Ferris and Lisa have been documenting their journey of building their dream home on a 3-acre wooded lot, which they purchased for $63,000. Over the past year, they have made significant progress, and their total costs so far have reached just under $542,000. Here’s a summary of their building process and expenses:

### Initial Steps
– **Land Purchase**: They bought a 3-acre wooded lot for $63,000.
– **Footings and Basement**: After digging the footings, they poured concrete for the basement walls, which dried over a week.
– **Backfilling and Leveling**: The land was leveled, and trenches for the garage were dug.
– **Plumbing and Utilities**: Underground plumbing was installed, and the local energy company hooked up electricity and gas lines.

### Framing and Structure
– **Framing**: The framing process began, and the first floor was constructed.
– **Well Drilling**: Since the lot is in a rural area, they drilled a well for water access.
– **Concrete Slabs**: Concrete slabs were brought in for the back patio.
– **Trusses and Roofing**: The trusses were secured, and sheet wood was added to the roof. Metal roof accents were installed above the windows for decoration.
– **Windows**: Aluminum-clad windows from WeatherShield were purchased for $31,000.

### Exterior Work
– **Brickwork**: Brick was installed, costing $25,000 in labor.
– **Front Porch**: The underside of the front porch roof was finished with tongue and groove.
– **Exterior Paint**: They attempted to paint the exterior but had to pause due to weather conditions.
– **Stonework**: Stone was added to the garage and the front of the house, with labor and materials costing $118,000.
– **Retaining Walls**: Retaining walls were built to prevent erosion.

### Interior Work
– **Electrical and Plumbing**: The electrician set up the initial electrical wiring, and the plumbers worked on the gas lines for the fireplace.
– **Insulation**: The house was insulated using R19 for walls, R38 for ceilings, and rafter vents. The insulation cost $5,500.
– **Drywall**: The entire house was drywalled, costing $188,000 in materials and labor.
– **Priming and Painting**: After drywall, the house was primed, and exterior painting was completed once the weather cleared.

### Flooring and Tiling
– **Tile Work**: They tiled the Jack and Jill shower, master bathroom, and powder room, with materials and extra help costing $11,500.
– **Floor Tile**: An uncoupling membrane was added to prevent tile cracking and provide a water-resistant barrier.

### Additional Features
– **Septic System**: A septic tank and drain field were installed for $13,000.
– **HVAC**: The HVAC system cost $10,000 so far.
– **Doors**: Front and interior doors were installed for $5,000.
– **Driveway**: A 14-foot-wide driveway was constructed for $115,000.
– **Cathedral Ceiling**: Tongue and groove was added to the cathedral ceiling, costing $4,500.
– **Attic Insulation**: Blown-in insulation was added to the attic.

### Cabinets and Countertops
– **Cabinets**: Cabinets were installed in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room, totaling $4,850.
– **Countertops**: Countertops, sinks, and labor cost $10,200.
– **Garage Doors**: Garage doors were purchased for $4,000.

### Conclusion
After one year of construction, Ferris and Lisa have spent just under $542,000 on their home. They still have a long way to go but are making steady progress. They have also released an in-depth ebook on home design, which is available for those interested in learning more about their process.

For more details, you can check out their full series on building the home and their design ebook, with links provided in the description of their videos.