[Fr. Frank]

I've got complete plans for a frame 30'x38' Cracker style "Carriage House"; 2 story, with a compact 3br/2ba upstairs, and below a 12' ceiling 4 car garage/workshop, with two 16'Wx 10'H doors. That'll get the Camper and Seafari inside, and give me an 18'x10' workshop area in front of the vehicle parking area.

By complete plans, I mean even with complete materials list right down to the nails, screws, lumber, texture and paint. I paid $6k to have the plans drawn up in '05.

I've asked four construction companies to bid on building it over the past month. Prices quoted were $97K, $104K, $177K and $310K. The $310K price includes $49K to frame the house. That's $21.50 per square foot. The $97K price includes $14.8K to frame it in, or $6.50 sq.ft. So next I called some guys I know who are framing carpenters, and asked what the going rate was for house framing, and they are currently being paid between $6 and $9 sq.ft. by the contractors here in Citrus County.

I wish I was healthy enough to build it myself.