Is Homebuilding for me?

     This is one question every home builder have asked at one time or another.  And it isn't the easiest question to answer.  In fact, if you look at any airplane trading papers or home building magazine, you will see something like this. 

"For Sale: 90% complete Garage Queen 2000.  All parts and instructions complete."

     This is one of a good indication that the builder have answered the first question incorrectly.  To answer the question, let me discuss some of the wrong reasons to homebuild.

• It's a cheap way to get my own plane. -- It isn't.  You can get a used certificated aircraft cheaper than you would a home built.
• I can get a better plane building myself -- Define 'better'.  Speed?, Capacity?, Range?  In just about any category, you can get a certificated plane that can do it better.
• It's cheaper to fly / maintain -- Maybe.  Perhaps if you consider purely the financial aspect.  Sure, the immediate cost probably is less.  However, consider how much your time is worth, too.  Repairs and maintenances still need to be done.  It might take several hours for the job your A&P can do in less than an hour.  How much does your time worth to you?  And even if you do your own maintenance and sign off your work, you might want to have your work double-checked by an A&P.  Do you trust your power plant expertise enough to put your life on it?

     So why bother?

• You get what you want.  I mean exactly what you want.  Money and time permitting, you can build just what you need/want.
• You can change what you don't like.  This goes with the above.  While there still are some paperwork and test periods for major modifications, the requirements are far less stringent than on certificated aircrafts.
• You know exactly what's in your plane.  Inside and out.
• Satisfaction and confidence that comes from undertaking and completing a project of this magnitude.
• You like working with your hands.
• Ramp Appeal
• Bragging Rights!

     So, the #1 requirement for successful homebuilder is that they have to enjoy the process of building itself.  Even with modern fast-build kits, it is a phenomenal undertaking and unless you love working with your hands, chances are you will be taking out a classified ads after the kits sits in your garage for several years.  The process of building is also the objective.

     Then, you'd have to be resourceful.   There are times you will not have the right space, tool or equipments.  Creative problem solving is a large part of building a plane.  You don't want to be too resourceful to the point you will be making dangerous shortcuts or substitution.  But if you are too rigid in your thinking, you may end up waiting long time before that 'perfect piece of nut' shows up on your doorstep.

     If you have a spouse, partner, relationship, family, jobs, or anything in your life that require your attention, it might be a good idea to get their 'buy-off' first.  The project will take a lot of your time and energy.  If you are going to be building in your residence, then it will take up space that are probably used for something else right now.  There will be noises, fumes, dust, and refuse that are the by-product of your project.  Your partner may be irritated by clutter of all the parts stored in the house.  They may, over time, get resentful of all the money that will inevitably get diverted to items they cannot identify.  You may need to set a limit to get a buy-off.  If this is the case, then stay within the limits.  Abusing or constantly testing the limit would only lead to growing resentment over time.

     Homebuilding isn't for everyone.  That's why you see so many projects being sold off all too often before completion.