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Oddly, I've gotten a similar response when I tell people I'm building my own house by hand instead of hiring contractors. When they ask "why on earth would you

Oddly, I've gotten a similar response when I tell people I'm building my own house by hand instead of hiring contractors. When they ask "why on earth would you do that," I just say: "because we're rapidly moving toward a point where nobody actually knows how to do anything because they just hired someone else to do it and now those people don't exist (and other people weren't interested in inheriting their knowledge). 20 years down the road, I'd like to be able to fix stuff when it breaks without having to wait months, years, or potentially never to get it fixed." There's a deep, deep need for a resurgence of DIY culture across the board.

jonnycoder 4y ago
If I had the time, I would have a house built by others when it comes to concrete, framing, roof, electrical and drywall. The repetitive skills those tradesmen have is far more efficient than DIY. I quickly learned that by watching concrete videos on youtube of professionals. For DIY, I've come to appreciate the time and quality it takes to do the finishing work such trim. Oil based paint with high VOCs can't be bought in California unless it is small such as a pint or quart, but it's the most durable and looks the nicest for trim. It can be ordered online from out of state though.
- kiliantics 4y ago
  I'm building for myself without concrete, stick-frame or drywall. I decided to go more traditional with stone and timber frame joinery. It's an approach that takes a lot more attention in the labour and is hard to mass produce but will last as close to indefinitely as anything can, as well as being more environmentally friendly. Doing this has given me a much stronger appreciation for how much we rely on fossil combustion in all the basic infrastructure of our society. Producing things for longevity is going to be a big part of reducing our carbon emissions, otherwise we just need to lug all that heavy concrete or steel or whatever around again every couple decades when we remake the poorly made things.
avgcorrection 4y ago
- rglover 4y ago

jonnycoder 4y ago

If I had the time, I would have a house built by others when it comes to concrete, framing, roof, electrical and drywall. The repetitive skills those tradesmen have is far more efficient than DIY. I quickly learned that by watching concrete videos on youtube of professionals. For DIY, I've come to appreciate the time and quality it takes to do the finishing work such trim. Oil based paint with high VOCs can't be bought in California unless it is small such as a pint or quart, but it's the most durable and looks the nicest for trim. It can be ordered online from out of state though.

kiliantics 4y ago
I'm building for myself without concrete, stick-frame or drywall. I decided to go more traditional with stone and timber frame joinery. It's an approach that takes a lot more attention in the labour and is hard to mass produce but will last as close to indefinitely as anything can, as well as being more environmentally friendly. Doing this has given me a much stronger appreciation for how much we rely on fossil combustion in all the basic infrastructure of our society. Producing things for longevity is going to be a big part of reducing our carbon emissions, otherwise we just need to lug all that heavy concrete or steel or whatever around again every couple decades when we remake the poorly made things.

avgcorrection 4y ago

rglover 4y ago