Home Plans And Home Designs - which type of home should I build??

Let me explain....I bought 3 acres a few years back and have been getting anxious about building. I designed my own plans, a 2600sq.ft. ranch that my family and I were(are??) going to build. Basically it will be 4 guys building the home. I got all my estimates for materials and such, and acquired all neccessary permits as we were going to start at the end of August. I called the build off last minute after some serious thought about getting the home weather tight before winter. It turned out to be a good call. Well now I am considering not even building the home I designed as I think I would like to build something in the 2000sq.ft. range for money reasons. Although I am saving alot of money by doing 90% of the building myself, I would like to save a little more by building a smaller home. As to my question, my own design is just a simple stick built home. What I'd like to know tho are there better ways(other than stick built) to build a home these days, and for less money? Some things I can think of but just don't know enough about are SIP's, ICP's, and such. I've also looked in to Modular homes but don't know of any reputable companies, nor can I find a mod home that I really like. A few things about my property.....I will have a septic field. I will probably go with a Geo-thermal unit as propane is the only option and is VERY expensive. Thank you for any advice...

ron

I would agree with the smaller is better idea; especially in light of the uncertain energy price outlook and especially since you want to pretty much build it yourself. I am building my own home (1700 SF, 30'x57', 3bedroom, 2 bath), a simple rectangle like you mentioned. I have examined most every alternative possible (SIP's, metal frame, modular, adobe, strawbale, even earthship) I wanted an energy efficient design and that ultimately led me to the buildingscience.com website where there is a wealth of info. All the alternatives came out costing more than stick built. I will use 2x6 studs spaced on 24" centers and most all the energy efficient building suggestions from that website (and others). Outside space is at a premium (I can't get cranes, concrete trucks etc in to the site) I will be building my own roof trusses from information acquired off the web. I've spent a year studying, acquiring info, designing, redesigning and am finally digging my concrete footers. If you have any concrete block foundation walls to build look into the dry stack method, which I will be using.

good luck on yours