Building a Home Near Kettle Falls (Spokane, Colville: construction, cabinets, live)

[GBERET5]

I just purchased 7 acres over looking the Columbia river just north of Kettle Falls. Would like to build a 2 story with full basement using constrution block. Does anyone have experience or have friends that have build a home in area? does all construction material come from Spokane?

[StealthRabbit]

Get a good connection with a lumber yard / Hardware in Colville, and they be able to get your stuff sent up when they get their normal deliveries. Sometimes you will need to venture to Spokane yourself. I am not aware if they have a Habitat for Humanity resale store. I built a nice place using "the rebuilding center" in Portland,OR where I got light fixtures and prehung doors for $7, and all my cabinets for $300. I got my windows from a dealer with a large volume and choice of 'mis-ordered' / refusals for $25 per window (complete with certification labels). I had $38/ sf in that place, but did too much work myself, I was able to custom build another for $48/sf, and did very little myself, and it was done in 5 months instead of 2 years.

My next one will be made from ICF's, either RASTRA or APEX; tho I've considered splitface concrete blocks too. It will definately be passive solar, and maybe dual shell. I hope I never have another stick framed, unless it is a vintage cottage or farm house. I seem to frequently pick spots with 80 mph winds, (but really nice views...) and I'm ready for some more stability. Also gonna get thicker glass next time... the windows are bulging like a drum tonight, and I have 2 (more...) with leaking seals.

There are several contacts from Spokane area on the yahoo-groups - alternative architecture