Materials & tools
Roofing
Windows and Doors
Drywalls & Insulation
Plumbing & Electrical
Flooring
Painting
Add Appliances / Furniture
budget & requirements
- Budget of 30,000 dollars
- A lasting home (3-5 years)
- Natural light
- Insulated walls
$30,000
- A sink, stove, fridge, bed, and cabinets to store their belongings
- Air conditioning (optional)
essentials
Recommended tools
Click on “Home Depot” Button to buy (rental also available for many tools)
Safety glasses
Safety gloves
Tape measure
Speed square
Level
Chalk line
Carpentry pencil
Hole digger
Shovel
Miter saw
Circular saw
Nail gun
Jigsaw
Palm nailer
foundation
Concrete pier blocks
4 x 6 x 14 Pressure-treated lumber
2 x 6 x 14 Pressure-treated lumber
4 x 8 x 5/8 Pressure-treated plywood
Screws & nails
Foundation Material List
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Stud
Subfloor
Rim Joists
Floor Joists
Support Beam
Pier Block
Concrete Pier Blocks
9 units
4 in. x 6 in. x 16 ft.
3 units
2 in. x 10 in. x 10 ft. Pressure-Treated Lumber
15 units
4 ft. x 8 ft Sheathing Plywood
5 units
Gravel
STEPS
Pick a site. My plan is size 10‘ x 15‘.
Dig nine 16" deep holes to fit 9 concrete pier blocks and 7" wide trenches.
Set concrete pier blocks and 4 x 6 x 16 beams under ground.
Build the floor joist system using 2 x 6 x 14 pressure-treated lumber.
Making the floor framing "square" means that you will make the angles on the corners 90 degrees to the adjacent side.
Equal distance
Here’s the floor joist layout.
15' = 180"
10' = 120"
Start building from right to left
16"
on-center spacing
On the center spacing explained
Here’s my suggested 4 x 8 plywood placement on the frame.
framing Material List
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Stud
Terminology
2 x 4 x 10 Wall studs
2 in. x 4 in. x 8 ft. Prime Stud
4 in. x 6 in. x 8 ft.
D&W Header
Framing STEPS
Build a front wall using 2 x 4.
Layout for the front wall. Build a frame (16" on center) using the platform you just built except for the two corner studs (blue) which will be added later.
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
48"
38"
15' = 180"
How to mark 16" on the center explained:
Raise the front wall and brace.
Layout for the back wall. Two corner studs (blue) which will be added later.
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
16"
15' = 180"
12'
Build a back wall using 2 x 4.
Raise the back wall and brace.
Add side wall bottom panels and corner studs.
Create 4 three stud corners, using blocks. You can make this by sandwiching short lengths of blocking between two studs and add them to the corners.
blocking
Use a chalk line to mark each stud height. The length of the top plate for side walls is 115 1/2" and cut at 15 degree angle. Use a miter sew if available.
10' 4"
16"
16"
16"
16"
10' 3 1/2"
8' 4"
Create side walls.
Remove braces. Double top plates.
Framing Tutorial Video