Does This Mean We Failed? (DIY House Build Update)
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- We finally bit off more than we could chew... // Thanks to MRCOOL for sponsoring today's video. Shop the complete lineup of DIY products: mrcooldiy.com
We're a husband and wife team who bought 20 acres of bare off-grid land in North Idaho. Follow along as we learn how to build a home, run heavy equipment and turn this place into our dream property!
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Thank you all for an incredible year!! It truly feels like a dream to be able to do these projects and it’s all because of your support. We’ve already started planning our next build series, and it’s going to be our craziest one yet! 🤯
Good job guys
Why didn't you just plaster the outside? Wouldn't that be cheaper, not to mention much, much nicer?
@@noreply5461 i don't like the style of metal they put on the outside. it looks like brown corrugated cheap metal . like the cheapest stuff . there are much nicer patterns like the one they used on their shop . also the dark brown is too dark for me. they seem to get everything that color.
@@ronblack7870 What I said.
Does the thumb title mean clickbait ? Almost always does...
the only time when someone has failed is when they give up on trying. and you guys keep going and figure it out no matter what the problems are.
Spectacular progress. The HVAC unit is the most user-friendly system I've ever seen.
Hiring pros for drywall is DEFINITELY the way to go. I also installed a 1.5 ton Mr Cool mini split because I was overproducing elecctricity with my roof solar array, so not only will I now have my main floor cool in the summer, but I've nearly cut my heating bill in half. It was pretty easy to install, and I believe I get a 30% tax credit when I file my taxes.
Drywall is tedious work, but it's easy. You can save yourself a lot of money if you're willing and able to do the work yourself.
Hang your own drywall. Hire drywall finisher for sure. You will not be saving money by doing the finishing.
@TM-sm5qy Well, you might save a little money but at the expense of a Bunch of time and usually an inferior end result doing it yourself...I speak from experience 🙃
Cut the heating bill in half. What was the capital outlay, and ROI?
@@SeanONeill13 I didn't "think" I was going to be producing enough because the panels went active on Dec 31 of last year (even though it was designed to 107% of my use), so I added 4 panels on my own (1620 watts of Qcell panels and 4 micro inverters) that including the racking and minor materials set me back just under $1500. I bought the panels and micro inverters on ebay for very short money. So I ended up producing about 1.5 MW more than I used, and am donw to 400kW remaining in credit. The mini split was $1500 + another $75 in materials, but I've probably saved $500 in heat just since September, and will probably save another $500 this winter/spring. So it will pay for itself in about 2.5 years. Plus I'll be saving more on AC in summer since I won't be trying to cool my main floow with upstairs bedroom window units on high all day with a ceiling fan also running all day. If you can buy used and install yourself, that's where the savings really pile up.
I can't say how absolutely adorable it is to hear/see you both offering the kind, thankful comments to each other about their effort. It genuinely warms my heart. Thank you.
I watched the guy installing the insulation and he was so gentle and effortlessly placing it I 100% trust that man to do the work. It's great to see true professionals.
📌Contact the CORRUGATED METAL company to ask for touch up paint for the scratches. I'm sure your not the first people with the issue AND it will get scratched over time so will need touch up paint. If they don't have any, then bring a piece of it to a paint store so they can have mix up the correct color match paint for you. 🎨 You two are doing such a nice job on building this house! Have yourselves a joyful New Year!🎉
I agree, awesome. But yeah, true pro and someone who doesn't have the "screw everyone over gene" : )
I could feel the burnout in this video. I built a house 10 years ago and I know exactly how you feel.
Learning to strategically hire subs changed my life for the better. You lose some of the satisfaction of doing it yourself, but it's typically made up by the rapid progress that is a huge morale booster.
Keep plugging away. You got this!
I'm just wrapping up year one on my house build (all done myself). Im at the sanding drywall stage, then paint and floor and move in. Burnout is real though. Ive had to take a month or two off in between just to stay sane. Sanding seems to be the worst part of the whole process so far.
You made the right decision! Hanging drywall plus tape, bedding and sanding it's doable in a small space if necessary. But doing a whole house is definitely a team effort and the key is to find an experienced team that can do quality work. It just takes a lot of time (not to mention physical work) that can be used more effectively doing something else, not to mention spending time with family. You'll be plenty busy trimming out the house, painting (maybe sub that out too? Time is Money!), installing cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, hardware, etc. It's looking good!
Riley is a very skilled and talented DIYer but Cortney is a true super woman! Great mom, video editor, project helper and a very skilled equipment operator. Ain't nothing that woman can't do!!!! Always enjoy your channel guys!
I’ve done a whole bunch of work on my house. I hung all of the drywall myself and ended up getting injured doing something else. Hiring someone to mud the house was the best thing we have ever done. We have since found a few trusted people to hire out when we need to. Time is money and time with your kid is priceless. Family first!
In Australia we use a lot of corrugated steel for walls and roofs, it seems counterintuitive but we screw the corro down through the hill not the valley, if you screw through the valley and water that make it past the rubber seal will be trapped against the metal and the substrate which can over time cause issues with water penetration. Screwing through the hill lets any water that gets though to escape.
Same as we do in NZ
Riley, you and Courtney are exceptionally smart and that means you know when to ask for help... I love watching y'all create and tackle countless projects that not just your normal DIY'er would do.
So happy to see you giving Cortney a break, she deserves it and it gave you guys more family time and that’s priceless!
I have over two decades as a Pipefitter and witnessing countless grinder accidents. I am excited to see you using a grinder guard. Keep up the good work and great videos
No, hiring subs doesn't mean you failed... it means you are smart. The time you saved will offset the cost. Plus, you both deserved a break. Enjoy your videos and can't wait to see what projects are coming in 2025!
Wow guys great progress. Hiring subs to do insulation and drywall was a great idea. Congratulations to all. Looking great.
this channel is by far the most interesting I’ve seen in years .they really know how to capture the audience it should win an award if they do such a thing
I saw Matt on Diesel Creek wearing your Ambition Strikes wool hat . I thought that was very cool.
You should get together with him to fix your dozer, it could make great combined content.
Matt is from rural PA. It would take a ton of convincing to get him to get to Idaho
Riley also has Diesel Creek stuff that he wears onscreen.
That’s a great idea! I think the you two would be a great fit.
@@chadmiller8019 the vanwives live in Nova Scotia and they did a colab. anything is possible.
I found your channel several weeks ago. I have worked my way through the majority of your content and have enjoyed it all. I now find myself waiting for your videos on Sunday. One of the things I enjoy most is your process. You are not afraid to make mistakes and learn what works through trial and error. I am a little older and I have noticed that most people are held back because they don't want to mess up. Please keep doing what you guys do.
Considering you built this house from the ground up, you have done a brilliant job. I can't wait to see the end results.
Working summer construction as a teenager I learned with circular saws to reverse your blade when cutting metal sheeting. Cuts clean and smooth, and honestly if you have some older wood blades that are at the end of their cutting life, they become good metal blades when turned backwards. Much cheaper and quicker than burning through expensive metal blades for things like roofing and siding. Wouldn't use the trick for heavier materials, but it works.
Never knew that. Thanks.
Yep I did that 'reverse the blade' trick too and it works!! However after that I bought a special metal blade (with much more pretty small teeth) and for me that worked best. I used it to cut the sheets of a metal roof, so that is probably even thicker than your soffits.
Another advantage of a "Nibler" is that it cuts without heating the plates, which in turn means that the varnish on the plates does not flake near the cuts.
Cutting with a grinder also destroys the rust protection on the plate.
You all have no even come close to failing. The siding is looking awesome.😊
To answer the question you posed in the title, no, you didn’t cop out by hiring subs. You only have so much time and energy and if you do the things you are good at and the ones that save the most money and sub out the rest, you’ll be money ahead because you can get done quicker and start generating cash flow.
I’m a fairly new viewer and really love you guys and your content. My wife and I followed a similar path as you guys and we actually lived in Spokane and had a place at Priest Lake, right over the mountain from you guys.
Keep up the great work and here’s to a happy and healthy new year.
I would say that is was extremely smart and cost effective to get the drywall done by outside source. It is a tedious job, but with the correct tools and knowledge, on a “new” build, that is one thing that money and Time is saved rather than doing it yourself.
You can always leave a gap at the bottom of the interior doors for return air if the doors are closed. Easier than a hole in the wall, and it's where return air should come from, cold air drops, rather than heated air near the ceiling. It's the way many trailer homes and such solve return air.
That is the way
you should build a duct in a raised floor of the linen closet to separate the return air from the closet contents so they don't get all dusty from the air moving through the closet from the furnace airflow.
Sounds like you could use a vacation in a nice warm climate 🤗 Don't you dare feel guilty for subcontracting. You have nothing to prove. We already know that y'all are amazing. Besides, the contractors were probably thankful for the work 👊👍 The inside looks awesome with the drywall up 🤸The outdoor siding looks great as well. Being a UA-camr is not for wimps. Kudos to you guys for all you do to keep us entertained 😁 Happy New Years from Carson City NV 🦌🌬❄🏔
I agree 💯
And DryWall guys are a special breed that get it done better than you could ever do. Totally worth it! ❤❤❤
Fellow Nevadan here, and I agree 100%! No shame in contracting out, especially for insulation and drywall, those guys are a special breed for sure!
@@bryceleinan Hey fellow Nevadan!!! Yes, they are amazing, aren't they? 😁
you guys are a great team
I miss seeing you guys at the meetings we had for our local UA-cam channels! Hope you are all doing great. ❤
Woot, a nice video to spend the morning watching. Yall are killing it, you got it!
Great work it looks amazing especially as both of you weren’t feeling well. Hope you had a good Christmas and new year x
Great Job!! I Always look forward to Sundays to watch your updates and Biata's, These updates are just awesome!!
I lived in a house with heating returned like you described, it works well but .. people in the other rooms can hear what people are doing in their bedrooms. Good for heating but a challenge for privacy.
Trusting you had a fantastic Christmas and wishing an even better New Year for you both... the build is coming along nicely, can't wait to see it done and to see how the pond is going... Cheers for sharing...💜
Happy New year to you all from the UK
Like your lower louvers for cold air returns. I wouldn't put one over doors though as that would pull warm air from the ceiling. I'd just gap the bottom of the door a bit, like 3/4".
Or even put a louvered vent in the lower part of door- our home came with that.
Yep, that works. Anything to pull the cold air down low.
exactly, just a small gap under the door will do all the return air needed
Great progress guys!
We did sooo many projects my wife and me over the 32 years we have been together and asking for help sometimes is more than necessary.
You have a kid now and being around him is the most important thing in life.
Hope you are feeling better now and best wishes for 2025 🙂
That's awesome. I was on vacation so now I get to catch up. Great job on house it's looking real good.
Diablo makes a metal cutting blade for circular saws which works awesome. Love the channel and all the cool projects we have been watching since CA camper build.
Hope you enjoy your heat pump as much as I'm enjoying mine! Surpassed all expectations for winter heating here in MI. Absolutely amazing work you're doing together and I am so grateful to see your updates. Happy New Year!
More Oliver - too sweet! I’m so impressed with Riley’s skills and how he thinks outside the box. Sometimes I think I can see him enjoying the endorphins he gets from tackling each process ☀️
You guys sure make a good team! ❤ Happy New Year!🎉
Mr. Cool has some great engineers. That hose and valve is such a great idea and so simple.
So glad that you hired out the drywall since there’s a ton of videos watching drywall. Not to mention it was nice to see it all finished along with the insulation in one video. Win win for everyone!
Asking for help isn't failing. It's success by other means.
It’s really awesome watching you too completing a project together and working so hard together with people being sick a little one that needs complete attention and the both of you still find time to work on the house that is just amazing. I can’t wait to see this house done or to see your accomplishments.That the two of you have done together.
thank you guys for all the videos this past years happy new year to you all
Thank YOU for watching! 🙌 We couldn’t have done any of this without your support and we can’t wait to share another year of projects with you all.
I think it’s great of you to give her props for all the work she’s doing, I’d already said to myself just prior to you giving her props on camera. But you guys both deserve a compliment just how well you work together, communicate, just your energy alone . I’m such a new fan of your channel. You guys are awesome and he is such a brainiac, real smart guy.
Three cheers for Courtney!!
Love seeing the cameos with Oliver - so adorbs.
Not sure if you’re officially a HF fanatic, but over the years I’ve sure become one and have nearly all of their Hercules 20v power tools. Love to see you using them as well - regardless of whether or not HF is sponsoring you with free tools. Love Hercules! I’ve used all the major competitors and Hercules is (IMHO) equal or better than anything out there! Okay, back to the build… haha. I’m so impressed how you’re able to seemingly very easily measure around any cut outs, obstacles, windows, pipes, etc. and it seems to always come out exactly perfect whether your installing roofing, siding, Sheetrock / drywall, etc. I sure wish I had your amazing engineering skills to be able to do that. It takes me forever to try to get that right so I don’t ruin material in the process.
Thanks so much for producing these amazing videos of all your builds and DIY accomplishments, I’m a huge fan and you guys are an amazing family! ❤ 😊
You're just amazing ❤❤❤❤❤
Where is the vapor barrier between the drywall and the insulation?
You should be using a painters pole. Put the tray of paint on the floor, wet the roller, paint the wall and ceilings with little use for climbing up and down a ladder. Sooo much easier.
We're hoping that the drywallers put it up before they put the drywall on since we didn't see that part!
should have used the bottom layer of insulation with the faced vapor barrier then the unfaced on top of it.
@@JML542in the video he installed the tub with no plastic behind.
@DarylTrelegan-bv7xy that's unfortunate!🙁
Missed you guys last week, hope you had a Merry Christmas.
A really GREAT video to end the year - thank you.
All the best to you and yours for 2025 . . . stay healthy, stay happy and STAY SAFE!!
So happy to see progress on the house. As I’ve said before, you two never cease to amaze me with your skills and decision making. subs are part of building. You guys have so much going on. It was smart to sub things out.
Turn blade backwards in circular/miter saws for cutting aluminum trim, much safer and cleaner cuts. Works very well.
Looking good you two.That was smart asking people for help.You still have lots of work to do.Getting help at times is the way to go.The outside of this house looks Fabulous.The inside is starting to shape up.Just take your time & this house will be done in no time.
Good morning Riley & Courtney! So happy you guy’s got help with insulation! Feel better Courtney 🙏🙏🙏Blessings
I love watching this build series, thanks for sharing all the ups and downs! This is one of the most authentic relatable builds I've seen on yt, its cool to watch you learn as you go. Also appreciate all the HF tools, would be curious to hear your thoughts / tool reviews.
Tip for cutting sheet metal. Reverse the saw blade, use a dull blade. And use dibble hearing protection. Also eye protection.
Your first time experiencing how loud a wood saw is going through sheet metal is definitely an experience! I noticed magically the chop saw was outside in the next scene, lol.
We always put saw blade in backwards to cut sheeting. Works well
Indeed!
Yup, I learned that trick 40 years ago.
putting it on backwards works for sheet metal and vinyl siding.
I was gonna say that, but you feller beat me to it! Lol
Same with hole drills in metal or plastic!
A week off is never enough and it is time to slow down before spring. Well done and thank you for all you do. Merry Christmas!
Courtney, you are a rock star!!
The vents in the closet are a great idea. I'd think about not doing them for the bedrooms cause the doors are almost always open and the vents will affect the privacy since sounds will flow through as well.
It's looking amazing guys well done, love those colors. Sometimes, making the call to get help is as worthy/tough as doing it yourself. Well done for making the call! No wonder you needed some time off for Christmas. Have a wonderful New Year, and keep well.
Contractors will always be quicker than DIY, experience counts.
Its just down to time and money. Take longer, save money, do it yourself. Or quick but expensive by getting a contractor in (whilst you can take well earned rest, or do other things).
Neither is better than the other, just different choices for different situations.
Oh, and the sound difference from a house with no insulation, to the insulation being finished was interesting to hear!
Happy New Years to you all! 💕💜🩷⛄️❄️⛄️❄️⛄️
Happy 2025! Thanks for bringing your fans along in 2024! Praying you all have a great new year, filled with laughter, Joy and the Peace that surpasses all human understanding. 🙏🙌🤲📖🤗
Thank you so much Donald! You’ve been a long time supporter of our channel and we are incredibly thankful for your support. 🙌
I know that you do not want to hear this. The videos with Oliver are the best. Just saying.
In New Zealand that metal profile (corrugated) is very common & been around for years especially for roofs. 1/2 the walls of our house plus roof are covered with it but our wall profile is installed side ways. Look forward to your post every week down here at the bottom of the world. All the best for the New Year 🇳🇿
That man bucket is working so well!! Great Job!
It is awesome to see you both working together on projects. Congrats on your progress.
I’m from Eastern Washington, just outside Spokane. The weather has been wild and challenging lately, and it feels like that bug going around has hit the whole county. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a little help when you need it-two people can only do so much in a day! It’s been awesome watching your channel, and I love seeing two folks from the area thriving. Looking forward to your future content!
I am glad you posted a follow up to the house build , always fun to watch, especially the solutions you come up with
Riley .. I've done the backwards (just at the initial stage) method before for slippery surfaces just to get the "scratched up" for grip .. then I switch to forwards. The backwards prevents it from skipping all over the place.
Your house build is looking very Australian with all that corrugated tin, soldier on guys doing a great job, glad to see the hire of subbies much better than suffering burnout especially when there's some sickness hanging around.
When you cut through Styrofoam and/or PVC use reverse settings, especially on a table saw and a hole saw. It is less mess where the friction cuts threw like butter. Metal surfaces are different. You must use be in forward to cut and it doesn't hurt your drill is specially designed to cut holes properly. A Pilot hole is a key in using a hole saw. Of course you know that and I saw it on the video!
This house is coming along fabulously it looks so good and im glad you asked for help it takes a little pressure of and always for some you tome keep up the great work guys love the channel
Professional Drywallers are worth the hire, fast and many do an outstanding job. The Mr. Cool products are, well, pretty cool.
I've done a decent amount of drywall, and you get quicker with time and practice, but it's something I'd probably sub out if it's more than a few rooms. At least for the mud and sanding part. Hanging it is ok although the ceilings are a hassle with those long sheets. You two work great together! Very inspirational!
This is probably too late, but a circular saw can cut the soffit trim. Wear safety glasses or a face shield. Get a plywood blade, no carbide teeth, and put the blade in backward with the teeth facing the wrong way. That will cut thin gauge sheet metal quickly and accurately with no jarring catches. Great job and I love watching your channel.
Congratulations on what you have accomplished. It is not wrong to get help as needed. Merry Christmas and happy new year.
Don't beat yourself up for subbing out work. I typically do all my own construction, but this past summer I hired roofers to re- roof our home. 3 days later it was done including resheathing underlayment.
It's all coming along really nicely, and looking great. Nice selection on the colors😉
Have a great New Year, looking forward to what you do next.
Courtney is wonderful so capable and talented in handling machinery. I am so proud of you babe ,Riley too, but not many women work so hard and so able in so many activities and top of the order , a mother of a great little boy. You two are so inspirational. I have been watching you on and off since the beginning. I don't connect to channels directly but I love watching and learning thankyou for your channel
Listen guys, I completely understand the burnout issue having experienced it firsthand on big projects of my own. You’re doing a FANTASTIC job!!! Seriously, you are. You guys are fearless and will tackle anything. Great respect here! Enjoy the holidays and get a good reset. Big love from Oklahoma! ❤️
I love you balance ergonomics with viability and everything looks great and last a long time! That's a real craftsman! Both of you have great skills! Have great New Year!
I know how you feel. I built my house and by the time I got to the drywall I treated myself, and it wasn't that expensive.
Having you guys skip posting a video last week made me realize this is 100% my favorite channel I watch! You are living my dream! Can I come help???
I’ve remodeled my whole house and done everything myself. There are just some projects that are so much faster to pay a professional. Save money with diy where you can, but enjoy the speed of hiring pros for drywall and insulation.
It’s always smart to higher out the finish work, especially when you do posses said finishing skill.
That cordless framing nailer was redesigned and they removed the spring on the inside so none of the new ones work in the straight up position for more than a nail once the mechanism drops away from the wheel it can't reset itself because they've omitted that return spring.
@ 19:40 the real " Pro Tip " is have the nut out far enough when hammering that it protects the threads and stops any mushrooming / the nut can always be replaced and be a sacrificial nut,
There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help when you need it. It is hard to give up the control though, but well worth it if you can find the right people. Congratulations, you've come a long way! Sorry you and Oliver are sharing sicknesses. You'll be better soon! Cheers!
1 million years ago, we gut renovated a house at the shore and had a lot of professional help. It was the right choice and y’all having subcontractors for the insulation and the drywall is also the right choice. You guys need to stay healthy and having help is really smart.
This channel is so inspirational. Y'all motivate me to tackle projects that would otherwise feel unattainable. Keep up the great work!
It is so funny when you talk about insulation, as someone who lives in Denmark the code says 12inch in wall and floor and 18 inch in roof and we do not even get the same temperatures as you do.
Awesome job guys! Here in Australia we use that type of cladding too. Love the profile of the metal. We call IT CUSTOM ORB when we order it from the shop...
If you leave an air gap under your interior doors you’ll have good air return flow and it’s the coolest air so you don’t have a cold air at the floor problem
I appreciate your perseverance on your big and hard projects. Courtney, I'm hoping you and Oliver are finally Well and please rest and eat often. I know a lot of people who are battleing sickness over and over. Riley lives and works on the edge so hopefully he will stay healthy . Nice house . Is it your part time home or what? See ya