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Old 02-03-2018, 01:13 PM
 
Location: Newburyport, MA
12,459 posts, read 9,550,156 times
Reputation: 15922

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Quote:
Originally Posted by hotkarl View Post
Im looking to GC my build.
I'll hire the builder for the frame and such, but ideally I'd like to do most of the system stuff myself like plumbing, electric, etc...
I guess if you live closeby and are handy... once they get the shell closed up and watertight with the windows and doors in it, everything flashed and the siding and shingles on, you can take your time and do the inside if desired and probably still save a lot. I am 3 hours away so running back and forth isn't practical for me, and besides, am not as energetic as I was 20 years ago - more power to you!
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Old 02-04-2018, 12:30 AM
Status: "UB Tubbie" (set 26 days ago)
 
20,051 posts, read 20,867,177 times
Reputation: 16741
Quote:
Originally Posted by OutdoorLover View Post
I guess if you live closeby and are handy... once they get the shell closed up and watertight with the windows and doors in it, everything flashed and the siding and shingles on, you can take your time and do the inside if desired and probably still save a lot. I am 3 hours away so running back and forth isn't practical for me, and besides, am not as energetic as I was 20 years ago - more power to you!
Yeah as long as the structure is all done and wrapped up I can finish the rest.
Of course including power-water-septic.
Every house Ive owned should've been knocked down so Im used to roughing it and living in a construction zone.
My last house got hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. We stayed, never left. Roughed it out for 2 weeks with nothing.
So I gutted the place and started putting it back together ASAP.
Did 100% of the work myself. Took a while but I saved a ton of money. Used the savings for upgrades.
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Old 02-11-2018, 01:59 PM
 
3 posts, read 2,670 times
Reputation: 12
Default Compared to MA, it's a cinch

Quote:
Originally Posted by hotkarl View Post
Just curious, is it a pain in the ass to build in Maine?
Like as far as codes, permits, regulations, etc?
Generally speaking of course. I know things can vary by municipality.

Where I am it's a few grand and a bunch of nonsense and a spool of red tape before you can even lift a hammer.
In rural towns there is a Code Enforcement Officer, and that CEO frequently covers for several neighboring towns. The CEOs that I have dealt with all want to see your project work and are not on any power trip. More importantly, there are few hurdles. Get your building permit and septic design, watch your setbacks (harder in a Shoreland Zone), call the CEO for your septic inspection before backfill (contractor will do this), call the CEO again after plumbing rough in (plumber knows this), and that is about it. This may vary a little from town to town, and there is a push to follow the IBC more strictly (probably good), plus there is more sediment control required in some towns. Compared to MA, this is a walk in the park.
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Old 02-17-2018, 10:01 AM
 
Location: Newburyport, MA
12,459 posts, read 9,550,156 times
Reputation: 15922
Closed on the lot yesterday, so the easy part is done now. I won't be able to build for two more years - need to wait for child support duties to be completed first. There is plenty to research and think about in the meantime. Thanks to those who contributed suggestions.
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Old 02-17-2018, 10:38 AM
 
Location: Newburyport, MA
12,459 posts, read 9,550,156 times
Reputation: 15922
Ah, and for those people looking for a realtor in the Camden area, I had a good experience working with Ken Twaddel of Camden Real Estate Co. Nice guy, honest and reliable.

Last edited by OutdoorLover; 02-17-2018 at 10:55 AM..
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Old 02-17-2018, 01:19 PM
 
Location: Northern Maine
10,428 posts, read 18,689,543 times
Reputation: 11563
Congratulations on becoming a Maine landowner. There is much you can do with the lot as to site prep. You can eliminate unwanted species of trees, encourage quality trees you want long term and choose the location for your home. Your home need not be parallel to the road. Many homes are built parallel to roads and it is just a superstition or imagined rule when no such rule exists. Consider an outbuilding like a pole barn away from your home site. Most people find them to be very convenient.

Consider what you want to have for a view and what you do not want to look at. Consider where the sun will be in winter and in summer. Consider drainage, snow removal and passive solar.

The first thing I tell landowners to buy is a high quality brush lopper. I like my Fiskar anvil lopper. Walk your boundaries with your lopper. If there is a branch in front of your face, lop it off. It is good exerciseLop the branch an inch or more from the trunk. It will keep the tree healthy.
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