A couple built a home and blogged about it. Here is their comments about getting temporary power.
What plans does the OP have for a crew or subcontractors? Building a house isn’t a one man job. Some of the work like digging foundations and pouring a slab requires a subcontractor with the equipment.
I’d sub out most of the framing and roofing. Jump in where you can. But get it done to code and pass the inspection.
The quicker the house is framed and sheathed the better. It can be locked and secured.
A lot of the interior work can be DIY (if the OP has the skills) except for electrical and plumbing. My dad hammered in all his receptacle boxes and ran the wire to the panel. The electrician did the rest.
One does not simply walk into Oakland and build a house!
Like I said…generator.
Legal advice is best suited to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
There’s a lot of planning required to be your own General Contractor. Picking the plans, getting the construction loan, hiring the subs and deciding what labor you can provide.
Done right it is possible to save a lot of money. Be ready for several months of stress and hard work.
One way to save money is to gather together materials ahead of time. Find vinyl and carpet remnants cheap. Sometimes clearance sales can be found for lumber and plumbing fixtures. Heck, used fixtures off Craig’s list can save a lot of money.
The OP said he’s planning on buying land and living in a temp structure. So how is it “better” to buy the land and live in a shipping container? It’s exactly what he said, istm.
My husband and I built our own house sans contractor. It was not within any city limits, call it exurbia. We ran about a quarter mile of romex from the nearest house, for power. Yes, illegal, but where we are nobody knew or cared. This would not be an option in Oakland. If you pull owner-builder permits you have a lot more leeway than contractors do, but not to that extent. Pull your permits as an owner-builder and get a temporary pole. Haul water. If your neighbors are cool with it you can probably sleep in a tent and maybe pay to use their bathroom. Theft and vandalism will be an ever-present threat, believe me. Planning and budgeting are your friends. Good luck!