Part 2 of Our Owner-Builder FIRE Journey Series

Hello everyone, our homebuilding journey continues to unfold in ways we never quite expected. After months of navigating permits and septic approvals, we’ve finally broken ground, and we can’t wait to share our latest adventures.

Permit and Approval Journey

The septic tank layout approval came through after over three months, and we immediately rushed to the city with our building permit applications. To our surprise, the city responded within two days, presenting only minor revisions. We addressed these quickly, grateful for the unexpectedly smooth process. I suppose it helped that we provided solid blueprints and went above and beyond with all the necessary paperwork to build a house.

Environmental Considerations: Protecting Gopher Tortoises

As a prerequisite for permit approval, the city required us to install a partial silt fence before we remove any trees to separate the construction site from the gopher tortoise habitat. We decided to install the entire fence, anticipating potential adjustments during tree removal and prepared to make any necessary repairs before the first erosion inspection.

Pro Tip: Know your limits and when to call in the pros.

My initial attempt to install the silt fencing myself was, well, humbling. The palmetto roots are nothing short of legendary—incredibly dense and stubborn. I managed to dig barely a foot into the ground before realizing this was a job for professionals. Swallowing my DIY pride, I enlisted the help of our environmental consultant, who also specializes in silt fencing.

His team of five arrived with specialized equipment, quickly assessing that root excavation would be necessary before they could even start digging the trench for the fencing. This added $1,200 to the original estimate. In just a few hours, they completed over 800 linear feet of silt fencing—a task that would have taken me days of frustrating labor.

Pro Tip: Have a flexible budget that includes unexpected expenses

The lesson was clear: sometimes saving money means knowing when to hire experts. What looks like a cost-cutting move can quickly become more expensive through time, effort, and potential mistakes.

Tree Removal and Site Preparation

Our tree removal process took an unexpected turn. The original arborist planned to grind trees and leave ground stumps in place. When we started getting pad preparation quotes, a contractor shared a crucial insight that changed our entire approach.

He explained that leaving tree stumps would lead to eventual rot, creating soil cavities and potential settling issues years down the road. This single piece of advice forced us to completely rethink our initial plan.

We gathered multiple quotes for tree removal, land clearing, and pad construction. One came in at $19,200, another contractor never responded, a third wanted to see competitors’ quotes (whaaa!) and the fourth quote—our eventual choice—was negotiated down to $9,400.

Pro Tip: Leverage contractor relationships

We selected the $9,400 quote from a contractor recommended by our shell contractor. The decision wasn’t just about price. This contractor could handle both tree removal and pad construction, manage backfill and culvert installation, and their interconnected work promised better pricing and accountability. One advice I was given early on in this process is that it’s better to hire one person to do multiple jobs whenever possible to avoid the blaming game. After all, you cannot blame the first person who did something incorrectly if it is you!

Project Statistics Dashboard

So, let’s take a look at our project dashboard to see some statistics about our build. Our project dashboard reveals some fascinating insights about our home build. As anticipated, the final structure is turning out to be quite expansive—a result of our carefully considered design choices. From the beginning, we envisioned more than just a standard home: a generous walk-in pantry for culinary enthusiasts, a versatile bonus room doubling as a guest bedroom and homeschooling space, and an impressive lanai that embraces our love for outdoor living. What started as a set of intentional features is blossoming into a remarkably spacious and functional home that will truly reflect our lifestyle and priorities.

Caching Caching: Project Cost

We’re writing more big checks than ever before. Our bank’s fraud detection system went into overdrive, sending multiple alerts about “unusual activity”—until they realized this was our new normal! We are depleting our accounts, but in a good way!

Strategic Purchases

Our strategic purchasing continued this month. We paid the final balance on our truss, benefiting from a $2,000 discount due to decreased lumber prices. I was worried that we would miss out on the lower lumber prices, but it appears that demand will remain low into December. We also ordered PGT impact windows, taking advantage of a manufacturer rebate that saved us approximately $1,450—$50 per window and $125 per sliding glass door. I’m glad that we’ll no longer have to worry about putting up shutters before a hurricane. If we leave during the hurricane season, this will no longer be a task for a friend or neighbor.

Current Progress

As of now, our land has been transformed. Trees are cut, the building pad is prepared, we’ve officially broken ground, and our first inspections are happening.

Timeline Projection

We’re timing our build strategically. With holiday breaks approaching, many builders are on pause, submitting permit paperwork, and restarting in the new year. Our projected timeline looks promising: stem wall completed by December’s end, block walls in early January, interior wood framing in late January, and the house reaching “dry-in” condition by January’s close.

Next Steps: December Schedule

Our December is meticulously planned: a few initial inspections, stem wall footer preparation, compaction testing, stem wall build, and underground electric and plumbing installations.

Thoughts on Our Project So Far

Budget flexibility remains crucial. Unexpected expenses will arise—like our additional $1,200 for root excavation. But in this journey, you quickly learn that you lose some and win some. Our truss discount and window rebates helped offset these surprise costs.

As we look back on this month of progress, our home-building adventure is proving to be far more than simply erecting walls and laying foundations. It’s a testament to adaptability, strategic planning, and the importance of knowing when to embrace professional expertise.

Our journey has already taught us invaluable lessons: sometimes saving money means being willing to invest in the right help, unexpected challenges are opportunities for smarter decision-making, and flexibility is the cornerstone of any successful project. From navigating gopher tortoise habitat protections to negotiating contractor quotes, each step has been a learning experience that goes beyond mere construction.

As we look ahead to December and the coming months, we’re excited but realistic. Our projected timeline of stem walls, block walls, and interior framing feels tangible, yet we know this journey will continue to surprise us. And that’s the beauty of this owner-builder path—each unexpected twist is an opportunity for growth, learning, and moving closer to our dream.

Are you considering a custom home build? Curious about our owner-builder journey? Drop a comment below and join our community of financial freedom seekers!

Upcoming: Foundation and the Invisible Infrastructure