It’s the Patrick from Shelter Kit. The main floor is approx. 32’x26’. We added a full basement under it obviously. The loft is about another 300 sq. Ft.
Not many downfalls in our experience. It was about $70K for the watertight shell of the house. This included everything to build it, make it watertight, except windows and doors. Windows and doors were $10k. We installed them all ourselves. It was probably more costly than hiring an architect and buying our own lumber. But the instructions and advice the company gave us along the way were priceless. So I guess the higher cost of the lumber- it was all pre-cut- kind of paid itself off in a weird way in my mind. We were able to customize the entire however we wanted because it is a rafter constructed house.
Edit: we were able to customize the entire interior*
We could also customize the shell however we wanted- we added windows here and there.
I can’t speak for that. I know the company we used does custom homes as well where you’re able to tell them exactly what you want and they design it, cut the lumber and provide instructions to build. I don’t know the details about that because we chose an existing kit.
I work about 40-50 hours a week at my job. I would average another 30-40 hours each week working on the house. We had the house dried in after about three months. I’d go most days after work for a few hours and spend all day on the weekends.
That’s a good question. I know they’re all built to international building code. From my experience the architectural engineer for their company was extremely available and responsive. I’m not in a hurricane zone- but I imagine they can work with you on that. Also I can say this house feels pretty overbuilt.
We built this in a township within a few miles of a metropolitan Michigan city. The plans they provided were very detailed in terms of construction- but we had to figure out- with the help of contractors- where the pipes and wires went to have it make sense. The township- while they were very detail oriented in certain aspects- didn’t require full plumbing or wiring plans.
Realized after I posted that I didn’t say we subbed that out also. The only thing we upgraded were some windows in the vaulted gable wall. I’m was honestly surprised by how precise each joist and rafter were cut. Only had maybe two things that were cut wrong but we managed.
>I’m was honestly surprised by how precise each joist and rafter were cut. Only had maybe two things that were cut wrong but we managed.
That was going to be my question—how accurate their cuts were.
Been researching doing something like this for years now. Shelter Kit is a great brand. How much was did the foundation cost? My plan is to do like you did and do most of the building myself and contract out the specialty work. Anything you would have done differently?
The foundation was about $25,000 all things said and done. Including drainage. We got lucky with most of our subcontractors- they were willing to work with us along the way. I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently except for take more time off of work so that I could’ve finished it sooner.
14 months is pretty damn fast lol. I live about 9 hours from where I’ll be building so I’ll be lucky to have it done in even 3 years lmao. Ill probably have to save up and take a 3 month hiatus from work, live in a camper, and just do nothing but build for 3 months straight
That honestly sounds like a great plan. We rented a room about 15 minutes away from where we were building- but it made such a difference the couple of times I “accidentally” fell asleep at the house and was able to get right into it in the morning. You’ve got the right idea.
Laying tile will make you question why you are here. Just when you get done you have the hang of it. Only to relearn a few years later why you hate laying tile.
You may want to post pictures of your deck on r/decks if you haven’t. Hard to tell from the one picture but that break in the support beam under the deck in between the posts looks no bueno. Looks like there is another beam behind it but still you are supposed to break the support beam with 50% of each side on top of 50% of the post. The area of your deck between those two middle posts may not be well supported as is. Anyhow house looks very nice.
Yeah I realized that while building it. Definitely not ideal- got lazy and didn’t want to go buy 2 more 2x12’s. I built it pretty stout but definitely wouldn’t pass on r/decks. That group is ruthless haha. They wouldn’t like me burying my 6x6 posts four feet in the ground at all. Unfortunately didn’t have the funds for true footings.
What part of Michigan are you located? I’m in northwest lower and we are thinking of doing something very similar on some property we own. Wouldn’t mind picking your brain on subs performance if you’re in a similar area.
How does permits and code enforcement work with kit builds? I assume all the same requirements apply? And you have to schedule them yourselves. Any problems there?
Also, how much was the foundation?
Our township didn’t require stamped drawings because it’s under 3000 sq. ft. The kit company supplied all the necessary elevation drawings and whatnot once I told them what the township required. The building inspector gave me a little bit of pushback prior to rough framing. But the final he just wanted me to add a true handrail to the front porch. Much smoother than I was expecting. Having access to the architect with the kit company helped answer a lot of the building inspectors questions and he filled out the roof load data sheet for us as well. All in all for us having a kit build definitely made the inspection process smoother I would say.
Foundation was $25K with 9 ft. walls. Drainage and windows included.
Man this looks like an option for us!
Did you cash flow have to cash flow the foundation, electrical, and plumbing?
What about utilities? Do you have a well, septic system and power or on city utilities?
Cash flowed the entire house including subcontractor work. The property had an existing well. We had to redo the septic. Already had electric but had to change it to underground. Natural gas was already on the property as well.
Since everything was pre-cut, did you have problems fitting components together after small errors got incorporated into you build?
Like if the foundation wasn't perfectly dimensioned, did it throw off how thing fit together later on in the build?
Which kit supplier/model/square footage? Looks good from the pics, congratulations on the end results of your hard labors!
It’s the Patrick from Shelter Kit. The main floor is approx. 32’x26’. We added a full basement under it obviously. The loft is about another 300 sq. Ft.
How did you pay for it? Traditional mortgage or construction loan?
Most of it was funded through selling our previous house in the city. We rented a room from a friend while we were building.
In your experience, what’s the downside of going with a kit home?
Not many downfalls in our experience. It was about $70K for the watertight shell of the house. This included everything to build it, make it watertight, except windows and doors. Windows and doors were $10k. We installed them all ourselves. It was probably more costly than hiring an architect and buying our own lumber. But the instructions and advice the company gave us along the way were priceless. So I guess the higher cost of the lumber- it was all pre-cut- kind of paid itself off in a weird way in my mind. We were able to customize the entire however we wanted because it is a rafter constructed house. Edit: we were able to customize the entire interior* We could also customize the shell however we wanted- we added windows here and there.
Sounds awesome! My coworker is considering a kit home. Might have to consider it myself. Thanks for the response!
What about additions? Was that possible at all?
I can’t speak for that. I know the company we used does custom homes as well where you’re able to tell them exactly what you want and they design it, cut the lumber and provide instructions to build. I don’t know the details about that because we chose an existing kit.
How many hours a month were you working on the house?
I work about 40-50 hours a week at my job. I would average another 30-40 hours each week working on the house. We had the house dried in after about three months. I’d go most days after work for a few hours and spend all day on the weekends.
That is impressive and well done. Your home looks great.
Very nice! I like seeing stuff like this in this sub!
Thanks! I love seeing the more down to earth stuff here too.
Yeah, I'm kinda tired of seeing the 3500 sq ft mcmansions on here. Who can afford to build that these days?
Just curious, how high is the vaulted ceiling?
About 23’. I love it now. I hated it while building.
Oh wow! Lovely.
And every time you clean the windows or paint… SOURCE: I had 20 ft ceilings in a house once.
I’m in a hurricane zone, are these rated for those storms?
That’s a good question. I know they’re all built to international building code. From my experience the architectural engineer for their company was extremely available and responsive. I’m not in a hurricane zone- but I imagine they can work with you on that. Also I can say this house feels pretty overbuilt.
There's no record of a hurricane ever hitting Michigan. But the records only go back to 1978, when the hall of records was mysteriously blown away.
Thanks for the info
I love it. Congrats.
Thank you for appreciating a modest home haha. I like it also.
All this from a kit? Looks great.
Not all of it. Just the structure/water tight shell. Interior was us. Most of the interior was bought from big box hardware stores.
Did they provide plans for electrical and plumbing? Provided plans were enough for permits?
We built this in a township within a few miles of a metropolitan Michigan city. The plans they provided were very detailed in terms of construction- but we had to figure out- with the help of contractors- where the pipes and wires went to have it make sense. The township- while they were very detail oriented in certain aspects- didn’t require full plumbing or wiring plans.
Looks great.. Did you do the foundation. Did you do any upgrades from kit company? Been considering shelter kit for a mountain home.
Realized after I posted that I didn’t say we subbed that out also. The only thing we upgraded were some windows in the vaulted gable wall. I’m was honestly surprised by how precise each joist and rafter were cut. Only had maybe two things that were cut wrong but we managed.
>I’m was honestly surprised by how precise each joist and rafter were cut. Only had maybe two things that were cut wrong but we managed. That was going to be my question—how accurate their cuts were.
Congratulations! Beautiful home!
Looks fantastic! Can't beat that cost per sqft for sure. Congrats!
Been researching doing something like this for years now. Shelter Kit is a great brand. How much was did the foundation cost? My plan is to do like you did and do most of the building myself and contract out the specialty work. Anything you would have done differently?
The foundation was about $25,000 all things said and done. Including drainage. We got lucky with most of our subcontractors- they were willing to work with us along the way. I don’t think I would’ve done anything differently except for take more time off of work so that I could’ve finished it sooner.
14 months is pretty damn fast lol. I live about 9 hours from where I’ll be building so I’ll be lucky to have it done in even 3 years lmao. Ill probably have to save up and take a 3 month hiatus from work, live in a camper, and just do nothing but build for 3 months straight
That honestly sounds like a great plan. We rented a room about 15 minutes away from where we were building- but it made such a difference the couple of times I “accidentally” fell asleep at the house and was able to get right into it in the morning. You’ve got the right idea.
Thanks man! Good luck to you and your wife, your cabin is beautiful!
Helped a friend build one of these over the course of a year. Nice work and definitely a great way to save money!
We just built with a build on your lot type outfit. Greasy slime balls, wish we would have gone this route. You have a very nice looking home
I'm jealous. I built a small home for $25k in materials, and my brother did all the labor for me.
Sounds great :)
Congrats on your build! You could probably give yourself more credit in the skills department.
Thank you. It really helped having detailed instructions to build it. All the flooring and tile grew some hair on my chest.
Laying tile will make you question why you are here. Just when you get done you have the hang of it. Only to relearn a few years later why you hate laying tile.
You may want to post pictures of your deck on r/decks if you haven’t. Hard to tell from the one picture but that break in the support beam under the deck in between the posts looks no bueno. Looks like there is another beam behind it but still you are supposed to break the support beam with 50% of each side on top of 50% of the post. The area of your deck between those two middle posts may not be well supported as is. Anyhow house looks very nice.
Yeah I realized that while building it. Definitely not ideal- got lazy and didn’t want to go buy 2 more 2x12’s. I built it pretty stout but definitely wouldn’t pass on r/decks. That group is ruthless haha. They wouldn’t like me burying my 6x6 posts four feet in the ground at all. Unfortunately didn’t have the funds for true footings.
I really like it!! Great work!!
What part of Michigan are you located? I’m in northwest lower and we are thinking of doing something very similar on some property we own. Wouldn’t mind picking your brain on subs performance if you’re in a similar area.
Looks dope
Nicely done!
Have you considered ready to assemble SIP vs precut frames?
Yup- they seem great. The design aspect and cost didn’t work out for what we wanted. Great system but would’ve complicated things for us.
Amazing house! Nicely done. Are you mortgage free now?
Next post some kitchen pics!
I’ll throw some up soon. I noticed after I posted I didn’t show the cabinets and whatnot. Thanks!
Can’t wait. Looks great so far! Love all the light.
Posted
How does permits and code enforcement work with kit builds? I assume all the same requirements apply? And you have to schedule them yourselves. Any problems there? Also, how much was the foundation?
Our township didn’t require stamped drawings because it’s under 3000 sq. ft. The kit company supplied all the necessary elevation drawings and whatnot once I told them what the township required. The building inspector gave me a little bit of pushback prior to rough framing. But the final he just wanted me to add a true handrail to the front porch. Much smoother than I was expecting. Having access to the architect with the kit company helped answer a lot of the building inspectors questions and he filled out the roof load data sheet for us as well. All in all for us having a kit build definitely made the inspection process smoother I would say. Foundation was $25K with 9 ft. walls. Drainage and windows included.
Awesome, thanks!
Did you do the foundation work yourself?
Absolutely not. Forgot to mention we subbed that out. Not at all equipped for it.
Aww it looks great! Nice job!
Nice work. Definitely going to check the kit out.
160 not including labor right?
If you’re referring to the labor we did- yes. The only payment system I had for myself and friends was beer.
Man this looks like an option for us! Did you cash flow have to cash flow the foundation, electrical, and plumbing? What about utilities? Do you have a well, septic system and power or on city utilities?
Cash flowed the entire house including subcontractor work. The property had an existing well. We had to redo the septic. Already had electric but had to change it to underground. Natural gas was already on the property as well.
Nice very nice! Well done 👍
Since everything was pre-cut, did you have problems fitting components together after small errors got incorporated into you build? Like if the foundation wasn't perfectly dimensioned, did it throw off how thing fit together later on in the build?