Kit Homes (house, buying, contractor)

[Cory Spackman]

Hiya Mainers,

I'm moving to the mid-coast area of Maine next Spring. The plan is to either purchase a nice old colonial farm, or purchase property and build my own place. It's this latter that I'm investigating right now, and could use your opinion on, if you've experience with building.

I'm really enamored with the idea of NOT having a mortgage, and the notion of buying land, clearing and grading it, and building a home from a kit is quite intoxicating. I'm looking at a NH house kit company called Shelter-Kits, and found that their shell kits are quite affordable ($30-$38 sq ft). And, they're quite handsome as well:

1. Barn/home example 1
2. Barn/home example 2
3. Barn/home example 3

I realize that the home shell is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to completing a home.
- Clearing, grading, excavating
- Septic system
- Water well
- Foundation
- Plumbing, electrical
- Insulating, finishing

However, I love the idea of buying several acres, and adding buildings over time, when I've the money to do it, so as to not be beholden to banks (mortgage). The setup I "dream" about is sort of a like many forest service employee campgrounds I've seen here in the Rockies:
- Main house/kitchen
- Guest cabins
- Workshop
- Several barns

Not being an experienced carpenter myself, I'm thinking that I'd want to sync up with a local contractor that has this sort of experience to help guide me through code, permits, and planning. However, this is all new to me, and knowing how to get started is sorta overwhelming. I've reviewed some info on the Maine Bureau of Building Codes & Standards website, but that's not a very clear way of understanding what needs to be done, step by step for building something like I'm talking about.

I'd love to hear about your experiences, if you've built a kit home, or home in general. Again, the idea is to do as much as I can (with the help of my brother and some friends) to offset any costs that would put me into debt.

Thanks!

[Northern Maine Land Man]

" I'm looking at a NH house kit company called Shelter-Kits, and found that their shell kits are quite affordable ($30-$38 sq ft). And, they're quite handsome as well:"

Compare prices with Distinctive Timber Building Kits

Those are made in Maine and are excellent. I don't represent them. I just have many satisfied customers who have bought from them.