Ok, so "I’m heading for the bid D, and don’t mean Dallas." luckily for me, I get the truck and we’re selling the palace. so that means I’m going to have to find new accommodations. Everything in the area I want to buy in, at the price I want to pay is in pretty horrible condition, and lacking in one way or another to the point where I’m just not willing to buy something that is already standing. I have the option and ability to live temporarily in a couple different locations, so I could build something. Land costs aren’t to bad. but my issue comes with the actual building, and what I want to do there.

I’m a DIY type of guy. I have the skills and ability to do every part of a home build. from plumbing & Electrical, to insulation, framing, and concrete. I can even do metal work. Not that I’d be doing all of these myself, but I know enough people in the trades to be either get them to help, or hire them out for the job.

And that brings me to the actual question. I’m trying to figure out if I want to build a stand alone house, and the build a shop later, or build a shop that is large enough that I can build a 1600 sq ft home in the second story. I have shop plans that had 800 sf rec room, and 800 sf of unfinished storage in the plans. I could easily convert that into living space. But want I want to know is would that be more expensive than just building the house on its own? The cost of the metal shop structure without electrical & plumbing was about $35k. and I figured it would cost me another $40k for concrete, framing, plumbing, electrical, doors, etc. to finish out the build for the rec room & storage. I’m hoping to do a 3 bedroom home in the second floor now if I’m going to get the cost savings I’d need to be able to pull it off. I know a lot of that will come down the the materials I use in the home construction. What I’m asking is if anyone thinks it could be possible to do the entire build for under $150k?