No dollar savings for their project were discussed, but it is obvious that they got way more house than they paid for and were able to upgrade certain features they wouldn't have been able to afford. They said that, in retrospect, they only made two mistakes. I deem that a Complete Success.

We borrowed a few books on electrical and tiling, and threatened to pester them with trival questions during our build out. We learned buckets full and even got dessert. How good can that be.