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Posted by Bryan on February 5, 2007, 2:43 am
Thanks for the links, I'll be sure to look into them soon.
I did some quick calling around, starting with the city planning board (I
think, it's real late now) that issues permits. While I was hoping to do a
lot of labor myself to save money here and splurge elsewhere say on granite
countertops, it' seems OKC requires licensed Elec., Plumbing, & HVAC. While
I needed to have each do some work, like connect the fuse box, or install
the septic tank, etc. I wanted to do a lot of rough work myself, apparently
I'm not going to be able to do that.
Now I think my biggest problem will be finding a GC and/or subs that have
experience and will want to work on a steel frame house. I hate just saying
steel framed, because it's not just steel 2x4's, it's red iron framed, for
superior strength vs. stick houses.
> I'm familiar with your area. You might make use of the following
> sites, but also know that OK does not license home builders nor do
> they enforce building codes on them very well. There are a lot of
> builders there who don't know what they're doing. While ideally you
> should be able to hire a pro when you yourself lack the experience, it
> just doesn't work out that ideally in reality. Some of the trades in
> OK are licensed but again enforcement is a problem. You will probably
> have to have inspections and they will probably be tougher on you as
> an owner-builder. Many of the professionals already have paid their
> bribes. ;-) You may find odd laws, too, that require an engineering
> stamp on plans for a pole barn, but no requirements for a house.
> There's very much a good old boy system in OK, too. Hope the
> following sites are of help:
>
> http://bahrr.proboards32.com/index.cgi Home building forum
> http://www.hadd.com Be sure to check out the state chapters for OK
> info. There is a TON of info here on consumer stuff, not much on
> building, but it gives u an idea of how to protect yourself.
> http://www.jlconline.com construction how to info
> http://www.buildingscience.com ditto
>
> I can just about guarantee you that few builders in OK could even
> understand the technical info on the two construction info sites. A
> tip that's becoming really widely known among people who've had
> problems with "professional" builders shoddy construction is to note
> how many of them use no window flashing or do the house wrap or brick
> wrong. I can also now spot some roof prob's from the road as well as
> the aforementioned things. It's not enough for me to think i know how
> to build a house, but i can sure see many of these "builders" don't
> know how, either. Be sure if you hire it out you hire people who do
> know how to do it right.
>
> Also, make sure any contractors are insured and if you can make sure
> they post a bond. A common problem is that the guy you pay doesn't
> pay his supplier and then the supplier slaps a lien on your new
> house. You pay twice, the pro pockets the money.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
>> I've finally decided to build my own house on an existing lot where my
>> current, older, house sits.
>> I've never done anything homeowner related before, I've moved into
>> in-laws
>> house in Oklahoma City after my military service, and am now ready to
>> replace the house with a newer, safer, more energy efficient home.
>> So where do I start on permits and such?
>> Can I do my own work, with out a license, such as electrical, plumbing,
>> etc?
>> I'm on a very tight budget, but know some work has to be done my
>> contractors, for me this is foundation, septic & HVAC for sure. I plan on
>> building a red iron steel framed house, so I plan on erecting the frame,
>> roofing & siding myself. I'm curious since I'm within city limits if I
>> can
>> run my own electrical & plumbing. I have the know how, just not
>> certified/licensed.
>>
>> That's for the starting info, I'm sure I'll be full of questions over the
>> next months/years!
>> Bryan
>
>
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