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Episode 8: Biggest Mistakes While Building My House

Biggest Mistakes While Building My House on timber frame during raising day.
Me staring at the biggest mistake on my timber frame during raising day.

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Welcome back….

Why I have been away

  • Finishing my home
  • Building up my business after finishing my home…recovering from being away
  • Wrote my book – Creating a Timber Frame House
  • Pneumonia which made me refocus my life

What to expect moving forward, my commitment to you

  • At least one new show every month
  • Based on your questions so give us a call at 888-552-9379

I Tunes reviews

GREAT Resource
by Bhoodes

  • I have been really impressed with what Brice has put together not only with these shows but at his website at timerframe HQ. I am a life long carpenter/contractor in Seattle, WA wanting to learn timber framing and this has been a god sent. Well thought out discussions with professionals that are easy to listen too and seem to benefit professional and homeowner equally. Well done, look forward to more.

LOVE This Show
by PROWLER58

  • I Love this show , Im hoping to build a Brick ranch timber frame home . Ill be starting next spring APRIL 2014, so this info is great. I just hope it continues, looks like nothings happened here since Jan 2013. thanks Bob C

Meat and Potatoes of the Show

Biggest Mistakes I Made Building My Timber Frame Home

  1. Too much research
    1. So many different building methods
    2. What did folks do before the internet
    3. Foundation
    4. Enclosure system
    5. Joinery
    6. Drawer and Cabinet pulls
  2. Over thinking things
    1. Do I want to do it this way or that way
    2. So many different options out there.
  3. Over built my home
    1. Foundation
    2. Timber Frame
    3. These just made it cost more…will that pay off?
  4. Expected too much from friends and family
    1. Them coming for a weekend they do not have the same mind set as me…git-r-done
    2. They are looking for a weekend off and to have fun
  5. Did not always ask for help
    1. Wife
    2. Friends
    3. Family
  6. High Standards
    1. Sandy Kohn
    2. Things you never see:  joinery and things behind a wall
    3. Wanted all the subs to have the same standards I had and they don’t have to because it is not their house and they are not personally tied to it.
  7. Tried to save too much money along the way
    1. This goes back to research
    2. Time is money – bank loans, getting things done instead of research
  8. Digging up the pipe under the slab the morning before the slab was to be poured.

Eposide 8 Transcript

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13 thoughts on “Episode 8: Biggest Mistakes While Building My House”

  1. Hi Brice. Regarding your high standards. I think it so crucial to have high standards in any trade. That being said a really good experienced tradesman has to know when to accept a lesser quality. As you said some things are hidden forever and will never be exposed. So why spend the time and effort especially if your in business for your self. Does it really matter if a mortise is perfectly smooth inside. One saying i like is: Aim for perfection but accept it when its not. Your not God

    Regards

    Mike Jossa

  2. Roy Schack said, “I strive for 100% consistency, not perfection. If it’s only 98% perfect 100% of the time I think that is better than perfect 98% of the time.”

    Are there pictures of your new home on here somewhere?

    Matt

  3. I struggle with the High Standard Psychosis as well. I have found that it is better to get to good enough when time and money is an issue. Anyways it is very nice of you to continue your posts. Thank you very much as you have inspired me. I just hope that my city will allow me to build a timberframe.

  4. Well said Matt…There are pictures of my house all over the website but not in one spot yet. I am planning on taking some interior finished shots this winter and will put them all in one spot. Will let you know when I do that.
    Cheers,
    B

  5. Brice, I like to think I have elevated personal standards of excellence and expectations but at 50 I have come to realize I can think (of what i want in the end Perfection) far better than I can preform and now getting it done outweighs perfect perception.

    Like coach said “Strive for perfection and revel in excellence”

  6. Brice, very much enjoy your website and it is inspiring me to pursue building my own timber frame home which I’m planning to do off grid. I know some tradesmen take great pride in their work but sometimes I feel like if I don’t do it myself I worry about the quality and care that goes into that work. After all nobody will care about your home more than you do. Perhaps I’m jaded, because the current stick frame home we live in now was built by a local respected general contractor, but their are a myriad of issues with the house that suggest they took the day off from perfection when assembling our house. Things like visibly warped drywall, to poorly designed electrical and septic systems, just to name a few.

    My timber frame home will not suffer this fate as it will bear my mark in every inch of it’s dna, and only those things which require it will involve other tradesmen. I know it’s unfair to draw generalizations about hired trades but this next house will be our last house and it will be as close to perfect as is humanly possible, and so even if it takes longer to complete I will do most of the work myself, with help as needed.

    I think the wonderful thing about timber framing is that its not simply a structure, it’s really a work of art that requires great care to construct. I relish in the idea that this structure will be standing long after I’m gone and someone else will enjoy it’s beauty.

    Here’s another good quote for you:

    I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection.
    Excellence I can reach for; perfection is God’s business.

    -Michael J. Fox

  7. Hello funny thing is …… I done the exact same thing unbelievable google brought me here I’m still doing things at the moment over thinking with over the top outcomes lol sometimes to many opinions at the start and no answer at the end type of scenario just you and you’re squeaks and creeks lol you think the house understands you 🤯 it’s like jack Nicholson film you start looking back realise how many things you didn’t do . Not worth It wouldn’t recommend getting personal with a house build unless your just looking for trouble better you get it all done for you at a great price buy a approved quality contractor 👍🏽 Timeframe and cost and get it in black and white and stick to it no interference till signed off at the end best way just be clear from the start in contract. And trust me start thinking your Bob the builder is not the best idea. Better to get the professionals in save your time money and your back save your mental state of mind it’s very off putting dealing with it now and it’s a shame as it’s a great job I’ve done just like yourself no doubt. All during covid also. Absolutely ware fare . Sam

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