Good idea. I'm going with uniform wall heights to keep costs down and to minimize the cost per square foot so I can afford to have more floor square footage.
I like your show. I need to learn as much as possible about proper home construction and everything to analyze everything to make my project go smoothly. Wall height and truss design is a great topic.
If you are getting ready to start building a home this guy is a wealth of knowledge. Educate yourself as much as possible before starting construction. You can’t always rely on contractors and even inspectors to have your back to make sure things are done correctly. Looking back at my current house thats 34 years old so many things that I know now vs when the house was built. Like you had mentioned walls and trusses are one very important topic. If its a two story be sure adequate space for stairs is looked at very closely.
What an awesome concept, thank you so much for walking those, that are interested and brave enough to build a house or be the contractor's on their own build, through the process. You are giving them invaluable insight. I've grown up in a family of carpenters with their own businesses, I was the book keeper, so I understand costing. I've spent a great deal of time on job sites, you're taking me down memories lane. And, are definitely speaking my language. lol
The plan Im working on is a simple rectangle, 1 story, 10' ceiling. I was pondering to make the entrance and living room 12'. Now Im wondering, if thats actually more expensive to have instead of simply 12' all around! That 12' ceiling would really bring a sense of expansiveness to things...
I designed my upcoming build with 8.5 foot walls. Full length 8 foot studs and double top and double bottom plate. If you use 4.5 and 4 foot drywall, no extra cuts, plus added bonus, easier to nail baseboard in. Edit: Great video as usual!
@@onebridge7231 it depends on the market. I bought an infill lot. Homes around me were built with 8 foot ceiling and are selling like hotcakes, so I am not really worried there. As for subdivision living, I agree with your point.
@@seanm3226 I spent months trying to weigh the pros and cons. Pros: It looks great, cons: with higher ceilings you need bigger AC due to increased volume, more floor squarefootage due to space requirements of stairs (extra steps needed to make up height) more lumber, more drywall, more paint and bigger windows so it doesn't look ridiculous, taller front door and interior doors and another big driver is taller kitchen cabinets.
Great advice. I'm building my own home and have 3 different wall heights. I'm glad that is still in the perimeter of not terrifying a framer. 10' living area, kitchen etc. (1st floor), 8 ft. second story (bedrooms/guest room/laundry) and second story home theater 11 ft. ceiling. I think I'm good, your thoughts?
Keith, your content is great and as a real estate investor in the Park City area I am very thankful for finding your channel. I am planning to use a build to rent investing strategy and I will definitely be requesting your consultation services in the near future. I am curious if you could weigh in on three things: 1.) building a large garage (rv size) with living quarters on top, could this be a cost saving building method? Perhaps easier than building a traditional home? 2.) What about Barndominiums? 3.) What about sites like ArchitecturalDesigns.com? Are they a waste? Looking forward to watching more content and buying land soon. Thanks!
KT, I have built in Park City as recently as last year. Very challenging area, high labor costs. The RV build with living above might be very high because the RV garage needs at least twelve feet or more of clearance. This pushes the roof trusses much higher. Research attic trusses. I am not a fan of barndo homes, I prefer more deliberate design that fits community life better. Design sites are ok to get ideas, but I prefer using my own draft-person for all the custom things I need. Hope that helps.
have 9' wall height in top floor. want a few rooms to be set at 8' height. thinking can have trusses sit lower in those rooms, bathrooms and entry. while keeping wall height around the outside at 9'.
Keith, since tariffs have been lifted and maybe mills re-opening from c-19 lockdown, do you think lumber prices or lumber production may get better ( better prices and availability)?
Not with the demand that way it is. You need to see what is happening, a big cultural shift is happening, people are moving to where they will have more voice or a better quality of life.
I’m building a rectangular urban infill. For lumber cost savings should I do 8 foot ceilings or 9 foot ceilings? Your comments are welcome. Obviously I want taller ceilings.
Ah, so you mean on a per-level basis. Question: What if on only the main level you do a single section that's different, but instead of making the wall taller, you make the floor drop down lower, instead? In particular, I'm thinking a 12ft garage and drop-down living room, with the rest of the main level being 10ft.
That creates complexity for concrete sub-contractors. If there is not a lot of building going on in your area you make it more difficult to find contractors who can do the work. I always factor labor issues with design first before moving forward.
First of all thanks for all the info. In one of your videos, you stated that you buy lumber before you start the process of building. my question Can you purchase a certain material in advance and pay for it from the loan as an owner-builder?
It is hilarious to me, the lengths people go to to make themselves feel small in their own homes. I think people will look back on this era of 12+ ft ceiling closets, and living rooms taller than steeples, as an architectural embarrassment.
I much agree. The heating cost alone is not justified. I deal with owner builders all the time and they can't listen and instead say they deserve what they want, but at what cost? It is kind of frustrating
Would it be more cost effective to build a 2000 square ft ranch with an unfinished basement or a 2 story 2000 so ft with crawl space?. Same details, finishes, roof and similar exterior siding.
@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome : thanks for bringing this and every diyer has this question. Please consider slab on grade foundation with insulation to make it easy.
@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome thanks I would appreciate that! We just want to do what is most cost effective at this point. I can't find any good information on this subject. We thought we could leave the basement unfinished for now and finish it as our kids get older and we need more space but right now cost and budget are our biggest concern. This is going to be a 15-20 year home for us.
11 changes. That's wild! I think it's easier to make it all the same and drop a few soffits for effect. Thanks for the design ideas!
Good idea. I'm going with uniform wall heights to keep costs down and to minimize the cost per square foot so I can afford to have more floor square footage.
Perfect!
This is awesome. What is the follow up video I really would like to see how the trusses are done with different wall heights. Thank You
I like your show. I need to learn as much as possible about proper home construction and everything to analyze everything to make my project go smoothly. Wall height and truss design is a great topic.
I love your show.
If you are getting ready to start building a home this guy is a wealth of knowledge. Educate yourself as much as possible before starting construction. You can’t always rely on contractors and even inspectors to have your back to make sure things are done correctly. Looking back at my current house thats 34 years old so many things that I know now vs when the house was built. Like you had mentioned walls and trusses are one very important topic. If its a two story be sure adequate space for stairs is looked at very closely.
Glad to help. I will keep it up. See howtobuildyourownhome.com for more help.
What an awesome concept, thank you so much for walking those, that are interested and brave enough to build a house or be the contractor's on their own build, through the process. You are giving them invaluable insight. I've grown up in a family of carpenters with their own businesses, I was the book keeper, so I understand costing. I've spent a great deal of time on job sites, you're taking me down memories lane. And, are definitely speaking my language. lol
Thanks. I will keep it up
The plan Im working on is a simple rectangle, 1 story, 10' ceiling. I was pondering to make the entrance and living room 12'. Now Im wondering, if thats actually more expensive to have instead of simply 12' all around! That 12' ceiling would really bring a sense of expansiveness to things...
Depends on what your utility costs are and your weather. If you live in a cold region, this could affect your decision to have a lower ceiling.
Thanks a lot for bringing this great content. Request you to bring cost analysis and design analysis for various house plans.
In the future I hope to do that. In time. thanks
I designed my upcoming build with 8.5 foot walls. Full length 8 foot studs and double top and double bottom plate. If you use 4.5 and 4 foot drywall, no extra cuts, plus added bonus, easier to nail baseboard in.
Edit: Great video as usual!
Go with 10’ ceilings. The minimal cost difference is worth it. You’ll thank me later.
Good thinking
That’s great if you’re never selling, but 8.5 is too low for today’s buyer. 9ft minimum and 10 is better.
@@onebridge7231 it depends on the market. I bought an infill lot. Homes around me were built with 8 foot ceiling and are selling like hotcakes, so I am not really worried there. As for subdivision living, I agree with your point.
@@seanm3226 I spent months trying to weigh the pros and cons. Pros: It looks great, cons: with higher ceilings you need bigger AC due to increased volume, more floor squarefootage due to space requirements of stairs (extra steps needed to make up height) more lumber, more drywall, more paint and bigger windows so it doesn't look ridiculous, taller front door and interior doors and another big driver is taller kitchen cabinets.
Great advice thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Great tip!
great content. Thanks Keith.
I will keep it up.
Nice video again..👍
Great advice. I'm building my own home and have 3 different wall heights. I'm glad that is still in the perimeter of not terrifying a framer. 10' living area, kitchen etc. (1st floor), 8 ft. second story (bedrooms/guest room/laundry) and second story home theater 11 ft. ceiling. I think I'm good, your thoughts?
Keith, your content is great and as a real estate investor in the Park City area I am very thankful for finding your channel. I am planning to use a build to rent investing strategy and I will definitely be requesting your consultation services in the near future. I am curious if you could weigh in on three things: 1.) building a large garage (rv size) with living quarters on top, could this be a cost saving building method? Perhaps easier than building a traditional home? 2.) What about Barndominiums? 3.) What about sites like ArchitecturalDesigns.com? Are they a waste?
Looking forward to watching more content and buying land soon.
Thanks!
KT, I have built in Park City as recently as last year. Very challenging area, high labor costs. The RV build with living above might be very high because the RV garage needs at least twelve feet or more of clearance. This pushes the roof trusses much higher. Research attic trusses. I am not a fan of barndo homes, I prefer more deliberate design that fits community life better. Design sites are ok to get ideas, but I prefer using my own draft-person for all the custom things I need. Hope that helps.
have 9' wall height in top floor. want a few rooms to be set at 8' height. thinking can have trusses sit lower in those rooms, bathrooms and entry. while keeping wall height around the outside at 9'.
That would be cool!
Keith, since tariffs have been lifted and maybe mills re-opening from c-19 lockdown,
do you think lumber prices or lumber production may get better ( better prices and availability)?
Not with the demand that way it is. You need to see what is happening, a big cultural shift is happening, people are moving to where they will have more voice or a better quality of life.
Anyone in the northern VA area? Looking to GC my own home.
I’m building a rectangular urban infill. For lumber cost savings should I do 8 foot ceilings or 9 foot ceilings? Your comments are welcome. Obviously I want taller ceilings.
The difference is not much different between 8 & 9, the cost goes up at the 10 ft mark.
Ah, so you mean on a per-level basis. Question: What if on only the main level you do a single section that's different, but instead of making the wall taller, you make the floor drop down lower, instead? In particular, I'm thinking a 12ft garage and drop-down living room, with the rest of the main level being 10ft.
That creates complexity for concrete sub-contractors. If there is not a lot of building going on in your area you make it more difficult to find contractors who can do the work. I always factor labor issues with design first before moving forward.
@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome Super good point
1:20
First of all thanks for all the info. In one of your videos, you stated that you buy lumber before you start the process of building.
my question Can you purchase a certain material in advance and pay for it from the loan as an owner-builder?
As long as the materials are safe, covered and on site, the bank wants to see work done and materials on site, typically.
What are your thoughts on putting attic trusses on your home? Do you have any videos on this?
I talk a lot about this, a great way to get added sq ft. I have them on my home.
It is hilarious to me, the lengths people go to to make themselves feel small in their own homes. I think people will look back on this era of 12+ ft ceiling closets, and living rooms taller than steeples, as an architectural embarrassment.
I much agree. The heating cost alone is not justified. I deal with owner builders all the time and they can't listen and instead say they deserve what they want, but at what cost? It is kind of frustrating
Would it be more cost effective to build a 2000 square ft ranch with an unfinished basement or a 2 story 2000 so ft with crawl space?. Same details, finishes, roof and similar exterior siding.
I need to do a video on this because people keep asking me. It is hard to answer without knowing the soils and other factors.
@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome : thanks for bringing this and every diyer has this question. Please consider slab on grade foundation with insulation to make it easy.
@@HowToBuildYourOwnHome thanks I would appreciate that! We just want to do what is most cost effective at this point. I can't find any good information on this subject. We thought we could leave the basement unfinished for now and finish it as our kids get older and we need more space but right now cost and budget are our biggest concern. This is going to be a 15-20 year home for us.
Where did you print those plans? FedEx store?
Local copy center.
Any office store. Staples etc
The title of this video should have been,,,,KISS......