One Man House Build: Tips Needed

bnentrup

Well, I will be framing most of my house myself. I typically would rely on family as a crew as I have in the past, but after thousands of 'loans' to the brother-in laws I figure it is cheaper to build my house by myself. Don't get me wrong, I will not be doing anything 'stupid' without atleast 1-person (like my lovely wife) onsite watching for safety. However, I expect to frame my walls by myself.

With that said: Tips and tricks are requested for this one-man-show.

Framing: I am planning to take my 40' wall length, and build in 3 sections.. 2 16' sections, and 1 8' section. I can lift the 8' by myself, but the 16' may be a bit of a challenge without the help of others.
-Is there a good system you have implemented that is safe and can allow 1-man to lift a 16' wall section with sheathing?
I am also limited to have the building just dried in before December of this year. With that said, my thought was to not cut window openings before winter sets and to simply tyvek it all like a nice blanket. Ever done this before?

I cannot fathom how I can lift my floor trusses (will be using 20" deep x 28' long) to the plate... but I suppose I can give it a try. If I can get a square foundation, I suppose I could tack one side and run to the other. This may be where I draw the line and just give in for some help. Again, help is costly!!!

I am likely going to hire out the flying of the roof trusses... no way to do that by myself safely.

Your tips and tricks are appreciated.

stp57

Ropes & pulleys?
Steve

neolitic

You might pick up some tips
from this guy....
https://www.taunton.com/finehomebuil...ms=66146,67744

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(Sorry....it seems there really are dumb questions)

genecarp

What are you building that requires a 20'' floor joist?, just use 14'' TJI'S. G

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strathd

joasis

I can only presume this is a DIY endeavor.

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TimelessQuality

Yeah...Welcome to DIYTALK

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-Steve

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science." ~ Albert Einstein

bnentrup

Timeless/Joasis - do you mean DIY or Amateur. I think i started the thread by saying DIY, but maybe you haven't passed the 8th grade yet. I am hard to work with, and operated a construction company for many years now, and have the desire to build a house by myself. Although we only do a bit of residential framing in my company, I also have a short history as a framer. However, when I bid a job with my company, I have a crew. We build outbuildings, decks, fences, pergolas, gazebos.

This job/house is for me. I have no timeline, no budget (well, that is my famous last words), and want to be able to say that I built this house by myself. I plan on living there for a LONG time.

Thanks to the others who showed the wall jacks. That is what I was looking for.

curapa

Why not just hire a dummy to help lift things. You can still say you built it by yourself, the dummy just handed you stuff.

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jmic

Where are you from? I have a set of 24' wall jacks that I'll sell cheap.

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Joe

willworkforbeer

If this house is 1200sq ft or better and you hang and finish all the sheetrock by yourself, you da man.

bnentrup

I will likely hire the 'dummy' - it is just that the last dummy(s) took off with 8 of my paslodes... ouch, that cost me. I live in Indiana-- therefore, if you have some jacks for sale, pm/email me and I will consider-- that is the route that I would prefer at this time.

bnentrup

did I say that I will do the drywall? I suck at finishing, and have a cheap sub that I have worked with in the past for that.. besides, drywall aint building... just kidding-- I will be hiring out a few of the elements.. but the framing I enjoy. I will do the flatwork as well.

naptown CR

Perhaps he's trying to span the entire 28 feet. The floor trusses are nice in that you can run ductork etc in them with no cutting and have a nice flat ceiling below.

willworkforbeer

If you're subbing out the sheetrock then you're not really building the house yourself are you? What about the electrical and plumbing?

bnentrup

Sheetrock: no, electrical yes, plumbing yes (but have to have it signed off by a certified plumber), hvac (yes on most of the labor, but no on the design)-- you caught me.. I aint doin the whole thing by myself... and I guarantee I will give in and have a hired dummy. It is just the freedom of running to the jobsite, installing a few walls, etc.etc..

willworkforbeer

I built a 1200 sq ft apartment inside a stick framed barn, only help I had was a framer who stuck with me through completion (not recommended)
In order the things that really kicked my ass, sheetrock, electrical, plumbing. I didnt realize how labor intensive electrical was, how much freakin wire! About 1/2 a mile of it. Things like 3 way switches and switchs take a little work. Wire to hook up dryer, water heater and stove can be suprisingly anti user-friendly.

Joe Carola

Do you want to lift the 16' walls because you plan on sheathing it before you raise it or are you open to any suggestions without sheathing the walls because these walls can be done very easy and safe without the sheathing.

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Joe Carola

greg24k

Someone had an extra bowl of stupidity this morning

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loneframer

You can easily stand 16' sections of wall if you leave the headers out and sheath afterwards. Otherwise, you will need some additional help or wall jacks. I just gave a set to a buddy of mine because I never used them. As for sheathing over the holes, I highly recommend it. I cut them out with a 3/8 router bit with a guide bearing. Just drill a starter hole in one corner and zip it out....from the outside of coarse.

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