# I'm building a house! How can you help? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 22, 2025, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181 "2025-07-22T15:03:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/21 "2025-07-22T17:07:45Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Basically, do Dopers have the combined skillset to build a home on a plot of land?! Well, I sure don’t, but here’s a story of a single woman, who escaped an abusive marriage and, along with her kids, literally built themselves a really nice house all by themselves, hiring contractors only for occasional very specialized portions of the construction. It was an amazing accomplishment, and succeeded through sheer determination and the care to do all the appropriate research. The book is an inspiring read! > **[Rise: How a House Built a Family: How a House Built a Family: Brookins, Cara:...](https://www.amazon.com/Rise-How-House-Built-Family/dp/1250095662)** > > Rise: How a House Built a Family: How a House Built a Family \[Brookins, Cara\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Rise: How a House Built a Family: How a House Built a Family ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/22 "2025-07-22T17:12:09Z")
Oh I forgot..if we brought the badminton net and put it up outside your build. Bring ice chests with beer; I got a crew of young adults that will help do about anything, if after work they can have a badminton tourney and drink beer. Very handy bunch…let me tell you. 2 guys, 5 young ladies. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/23 "2025-07-22T17:16:19Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I’d like to learn to install tiles. So… you might prefer someone who actually knows what they are doing. But hey, I’m free. I didn’t mention this in my OP but about 20 years ago my church decided to build an addition and they did it using mostly volunteer labor. A few church members, and a group of retired people who lived in RVs and went around the country helping to build churches. I took a few weeks off work and pitched in. I helped build framing, helped set roof trusses, hung drywall, helped put up the drop ceiling and laid almost the entire tile floor of the commercial kitchen. Tiling can be learned and learned fast! And seems like we’ve got an expert in @Beckdawrek so you have a teacher. Also @Beckdawrek I won’t make you work too hard on the tiling stuff because cleanup is WHERE IT’S AT. You’re hired! When my cousins and I are called upon to do projects at my aunts’ houses, one of the most important jobs is our aunts feeding us and bandaging us up. So I know those are very important jobs too. Salute to those who have offered such help so far! ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/24 "2025-07-22T17:25:28Z")
I can’t do a single handy/skilled thing, but I could contribute some $$ to the cause. Would that count? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/25 "2025-07-22T17:26:21Z")
Yes, any project can benefit from a sponsor to fund activities. Often more than one. Projects need not be shy about accepting funding with reasonable strings attached or offers of free funds. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/26 "2025-07-22T17:32:51Z")
Oh, yeah…maybe my most important contribution; I know a guy, he can do everything. Jack-of-all-trades type. Plus he’s really really good at procurement, if you are not too fussy about his method. he has a clean criminal record 😉 He’d come. I can promise that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/27 "2025-07-22T17:38:13Z")
Yes please! Funding goes to food first. And sponsors are welcome at the feast! ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/28 "2025-07-22T17:52:40Z")
I also own every tool known to mankind (except a Domino), can weld, and own a medium-size tractor with forks… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/29 "2025-07-22T17:57:16Z")
I have nail guns. The good ones. If Domino is that biscuit joiner thing, we have that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/30 "2025-07-22T18:08:40Z")
Ooooh the people with the tools seem to be the MVPs of Justus’s project, after the people with the food… In his last episode the little cement mixer they had broke, and within a few minutes someone else brought their cement mixer up. Easy peasy. Knowing what I know about Dopers, I get the feeling Doperandia has ALL of the tools we need and then some. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/31 "2025-07-22T18:23:23Z")
Yep. I’ve found, having been involved in building, from ground up, two homes. One I live in, the other I sold. Watched, and helped build a huge barn. Many sheds. Feeding the crew is uppermost in importance. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/32 "2025-07-22T22:13:20Z")
I’ve done multiple remodels in multiple homes, one by myself and 3 or 4 with my husband. I’ve done framing, pulled wire, installed switches, outlets, and ceiling fans, helped plumb sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, done drywall (marginally well) and wallpaper, installed doors, built decks, installed cabinets and counter tops, installed various types of molding, painted, installed vinyl and tile flooring… but at 71, best I’m confident in offering is help cleaning up as things get done. Days of heavy lifting and crawling around are pretty much gone. But I can still tell you what you’re doing wrong! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/33 "2025-07-22T22:29:15Z")
Sounds like we’ll have loads of Indian Chiefs and few Braves. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/34 "2025-07-22T23:05:09Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > But I can still tell you what you’re doing wrong! Hey! That’s my job! 😅 The man with the plan, I called dibs right out the gate. It was step one of the plan. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/35 "2025-07-23T00:55:53Z")
Good news all! In Doperandia we’re all 21 years younger than we are in real life. That’s how I managed to give myself the vim and vigor of a 25 year old National Guardsman in the OP (that was me imagining myself as the inspiration subject, Justus Reid (I am not a national guardsman)) Anyway, with 21 years of age knocked off your current bones, would you be able to help? How about 21 years of experience knocked off too? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/36 "2025-07-23T01:10:31Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Anyway, with 21 years of age knocked off your current bones, would you be able to help? How about 21 years of experience knocked off too? Well damn, now my planning skills are for shit and I have to lift, load and swing a hammer. I’m in! 👍 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/37 "2025-07-23T02:05:33Z")
Oh, yeah! Put me under the hot sun and watch me go! ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/38 "2025-07-23T05:30:04Z")
**.5 Fast Fabrication** _Give Me a Stupid Idea, I’ll Make You a Stupid Product! Creating Nightmares from Your Dreams for Decades!_ Wadda ya want? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/39 "2025-07-23T07:29:02Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > How can you help? What skills can you bring to the build? I’ve got nothing but a plot of land and the vim and vigor of a 25 year old National Guardsman to bring to the table. I should probably modify my self-deprecating post a little to say that it was partly based on my current age and physical limitations. Back when the vigour of relative youth was still upon me, I did manage to do a few construction-related things. F’rinstance, I replaced all the shitty baseboards in an otherwise gorgeous old house with elegant high ones and stained them to perfectly match the beautiful oak floors. Taking things up a notch, in a more modern house that had no hardwood floors at all, I ripped up carpets and installed hardwood flooring myself in the large living room and separate dining room. The difference between me and a professional installer is that inexperience led me to work carefully and slowly. So the job took freaking forever, but it was a pro-quality job, everything perfectly aligned and nary a squeak anywhere. That same house also lacked a decent deck, so I built a large multi-level one. I’ve also installed a few dishwashers. I’ve done fairly major drywall repair but never actually hung entire walls of it. Alas, today if I knelt down just to even look at dishwasher plumbing, or to nail in a single plank of hardwood flooring, I wouldn’t be able to get up again! So I offer my services as a consultant. While the other Dopers work, I am willing to sit in a chair and criticize, provided I am supplied with vodka. That’s my offer to your project, take it or leave it! 😉 Incidentally, that book I mentioned up in post #21 really is an inspiring read. It shows that with energy and determination you can educate yourself on construction techniques and do a great deal of the actual building of a house. You need to contract out the digging and pouring of the foundation and a few other specific things, maybe roofing, but not that much. Inevitably, they made mistakes, but they were correctable and not fatal. IIRC, they did the electrical and plumbing themselves and the legal requirements were only that it passed building code inspection. I remember the book saying that their research and discussions with building supply places led them to use PEX plumbing rather than copper, which is something I’ve heard from other sources, too. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181/40 "2025-07-23T07:52:29Z")
Sorry, I’d love to pitch in, but I’m busy that weekend. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-building-a-house-how-can-you-help/1021181.md?page=3)