Hey Guys; Something I need to explain to those who think of starting their getaway cabin. I'm have been building my new home since Dec '98. You ask why so long ??? Well let's begin with the closing of the property-30 days, Then clearing the land for a road to the property-1-2 months depending upon the weather. Then getting power company to trench electric lines-45 days. Then locate a builder that isn't too busy to start your new home- 45 days. So what I'm getting at is that it's almost too late to start building a new home. And here's another reason; Hurricane Mitch, Oklahoma Tornado, bulding materials are low, especially drywall boards. don't believe me ask any builder if he can get drywall say 200 sheets. Hopefully I will be able to get some for my home. Yea,you can live in a home without drywall,but would your wife ???

Furie

-- Furie (furieart@dnet.net), May 12, 1999

Answers

At the local building centers and lumber stores around here, they have been rationing drywall for a couple months now...30 sheets max per day. Good point!

Don

-- Don Wegner (dwegner@cheyenneweb.com), May 12, 1999.

Haha Furie,

you aren't the only one runnin amuck trying to build like a maniac. I've gotten the other half of a 4,000 sq. ft. home dried in and found out my wife (who wants a millenium baby)is 3 weeks pregnant. We need a garage to close off the straight shot down the driveway to the back area. All of this is two story and the backhoe guy is due a week from now. I've built the whole house myself and know what yer talkin about. I asked two places about sheetrock/drywall and they said that a sheetrock/drywall factory was closed while another was being built yet not finished. Everyone wants it and can't get it. Fortunately I wiped out the last 100 sheets off McCoys building supply who said they don't know when any will arrive. Those of you interested in quick fixes better consider cinderblocks or concrete walls. Bullet- proof and paranoia proof as well...hehehe. My mother and I went to wallmart superstore today to buy canned foods. She picked out different veggie canned items that were 3.5 servings at 35 calories per serving. I mentioned the sweet potatoes that were 160 calories per serving with 2.5 servings. My 400 calories at 53 cents per can with lots of vitamin A vs. her 122.5 calorie veggies at 39 cents per can. Oh, buy the way....got a buttload of tuna in soybean oil at 50 cents a can. Do not get it in water....quite a few less calories. I'm celebrating cuz a tornado was sited and missed closeby...good luck all.

Sincerely, Feller

-- Feller (feller@wanna.help), May 12, 1999.

We too have run into the drywall shortage. Have three rooms finished, three to go and now drywall supply has dried up. We're also doing it ourselves, which is slow going, but at least it's a cheaper and better job. And yes I can live in a home without drywall. Will I like it? No, but it's better than having no home.

I have to wonder about people who knowing about y2k deliberately get pregnant. My son and daughter-in-law are expecting, and I'm dismayed that they are launching a new baby, considering the "possible" future, of which they were fully aware. It makes me wonder if these grown children, that I thought were so bright, may need new light bulbs.

-- gilda (jess@listbot.com), May 12, 1999.

Gilda - do make sure they take emergency delivery classes. I delivered my son (first born) because he came within 2 hours of Mrs. K's water breaking. We are an hour away from the hospital. If you don't know what to do, you'll be shaken, not stirred. I do hope things turn out well for these parents to be and babies to be.....

On to building materials - there also is a brick shortage. The brick manufacturers here in NC are running at full capacity and are swamped. They predicted catching up with the market by "next spring". This was on a special report on local TV here in NC last week, so alternatives to building with brick should be considered as well unless you've already ordered and are waiting for a scheduled delivery.

Here's a snip from a Builders Supply Shortage story -

"There is a sheetrock shortage and brick shortage," said L.O. Harrington, a home builder and insurance agent in Moore. "It's frustrating to say the least.

"The shock is just hitting. Builders won't be able to get subcontractors to rebuild homes, because these people can make more money repairing homes than working on new ones. I'm not sure what the bigger problem is," Harrington said, "a lack of materials or workers."

Raymond Feuerborn, co-owner of Blanchard Building Supplies in Blanchard, said he had used his allocation of drywall by November.

He said insulation, lumber, and roofing material are also scarce. And spring is the builders' busiest season, when most housing construction starts.

Link to Story

Mr. K

-- Mr. Kennedy (Mr.K@work.today), May 12, 1999.

Trenching power lines? Building a road? If you're building a Y2K retreat you don't want either one. Save your trenching money for solar panels, and hole up where nobody can find you. Of course, without a road you'll have to build it yourself from materials at hand, so you'll need some time off work and a chainsaw, or maybe a backhoe...

-- Shimrod (shimrod@lycosmail.com), May 12, 1999.

My biggest Y2K prep has been reshingling my roof (3 illegal layers, thanks to the previous owner). Turned out it was about ready to be done anyway, but my many Y2K excuses (for which my contractor thought I was nuts but was willing to take my business) were:

*I could afford to do it this year (partly because I had more cash from closing out some of my high risk mutual funds);

*I wanted to match the color and materials of a small section of roof replaced a couple years ago;

*It was the last major repair-type project for my house (peace of mind for next year if, for instance, I should lose my job);

*It would spare my very elderly parents (who may have to move in with me) the unnecessary commotion of a major construction project (my cats were less than thrilled);

*Prices could go way up next year; and

*The materials were available this year.

Sounds like I may have guessed right.

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), May 12, 1999.

Just to add a thought to what Furie said, once you get the drywall up and the interior well under way, you may find a shortage of tradesmen to do the finishing work, i.e., the plumbers, the electricians, etc. We're experiencing that shortage first-hand right now. Dh is pretty handy, but some jobs require professionals.

Jeannie

-- jhollander (hollander@ij.net), May 12, 1999.

Congrats anyway Gilda!

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 12, 1999.

Just another warning for those that are considering building a house. By your OSB (chipboard) before the Hurricane season. Without fail the price doubles up here in Canada and we make the stuff! Folks down south go through lots of it to board up the windows.

supply and demand.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), May 12, 1999.