Strength to Build a Home

Most of us have fantasized about building our dream home. But when it comes time to start, the reality of the project isn’t always as easy, glamorous or affordable as the fantasy. So when bringing a dream to life, where do we find the stamina and mindset to make it happen? Where do we find the strength?

Jacob and Regan Faulk, along with their three sons, currently live in a two bedroom, one bathroom house in Cow Island. The growing family felt it was time for something larger, and have begun building their dream home; a four-bedroom, two and a half bath Victorian inspired farmhouse complete with an L shaped front porch.

“When we had two boys in two years, we knew we needed something larger,” says Mrs. Faulk. “We have always loved the Villien house in Maurice. It was the inspiration for our new home.”

Mrs. Faulk, who grew up in the construction industry because her father is a general contractor, drew the first plans for the house. Mr. Faulk’s father, David Faulk, who is an experienced architectural draftsman, drew the final plans.

“Contractors are building the shell, but we’re doing a lot of work ourselves,” says Jacob Faulk. “Regan’s father is doing the plumbing and I’m doing the electricity. We’re very fortunate that we have a lot of help from our friends and family. Especially our mothers, who have been very helpful by taking care of the boys.”

Mrs. Faulk is a beautician and owns Petite Rouge hair salon. She says that one of the largest challenges in building a house is orchestrating all of the details, while continuing to work and tend to her family.

“There are a lot of technical decisions to make,” says Mrs. Faulk. “You need to educate yourself or you won’t know if you’re making the right choices.”

The advice Mrs. Faulk would give to someone building their own home is to build in the winter because construction costs seem to be lower. She also suggests being prepared for changes that may increase your costs up to twenty percent above your budget.

The Faulks are building their new home just behind their current one. It took the family about nine months to plan the project, and then will take approximately nine months to build, for a total of eighteen months from concept to completion. Once they have moved into their new home, hopefully by spring, they plan to sell their current two-bedroom home to be moved.

I visited the Faulks one early evening to learn more about where they found the strength to build a home. Most of the framing and exterior was complete, but the inside required a little more time. Mr. Faulk, who owns a lawn service, had worked a ten-hour day, but was ready to work four more on the new house.

“We’re willing to make the sacrifice for our life,” said Mr. Faulk. “It’s our goal to have a home for our family.”

It was the last day of summer and the sun was lowering itself in the sky. As we stood on the large porch, warm breezes passed us as if saying goodbye.

“You’re going to see a lot of great sunsets from this porch,” I said.

“I know,” Mr. Faulk answered. “I can hardly wait.”

The moment was both a foreshadowing and metaphor for the Faulk’s future. After a long, hard day, when all of the work is complete, they will sit down on that porch as a family to watch the sunset. Through their time together, they will grow, learn and love. From their patience, hard work and sacrifices, they will find strength.

For more details about the two-bedroom house (1125 sq ft) for sale, call 643-2497.