Just like Kid Charlemagne's customers (real estate, how much, houses)

[wsobchak]

I am a modernist. I am an environmentalist. I am poor. I am a realist.

So, I need a small, eco-friendly, securable (no big windows, or windows with sliding internal shutters or pocket walls), inexpensive modernist house on a wooded lot (lawns are an environmental no-no).

But they don’t exist, and they won’t start building them for several more years, even though the demand has always existed. Builders have to be weaned off the mega-profits. But they still haven’t realized that those days are gone.

But I think I have a practical answer: the A-Frame.

A-Frames are small. They must be the simplest and least expensive house to build. Placing rigid foam insulation between the rafters and adding a wooden façade over it would create a well-insulated house. You could have the traditional back end of the house that is mostly glass, but have wooden sliders like barn doors that could be rolled over them to both insulate and secure the house. And while I never thought of A-Frames as modernist, when compared to the odd-looking anacronisms built in the last eight years, they seem positively futuristic.

But there is a problem. I can’t build it myself.

I need to find someone willing to build an A-Frame. A builder who is willing to make a small profit, not a profit of hundreds of thousands per house.

A there any “little”, independent builders left? Maybe a company that primarily does decks and porches, but would be willing to construct an A-Frame?

There is a guy in Tennessee who manufactures and delivers the joists, and claims the Frame itself with plywood and roofing could be built for 12K. Of course, the real cost is in the plumbing, utilities, and finish work.



An alternative would be to find one of those little bar-shaped houses, scrape off the exterior and add a simple modernist wooden facadectomy. It would be the "utilities unit". Then you could add an A-Frame shell at one end as the "Great Room".

[brokensky]

Lowes used to have A-frame plans that you can buy - and they would recommend builders who were experienced w/ the plans. Have you checked to see if they still offer that service?

[wsobchak]

You used to be able to buy A-Frame kits.

The Lowes website sells "Katrina Cottage" plans, something I am not interested in. The process recommended by Lowes is to "secure a general contractor", but they don't offer referrals. My fear is that most of these General Contractors only build big giant houses, or else just do little home additions (but then, why not an A-Frame?)

Another problem I have had is the inability to get a ball park prices on stuff. I tried buying a small (570 sq ft!) pre-fab modernist house (at $140 - 200 per sq ft, no less), built in a factory and installed. After numerous emails, I couldn't get an answer as to pricing, even though I supplied all info requested as to options. The guy emailed me "as to affordability, we can help get financing". I responded "the ability to get financing has nothing to do with affordability". That ended that.

They want you to buy the land first. I actually go to look at land, but then have to tell the real estate agent I can't buy the land because I don't know if I can afford to build on it.

This has happened to me four times. The people selling the prefab refuse to give you a price. They want you to commit without knwoing how much it will cost. That's crazy.

[brokensky]

Well. How are these people selling to others? Why can't you get someone to make you a package deal - land and house - totally priced out? I guess I don't understand the problem.

Maybe you need to just buy a small home - fixer upper - and retrofit "green."

[Native_Son]

Clean this mess up else we'll all end up jail.

The test tubes and the scales, just get it all outta' here.

Is there gas in the car?

[mullman]

I appreciate what you are trying to do, the wife and I talk about having a minimalist house once the kids are gone. I'm sure you have seen these, I think they are really cool:

Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

[ellemaew]

I'm sure there are general contractors who can build an A-frame house - a competent contractor should be able to build any house that you have decent plans for. However, they, like most people, need to make a living too, so their expertise and knowledge don't come cheap. Also, there are so many things that are site, location, and owner specific that you will most likely never get anything other than an estimate, because it is virtually impossible to foresee and include all possibilities that can come up during a project - and the contractor doesn't want to eat the loss if there are issues with the drainage at the site, or you change your mind about what you want done, or the code changes before the building is complete.....

Have you tried posting something on Craig's List under "Wanted"? It might help you to reach a wider audience, or someone who can't afford to advertise in the Yellow Pages or online. Just be really careful - a bad, unlicensed contractor can cost you more than any savings you got by having them build your house for you.

[scarlet52698]

You can also try posting on BidClerk to see if someone will give you an estimate. What is your budget?

[aarononymous]

Originally Posted by Native_Son

Clean this mess up else we'll all end up jail.

The test tubes and the scales, just get it all outta' here.

Is there gas in the car?

Steely Dan's the best!