Category Archives: Building Our Dream

Home Designer Architectural 2012 Review and Screenshots

Shortly after we closed on our land purchase we began dreaming about what our future home might look like.  We tried sketching out plans on paper and we tried some free online options but we usually just ended up frustrated and irritable after a short session of working on our new home design.

I finally decided we should consider investing some money in a decent home design application for our computer.  I did the research, starting with TopTenReviews.com. Continue reading Home Designer Architectural 2012 Review and Screenshots

Building Our Dream Home

A major part of our move to a wholesteading lifestyle is our dream to move out of the suburbs and on to a hobby farm. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to find a hobby farm that meets the needs of an 8 person family, that matches our architectural and design preferences, and that simultaneously fits within our budget. After an exhaustive search we decided our best option was to purchase land and design our own house.

Below is a summary of the steps involved in building our custom home from beginning to end…please leave a reply if you have any questions on the process:

Click on any of the pictures below to learn about each step:
1. Find and purchase land
1. Find and purchase land
3. Select an architect and/or designer
2. Select an architect and/or designer
3. Finalize formal construction plans
3. Finalize formal construction plans
5. Design kitchen and cabinet layouts
4. Design kitchen and cabinet layouts
6. Select a builder
5. Select a builder
7. Select a surveyor and perform a site survey
6. Select a surveyor and perform a site survey
8. Dig test pits and perform soil tests
7. Dig test pits and perform soil tests
9. Select a landscape architect
8. Select a landscape architect
10. Design a master site plan, landscape plan, grading plan, and lighting plan
9. Design a master site plan, landscape plan, grading plan, and lighting plan
Bank of North Georgia - Synovus - Logo - Construction Loan Closed - Wholesteading.com
10. Apply for construction loan
Septic Featured Image
11. Document septic plan and apply for septic permit
Building Permit Sign
12. Apply for building permit
Grading-Featured-Image
13. Clearing & rough grading
Basement Excavation - Featured Image
14. Basement Excavation
16. Install water meter and electric service
15. Install water meter and electric service
17. Basement and Foundation Footings
16. Basement and Foundation Footings
Foundation Walls Featured
17. Foundation Walls
19. Basement Slab and Garage Slab
18. Basement Slab and Garage Slab
2015_01_10 - Framing Featured Image
19. Framing (including Floor Frame & Sub Floor, Walls, Headers & Joists, Wall Sheathing, and Roof Framing)
2015-02-01-Wholesteading-com-shingles-02FeaturedImage
20. Roofing Shingles
22. Windows
21. Windows
Rough Plumbing Featured Image
22. Rough Plumbing
2015-02-21-Wholesteading-com-HVAC-19_Featured_Image
23. Rough HVAC Ducts and Furnace
Second Floor Electrical plan - Featured Image
24. Rough Electrical
26. Siding and Bricks
25. Siding and Bricks
27. Septic System and Drain Field (or sewer line)
26. Septic System and Drain Field (or sewer line)
2015-04-16-Wholesteading-com-Drywall_Rough-featured
27. Drywall
28. Porches and Decks
30. Install Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
29. Install Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
31. Interior Trim and Doors
30. Interior Trim and Doors
2015-06-05-Wholesteading-com-Hardwood_Floors_Stained-Featured
31. Install and Finish Hardwood Floors
32. Exterior prime and paint
32. Exterior prime and paint
2015-08-29-Wholesteading-com-gutters-FeaturedImage
33. Gutters, downspouts, and rain chains
2015-09-22-Wholesteading-com-Direct_Vent_Fireplace-FeaturedImage
34. Direct Vent Fireplace
Wholesteading_com_Dream_Kitchen_FeaturedImage
35. Kitchen Cabinets and Appliances
26.
36. Bathroom Vanities

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Coming soon:

Interior Paint

Plumbing Fixtures

Electrical Fixtures

Full House Tour!