I'm new to this bulletin board and my husband are seriously considering the "1999 Life Dream House-The Whole Nine Yards" plan. I was wondering if anyone here had built this house (or the "Back to Basics" version). We're still very early in the planning stages, and trying to gather as much information as possible.
Posts: 2 | Location: Okla. | Registered: 29 September 2004
<jkmpls>
Posted
I just built the 1999 back to basics house in the Minneapolis area. It was a good experience and I saved money by acting as my own general contractor. I am a project manager for a comercial plumbing and heating contractor, so I did all the plumbing and heating with the help of friends and guys from work. What kind of questions do you have?
<fish37>
Posted
Okie, we built the 99' home about 3 yrs ago. We just love it. We did not follow the plans as they were outlined, and we did not build off the plans. We used the floor plans and basic exterior structure from the prints. I would advise that you purchase the plans and follow them if you want what you saw in the book.
Did either of you use SIPs for your construction? Also, did you do the Back to Basics version or the Whole Nine Yards version? We're leaning toward the Back to Basics plan.
jkmpls, we're also wanting to do contracting ourselves. We're hoping to use the money saved on contracting and put it back into the house with higher quality materials.
fish37, did you use www.orderhomeplans.com to customize your plans or did you purchase the plans and then have your own architect customize them? We really like the layout, but there are a few minor changes and additions we'd like to make.
Thanks for both of your input!
Posts: 2 | Location: Okla. | Registered: 29 September 2004
Okie, I did the Back to Basics version of the house. I purchased the rights to the plan from SALA Architects (located in Minneapolis, MN) and hired SALA to make the changes that I wanted. I did not use SIPs, I used insulated concrete forms for the basement, main level and garage walls. The second story, garage bonus room and attic space are 2"x6" walls. I can't imagine building this house without plans, any money saved by not purchasing plans will be spent several times by field engineering. By having all subs bid off complete plans I got good solid proposals. With the money saved by being my own general contractor I installed in infloor radiant heat, maple floors and granite countertops. My life was very hectic for the 9 months of construction, but I got the house I wanted. Good Luck.
<NavaSioux>
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Okie: I'm new to this bulletin board and my husband are seriously considering the "1999 Life Dream House-The Whole Nine Yards" plan. I was wondering if anyone here had built this house (or the "Back to Basics" version). We're still very early in the planning stages, and trying to gather as much information as possible.
Hi, My hubby and I are interested in building the Life Dream House, too. The Back to Basics plan. Okie did you build? We'd like to do SIP's, as well. Anyone else want to tell us how they like their built LDH homes? The videos online look terrific!
<TisAlan>
Posted
Jkmpls, I've been researching the life dreamhouse for our retirement home in the Black Hills. I'd be interested to learn more of your experience in that we are planning on acting as our own contractors also.
Alan
<TisAlan>
Posted
I should add that I also live in the Mpls area and have seen the original home from the outside.
Originally posted by jkmlps: Okie, I did the Back to Basics version of the house. I purchased the rights to the plan from SALA Architects (located in Minneapolis, MN) and hired SALA to make the changes that I wanted. I did not use SIPs, I used insulated concrete forms for the basement, main level and garage walls. The second story, garage bonus room and attic space are 2"x6" walls. I can't imagine building this house without plans, any money saved by not purchasing plans will be spent several times by field engineering. By having all subs bid off complete plans I got good solid proposals. With the money saved by being my own general contractor I installed in infloor radiant heat, maple floors and granite countertops. My life was very hectic for the 9 months of construction, but I got the house I wanted. Good Luck.
JKMPLS, my wife and I live in Mpls. and want to do something quite similar (we're willing to have less house since we can't do the work you did). However, we don't know if this house's version of "affordable" is really affordable, or just affordable in the greater scheme of dream homes. What price expectations can you offer us in a ballpark sense? Thanks!
The original 'back to basics' home in Wayzata was just put on the market last month and it's listed for $879,000 (4 bed room, 4 bath and 3,426 sqft.) Material prices have gone up since I built (November 2003 - July 2004), but my best guess for budgeting as a three bed room, three bath and unfinished basement would be $400,000.00+, not including land. The house looks simple, but is challenging to build if you want the look and feel of the original house.
Good Luck.
<Dana_in_Minn>
Posted
Thanks, JK, for the knowing reply. I had the chance to exchange e-mails with one of the co-architects on the B2B house, and got a quote of about $175-$250 per sq. ft., land excluded.
I recognize my naivete on this one, but still have to laugh a bit at what "back to basics" means in this context. It's an intelligently crafted, great-looking house, but it's more than twice the median sales price for a home in the Twin Cities market. If that's the new vision for bringing smart home design to the middle class, then I must be one step away from living in a hut in Bangladesh--or maybe a mid-80's fixer-upper in Apple Valley. Oh, well...good things take effort, right?
<jon>
Posted
did you end up building? I was but ended up buying a home already built. I fyou need the plans please email me at jonhydn!msn.com. I will sell them cheap.
<Dana>
Posted
Thanks, but no--we'll be buying "used" for now.
<Zach>
Posted
We built the 1999 LDH Whole Nine Yards version in rural Oregon. Let me know if you have any questions.
email: xaqmanpdx!yahoo.com
<Snelson57>
Posted
Dana,
I built a modified version of the Life dream house 1999 in the Milwaukee area about 2 years ago. I acted as my own general contractor working through a firm based out of the Twin Cities (they have a Milwaukee office,) Homeworx Partners. They are an owner involved builder.
I ended up with a very high end home for under $100 / sq foot and a ton of sweat equity. I would be happy to share plans/photos/experience with you if you are interested.
Scott Nelson
<Dana>
Posted
Thanks to the multiple replies to my query. We decided ultimately to buy used, though I've not forgotten the appeal of a Not So Big home. Hearing that it can be done so affordably (tip of the hat to Scott's sweat equity) was encouraging for that one fine day.
This is in reply to the two different posts by Scott Nelson and jkmpls.
My wife and I are planning to build 1999 BTB version, and we would love to see any photos anyone would share and talk about your experience. We have several questions such as 8ft vs. 9ft ceilings on the main level. I like the cost of the 8ft, but I'm open to 9ft. My biggest worry is that 9ft would make the space seem too big and possibly detract from the spacial elements of the original design. We're also thinking about a basement, how to finish the space above the garage, matching paint colors for the ceilings, soffits, walls, and alternative exteriors.
I've been searching the Internet high and low for photos of this house, and it's great to have finally found this forum! You can email us directly at morgancara(AT)yahoo.com
If anyone else has built the Back-to-Basics home and would share insights and photos, please email me too.
Thanks! Brian
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrianM,
WE ARE PLANNING ON BUILDING THE WHOLE NINE YARDS VERSION IN A FEW MONTHS IN WASHINGTON STATE. WE ALSO WANT TO KEEP COSTS DOWN WITH OUR OWN LABOR. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY TIPS YOU MAY HAVE FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE. YOU CAN EMAIL US AT sv_chinook@yahoo.com
I apologize as I have not been on the sight for a while. My Life Dream house knockoff is currently for sale. Go to www.buyhouse.com, MLS #845004 for pictures. I would be happy to answer any of your questions on my opinions on how to save money in the building process. E-mail me at snelson57@wi.rr.com. Thanks.
Scott Nelson
Posts: 3 | Location: Menomonee Falls, WI | Registered: 19 August 2006
Originally posted by BrianM: This is in reply to the two different posts by Scott Nelson and jkmpls.
My wife and I are planning to build 1999 BTB version, and we would love to see any photos anyone would share and talk about your experience. We have several questions such as 8ft vs. 9ft ceilings on the main level. I like the cost of the 8ft, but I'm open to 9ft. My biggest worry is that 9ft would make the space seem too big and possibly detract from the spacial elements of the original design. We're also thinking about a basement, how to finish the space above the garage, matching paint colors for the ceilings, soffits, walls, and alternative exteriors.
I've been searching the Internet high and low for photos of this house, and it's great to have finally found this forum! You can email us directly at morgancara(AT)yahoo.com
If anyone else has built the Back-to-Basics home and would share insights and photos, please email me too.
Thanks! Brian
Also considering this house plan in Montana. Did you follow through & build it? If so, what can you share in terms of: cost/sq. ft., building process & livablility? If you modified the original plan, who helped you with that? Any photos available?
Posts: 6 | Location: Northern California | Registered: 01 March 2007
